Healthy Taco Seasoning Recipe (2024)

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Healthy Taco Seasoning is Whole30, paleo, gluten free and SO much better than store bought packets! A quick + easy DIY taco mix that is full of flavor! Low sodium and mild in flavor – a must make clean eating recipe!

Healthy Taco Seasoning Recipe (1)

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There is nothing better than this easy Healthy Taco Seasoning recipe. Naturally paleo, gluten free + whole30 – this healthy taco seasoning is made with a few spice cabinet staples.

This easy DIY taco seasoning is better for you and cheaper to make than buying packets at the store. It’s loaded with flavor and takes under 5 minutes to make!

Healthy Taco Seasoning Recipe (2)

I freakin’ love tacos. I always have, and I always will. They’re just SO good. When I was a kid I would look forward to when my mom would make them for dinner. Even now, we usually have them at least once a week. They’re so yummy and easily customizable!

We use taco seasoning on ground turkey almost once a week. It’s a staple in our house, so when I realized what was in most taco seasonings… I knew I needed to start making my own!

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I really don’t like to food bash things, but one of the main things that make tacos so unhealthy are those store-bought taco seasoning mixes.

What makes this Taco Seasoning Healthy?

  • Low saltMost taco seasoning packets have close to 2500 mg of sodium per packet versus this which has 650mg for the equivalent of a ‘packet’.
  • Clean Ingredients- If you take a look at any popular taco mix packet at the store you will find that some of the ingredients include Maltodextrin, Modified Corn Starch, ‘Natural Flavor’, and Caramel Color. This recipe has none of that. Just spices from your spice cabinet!
  • No Added Sugar – Taco seasoning doesn’t need sugar! This seasoning is completely sugar free which makes it whole30/keto

Plus… It’s RIDICULOUSLY EASY to make! Let me show you how to do it.

Ingredients for Whole30 Taco Seasoning:

To make this healthy taco seasoning you’ll need:

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You can omit/swap seasonings as you’d like – but this is the recipe we always stick to!

How to make Healthy Taco Seasoning:

To make healthy taco seasoning:

  1. Simply add all your spices to a jar or airtight container.
  2. Shake and you’re ready to go! That’s it!
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We love to get our ground turkey or ground beef for tacos from ButcherBox. Learn more about why we love it in this Butcher Box Reviews Post.

With this blend… you won’t need those packets again! I know that the packets can be super convenient sometimes, but once you make your own spice blend, you won’t want to go back.

Making your own spice blends can be just as quick (and even cheaper). I make a giant batch of it once every few months, store it in an airtight container, and then whenever it’s taco night (pretty much every week in our house) I just sprinkle it over ground turkey.

Seriously.. it couldn’t be easier!

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How to cook with this Healthy Taco Seasoning:

When you’re ready to cook with this taco seasoning, just brown your ground meat in a pan with olive oil.

Stir in 2 tablespoons of seasoning per one pound of meat right before it’s done cooking.

If you want a ‘saucier’ taco meat, add 1/4 cup of chicken stock, broth, or water to your pan when you stir in the seasoning.

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What to put Healthy Taco Seasoning on:

This seasoning goes great on anything but here are a few ideas

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How to make low sodium taco seasoning:

This is a relatively low sodium taco seasoning. The nutrition facts for this recipe are a little misleading, as the 624 mg of sodium are per 2 tablespoons of seasoning. If you divide the 2 tablespoons of seasoning among 1 lb of meat – typically 1 lb of meat serves 4 people. This means the serving is actually around 200mg of sodium per serving.

If you follow a strict low/no salt seasoning – simply omit the salt from this recipe. You don’t need it!

Healthy Taco Toppings

  • Guacamole
  • Salsa. We like this Pineapple Mango Salsa or Corn Salsa
  • Healthy Bean Dip goes great on a taco!
  • Hot Sauce
  • Olives
  • Lettuce
  • Cilantro
  • Non Whole30: cheddar cheese, black beans
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Healthy Recipes to pair with your tacos:

We love serving these salsas/drinks with tacos!

  • Pineapple Mango Salsa (Whole Foods Copycat)
  • Healthy Peach Cucumber Salsa
  • Lighter Watermelon Mojitos
  • Skinny Margarita Recipe
  • Healthy Strawberry Mojito

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Other delicious Healthy Recipes:

  • Best Chicken Tortilla Soup
  • Mexican Potatoes
  • Healthy Cilantro Lime Sauce
  • Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Healthy Taco Seasoning

4.64 from 41 votes

Healthy Taco Seasoning is Whole30, paleo, gluten free and SO much better than store bought packets! A quick + easy DIY taco mix that is full of flavor!

