Tex-Mex seasoning

Tex-Mex seasoning

1
2
3
4
5
4.9
138 Ratings
Not enough ratings
Bold. A bit spicy. Homemade deliciousness in a jar. Yes, it’s Tex-Mex seasoning of which we speak! This amazing mixture has just the right amount of kick... and contains zero sugar and artificial flavorings. Who’s ready for Taco Tuesday?
March 7 2017 by , photo by , nutritional review by in Recipes, Condiments

Tex-Mex seasoning

1
2
3
4
5
4.9
138 Ratings
Not enough ratings
Bold. A bit spicy. Homemade deliciousness in a jar. Yes, it’s Tex-Mex seasoning of which we speak! This amazing mixture has just the right amount of kick... and contains zero sugar and artificial flavorings. Who’s ready for Taco Tuesday?
USMetric
8 servingservings

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 2 tsp 2 tsp paprika powder
  • 2 tsp 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp 1 tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp ½ tsp chili flakes
  • ½ tsp ½ tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp ½ tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 pinch 1 pinch ground cinnamon
  • 1 pinch 1 pinch ground cloves
  • 1 tbsp 1 tbsp sea salt (optional)
This recipe has been added to the shopping list.

Instructions

Instructions are for 8 servings. Please modify as needed.

  1. Add all ingredients to a bowl and stir until thoroughly blended. Pour into a jar with a tight-fitting lid.
  2. If you use whole seeds, grind in a grinder either in advance or when cooking.
  3. Keep the spices in a dark, dry and cool/room temperature place. Small tin cans are great.
  4. Make a big batch to last for 4–6 months; after this the spices will lose some flavor and color. They won't go bad, but will just be less powerful.

Tip!

We used dried garlic flakes, but you can also use garlic powder. Adding salt, or not, to your spice mix is a matter of choice. Try it with our keto taco shells!

More seasonings

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43 comments

  1. 1
    Gentiann
    March 7 2017
    I live in Texas, and I do not agree with the addition of cinnamon and cloves....I have never see these spices in Tex-Mex seasoning (at least in the ones sold in Texas). May I suggest you write "optional" next to them?
  2. 2
    Alex
    November 1 2017
    Wow, that's a lot of carbs per serving! Where do the carbs come from?
  3. 3
    Philip
    April 7 2018
    The recipe seems a lot for just 2 servings! The recipe I needed only required 1 tbsp of tex-mex for 2 servings, so I changed the recipe as follows:

    Half teaspoon chili powder
    Quarter teaspoon paprika powder
    Quarter teaspoons ground cumin
    Quarter teaspoon chili flakes
    Quarter teaspoon dried oregano
    Quarter teaspoon ground black pepper
    1 pinch ground cinnamon
    1 clove garlic, minced
    Quarter teaspoon (optional)

    I did not add garlic powder as prefer real garlic, I also didn't add onion powder as used onions within the recipe. Tasted really good and was enough to make up 1 tbsp seasoning

  4. 4
    Laura
    July 11 2018
    Yes where are the carbs coming from?
  5. 5
    Naomi
    July 15 2018
    If you look the carbs are for the whole batch and my guess would be the onion is where the carbs come from.
  6. 2 comments removed
  7. 8
    Susan
    September 4 2018
    I made this again last night and for the first time, I included the salt. I used finely ground pink Himalayan salt. And wooh! It was VERY salty. The spice flavor was great and worked very well with a large hunk of leftover pork (made into a stew).
  8. 9
    Christine
    October 2 2018
    I love TexMex seasoning ! I always have a batch on hand
  9. 10
    Kate
    October 4 2018
    Thur 4 Oct 2018
    Diet Doctor! Please answer these comments... mine and above! I entered all these ingredients into MFP and it still comes up ridiculously high: Note, I've omitted the chili as I can't eat them, I used a real clove of garlic instead of powder, I've substituted a shallot for onion powder;
    Serves One:
    2 tsp paprika - 13 calories; carbs 2
    2 tsp ground cumin 15 calories, carbs 2
    1 clove garlic 4 calories, carb 1
    20 grams shallot - 5 calories, carb 1
    ½ tsp oregano - 2 calories, carb 1
    ½ tsp black pepper - 3 calories, carb 1
    .06 tsp cinnamon - 0 calories, carb 0
    1 tbsp salt (? a lot) - 0 calories, carb 0
    TOTALS: 42 calories; Carbs - 8
    That is a lot of calories and especially a lot of carbs for one serving! Especially if a person is on 20grms carbs or below, which I am.
    EXTRA QUERY: how do I know if you answer this question? Unless I check into these comments on a daily basis - can you email me?
    Replies: #11, #12
  10. 11
    Reply to comment #10 by Kate
    Peter Biörck Team Diet Doctor
    October 4 2018
    Hi Kate!

