Homemade Low-Sodium Taco Seasoning
Love tacos but hate that a single one wipes out 25% of your daily sodium? This homemade seasoning has you covered.
Love tacos but tired of boring plain tacos? Like taco seasoning but hate having 25% of your daily sodium intake per taco? Well, have we got the recipe for you. Store-bought taco seasoning packets are mostly salt with a little paprika for moral support. This version builds real depth - paprika, cumin, onion, garlic - and keeps the salt in check. The cornstarch might look suspicious but it's the move: it thickens the liquid into a proper glossy sauce that coats every piece of meat instead of just pooling at the bottom of the pan. Serve in tacos, over rice, in a burrito bowl, or honestly just straight from the pan with a fork because nobody is watching.
Prep: 5 min • Cook: 15 min • Serves: 4
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Turkey (or beef, chicken, or pork)
- 1 Tbl Olive Oil
- 6 tsp Paprika
- 1.5 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1.5 tsp Onion Powder
- 1.5 tsp Cumin
- 0.5 tsp Salt
- 1.5 tsp Cornstarch
- 0.75 cup Water
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a skillet or sauté pan over medium heat (I prefer the depth of the sauté pan over the skillet). Add ground turkey and cook, breaking it up as it goes, until cooked through. (Using beef? Skip the olive oil - the fat content handles itself.)
- While the meat cooks, mix paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, and cornstarch in a small bowl. This is your seasoning blend.
- Once the meat is cooked through, drain any excess fat if needed, then stir in both the seasoning blend and water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5-7 minutes until the sauce is slightly thickened and glossy.
- Use this time to be a hero and clean up after yourself.