Taco Seasoning

Has anyone else found that British Taco Seasoning has a weird taste to it? I tried to make this taco dip with it and it ruined the whole thing, it tasted off, even my British housemate said it tasted weird!

Now I've had to have my mum send over like 5 packets of seasoning so I can have this veggie dish for when friends come over!

I think Discovery taco seasoning is really good! although, maybe i have been here too long and have forgotten what it should tast like

Why not just do it from scratch?

At my house 'taco seasoning' consists of the following:  chopped onion, chopped fresh chilis, smashed garlic, salt, pepper, HOT chili powder, and ground cumin.  (don't be shy with the chilis/chili powder!   but if you're worried about it being too hot, add a little at a time, taste, add more...)

Sometimes, I sprinkle in some lime juice.  You might also add some leafy coriander/cilantro.

Why not just do it from scratch?

At my house 'taco seasoning' consists of the following:  chopped onion, chopped fresh chilis, smashed garlic, salt, pepper, HOT chili powder, and ground cumin.  (don't be shy with the chilis/chili powder!   but if you're worried about it being too hot, add a little at a time, taste, add more...)

Sometimes, I sprinkle in some lime juice.  You might also add some leafy coriander/cilantro.

I have only been able to find indian chili powder which is too hot and not the right flavor, IMO, or a mild chili powder from tesco but it is too smoky flavored...have you found a california/new mexico chili powder here? what kind do you use?

I have only been able to find indian chili powder which is too hot and not the right flavor, IMO, or a mild chili powder from tesco but it is too smoky flavored...have you found a california/new mexico chili powder here? what kind do you use?

http://www.sainsburys.com/groceries/index.jsp?bmUID=1194177977143

TBH, I didn't realise it also had Cumin, Salt, Oregano, Garlic, [Anti-caking Agent (Silicon Dioxide))], and Cayenne Pepper in it as well as Chili Powder -- but all of that goes in Mexican cooking anyway (oregano inclusive) so it works perfectly fine.

I just pulled out the Sainsbury's mild chili powder, and it tastes right to me.  I add a bunch more stuff to Mexican dishes, too, but I like having the powder around.

Ingredients:  chili peppers, cumin, oregano, garlic.

So, certainly not something we can't mix up ourselves!

I normally buy La Preferida from Lupe Pintos, or Old El Paso or Discovery from supermarkets.   I've never noticed a 'weird' taste from any of them.

I've made my own, as well, which is much better cos you can make it taste any way you prefer it. 

I bought a small jar about the size of a spice jar from Aldi not too long ago. It's American. Sometimes you get lucky and can find American stuff there.

Lately I've been using a no name brand from our local health food shop, otherwise we usually use Discovery, it;s fine but I think their fajita spice mix tastes better than the taco one, so I tend to use that for everything! 

I have only been able to find indian chili powder which is too hot and not the right flavor, IMO, or a mild chili powder from tesco but it is too smoky flavored...have you found a california/new mexico chili powder here? what kind do you use?

I've got a huge bag of ground NM red chile in the freezer, and I'd be happy to send you some. Just send me a PM.

I've got a huge bag of ground NM red chile in the freezer, and I'd be happy to send you some. Just send me a PM.

Arrrrgh, I hate it when I forgot to log my husband out. That should have been me, Elynor...

(edited for bad grammar...)

Have you tried buying Old el Passo Taco Seasoning?

When I first lived here a few years back, I definitely noticed a different taste in the taco seasoning...and this Old El Paso. I thought it had a slight curry flavor, but we've discussed this on the board before, and even looked at the ingredients, and couldn't figure out what the difference was. When I moved back here last year, I brought 10 packets of the US version over, but to be honest, I hardly ever use them. Now I just mix up my own spices until I find the flavor I'm after.