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Making your own taco seasoning means you decide exactly how it tastes, not whatever ratio the store landed on. Want more heat, less salt, or extra cumin? You’re in control of every shake. Mix it once, and you get a taco seasoning that tastes the same delicious way every time, instead of guessing what you’ll get from a random packet.
I honestly can’t tell you the exact year I started making this. What I remember is standing in my kitchen on taco night with the meat already browning and not one seasoning packet left in the pantry. So I grabbed what I had and started measuring. My kids ate every bit of it and asked for tacos again the next week, so I knew I was onto something. I tweaked the ratios three or four more times after that before this became the blend I still use today.
That one taco night turned into a real habit around here. I have a whole shelf of my own spice blends now, from this one to my Fajita Seasoning and my Rib Rub for the grill. I like knowing exactly what went into the jar, and I like that the spices already in my cabinet get put to work instead of sitting there.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe for Taco Seasoning
- Quick and Easy: Make this 5-minute recipe with just a handful of spices faster than it would take you to go to your local grocery store!
- Versatile Use: Taco seasoning isn’t just for taco meat. Get creative and use the seasoning for pulled chicken, wings, and other dishes that could use a flavor boost.
- Flavorful Seasoning: This homemade version is a delicious blend of smoky and savory spices, perfect for your next Taco Tuesday!
- Healthier Choice: No MSG, sugar, extra salt, or preservatives!
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Easy Taco Seasoning Ingredients
- Chili Powder: Add a kick with chili powder.
- Cumin: Smokey cumin is a staple for taco seasoning.
- Paprika: For a bit more heat and smoky notes, add paprika.
- Salt and pepper: Add the classics– coarse kosher salt and ground black pepper.
- Garlic powder: Savory, with a subtle spice, garlic powder brings a more complex flavor to the seasoning blend.
- Onion powder: Bring a slightly sweet and salty taste to the seasoning with onion powder.
- Oregano: Dried oregano brings a subtle bitter flavor and a strong aroma.
- Red pepper flakes: If desired, sprinkle in some red pepper flakes for a final kick of heat.
How to Make The Best Homemade Taco Seasoning
✱ Below shows step-by-step photos and instructions. For the complete recipe, along with ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card.
Step 1 | Combine ingredients and store
First, take out your measuring spoons and spices and get ready to measure and mix.
Now, add all of the spices and herbs to a small bowl and mix to evenly combine. Yes, you mix all the ingredients together.
Store in a tightly sealed container or jar and keep in a room temperature location away from direct sunlight, like the pantry or spice cabinet.
How to Use Your Own Taco Seasoning Mix
When ready, cook a pound of meat, like ground beef, chicken, or turkey, and add three teaspoons of seasoning with ¼ cup of water.
Then, reduce the heat and simmer the seasoned meat until the liquid evaporates.
About one pound of ground meat makes five delicious servings.
Variations to This Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe
- Spicy taco Seasoning: Turn up the heat by increasing the chili powder or red pepper flakes. Add just a tablespoon or less at a time and taste until it fits your preference. Cayenne pepper is another excellent option.
- Chipotle Taco Seasoning: Mix chipotle pepper flakes or ground chipotle into the basic spices for a fun flavor twist.
- Chili Lime Taco Seasoning: Add lime pepper for a burst of refreshing and tangy citrus.
- No-Spice Seasoning: If you prefer minimal or no spice (heat) for your taco seasoning, reduce or omit the chili powder and red pepper flakes.
Recipe Tips
- Mason Jar– Instead of a small bowl, use a jar! Add the ingredients to a mason jar with a tight-fitting lid. Seal the jar, then shake to combine the spices and herbs. Then, store it away for the next time you craving tacos!
- If you’re serving a crowd on taco night or enjoy tacos often, double the ingredients to make a big batch.
How to Serve Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix
Use this simple spice blend to make all kinds of delicious Mexican Recipes, like my Taco Spaghetti Bake, Jalapeno Cornbread Taco Pie, Dorito Taco Salad, or this irresistible Instant Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta!
How to Store This Recipe for Taco Seasoning
Storage: Store this easy recipe in a cool, dark, and dry place in an airtight container, like a small spice jar or mason jar. The seasoning will last up to 6 months before the flavor begins to degrade.
Taco Seasoning Mix Recipe FAQs
Yes. For the best flavor, brown and break up the ground beef or other meat before adding the seasoning. Drain any unwanted fat, then sprinkle on the seasoning, add some water, and cook the meat until the water evaporates.
When a recipe calls for one packet of taco seasoning, use about one ounce or three tablespoons of your homemade seasoning. Most store-bought packets contain about an ounce. Usually, one packet will season a pound of ground beef well. I use 3 teaspoons of this recipe for 1 pound of beef.
Most store-bought brands contain salt, and so does our homemade recipe. However, salt doesn’t make or break the recipe. If you prefer less salt or none, feel free to reduce or omit the ingredient. The nice thing about home spice blends is you have complete control over the salt content.
Seasoning ground beef for tacos is the most common way to use this homemade recipe. The ground beef may also be used to top a taco salad, fill a quesadilla, or bulk up a burrito. Additionally, taco seasoning is tasty on ground turkey or pulled chicken for tacos, Tex-Mex recipes, and more. Taco seasoning can also be added to a soup to make taco soup or sprinkled on sauteed veggies! Try it as a fajita seasoning! It is even a great dry rub, too!
If you ask me, it’s the cumin! Smokey cumin is what gives taco seasoning that warm, earthy flavor you just can’t get without it. It’s the ingredient that makes it taste like taco seasoning instead of just a mix of chili powder and salt. I always make sure I’m generous with it. That said, I think the chili powder and garlic powder are the perfect supporting cast — the chili powder brings the kick and the garlic powder rounds everything out with a little more complex flavor. But if I had to pick just one, cumin is the MVP every single time.
In the long run, absolutely! Making your own is the better deal! Those little store-bought packets add up fast, especially if taco night is a regular thing in your house (it is in mine!). When you make your own, you’re using spices you probably already have sitting in your cabinet, and one batch of this recipe gives you way more seasoning than that tiny packet for a fraction of the cost. Plus, you’re not just saving money, you’re getting a better product for it! No preservatives, no unnecessary fillers or sugars, and you get to control exactly how much salt goes in. Once you see how quick and easy it is to whip up a batch, you’ll wonder why you ever bought the packets in the first place!
More Recipes to Use With This Taco Seasoning Blend
Marinades, Sauces, and Seasonings to Try
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Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 4 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients and mix them together in a small bowl or plate.
- Add 3 teaspoons of seasonings with ¼ cup of water to 1 pound of cooked ground beef, chicken, or turkey. Simmer until the liquid evaporates.
Notes
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I love homemade seasonings, and this taco seasoning is the best one I’ve tried! Keeping a jar in the pantry!
Thank you so much! I really enjoy making them too! They are so easy to put together and taste amazing.
This was such a quick and easy recipe that does not disappoint! Added so much flavor to dinner last night; easily, a new favorite recipe!
Thank you, Sara! So glad that you enjoy!
Homemade is the best! I love that you can control the level of salt, as well as the other spices – so good!
Thank you, Justine! I agree! This homemade taco seasoning will really help with controlling the salt in a spice mix.
I love to make this! I put taco seasoning in a lot of my recipes, and making my own can really help me control the salt.
Thank you, Beth! I big plus for watching sodium intake.