A frugal friend of mine recently passed along a very insightful book:
Eat Healthy For $50 a Week by Rhonda Barfield
This book was published in 1996, and is no longer in print, although you can still find a few copies on Amazon.
It is full of practical meal planning advice, including satisfying picky eaters on a budget (an issue in my home).
Of course, 13 years later, the prices have adjusted, but over all the recipes are simple and budget friendly.
One recipe struck me as particularly useful, so I felt inclined to share it with my frugal friends. I am never buying Taco Seasoning again! Not because I don’t like tacos, they are a weekly staple in our home.
But you likely have all the ingredients for homemade Taco Seasoning already in your spice collection!
Taco Seasoning Mix
Combine:
2 tsp chili powder
2 tsp dried parsley flakes
1 1/2 tsp cumin
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp onion salt
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp garlic powder
“This recipe is equivalent to a 1 1/4-oz package of store-bought seasoning mix, and cheaper, especially if you buy spices in bulk and/or at a discount.”
You could also use this mix in chicken enchiladas, or similar dishes. I appreciate the lack of preservatives and fillers in this simple recipe. Not to mention the paper waste you are eliminating from those seasoning packets!
I also shared a recipe from this book previously, for homemade pancake syrup. How frugal!
Enjoy!
Alyssa, we eat tacos religously and our warehouse store does not always carry the seasoning. I do already have all of these!! THANK YOU for sharing this with us.
I just happened across 2 other recipes for taco seasoning today, but they both used red pepper flakes, which I would have to buy. This is perfect!
Oh this is perfect! My poor hubby is allergic to onion, so now I can make my own… minus the onion salt. Thanks so much!!
i will try this this weekend 🙂 thanks!
I’ve been making my own taco seasoning for about a year now. It’s healthier, not having any MSG or other additives in it, and my family (specifically my husband) never even noticed I switched. 🙂 I usually season a skillet at a time, but I’ve got a new container and sometime soon I’m going to make a larger batch so I can have it pre-mixed and save on time, too.
(I also make homemade tortillas – SO worth it for both cost and taste.)
Thanks for the recipe, Alyssa! Finding a good one has been on my to-do list for some time. No MSG – works for me!
IM kind of new to these sites offering to help people eat better as well as save money and I think it is ( no matter how many other sites have it up) excellent for you to post it up here. We are looking at your site !
I wonder if this truly is cheaper than buying the packets. How much do you figure a batch would cost? I’ve been able to score some REALLY cheap taco seasoning packets with coupons lately.