Homemade Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free Taco Seasoning
November 8, 2009 { }
Welcome to Slightly Indulgent Monday – a celebration of fabulous food made healthier!
If you read labels, there is sugar in the most unsuspected places. It’s in nearly everything…from salad dressings to bacon. And, yes, it’s generally in taco seasoning. I’m sure there are brands out there without sugar – and possibly without gluten – but I prefer not to eat whatever else is in that little package.
So I make my own – a big batch and then keep it in a mason jar. My favorite part is that I can tweak the flavors so it’s exactly what I want. It’s also quite frugal. I buy my spices in bulk and can make an entire batch of taco seasoning for less than a buck. It’ll easily season 2 big batches of tacos, maybe more.
This is a simple and quick dinner for busy weeknights. I usually stir a can of beans into my browned meat, too. I eat this as a salad with my favorite toppings – shredded carrots and radishes, salsa, oaxaca cheese, fresh tomatoes, and cilantro.
Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free Taco Seasoning Mix
makes enough to season 2 (2 pound) batches of taco meat2 tablespoons light ancho chili powder
1 tablespoon paprika
4 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
2 ½ teaspoons onion powder
2 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
¼ teaspoon cayenne powderAdditional ingredients for mix:
2 – 3 teaspoons arrowroot or cornstarch
1 – 1 ½ cups waterPut ingredients in a glass mason jar and shake to combine.
When meat has browned, you can stir in a can of beans if you want and heat through. Mix 2 teaspoons of arrowroot or cornstarch with a tablespoon of cold water and mix thoroughly to make a slurry. Set aside. Add 2 tablespoons of spice mix while stirring for a minute to let spices toast slightly. Add 1 cup of water to meat mixture, then stir in the slurry. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally, and reduce until sauce is thick enough to coat meat. Add more water if needed. Serve with your favorite taco toppings.
A change this week – I’ve been working like crazy to get the St. Jude Recipe Book done, so there’s no featured blogger or give-away this week. Hopefully all will be back to normal next week.
Winners from last week: Kim from Gluten-Free is Life won The Gluten-Free Homemaker’s E-books, Cakes & Cookies and Yeast Breads & Quick Breads. Ann Trudeau, reader, won Jessica Fisher’s e-books – Pretty. Cool. Cakes. and Fishmama’s Guide to Cooking with Children. Jessica authors Life as Mom. Congrats!
Both of these fabulous bloggers have their e-books for sale at a very reasonable price – if you’ve enjoyed their blogs I strongly suggest that you support their work and purchase their books.
Reminder: Holiday Food Fest is Thursday, hosted by Alta at Tasty Eats at Home. Link up your favorite fall or Thanksgiving dish or just stop by and comment. She has a great give-away – an apron from Flirty Aprons.
When you link, please tell us who you are and what you’re cooking . For example, I would enter:
Amy @ Simply Sugar & Gluten Free – Triple Berry Coconut Cake. Please link to your individual post, not your homepage. And, I always appreciate a link back to this post. If you don’t have a blog, you can share a recipe in the comment section.
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Tags: gluten-free > recipe > sugar-free > taco seasoning > taco seasoning mix
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13 Responses to “Homemade Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free Taco Seasoning”
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Meet Amy Green
Nearly 6 years of living free of refined sugars and gluten has stopped my food cravings enabled me to maintain a 60+ pound weight loss. Today I live with enormous freedom. Join me as I create healthier food that's SS&GF and delicious. I hope to help you do the same. Read more about my story here.
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November 8th, 2009 @ 9:37 pm
WooHoo! I’m first! I was actually ready early this wk, can you believe it?
I make my own seasoning too. Much better, and less expensive.
Thanks for hosting, Amy!
~Liz
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November 8th, 2009 @ 9:52 pm
I’m glad to have this recipe for taco seasoning! I always feel like I’m going against my healthy roots when I buy the packaged stuff.
This week I’m linking to my Sweet Potato Coconut Soup, which I’m really wishing I could eat more of right now…but I need leftovers for the rest of the week!
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November 8th, 2009 @ 10:25 pm
No worries! I love the sound of this seasoning. So much better than the one my brother tried to make. His ended up being more of a pepper taco (like black pepper). It was very peppery. Seriously, the ground chicken was white with specks of black. This definitely sounds like a better option =D.
Super excited to see the book. Yum!
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November 9th, 2009 @ 7:52 am
I love making my own spice combos too. They taste great and no sugar. Why do they feel the need to add sugar to everything. It’s really crazy. I guess since it’s so addicting.
I keep Jerk seasoning and Blackening seasoning on hand that I made. We love those spicy flavors!
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November 9th, 2009 @ 8:27 am
I usually make my own taco seasoning as well. You’re right, so much cheaper, and you don’t have gluten or sugar!
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November 9th, 2009 @ 8:42 am
Hey…THANKS! I had no idea I won!
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November 9th, 2009 @ 9:29 am
thanks so much for this recipe! I’ve been wanting a taco seasoning one.
I love your curry powder recipe, btw. Use it almost daily in all kinds of things.
[Reply]
Amy Reply:
November 9th, 2009 at 9:38 am
@leih, Thanks so much – I love all kinds of feedback on my recipes. It’s so helpful. I’d love to hear about what you use it in, too. I am always looking for new ideas.
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leih Reply:
November 9th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
@Amy,
Hi Amy,
Well, I’ve been using the curry powder when cooking eggs, mixing it in with my home made mayo to make chicken salad and such, and also made a curry dish. I’ve also sprinkled it on some cooked vegeables. It’s really good!
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November 9th, 2009 @ 2:28 pm
I’m loving this Amy. It is so much fun! I hope my link works this time. I felt so “normal” eating banana pudding which tasted just like the “real” thing, as my husband says, “Is it real?” Blessings.
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November 9th, 2009 @ 3:09 pm
What a fabulous idea! I need to start making “make ahead spice jars” … Love it !
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November 9th, 2009 @ 6:59 pm
I was talking to Linda (The GF homemaker)about homemade taco spice, and she suggested using the spice recipe as a simple gift idea for Christmas. I thought it was a great idea to pass along to you.
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Amy Reply:
November 10th, 2009 at 8:51 am
@Chelsey, That’s a great idea – it’s frugal and something people would use, which is important. My friend, Alta, recently made a chili rub for pork – I think that’s going to be a gift for some people this year. I’m going to post my version soon.
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