Restaurant Style Taco Meat Seasoning
Transform your tacos into a fiesta of bold, authentic flavors with this Restaurant-Style Taco Meat Seasoning recipe! Perfectly balanced with a medley of pantry staples like chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, and a touch of brown sugar, this DIY seasoning blend is your ticket to perfectly seasoned tacos every time. A hint of cayenne pepper adds customizable heat, while cornstarch ensures a luscious, saucy coating for your meat. Ready in just 20 minutes, this quick and easy recipe elevates ground beef, turkey, or even plant-based alternatives into a restaurant-quality taco filling. Serve with warm tortillas, fresh toppings, and watch your taco night become everyone’s favorite meal! Perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or taco bar parties, this seasoning delivers unbeatable flavor without the preservatives of store-bought mixes.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Chili powder
- 1 tablespoon Ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon Paprika (smoked or regular)
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon Cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Cornstarch
- 0.25 cup Water (for mixing into cooked meat)
Instructions
In a small bowl, combine chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, black pepper, cayenne pepper, salt, brown sugar, and cornstarch. Whisk until evenly mixed.
Cook 1 pound of ground meat (such as beef, turkey, or plant-based ground) in a skillet over medium-high heat until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess grease if necessary.
Reduce heat to medium and evenly sprinkle the prepared seasoning blend over the cooked meat.
Pour 1/4 cup of water into the skillet and stir well to combine the seasoning with the meat. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has thickened and evenly coated the meat.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more salt or cayenne for heat.
Serve immediately with taco shells, tortillas, or your favorite taco toppings. Store any leftover seasoned meat in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
138 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 2.1 g | 3% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.2 g | 1% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 2649 mg | 115% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 27.3 g | 10% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 9.0 g | 32% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.4 g | ||
| Protein | 2.6 g | 5% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 103 mg | 8% | |
| Iron | 8.2 mg | 46% | |
| Potassium | 261 mg | 6% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