    This seasoning is meant to be used when doing liberal LCHF and should normally be avoided when eating Keto (you could of course use just a small amount). Orange symbol for the carb count above illustrates liberal LCHF.

    More reading about different types of LCHF/Keto can be found here:
    https://www.dietdoctor.com/how-low-carb-is-low-carb

    Thur 4 Oct 2018
    Diet Doctor! Please answer these comments... mine and above! I entered all these ingredients into MFP and it still comes up ridiculously high: Note, I've omitted the chili as I can't eat them, I used a real clove of garlic instead of powder, I've substituted a shallot for onion powder;
    Serves One:
    2 tsp paprika - 13 calories; carbs 2
    2 tsp ground cumin 15 calories, carbs 2
    1 clove garlic 4 calories, carb 1
    20 grams shallot - 5 calories, carb 1
    ½ tsp oregano - 2 calories, carb 1
    ½ tsp black pepper - 3 calories, carb 1
    .06 tsp cinnamon - 0 calories, carb 0
    1 tbsp salt (? a lot) - 0 calories, carb 0
    TOTALS: 42 calories; Carbs - 8
    That is a lot of calories and especially a lot of carbs for one serving! Especially if a person is on 20grms carbs or below, which I am.
    EXTRA QUERY: how do I know if you answer this question? Unless I check into these comments on a daily basis - can you email me?

  11. 12
    Reply to comment #10 by Kate
    Michelle
    December 28 2018
    Herbs and spices tend to be dried organic matter, so by their nature they are high carb, but this is not for a single meal, its designed to be made up, mixed, and stored, it totals around 12 tea spoons of 'stuff', the recipe I was making which required it called for 1/2tbsp per person, so a little over 1 tea spoon, so when you look at it like that, it's a fairly small amount of carbs for a lot of flavour.
  12. 13
    Debra M Phifer
    January 27 2019
    If you dont lke it, dont make, but please quit whining.
  13. 14
    Debra M Phifer
    January 27 2019
    It
  14. 15
    Charles Sterling
    February 9 2019
    If you want it to have a more Chipotle flavor, just substitute smoked paprika. It's awesome!
  15. 16
    Brad
    February 9 2019
    How much is a pinch, as in a pinch of cinnamon? When I increase the recipe to 6 or 8 servings, it says to add 6 to 8 pinches of cinnamon. Would that be 1/4 tsp or 1/2 tsp? And yes cinnamon and clove are used in Mexican food. Look at some mole recipes. I have a recipe for Almondrado con Polo that uses both. Replace rice with cauliflower and leave out the cornstarch makes it keto.
    Reply: #17
  16. 17
    Reply to comment #16 by Brad
    Kristin Parker Team Diet Doctor
    February 10 2019
    "A pinch" is usually 1/6 to 1/8 of a teaspoon.
  17. 18
    Reply to comment #1 by Gentiann
    Toni
    February 21 2019
    Maria, I live in Texas .... I use cinnamon. You are 'my people' hahahaha

    Oh, come on, Gentiann, things move on like Italian pasta and American burgers!! 😆 I live in England and if people want to add something extra to our English, Welsh, Irish or Scottish meals, that's fine. After all we all know porridge should just be eaten with salt and made with water if you're Scottish and not English where we make it with milk and berries! Things evolve as they do.in Sweden!!!. The ingedients are nor optional to get this wonderful powder- just give it a go! Such go reports on here! 🤣

  18. 19
    Gordon
    March 8 2019
    I used this mix for the first time last night. It was a crowd-pleaser.