WW Freestyle Points Zero

Prep Time : 5 minutes minutes

Total Time : 5 minutes minutes

Serves : 6 tablespoons

(hover over # to adjust)

PRINTRATE

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a jar, add all spices. Shake + store in an airtight container.

  • When cooking: Use 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning per 1 lb of ground meat when making tacos. You do not need to add liquid, but you can add 1/4 cup chicken stock if you'd like for a 'saucier' taco meat!

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition Facts

Healthy Taco Seasoning

Amount Per Serving (1 tablespoon (used across 1 lb of meat))

Calories 19Calories from Fat 9

% Daily Value*

Fat 1g2%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 1g

Sodium 402mg17%

Potassium 121mg3%

Carbohydrates 4g1%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 1930IU39%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 20mg2%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. This is an estimate and can vary pending your ingredients

Tried this recipe?Share it! Make sure to tag @thecleaneatingcouple or use #thecleaneatingcouple!

Did you know I have a FREE 7 Day Whole30 Meal Plan? Click here for the details!

Healthy Taco Seasoning Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is taco seasoning unhealthy? ›

After looking at the back of a packet of taco seasoning, I was shocked at some of the ingredients listed as most are not even spices. Instead, I saw it was chalked full of preservatives and other unhealthy, unnecessary addictive such as modified cornstarch, yellow corn flour, citric acid, and yeast extract.

Does Mccormick taco seasoning have sugar in it? ›

SPICES (INCLUDING CHILI PEPPER, PAPRIKA, OREGANO), ONION, SALT, POTATO STARCH, SUGAR, GARLIC & NATURAL FLAVOR.

What is taco seasoning mix made of? ›

Most taco seasoning mixes contain salt, warming spices (such as paprika, oregano, and chili), onion powder, and garlic powder. This top-rated recipe is made with chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, sea salt, black pepper, ground paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and crushed red pepper flakes.

What can I use instead of Mexican spices? ›

Substitute for Mexican spice
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder (add more if you like)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder (or 2 teaspoons crushed dried fried onions)
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes.
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano.
  • 2 teaspoons paprika.
  • 1½ teaspoons ground cumin.
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt.
Sep 24, 2020

What is the same as taco seasoning? ›

What can you use instead of taco seasoning? - Quora. Chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper and cumin all mixed together is pretty much the same.

Is there sugar in Old El Paso taco seasoning? ›

Ingredients. Corn starch, Salt, Spices (contains chili pepper), Maltodextrin, Onion powder, Sugar, High monounsaturated vegetable oil (canola and/or soybean), Silicon dioxide, Natural flavour, Modified corn starch.

Can diabetics use seasoning? ›

Several spices are known to have a positive effect on glycemic control and glycemic response. Among these spices, spices such as cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, cumin, black pepper, curry, coriander, mustard, anise, onion, garlic, ginseng fenugreek and nigella are especially highlighted.

Does Ortega taco seasoning have sugar? ›

Ingredients. Yellow Corn Flour, Salt, Maltodextrin, Paprika, Spices, Modified Corn Starch, Sugar, Citric Acid, Yeast Extract, Natural Flavors, Rosemary and Green Tea Extract, Silicon Dioxide.

Why do you add water to taco seasoning? ›

Turns out it's essential for giving the proper consistency to the taco meat because those seasoning mixes contain cornstarch, which requires water and heat to create a sauce.

Why does taco seasoning have carbs? ›

Traditional taco seasoning typically contains carbs from ingredients like chili powder, onion powder, and garlic powder, which are commonly used in spice blends and have a higher carb content.

Does Ortega taco seasoning have MSG? ›

This product is likely msg free.

Can I use Cajun instead of taco seasoning? ›

It is not the case. Taco seasoning is actually quite different from cajun seasoning. Taco seasoning contains Paprika, Chili Powder, Ground Cumin, Mexican Oregano, Red Pepper Flakes, Salt and Black Pepper. Click here to learn more about Taco Seasoning.

How do you spice up bland taco meat? ›

Ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder and dried oregano: Pretty straight-forward. Paprika: I prefer to use smoked paprika, but you could also use standard or sweet paprika if you prefer. Salt and black pepper: I used fine sea salt and finely-ground black pepper for this recipe.

What can you replace taco meat with? ›

Meatless Tacos: 10 Options to Consider Instead of Meat
  1. Black beans.
  2. Chickpeas.
  3. Mushrooms.
  4. Butternut squash.
  5. Quinoa.
  6. Tofu.
  7. Lentils.
  8. Cauliflower.
May 18, 2022

Does chili seasoning taste like taco seasoning? ›

The only difference is in the preparation: Chili gets canned tomatoes and beans and a bit of cocoa powder, which adds depth and richness, while tacos get a splash of vinegar and a touch of brown sugar, giving them an irresistible sweet-hot tang.

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