Make your own homemade Taco seasoning mix in just 5 minutes. Properly stored, this taco spice blend will keep fresh for many months ahead and can be used in multiple Mexican-inspired recipes such as tacos, ground meat, chilis, enchiladas, burritos and nachos.
We love Mexican flavors and this taco seasoning goes well with Shrimp tacos, Vegan tacos (lentil tacos), and Street tacos. You'll love it!
Ingredients For Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix
- Chili powder - For a smoky flavor, you can use a combination of paprika and cayenne pepper or smoked paprika and ground chipotle.
- Cumin - Ground or dried coriander can be used instead. Some people don’t like its strong overpowering flavor, if that is you, you can reduce the amount and substitute with ground or dried coriander or add more of the other spices instead.
- Paprika - Smoked, or sweet paprika.
- Garlic powder - As we want to store this seasoning for longer, use ground garlic and onion powder. However, if you plan to use all of the homemade version at once, you can go for freshly minced garlic and finely chopped brown onion. Saute these in a skillet before mixing with other spices and taco meat, if using.
- Salt - Kosher salt, sea salt, or Himalayan salt for the best natural flavor.
- Black pepper - Black pepper will work better than white pepper, but you can also experiment with flavored peppers.
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How To Make Taco Seasoning
Mix all the taco seasoning ingredients in a bowl and store in an airtight container or mason jar for up to 6 months.
Keep the taco seasoning mix in a cool and dried place.
This recipe makes about 3 tablespoons of taco seasoning which is enough for 1 pound of ground meat.
Homemade DIY taco mix over store-bought. Grocery store packets often contain various spices high in sodium and sugar, as well as unnecessary additives such as colorants, HVP, and MSG.
While these ingredients give the seasoning its signature flavor and aroma, they are unhealthy and have high salt content.
Tips
- A good rule of thumb is to add less spicy seasonings such as chili powder and red chili flakes until you get the right balance and flavor. You can always add in more later if you feel comfortable with it.
- Make a large batch - you can make a big batch of taco seasoning and store it in an airtight container in your pantry. This will save you time and effort in the future, and you'll always have taco seasoning on hand when you need it.
- Add some sweetness - A pinch of sugar or a drizzle of honey can balance out the heat and acidity of the seasoning, making it more well-rounded.
Homemade vs Store-Bought Taco Seasoning
Making homemade taco seasoning is a healthier and more affordable option for several reasons:
- Ingredients - When making homemade taco seasoning, you have control over the spice level and all the ingredients that go into the mix without adding additives such as anti-caking agents, preservatives, and artificial colors and flavors.
- Customization - You can adjust the amounts of spices, heat, and seasonings to create a unique seasoning blend that suits your taste preferences.
- Cost-effectiveness - It seems a lot but it is more cost-effective than buying pre-made seasoning packets. Buying the seasonings separately and mixing them at home will add more bang for your buck. When properly stored, this seasoning will last you for many months ahead.
- Lower sodium and sugar content - Most store-bought taco seasoning packets contain high salt and sugar. This will not happen if you have complete control of the ingredients.
- Flavor - Homemade taco seasoning is always fresh, which means it will have the best aroma, flavor, and vibrant color.
Storing Instructions
Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
Serving Suggestions
The seasoning blend adds a depth of flavor and a kick of heat to any dish it is added to.
Besides beef tacos, and classical taco meat there are plenty of other dishes that you can spice up with this homemade taco seasoning:
- Fajitas
- Chili
- Roasted Vegetables
- Beans
- Soups and Stews
- Tacos
- Tofu
- Snack - use it to season for Kale chips, popcorn, nuts and pretzels or snack mixes.
- Nachos
- Tostadas
- Makes a great dry rub or seasoning for meat and poultry or fish
Easy Mexican-Inspired Recipes
Use this taco seasoning in multiple Mexican recipes. This mix makes one of the best tacos!
For more inspiration, check out our recipe collection for Cinco De Mayo.
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Recipe Card
Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix
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INGREDIENTS
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon sea or kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano or ground oregano
- ⅛ teaspoon red chili flakes
INSTRUCTIONS
- Mix all the taco seasoning ingredients in a bowl and store them in an airtight container or mason jar for up to 6 months.
- Keep the taco seasoning mix in a cool and dried place.
- This seasoning makes about 3 tablespoons of taco seasoning which is enough for 1 pound of ground meat.
VIDEO
NOTES
- Chili powder - you can use a combination of paprika and cayenne pepper or smoked paprika and ground chipotle for a smoky flavor.
- Cumin - ground or dried coriander can be used instead. Some people don’t like its strong overpowering flavor, if that is you, you can reduce the amount and substitute with ground or dried coriander or add more of the other spices instead.
- Paprika - smoked, or sweet paprika.
- Garlic powder - as we want to store this seasoning for longer, use ground garlic and onion powder. However, if you planning to use all of the homemade version at once, you can go for freshly minced garlic and finely
- chopped brown onion. Saute these on a skillet before mixing with other spices and taco meat, if using.
- Salt - kosher salt, sea salt, or Himalayan salt for the best natural flavor.
- Black pepper - black pepper will work better than white pepper, but you can experiment with flavored peppers as well.
ADD YOUR OWN PRIVATE NOTES
NUTRITION
Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on the products used.
Full Nutrition Disclaimer can be found here.
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
This homemade taco seasoning makes a perfect addition to taco beef, taco salads and tacos!