    Made a 12-serving casserole of the famous Diet Doctor “crack slaw” (using chicken, not ground beef). I didn’t have 75 oz. of cabbage on hand, so I made up the deficit with kale and caulilower. Used 6 tablespoons of the Tex-Mex spice mix, as directed.

    The pinch of cinnamon and clove is a nice touch. Also, I used Mexican Oregano, which is a different plant than the more familiar Oregano. Great stuff, thanks.

  19. 20
    Melissa
    March 17 2019
    Peter Biorck
    You indicated this tex mex seasoning recipe if for "Liberal Low Carb"----- However, it is needed in the Keto tex mex casserole. Please advise?
    Reply: #21
  20. 21
    Reply to comment #20 by Melissa
    Kristin Parker Team Diet Doctor
    March 18 2019

    Peter Biorck
    You indicated this tex mex seasoning recipe if for "Liberal Low Carb"----- However, it is needed in the Keto tex mex casserole. Please advise?

    In this case, the carb count is for the entire batch, not just 1 or 2 T that you may use in a recipe.

  21. 22
    Geoffrey
    June 12 2019
    Very tasty! Slight too spicy for us so I’ll reduce the chilli just a little next time. LOVE the flavours and making our own seasoning with no nasty extras.
  22. 23
    Shazi
    May 16 2020
    Hi.How can we use tex mex seasoning in taco shells?instead of cumin we have to use tex mex? Any video on making taco shells?thanks
    Reply: #24
  23. 24
    Reply to comment #23 by Shazi
    Kerry Merritt Team Diet Doctor
    May 16 2020

    Hi.How can we use tex mex seasoning in taco shells?instead of cumin we have to use tex mex? Any video on making taco shells?thanks

    We offer a variety of tortilla and taco shell recipes! https://www.dietdoctor.com/?s=tortillas

  24. 25
    eliza4393
    July 14 2020
    Would you say the chili flakes are necessary? Or could I do without that? And also the clove of garlic, do you just add it to the mix? Like the wet garlic to the dry mix thats when you’re going to put it on something already right? Not to store, or how would you do that?
    Reply: #26
  25. 26
    Reply to comment #25 by eliza4393
    Crystal Pullen Team Diet Doctor
    July 14 2020

    Would you say the chili flakes are necessary? Or could I do without that? And also the clove of garlic, do you just add it to the mix? Like the wet garlic to the dry mix thats when you’re going to put it on something already right? Not to store, or how would you do that?

    There is only a small amount of chili flakes, but I do believe they are important for the flavor of the dish unless you don't like spicy food. The garlic noted is garlic powder. The cloves are a different, aromatic spice, not garlic. I hope this helps.

  26. 27
    Janet Lewis
    July 14 2020
    What are chili flakes? I have lived in south Texas all of my life and have never used them in a recipe. My local grocery stores don't have it for online/curbside pickup ordering.
    I agree with Gentiann about not ever using cinnamon or cloves in Tex-Mex recipes.
    Reply: #28
  27. 28
    Reply to comment #27 by Janet Lewis
    Crystal Pullen Team Diet Doctor
    July 15 2020

    What are chili flakes? I have lived in south Texas all of my life and have never used them in a recipe. My local grocery stores don't have it for online/curbside pickup ordering.
    I agree with Gentiann about not ever using cinnamon or cloves in Tex-Mex recipes.

    Chili flakes would be crushed red pepper flakes or something similar.

  28. 29
    Emily
    July 21 2020
    Hi folks, question from a Canadian living in Italy: er, what is chilli powder? Presumably same as chilli flakes...? I”ll make it that way (love hot food) but maybe there’s some great flavour I’m missing out on, so let me know.
    Reply: #30
  29. 30
    Reply to comment #29 by Emily
    Kristin Parker Team Diet Doctor
    July 21 2020

    Hi folks, question from a Canadian living in Italy: er, what is chilli powder? Presumably same as chilli flakes...? I”ll make it that way (love hot food) but maybe there’s some great flavour I’m missing out on, so let me know.

