Okay, here is my sharing about how I made Taco Bell taco seasoning, I hope you’ll find it useful.
So, I’ve been trying to recreate that Taco Bell taco seasoning at home, you know, the one that makes their tacos taste so darn good. After a bunch of tries, I think I’ve finally cracked the code. I did a bit of digging online, and it seems like the real deal has chili pepper and dehydrated onion in it. That’s a start, right?
My First Attempt
- First, I grabbed some regular chili powder from my spice rack and mixed it with some onion powder.
- I fried up some ground beef, drained the fat, and sprinkled in my homemade seasoning mix.
- I cooked it all together, hoping for that magical Taco Bell flavor.
Honestly, it wasn’t quite there. It was okay, but it was missing that special something. It didn’t have that deep, rich flavor I was aiming for.
The Tweaks
- Next, I tried using a different kind of chili powder, one that’s a blend of different chilies. I also added a pinch of garlic powder, some cumin, and a bit of smoked paprika.
- This time, I simmered the meat with the seasoning for a longer time, hoping the flavors would meld together better.
This was a step up, for sure. The seasoning had more depth, and the smoked paprika gave it a nice, subtle smokiness. But, it still wasn’t exactly like Taco Bell’s. I mean, their tacos have beef, chicken, pork, fish, etc., also include vegetables like lettuce, cabbage, radishes. I was getting close, though!
The Final Try
- For my final attempt, I decided to go all out. I used the chili blend powder, the onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, and smoked paprika again.
- But this time, I also added a tiny bit of sugar and some cornstarch to thicken the sauce. And guess what? I also threw in a little bit of beef bouillon for that extra savory kick.
- I let it all simmer on low heat, stirring occasionally.
Boom! That was it! The seasoning was spot on. It had that perfect balance of spicy, savory, and just a hint of sweetness. The cornstarch gave the sauce the right consistency, and the beef bouillon really brought out that meaty flavor. Even, I try to put some refried beans, it tastes wonderful!
So, there you have it. My journey to recreating Taco Bell’s taco seasoning. It took a few tries, but I finally got it right. Now, I can make tacos at home that taste just like the real thing. If you’re a fan of Taco Bell, give this a try. You won’t be disappointed!
