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 like to use this seasoning in taco fillings! Try Shrimp tacos, Vegan tacos, and Street tacos.
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Ingredients
My few comments on the ingredients + don't forget to read the Tips section!
The full recipe and ingredients can be found in the recipe card below this post.
- 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.
Instructions
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 a mix of various spices, are high in sodium, sugar, and unnecessary additives such as colorants and HVP, MSG. While these ingredients give the seasoning its signature flavor and aroma, they are simply 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 amounts of salt and sugar. This will not happen if you have the entire control of the ingredients.
- Flavor - Homemade taco seasoning is always fresh, which means your seasoning will have the best aroma, flavor, and vibrant color.
Freezing And Storing Instructions
- To Store. 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
- Hummus
- Tofu
- Snack - use it to season for Kale chips, popcorn, nuts and pretzels or snack mixes.
- Nachos
- Quesadillas
- Makes a great dry rub or seasoning for meat and poultry or fish
FAQs
Typically in taco seasoning you’ll feel strong flavor of cumin and chili powder or cayenne. You can mix these ingredients together for a very similar result. Or a combination of cumin, paprika, chili powder garlic and onion powder and salt.
The purpose of taco seasoning is to add flavor and depth to ground meat, such as beef or chicken, that is used as a filling for tacos, burritos, and other Mexican-inspired dishes.
It is a main ingredient in many Mexican-inspired dishes. Cumin adds a distinct earthy and warm flavor to any seasoning blend. It complements the other spices such as chili powder, paprika, and garlic powder, to create a well-rounded flavor profile.
Chili powder, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
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 collection of recipes for Cinco De Mayo.
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Recipe
Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix
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.
PRIVATE NOTES
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)
Julia | The Yummy Bowl
This homemade taco seasoning makes a perfect addition to taco beef, taco salads and tacos!