    In the USA, chili powder is ground dried chilis and the spice/heat level can vary widely by brand so if you choose to make your own, adjust the amount to your preference for mild or more spicy.

  30. 31
    Phylippe
    August 4 2020
    Realy tasty but too salty! We can cut the salt to half.
    Reply: #32
  31. 32
    Reply to comment #31 by Phylippe
    Crystal Pullen Team Diet Doctor
    August 4 2020

    Realy tasty but too salty! We can cut the salt to half.

    Thanks for sharing your experience! The salt is optional and can be adjusted to taste.

  32. 33
    Sarah
    October 3 2020
    Carbs 😱 how many carbs per teaspoon please?
    Reply: #34
  33. 34
    Reply to comment #33 by Sarah
    Kristin Parker Team Diet Doctor
    October 3 2020

    Carbs 😱 how many carbs per teaspoon please?

    This would only be 1-2 grams of carbs per teaspoon. You can add up the number of teaspoons the total batch makes and then divide by 8g carbs (the amount for the total batch) to figure out the carb count per teaspoon.

  34. 35
    natascha.kesslerdemetrius
    January 26 2021
    We just love this seasoning! Even my 2.5 year old loves when I use it to season our chicken, meats and I use it for our tacos. Very flavorful.
  35. 36
    Veneise Samuels
    April 28 2021
    Love the flavour and have used this numerous times without adding the salt but wanted to try adsing the salt and it was way too salty. I understand it is optional but the Cheesy Beef Burrito Skilllet that I used this recipe in was nearly inedible.
  36. 37
    slheflin
    June 15 2021
    I agree that the salt amount is way too much. Maybe 1 teaspoon of salt, but not a tablespoon.
    Reply: #38
  37. 38
    Reply to comment #37 by slheflin
    Kristin Parker Team Diet Doctor
    June 16 2021

    I agree that the salt amount is way too much. Maybe 1 teaspoon of salt, but not a tablespoon.

    Just a heads up that the salt is completely optional. The recipe team uses this recipe with the listed amount of salt, but you can use less salt if that's what you prefer.

  38. 39
    Jackie
    June 30 2021
    I always double or triple this recipe. I omit clove and cinnamon. I use it all the time for seasoning. One of my favs is… Corn on the cob (I cut it off the cob), butter, sprinkle with this seasoning, parmesan cheese and cilantro. Mexican corn in a bowl! Delicious.
  39. 40
    Jackie
    June 30 2021
    These comments are insane, some of you ppl slay me 🙄
  40. 41
    Barbara
    January 14 2022
    I make this in large batches as I use it with so many things. I have found I need to omit the salt - it's too salty otherwise for us. We love it!
    Reply: #42
  41. 42
    Reply to comment #41 by Barbara
    Kerry Merritt Team Diet Doctor
    January 14 2022

    I make this in large batches as I use it with so many things. I have found I need to omit the salt - it's too salty otherwise for us. We love it!

    So glad you love it! It's great to make ahead to have on hand for so many things!

  42. 43
    Jocelyn
    April 12 2022
    I made the recipe as written except for the chili flakes which I omitted as my husband doesn’t like them. It is delicious, I think exceptional, and adds a lot of flavor and spiciness without adding the heat. I’ve used it a couple of times and especially liked it in the keto chicken fajita bowl. I believe the cinnamon and cloves really add to the flavor without adding the heat. Next time, I will make a double batch because I like to have jars of spice mixes on hand as it speeds up the prep time. I honestly feel it is one of the best Mexican spice mixes I’ve ever tried.
  43. 44
    Barbara
    August 6 2022
    We love it and make large batches (omitting the salt) at a time. We use it in many dishes! I'm going to try it with chipotle as someone suggested.
  44. 45
    Terra
    December 25 2022
    Just wanted to let you all know salt is most likely coase kosher salt, not table salt. The amount of saltiness per measurement is a lot less. It is of course optional and can be scaled for your personal taste. :)

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Ratings

5
93%
4
4%
3
1%
2
1%
1
1%
4.9
1
2
3
4
5
138 Ratings

Ratings

5
93%
4
4%
3
1%
2
1%
1
1%
4.9
1
2
3
4
5
138 Ratings