Let's talk about dreams for a second. Yes, this is going to be a random conversation. But I almost never remember my dreams, and I feel kind of ripped off about it.
You see, my sister used to tell me about these epic scenes that she would witness and experience each night with multiple characters, subplots, and really interesting story-lines in general. I, on the other hand, find that when I do remember dreams they are, more often than not, supermundane. For example, the types of things I remember are dreams about pulling an uneven number of socks out of the washing machine (because in real life I need to laundry the next day).
When I'm super over-tired I can have a hard time determining if I was dreaming or if things were real. At times I have thought (in waking life) that I had had conversations with friends or family about something important, when it had actually been a dream, and when I try to follow up with the person, “Why haven't you got back to me about buying that restaurant together?”, they look at me like I've just grown two heads.
It seems unfair that other people will experience this vast, fascinating alternative universe and I don't. I do remember dreams maybe once every couple months. These are some of the things I know about them: I don't think I've ever had a flying dream, though I believe I have had a couple falling dreams while it was a child. I've never been able to fight in dreams: any time I've needed to defend a woman or was being directly attacked, I move in slow motion and with no power- like I'm throwing a punch underwater or in jello or something. I've been shot at a few times and I was convinced I was going to die but woke up as the bullet was hitting me (those were terrifying). And I used to have some recurring nightmares, but I'll save those stories for another time when we hang out.
Tell me about some of the amazing dreams that you've had. Or awkwardness in real life resulting from something that happened in a dream (ever had someone pissed off at you because of something they dreamed?).
So then, just imagine if you will that I have inserted the most incredible and appropriate segue into this great Paleo Homemade Taco Seasoning mix. It could have had something to do with the process of weighing out pound after pound of ground beef and trying to balance the spices – or maybe I just dreamt that that happened and then woke up with the measurements ready to go. Regardless of how you believe this recipe came to be, here it is, ready to enjoy, free of sugar and soy, gluten free, preservative free, without any MSG, and really just all-round good good good.
Without further ado, my very own homemade taco seasoning…

Paleo Homemade Taco Seasoning
- Yield: 6.5 tsp (makes 1-1.3 lbs ground meat) 1x
Description
Makes enough seasoning for 1-1.3lbs ground beef.
Ingredients
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1 3/4 tsp hot chili powder (if you use normal chili powder it tastes great but you'll probably need some cayenne powder)
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 1/4 paprika
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 onion powder
- 1/4 tsp ground coriander
- 1/4 tsp dried oregano
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together.
- Use for all taco seasoning needs…. Chicken for nachos (do you have a good primal nacho recipe?), ground beef for – well anything you use ground beef for, and… what else do you use taco seasoning for? Oh, other ground meats I guess. Ground turkey. Pork. Yeah.
- This makes 6.5 tsp of powder, and I found 5 tsp was about right for 1 lb of ground beef.
Notes
Don't be scared to try using smoked paprika, I bet that would be good.
- Category: Spice
- Cuisine: Mexican
I might have to republish as a bigger batch so that you don't have to make this every time you need it. I feel like I already did, but that was probably just a dream…
Hi! I’m a paleo pharmacist too!! What brand of chili powder do you use? It’s hard to find one that doesn’t have questionable ingredients in it. Thanks!
Ohhh Shelly…
To be totally honest I don’t think I have looked at the ingredients of the chili powder I used. But now that I think about it I belive the brand I use doesn’t have any additives. I’ll check it out and get back to you in a couple days as I’m not at home. I might take a look in the store for you tomorrow.
Btw, you know that Michelle Tam at http://www.NomNomPaleo.com is also a pharmacist right?
Thanks – I really appreciate it! Yes I know about Michelle – I’m a big fan!
Shelly,
The brand I use is Suraj, not cause my name is in it, but cause my folks have always used their garam masala and turmeric spices. Suraj is an Indian brand that is imported by the Loblaw Group, but I’m not sure if Loblaws stores are found in the US. I couldn’t find much online either (checked Amazon).
Ingredient list = hot chili peppers.
Photos below:
Awesome! Thanks so much Raj! I live in Victoria, BC and I’m pretty sure I’ve seen that brand. I was using Penzey’s spices before (love them!) but they are from the states and the cost is prohibitive now so I am excited to try this recipe.
No prob Shelly, I think on the island, what do you have? The green place. Sobeys? I think that’s part of Loblaws… or Superstore etc.
Hey Raj! We have Superstore here and some great little Indian markets where I think I’ve seen the Suraj brand and another one called Teja. Thanks again for your help!
Sweet! Every brand brings it’s own uniqueness. Not necessarily better or worse, but different. Sometimes it’s fun to try a different brand just to mix things up a bit!