If you love this recipe, you will love the Burrito Spice E-cookbook! The ultimate collection of recipes that use Homemade Burrito Spice Mix including beef burritos, nachos, chicken strips for tacos, refried beans and everything Mexican!
This post was originally published in July 2015 - it has been retested, rephotographed, rewritten, and republished (to make it better for you!) in March 2018. I've also made labels for you to put on your spice mix jars - download the free PDF here
This shouldn't come as a surprise to you (um, hi - I have a food blog), but I love to cook. The thing is though, cooking is something that didn't come naturally to me. I've always been a good baker but cooking has taken some practice. I think it's because I'm a methodical, rule follower type - the specifics of baking are my jam, but throwing ingredients into a pan and making an amazing meal - not so much. But way back in 2015 something changed for me when I discovered herbs and spices! I know (insert eye roll here) they've been around forever, but learning about and understanding what herbs and spices go together and with other ingredients changed my life!
Anyway, fast forward to when I was cooking for someone else and hit that stage in life where I started caring about what food I was actually putting in my body. I realised that if I could buy it in a packet, surely I should be able to make it at home, and if you've been reading for a while, you'll know that 2015 was the year I took on the homemade challenge. Every week I took something that I would usually buy from the supermarket and made it at home. And it is amazing how many of those things I still make today - homemade magic shell (choc whizz), hummus, hot chocolate mixture, vanilla extract, peanut butter, puff pastry. (Side note, if you sign up for my email list I'll send you my e-book with my 14 favourite made from scratch recipes!)
But by far the one that has become a true pantry staple for us (and for you guys as it's the most popular recipe on this whole website!) is homemade burrito spice mix or taco seasoning. 6 simple ingredients that you probably already have, 5 minutes to make and you have a super versatile spice blend that you can use for anything Mexican!
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I have included below the amounts to make enough to replace 1 package of store bought burrito seasoning and also the amounts to make a big batch. This is what I do, and I keep it in a jar in the pantry so that whenever we are having Mexican it's ready to go (here are the labels I use). And I can tell you, when you live an hour away from the nearest supermarket, having a quick and easy meal option like this on hand is so vital!
Also, I've said in the notes of the recipe but you can adjust the chilli powder as you like. This amount is perfect for us, but we like things reasonably mild, so feel free to add more or less chilli powder depending on your taste buds.
6 ways to use burrito spice mix:
- Chicken Burrito Bowls - coat chicken pieces in burrito spice mix and fry, then assemble in bowls with rice, beans, salad and cilantro yoghurt dressing...full recipe here.
- Chicken tacos - toss 500g chicken strips in a little olive oil, add 1.5 - 2 tablespoon of burrito spice mix and coat. Bake for 25 minutes and use in crispy chicken tacos with all your favourite toppings
- Beef burritos or nachos - cook 500g beef mince (ground beef), add 1.5 - 2 tablespoon burrito spice mix, 1 can of black beans, ¼ cup tomato paste and ½ cup water and simmer until thickened. Serve burritos with your favourite salad toppings and nachos with corn chips, guacamole, a quick tomato salsa, grated cheese and sour cream.
- Beans - as above but without the mince for a vegetarian/vegan option
- Shredded beef - place either a roast or any cut of beef that can be slow cooked in your slow cooker. Rub all over with burrito spice mix and cook on low until beef can be shredded. Serve in tacos or in buns with coleslaw and BBQ sauce
- Mexican rice - the perfect side dish for any Mexican meal! Recipe here
So there it is - the only burrito spice mix or taco seasoning recipe you will need. And trust me, once you've made your own once, you will never buy the packets again!
And here's the link again to download the free printable labels!
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SHOP THE RECIPE
Here are some items I used to make this recipe:
Mighty Ape (New Zealand)
Mini whisk | Pyrex glass mixing bowls
If you love this recipe, you will love the Burrito Spice E-cookbook!
The ultimate collection of recipes that use Homemade Burrito Spice Mix.
Made this? Tag me on Instagram @thekiwicountrygirl and hashtag it #thekiwicountrygirl. And if you tried and loved this recipe, please leave a comment and a rating below!
Click to purchase it here.
Homemade Burrito Spice Mix (Taco Seasoning)
Ingredients
For 1 store bought package (approx. 1 ½ tablespoon worth)
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- ½ - 1 teaspoon salt (see note 1)
- ½ teaspoon chilli powder (see note 2)
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
To make a big batch
- 4 Tablespoons ground cumin
- 1-2 Tablespoons salt (see note 1)
- 1 Tablespoon chilli powder
- 1 Tablespoon paprika
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons black pepper
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a small bowl and mix together well.
- Use immediately or store in an airtight jar or container and use when needed.
Notes
- Chicken tacos – toss 500g chicken strips in a little olive oil, add 1.5 – 2 tablespoon of burrito spice mix and coat. Bake for 25 minutes and use in crispy chicken tacos with all your favourite toppings
- Beef burritos or nachos – cook 500g beef mince (ground beef), add 1.5 – 2 tablespoon burrito spice mix, 1 can of black beans, ¼ cup tomato paste and ½ cup water and simmer until thickened. Serve burritos with your favourite salad toppings and nachos with corn chips, guacamole, a quick tomato salsa, grated cheese and sour cream.
- Beans – as above but without the mince for a vegetarian/vegan option
- Shredded beef – place either a roast or any cut of beef that can be slow cooked in your slow cooker. Rub all over with burrito spice mix and cook on low until beef can be shredded. Serve in tacos or in buns with coleslaw and BBQ sauce
- Mexican rice – the perfect side dish for any Mexican meal! Recipe here
Recipe inspired by Mel from Mel's Kitchen Cafe
Teresa says
Awesome, easy to put together and super tasty
Irene says
I'm going to try this, just a question, do you use sweet or smokey paprika?
Laura says
Hi Irene, I just use regular paprika which I think would be sweet paprika - our 2 options here in NZ are regular or smoked, and I don't use smoked!
Lisa says
Excellent and customizable recipe! I googled and this was the first seasoning I saw, and it was a hit! I may play a bit, but my picky husband was very happy to have flavorful meat in his burrito when he decided he did not want just beans at the last minute.