2-28-2023 4:05am

HUNT VALLEY'S McCORMICK

12 Packaged Taco Seasonings, Ranked Worst To Best

By Trevor Carlson, thedailymeal.com

It's easy to see why tacos are such a popular dish. For starters, they are relatively simple to prepare and easy on the wallet, but more importantly — they're absolutely delicious. There's nothing quite like sinking your teeth into that luscious blend of taco meat and shredded cheese along with a mix of toppings like shredded lettuce, diced onions, sour cream, and fresh salsa. And no matter what tortilla team you're on, the reality is that both corn and flour are equally scrumptious vessels that bring their own tasty advantages to the table.

Tacos are also highly versatile. Whether you load them up with steak carne asada style, succulent shredded chicken, juicy pulled pork, or classic ground beef, there's no doubt that you're in for a mouthwatering meal. For a little extra heat, tacos are also the perfect opportunity to drizzle on some of your favorite hot sauce or enjoy the tangy sparkle of pickled jalapenos.

While you could always blend your own customized mix of seasonings, sometimes that requires extra time and ingredients that you may not have at the moment. There's absolutely nothing wrong with cutting some corners and taking advantage of packaged taco seasoning. That said, the truth is that there can be noticeable differences in quality between brands. Luckily for you, we're here to steer you in the right direction. Here are 12 packaged taco seasoning blends, ranked leading up to some of our favorites.

12. Taco Bell original
Taco Bell
Taco Bell has its time and place. When a serious case of the munchies strikes, there's no doubt that a burrito supreme or cheesy gordita crunch can really hit the spot. On the other hand, sometimes it's better to skip the drive-through and save a few bucks by just making some tacos at home. The good news is that when you're craving that classic Taco Bell flavor but you don't want to leave the comfort of home, you can always take advantage of the company's original taco seasoning packet.

The bad news is that people tend to be divided over how tasty this blend actually is. Some claim that Taco Bell's original seasoning blend lacks flavor via Reddit. However you feel about Taco Bell's menu, there's usually one thing we can all agree on: The seasoning is typically very distinct and noticeable. So there's a chance that if you use this seasoning packet expecting that same level of flavor you experience at the restaurant, you might end up a little disappointed.

Of course, you could always double up and add extra Taco Bell seasoning packets to the mix or supplement it with other spices. But at the end of the day, we're judging these taco seasonings by their level of deliciousness without having to rely on any reinforcements. And the truth is that there are much better-tasting taco seasonings out there so it's hard to really consider this praise-worthy.

11. Old El Paso
Old El Paso
Old El Paso is another popular brand with some major name recognition. But in this case, its prevalence on the market is merited. Offering everything from chopped green chiles and refried beans to salsa verde and enchilada sauce, the company is basically a one-stop shop for taco night. At the center of Old El Paso's expansive inventory is its ubiquitous taco seasoning.

There are a few reasons that fans of this taco seasoning tend to prefer Old El Paso over some other brands via Reddit. For starters, it's reasonably priced — and you get even more bang for your buck in the bigger bottles. But even beyond its affordability, Old El Paso's taco seasoning has a simple flavor that's just downright comforting. Perhaps it's the simple powdered chili pepper in the ingredients or maybe it's just a classic case of nostalgia, but the fact is that Old El Paso always comes to mind when we think of tasty and unpretentious homemade tacos.

The addition of corn starch in the ingredients also makes it easy to thicken up those extra drippings in the pan to create a rich, almost gravy-like meat sauce. No matter what type of meat you're working with, Old El Paso will add a layer of familiar tastiness that's simple but undeniably delicious. At the same time, there are plenty of other taco seasoning brands that offer a more depth of flavor, making this one pretty easy to stray away from.

10. Lawry's taco seasoning
Lawry's
Walk down the spice aisle at any grocery store and you're pretty much guaranteed to spot some Lawry's seasoning blends on the shelf. The company also offers some marinades but typically focuses on different mixes of seasoning salts. And it seems as though the company's concentration on salts may have carried over a little too much into its taco seasoning.

According to some customers on Amazon, this stuff is just way too salty. Don't get us wrong: Salt certainly has its place in taco seasoning. But as always, it needs to be mindfully used with a judicious hand. There's no doubt that just the right amount of salt can pleasantly amp up the flavor, but an overzealous dose seriously risks overpowering your food to the point of rendering it inedible. And we don't know about you, but we're not fans of tacos that taste like they were rubbed on a salt lick.

Considering that using this whole 1-ounce packet contains 90% of your recommended daily sodium intake, it's safe to say that its reputation for being overly salty isn't unfounded. Once again, this is a case of falling short — and there are just too many other tasty taco seasoning options on the market to justify allegiance to this one.

9. McCormick original taco seasoning
McCormick
There's a lot to appreciate about McCormick's original taco seasoning. There's

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