Homemade taco seasoning is a blend of chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, and a little salt and pepper. It takes about 5 minutes to stir together, keeps for months in a jar, and tastes fresher than the packets because there is no cornstarch, no added sugar, and no anti caking agents.
One batch seasons about a pound of ground beef, turkey, chicken, beans, or lentils. Scale it up and keep a jar in the pantry so taco night comes together fast.
It works on everything from shrimp tacos to lentil tacos to a quick weeknight taco skillet, and it doubles as a dry rub for chicken and fish.
Looking for more homemade sauces and condiments? Try my Tomato Confit and Date Paste.
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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.
How To Make Taco Seasoning
- Add the chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper to a small bowl.
- Whisk until the color is even and there are no clumps.
- Transfer to an airtight jar and store in a cool, dark cupboard for up to 6 months.
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.
Before You Head Out
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Recipe Card
Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- 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.
Nutrition
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.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on the products used.
Full Nutrition Disclaimer can be found here.
Homemade Taco Seasoning FAQs
How much homemade taco seasoning equals one packet?
About 2 tablespoons of this mix equals a standard 1 ounce store packet. The full batch here is roughly 3 tablespoons, which comfortably seasons 1 pound of meat.
Is homemade taco seasoning cheaper than the packets?
Yes, once you own the spices. A jar of each spice makes many batches for a fraction of the per packet price, and you control the salt and heat.
How long does homemade taco seasoning last?
Kept in an airtight jar somewhere cool and dark, it stays flavorful for about 6 months. It is still safe after that, it just tastes flatter as the spices fade.
Is this taco seasoning spicy?
It is mild to medium as written. Add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes to bring the heat up, or cut the chili powder in half for a kid friendly version.
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Julia | The Yummy Bowl
This homemade taco seasoning makes a perfect addition to taco beef, taco salads and tacos!