Recently, I shared our chili recipe with the secret ingredient (at least in my book!): taco seasoning mix! Maybe its the addition of paprika & onion powder that does the trick for my chili! Making it yourself prevents the additions of MSG and other additives that are very often included in these types of mixes. These are my favorite seasoning mixes and are frugal and natural alternatives!
Taco-Seasoning Mix
This works splendidly for seasoning up refried beans and fajitas or any Mexican dish!
6 tsp chili powder
4 ½ tsp cumin
5 tsp paprika
3 tsp onion powder
2 ½ tsp garlic powder
1/8 – ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
Mix all the ingredients, and store in an air-tight container. The homemade mix is twice as strong as the store-bought one, so add only half as much.
Seasoned Salt
If you want to add a little extra flavor and zest to practically any dish, dash a little seasoning salt on it!
8 Tbls salt (we use realsalt)
3 Tbls pepper
2 Tbs paprika
½ Tbls onion powder
½ Tbls garlic powder
Mix together in a bowl and store in an airtight container (an empty spice shaker works great).
Rice Seasoning Mix
This is a yummy seasoning mix that we used frequently growing up!
1 cup sliced almonds, coarsely chopped
½ cup chicken bouillon granules
½ cup dried parsley flakes
1 Tbls dried minced onion
1 tsp seasoned salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp lemon-pepper seasoning (or 1 tsp pepper, and then add a a bit of grated lemon peel to the batch of rice when cooking)
Additional ingredients:
1 cup uncooked long grain brown rice
2 cups water
Combine the first nine ingredients. Store in airtight container for up to 6 months. Yield: 10 batches. To prepare rice: Combine 3 tablespoons seasoning mix, rice and water in a rice cooker or over the stove. Yield: 4-6 servings per batch.
Enjoy and may it spice up your life! 
For more tips on using herbs & spices in your cooking, check out this post.
May 13th, 2008 at 3:35 am
WOW I’d brought a package of taco seasoning last night and said to myself I’m going to ask if you have a recipe for this so that I can make my own!!!
Needless to say I will be trying this:)
May 13th, 2008 at 6:23 am
Good tips! Great minds think alike, I posted about this very subject today on Tammy’s too! LOL =)
May 13th, 2008 at 8:11 am
Do have any for rice? I buy a box of gentric rice a roni but would like to make my own.
Lindsay replied on May 13th, 2008:
I just added our family favorite above. I should have included it originally.
May 13th, 2008 at 9:20 am
These recipes sound great! If I’m not using Azure’s Mexican seasoning, I do toss my own taco seasoning together, but I’ve never seen a recipe for Seasoned Salt. Thanks!
I gave you the “E for Excellent Blog Award!” Stop by by blog to see: http://www.frugalgranola.blogspot.com
Blessings,
Michele
May 13th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Now is that real salt iodized, or the non iodized?
Lindsay replied on May 13th, 2008:
You can find more info about real salt here. I have tried to correspond with you in the past in regards to a few of the issues you have commented about, but I need you to supply a correct email address. Thank you.
May 13th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
In the rice recipe you list both parsley flakes and dried parsley, what’s the difference? (I think all I’ve ever used is parsley flakes)
Lindsay replied on May 13th, 2008:
I updated it above. Sorry for the confusion.
May 22nd, 2008 at 12:44 pm
I also make my own taco seasoning. It’s really much cheaper than buying it and I can customize the taste to what my family likes. Thanks for sharing your mix recipes, I’m going to have to give the one for rice a try!
May 26th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Where do you find lemon pepper seasoning that is MSG free ? Please share your brand preference (so I can look for it)Thanks ! These sound yummy !~Lora
Lindsay replied on May 28th, 2008:
Actually, I updated it above as to what works easier for me, by using pepper and then adding a bit of lemon peel to the batch when cooking (or more often I skip the lemon altogether). I have not purchased lemon/pepper seasoning, but I believe Costco has an MSG-free version, or Oregon Spice & Frontiers are brands of herbs that I have used alot in the past and they both sell it. You can purchase through Azure Standard or Frontiers is carried at Fred Meyers.
June 3rd, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Hi Lindsay!
I remembered that you had posted this awhile back and used your taco seasoning mix recipe tonight. It worked perfect, thank you!