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Can I Use Taco Seasoning for Chili

Why yes! Yes you can! When you ask, Can I Use Taco Seasoning for Chili it just warms my heart. I know this recipe will warm yours too!

can I use taco seasoning for chili

Can I Use Taco Seasoning for Chili

That’s a fair question, right? Can I Use Taco Seasoning for Chili? I mean, theres some great flavors in there, why not?

When I make Chili for a party, I ALWAYS add taco seasoning and it’s a flavor my neighborhood has come to love!

Just ask where the local Halloween party is at, you’ll probably find my house, or at least you would have back in the day when my kids were younger.

Try our Italian Packet Recipe too!

While you are trying out chili recipes, you might want to try this Best Sweet Amish Chili Soup Recipe (Country Dinner)

taco seasoning

Here’s What You’ll Need

The ingredients are SO easy, it’s literally browning some meat and opening some cans.

  • 1 lb of ground beef
  • 2 Cans diced tomatoes
  • 3 cans of beans
  • 1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning
  • 1 Packet Taco Seasoning
  • 1 Onion or some onion powder (garlic powder for good measure too).

Here’s How You Do It

  1. Brown the ground beef and the onion if you are using a real onion
  2. Put everything in a large stock pot
  3. Heat it all up.
can i use taco seasoning for chili in white bowl

Special Equipment

You won’t need any special equipment, but you do need a large stockpot. I love to use my large crockpot for this dish or my large Lodge Enamel Coated Cast Iron Dutch Oven.

Here’s a link to either one…

If you click this photo (or some others in this post) you can go through to Amazon to compare prices. It is an Amazon affiliate link and I am an Amazon affiliate and receive a commission if you purchase through this link (so, thank you very much! All proceeds are used in support of this website)

Large Crockpot Like Mine

Large Lodge Dutch Oven

A good can opener is essential, I’ve had this one for years and love it

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Can I Freeze This Chili

Yes! Absolutely! It freezes great and keeps for about 3 months. Make sure to squeeze all of the air out of your freezer safe container.

How Long Does This Chili Last

If kept covered, it keeps for about 5 days in the fridge.

Tips and Tricks

  • When browning the meat, just brown it till the pink is gone. This allows for a more juicy meat in the chili.
  • If you love that deep chili taste, add some chili seasoning. Just free style it. Start with a couple of teaspoons and see what happens.
  • For more flavor, add the roasted diced tomatoes.
  • If you like a sweeter chili, add some brown sugar. Start with a teaspoon and add more if you prefer.
  • Don’t add salt and pepper until you’ve tasted this recipe because it’s already quite salty.
  • The real difference maker is what you offer to guests to add to the top of their chili, see the list above but cheese and sour cream are a must.
old el paso taco instructions ingredients

What Can I Add to Chili

We love these in our chili…

  • Shredded cheddar
  • Sour Cream (or the sour cream and onion chip dip!)
  • Crackers
  • Green onion
  • Spaghetti
  • Fritos
  • Tostitoes
  • Corn
  • Roasted Veggies
  • Add over the top of a baked potato.

Substitutions

Ground Beef – Ground pork, chicken or turkey. Tofu or EVP works but the vegetarian crumbles tends to make it too salty.

Beans – I’ve found that any beans work for the black and white beans but you really do need the chili beans for flavor.

Diced Tomatoes – It’s fine to use the flavored tomatoes and if you need to substitute a different tomato, crushed tomatoes work just fine.

Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Packet – Aldi makes an acceptable substitute but don’t go with anything else.

Taco Seasoning – you COULD make your own taco seasoning and use that, but that kind of defeats the purpose of the recipe.

Watch Sarah Make This Chili

Can You Help Me Out a Bit

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can I use taco seasoning for chili

Can I Use Taco Seasoning For Chili

If you've ever wondered, Can I use Taco Seasoning for Chili then look no further, here's how.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Save Rate
Course: main
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Can I Use Taco Seasoning for Chili
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 236kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbs butter
  • 1 medium onion chopped (use 1 Tbs of onion powder if not using a real onion)
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 3 cloves garlic minced (use 1 Tbs of garlic powder if not using real garlic)
  • 1 15.5 oz can black beans drained
  • 1 15.5 oz can Red Beans drained
  • 1 15.5 oz can Chili Beans DO NOT DRAIN
  • 2 12 oz can Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes DO NOT DRAIN
  • 1 packet taco seasoning use hot if you want hotter chili
  • 1 packet Ranch dressing mix

