During the holidays, we often choose Mexican food for our Christmas Eve meal, or to use the leftovers after the big meal. For some time now, it has been harder and harder to find my favorite taco seasoning mix made by Lawry’s. This brand has a unique blend of spices that, to me, is ideal – just the right amount of heat with a complexity of flavor that is unique. I’ve tried McCormick (which makes Lawry’s), Taco Bell, store brands, and Old El Paso, but none of them have the flavor of Lawry’s. No grocery stores carry it in North Carolina, and for a long time I could order it in bulk on Amazon, but even that has gotten difficult as they are constantly out of stock. Even when the listing says it is in stock, the order is canceled a day later. So, I decided a few weeks ago to figure out a blend recipe and make my own so I never run out again.
I did a lot of internet research, looking at recipes that claimed to be copycat recipes for Lawry’s, but interestingly, no two are alike and not one hit all the right notes. With my last packet, I looked at the ingredient list. Amazingly, most of the spices were listed, along with a surprise ingredient that no one on the internet had – cocoa. Chocolate is an ingredient in Mexican Mole sauce as well, so this makes sense.
So I took a guess, mixed up a blend, and tried it on My Sweet Babboo, who promptly began sneezing and said it was too spicy. And by spicy, he meant hot. OK, too much cayenne pepper and not enough of the other spices.
After more trial and error, I think I have hit upon the perfect blend for my taste, not too hot for My Sweet Babboo, but with the complexity of flavor I want with cumin, onion and garlic. The cocoa really does give the blend a depth of flavor that lingers a bit once the heat is past. It is likely not the actual recipe for the brand package, but I will be using it from here on.
Here’s my recipe –
Carole’s Taco Seasoning Blend
1 Tablespoon smoked sweet paprika
1 Tablespoon cumin
2 Tablespoons cayenne pepper
1-1/2 Tablespoons chipotle chili powder
1 tablespoon oregano
1 Tablespoon onion powder
1 Tablespoon garlic powder
2 Tablespoons cornstarch
2 teaspoons sea salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 Tablespoon cocoa powder
2 teaspoons sugar
Mix in a mortar with a pestle to crush the sea salt and sugar crystals. Store in an airtight jar. The cornstarch thickener makes it gluten free, too, something the packaged mix is not.
Download a pdf – Carole’s Taco Seasoning Blend
I put some in a spice shaker to add to fish, shrimp and chicken as a sprinkle when I would not be using a ground meat mixture.
So, now here is my taco recipe using one pound of ground beef.
Brown the ground beef with one tablespoon of seasoning mix per pound of meat.
Drain the fat. Then puree the tomato/green chili mixture.
Add to the beef, stir well, and simmer until the beef is fully cooked and the liquid has reduced.
Serve in baked shells with lots of garnish.
Or use premade corn taco shells with slices of fresh avocado.
Delicious with flour tortillas too.
Sprinkle on fish or shrimp for seafood tacos.
Add to the chicken mixture for enchiladas. The recipe for this dish is my Leftover Pork Enchiladas, just substitute chicken.
Try it in Pork Quesadillas.
Sprinkle it on Shrimp Tostadas, anywhere you need a spicy blend to kick up the Mexican flavor.
As the title says, Happy Christmas in July Tacos!!
Do you enjoy Mexican food? What is your favorite go-to Mexican dish at home?
From My Carolina Home 
I’ve made my own taco seasoning for a long time because it’s lower sodium. Next time I will follow your recipe with the cocoa, otherwise it’s similar. I buy my spices from the local food co-op. They sell in bulk & customers buy what they want. I think the flavor is sharper.
I keep a bread bag in the freezer and add bones, clean vegetable peelings, limp celery, ends of onions, etc. When the bag is full, I add water to cover in a soup pot with seasonings that need to be used/replaced. I simmer it all day then strain off a beautiful broth. This can be simmered down or left as it is. Freeze in 2 or 4 cup portions & have healthy broth. I found the book “The Everlasting Meal” an interesting read.
Great idea, I’ll bet your broth is wonderful!
We love Mexican food here, and make all the variations throughout the year. I’m sure I’ve bought Lawry’s seasoning in the past, but never looked at the ingredients. Your seasoning mix sounds delicious, and I’ll give it a try. You’re so right that the packaged mixes never taste quite right!
Looks delicious. Cocoa, the god-given secret ingredient. The Ancient Aztecs are smiling down on you.
Thank you for sharing your Taco seasoning recipe . Diane
I’m not crazy about Mexican food but my grands Love it..thanks for the mix.
I love your experiments. I have made mine for sometime, hating the salt in the packages. I have friends coming on Tuesday for 2 nights and I am going to peruse your lovely recipes!
Oh you wonderful lady! I have the same problem – there was a tiny no name grocer that used to have a random pack, (don’t check the date too close). So I haven’t made any for oh maybe 5 years. Tonight I’ll try some with your recipe!!!!!!! Thanks ever so much! (p. s. We used to use McCormick House of Flavor and really didn’t like that) No fault of McCormick – just not my taste – Swede – what do I know about Tacos?
I’ve been making my own Taco seasoning for quite a while because I wasn’t happy about the unpronounceable ingredients on the packet variety. But I didn’t know about adding Cocoa to the mix which I will do with my next batch. Looking forward to trying it. Thanks Carole 😊
Mary :))
Love this! I also think Lawrys’ is the best of the commercial options. I can still find it where I live in Texas, but saved your recipe for a day when I can’t. Thanks so much for your experimenting and sharing!
i too went on a hunt for taco seasoning that is salt free…thanks for providing your version…
I love tacos. Pity about the seasoning being hard to find but it looks like you have that well under control!
I need to compare your taco seasoning with mine and see how similar they are. I add 2 Tablespoons to the hamburger with 1/4 cup of water after the meat is browned. Our favorite Mexican dishes are beef enchiladas (New Mexico style) and Chile Rellenos, with Mexican rice and or/ homemade refried beans.
Good on ya, this seasoning blend sounds divine. I made enchiladas using leftover roast beef & incorporated the leftover gravy into the sauce. They were amazing!
I truly enjoy your blog. Thank you.
I make my own as well. When the packets tipped the $1 mark in the supermarket, I filled my spice cabinet. (I’m sure it doesn’t balance out to a bargain, but I like making my own.) I reduce the amount of salt in my recipe. Interesting to see that the packet had wheat product in it. My Gluten Free family member said wheat is hiding in more places than you can count; and same with the sugar. I use a recipe from all recipes . com.