After regularly reading labels, many gluten free cooks lean into homemade. Taco seasoning is a perfect place to start. With a well-stocked spice cupboard, this simple blend comes together in minutes, no mystery ingredients required. It's an easy one to make with kids, too, so they can learn how simple "from scratch" really is. Here's my homemade gluten free taco seasoning. Put turkey tacos on the menu for Taco Tuesday.
Your kids might have an idea of what a taco should look like but you don't need to eat yours like that. Try fillings like juicy pork carnitas or leftover flank steak with chipotle-honey sauce. If it's a Taco Fiesta I'd serve homemade chocolate ice cream with chiles for the grand finale!
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Why This Is a Great Gluten Free Recipe for Kids to Make
Homemade taco seasoning is one of the easiest ways to bring gluten free kids into the kitchen. There's no cross-contact to worry about and no label to read. Just a few spices to measure and mix, then stir into the meat. It's a simple confidence-builder for younger cooks who may be proud to tell everyone at the table they made the taco seasoning themselves. Older more adventurous cooks, can experiment with more or less chili powder or paprika, or adding cumin to create their own favourite mix.
Ingredients
A well stocked pantry is the key to ease in the kitchen. Adventurous cooks expand their list of taco fillings and toppings, and expand their pantry ingredients. Then be on the look out for more ways to use each ingredient.
- Chili powder, paprika, dried oregano & garlic powder - Four spices you probably have in your spice cupboard.
- Ground turkey - A nice change from beef tacos.
- Canned tomato sauce - This is optional but I like a saucy filling.
- Chipotle powder - This is ground, smoked jalapeños and add a little kick to the meat filling. It can be found in the spice aisle. More on chipotles in this post, chipotle powder vs chipotles in adobo sauce.
- Corn tortillas - Gluten free tortillas are more readily available now but not always impressive. Homemade tortillas are easy to make with the right set up. If you like kitchen parties find the person who would like to become the tortilla maker and get them set up.
See recipe card for complete ingredient list and exact amounts.
Instructions: Gluten Free Taco Seasoning
It's all about systems. To avoid fillers and reading labels on spices, buy only single spices. I make a double recipe and store the extra in a spice bottle. I have the recipe taped right to the bottle so I can easily remake it when it's empty. Sometimes I leave the empty bottle in the spice cupboard, storing it upside down as a reminder to myself it's empty.
Instructions: Homemade Corn Tortillas
The set up for making tortillas, or lack of one, is the barrier! Collect all the parts, keep them together and start making homemade corn tortillas any time. More on the set up and step-by-step instructions in this post, how to make tortillas with masa harina.
Substitutions & Variations
Taco seasoning - Omit the chipotle powder if you want less heat (or don't want to buy another spice).
Ground turkey - Substitute with ground beef, chicken or tofu crumbles.
Tortillas - Make a taco salad by omitting the tortillas or topping the layered salad with tortilla chips.
Homemade chipotle mayo - If you've only had what they serve at fast food restaurants you are in for a real treat. Put in a squeeze bottle and watch it disappear. Try it on sandwiches, Mexican inspired pizzas, nachos, quesadillas and of course, tacos.
Top Tip for Gluten Free Cooks
Buy single spices rather than spice blends. To avoid fillers and deciphering labels buy single spices, just one ingredient. By making your own spice combinations you keep your spices moving and don't end up with a large amount of a spice mix you rarely use.
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New here? Overwhelmed or frustrated with gluten free? Learn a little bit about gluten free flour with this guide and start cooking GF food everyone wants to eat.
🎉 Exciting news! Adventures in a Gluten Free Kitchen, is a low cost way to learn to cook with help and encouragement from everyday cooks who get it.
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Turkey Tacos with Gluten Free Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
Gluten Free Taco Seasoning
- 2 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt or less if you prefer
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Turkey Filling
- 2 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 lb ground turkey
- ½ onion, finely chopped
- ½ cup canned tomato sauce (213 ml can)
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning spice (add more if you like)
- ½ teaspoon chipotle powder (optional for more heat and a little smokiness)
TACO TOPPINGS
- 1 cup chopped lettuce
- 1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese or cheddar
- 1 tomato diced
- 1 avocado diced
- ½ red onion diced
- ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
Optional Toppings
- chipotle mayonnaise
- sour cream
16 CORN TORTILLAS
- 2 cups masa harina
- 1⅓ cups water
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
MAKE TACO SEASONING SPICE
- Combine spices and store in spice jar for everyday use.
TURKEY FILLING
- Heat oil in pan.
- Add turkey and onion stirring to break up meat. Cook until browned and onion is almost soft, 6-8 minutes.
- Add taco seasoning spice and tomato sauce. Cook for a few more minutes.
- Serve hot as a filling for assemble-your-own tacos.
PREPARE TOPPINGS
- While turkey is cooking, cut and arrange toppings of your choice on a platter for DIY style tacos. Can be done in advance.
MAKE CORN TORTILLAS
- Mix masa harina, water and salt, adding more water as needed to form dough.
- Shape into 16 balls and flatten with tortilla press.
- Cook tortillas in hot frying pan, with a bit of oil. Turn once.
- Wrap tortillas in a folded towel while cooking the rest. This will steam them and make them soft enough to fold and place into a taco holder.
SERVING
- Serve warm tortillas with turkey filling and all the toppings.
Notes
Nutrition
Recipe FAQs
Not always. Some taco seasoning packages have additives or can use wheat flour or wheat starch as a thickener. Rather than read labels, I recommend you make your own. It's easy and keeps your own spices moving.
Related Recipes
Step up your taco game with exciting toppings. Some of my favs are guacamole with tequila and homemade chipotle mayo. Add dessert and you're planning a Taco Fiesta!
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