Instructions

  • In a skillet on medium heat, melt 2 tbs butter.
  • Add chopped onions to butter and cook until translucent.
  • Add the ground beef and brown. As meat comes to a brown color – add the minced garlic. When the meat is browned, pour off the grease.
  • In a large crock pot or stock pot , add the browned meat, onion and garlic mixture. Open the black beans, discard the extra liquid from the can and add the black beans to the pot. Open the red beans, discard the extra liquid from the can and then add the red beans to the pot. Open the chili beans and add directly to the pot, do not drain. Open both cans of tomatoes and add directly to the pot, do not drain. Stir well after each can.
  • Add the packets of taco seasoning and Ranch dressing mix.
  • If cooking on the stove top, heat on medium heat and serve when heated through (allow to simmer for several hours if you can, add water as needed). If cooking in a crock pot, pour the ingredients in the pot into the crock pot, place on high and heat for 3 hours (or low for 6-8 hours).

Notes

This chili ALWAYS tastes even better the next day so consider making it the day before you plan to serve it.  (No worries, it is good every time but is only improved with time).
  • When browning the meat, just brown it till the pink is gone. This allows for a more juicy meat in the chili.
  • If you love that deep chili taste, add some chili seasoning. Just free style it. Start with a couple of teaspoons and see what happens.
  • For more flavor, add the roasted diced tomatoes.
  • If you like a sweeter chili, add some brown sugar. Start with a teaspoon and add more if you prefer.
  • Don’t add salt and pepper until you’ve tasted this recipe because it’s already quite salty.
  • The real difference maker is what you offer to guests to add to the top of their chili, see the list above but cheese and sour cream are a must.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Ground Beef – Ground pork, chicken or turkey. Tofu or EVP works but the vegetarian crumbles tends to make it too salty.
Beans – I’ve found that any beans work for the black and white beans but you really do need the chili beans for flavor.
Diced Tomatoes – It’s fine to use the flavored tomatoes and if you need to substitute a different tomato, crushed tomatoes work just fine.
Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Packet – Aldi makes an acceptable substitute but don’t go with anything else.
Taco Seasoning – you COULD make your own taco seasoning and use that, but that kind of defeats the purpose of the recipe.
MAKE THIS CHILI VEGETARIAN
Easy!  Just leave out the ground beef!  Your vegetarian friends will be thrilled!
Toppings
  • Sour Cream
  • Cheese
  • Corn Chips
  • Green onions
  • Chopped onions
  • Green chilis
  • Red Pepper flakes
  • chopped tomato
  • jalapeno slices
  • cilantro

CAN YOU FREEZE THIS CHILI?

Yes!  This chili is an excellent choice for your freezer meals.  Once you have browned the beef and added the beans and seasonings, it is ready for the freezer.  Simply freeze in quart sized freezer bags. 
Once frozen, this chili is good for at least 6 months. 

HOW TO REHEAT THIS CHILI?

This chili can be reheated from frozen as follows:  
  1. Put the chili into the crockpot, set on low and come back in 8 hours.
  2. Put the chili into a saucepan and add 1/2 cup of water, set the heat on medium and break the frozen chili up with a wooden spoon as it heats. 
  3. Place the  chili (still in its zip lock bag) in a bowl of warm water in the sink and allow to thaw then heat on the stove top in a sauce pan
  4. Heat the chili in the microwave until thawed and then heat per your choice of stove or microwave.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Can I Use Taco Seasoning For Chili
Amount Per Serving
Calories 236 Calories from Fat 171
% Daily Value*
Fat 19g29%
Saturated Fat 8g40%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 8g
Cholesterol 64mg21%
Sodium 110mg5%
Potassium 240mg7%
Carbohydrates 2g1%
Fiber 0.4g2%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 13g26%
Vitamin A 134IU3%
Vitamin C 2mg2%
Calcium 22mg2%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @loavesanddishes or tag #loavesanddishes!

A Verse to Share

Yesterday I told you about an angel who visited my back door. When I came back inside, I was listening to a YouTube video and the speaker said, “I implore you to check out Psalm 91” and what did I find? More about Angels.

Psalm 91: 11

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways

Wendi is the writer, CEO and dishwasher at Loaves and Dishes! When not in the kitchen or behind the computer, you can find Wendi serving on International Food Conference Boards, Speaking at various conferences, Leading and Cooking for the local Arts Council's "Taste of Stokes" events or donating home cooked goodies to various local non profits such as the Danbury Songwriters and Stokes Partnership for Children. Wendi is also a Registered Nurse with a Master's Degree and serves on her town's board of councilmen.

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Wendi

Wednesday 1st of February 2023

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15585

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