Bye bye, Old El Paso seasoning packets. Hello, homemade burrito spice mix. This cheeky copycat recipe of the popular spice blend not only allows you to tailor the flavors to your taste it is also extremely versatile and works for a variety of Mexican dishes including tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, and nachos. Mexican Monday and Taco Tuesdays just got that much easier!
For more homemade spice blends, check out my chermoula and Christmas spice mix as well.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Budget-friendly alternative to store-bought packets
- Adjust the ingredients to suit your taste
- Homemade seasoning for a variety of Mexican dishes incl. tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, and nachos
Ingredients
- Cumin – Ground cumin is a key spice used in making burritos, imparting earthy and warm flavors to the filling.
- Paprika – Sweet paprika powder adds a mild, slightly sweet, and smoky flavor and pungent color.
- Oregano – In Mexican cuisine, oregano is a popular herb used to impart a distinctive flavor.
- Coriander – Ground coriander adds a citrusy and slightly sweet undertone to this Latin spice mix.
- Chili – Chili flakes, or crushed red pepper flakes, provide a spicy kick and some heat to the blend.
- Onion & garlic – These powders are fundamental ingredients in burritos offering savory depth.
- Salt & pepper – Salt and ground pepper round out the flavors to complete the burrito seasoning.
How to make burrito spice mix
- Ingredients: Measure out all the spices and seasonings you’ll be using.
- Mix: In a small bowl, combine all ingredients.
- Blend: Use a whisk or a spoon to blend all the burrito spices until they are evenly mixed.
- Taste: Taste a small amount of the spice blend to ensure it meets your flavor preferences.
- Store: Transfer the burrito spice blend to an airtight container, such as a glass jar or a spice container.
- Label: Don’t forget to label the container with the name of the spice blend and the date it was made to keep track of its freshness.
Tips
- Taste it: Before using your Mexican seasoning, taste a small pinch to fine-tune the flavor balance as needed.
- Container: Ensure the container is clean and dry before adding the burrito spice blend.
- Labeling: Don’t forget to label the container with the spice mix name and the date of preparation.
Burrito recipe ideas
Burritos come in various types, each with its unique combination of ingredients and flavors. Use your homemade seasoning for any of the following 10 burrito recipe ideas:
- Bean: Made primarily with refried or black beans, often accompanied by rice, cheese, and salsa.
- Beef: Featuring seasoned ground or shredded beef, along with rice, beans, cheese, and toppings.
- Chicken: Filled with grilled or shredded chicken, rice, beans, cheese, and various toppings like guacamole and sour cream.
- Pork: Often made with slow-cooked, seasoned pulled pork (carnitas) or marinated and grilled pork (al pastor), combined with rice, beans, and toppings.
- Fish or seafood: Incorporating grilled or fried fish or seafood, typically with a fresh slaw, rice, and a flavorful sauce.
- Veggie: A vegetarian option filled with a variety of sautéed or grilled vegetables, rice, beans, cheese, and condiments.
- Jackfruit: A flavorful and plant-based alternative, featuring shredded jackfruit seasoned with spices and served with rice, beans, and toppings for a delicious, meatless option.
- Breakfast burrito: Typically containing scrambled eggs, breakfast meats (such as bacon or sausage), potatoes, cheese, and sometimes salsa or vegetables.
- California burrito: Originating in California, it includes meat (commonly carne asada), French fries, cheese, salsa, and guacamole.
- Burrito bowl: All the classic burrito ingredients, but served in a bowl without the tortilla for a lower-carb option.
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FAQ
Homemade spice mixes generally stay fresh for about 6 months to 1 year when stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place, but use your senses to check for freshness over time.
Yes, you can certainly use a burrito spice mix for tacos, enchiladas, and nachos. Adjust the quantity to suit your taste preferences for these popular Mexican dishes.
One Old El Paso burrito seasoning packet contains 40g of spice mix which is 2 1/2 tablespoons. It’s enough to season one pound of meat or seafood.
Recipe
Burrito Spice Mix
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp sweet paprika powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp chili flakes
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp sweet paprika powder, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp chili flakes, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp ground pepper.2 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp sweet paprika powder, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 tsp chili flakes, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp ground pepper
- Thoroughly combine the spices with a spoon or small whisk.
- Transfer the spice blend into a sterilized, lidded jar and use as directed in your favorite Burrito recipe.