Homemade Taco Seasoning is so easy to make, you’ll want it to be Taco Tuesday all week long. It’s healthier than store-bought, you’ll save money making your own, and it will make all of your favorite Mexican recipes taste so much better.
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Homemade Taco Seasoning
I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t make everything from scratch, and I definitely appreciate store-bought shortcuts when it makes sense, but some things are worth making yourself! Seasoning packets are convenient, but you’re paying more for something that’s not as good as homemade. After inspecting the labels on store-bought packets, I realized that cornmeal (a cheap filler) was the main ingredient in the brand I used to buy. Say what?!
Good news – you can easily make taco seasoning with ingredients you probably already have on hand. Best of all, when you don’t use those cheap fillers, the taco seasoning tastes better. I did a blind comparison between store-bought and my homemade taco seasoning, and the homemade version won the taste test every single time.
I love making our own kitchen staples from Homemade BBQ Sauce to Pesto Sauce and even Homemade Mayonnaise! If you are a fan of homemade seasonings, this Taco Seasoning will become your new favorite.
Why Homemade Taco Seasoning is Best?
This seasoning is perfect for Taco Recipes such as Fish Tacos, Ground Beef Tacos, you name it! You can use this for any recipe that calls for taco seasoning. Here’s why you’ll love this recipe:
- No MSG, fillers, additives, or added sugar
- Keeps well – It will last for 6 months in a jar at room temperature without the preservatives in store-bought taco seasoning.
- High-quality – You control the quality of the spices, and it really does taste better than store–bought!
Taco Seasoning Ingredients
Taco seasoning is a blend of spices that work well together for seasoning Mexican or Tex-Mex foods. Here’s what you’ll need for the best taco seasoning:
- Chili powder – a blend of dried chilis including ancho, pasilla or cayenne. Spice levels can vary by brand. If you prefer spicier blends, look for “spicy, hot, or Mexican-style” on the label.
- Ground cumin – Next to chili powder, cumin is the most essential ingredient that adds an earthy, warm, and slightly nutty taco flavor.
- Paprika – Adds color and subtle sweetness. Use smoked paprika for a hint of smokiness.
- Salt and Pepper – we use fine sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
- Garlic Powder & Onion powder – adds a savory garlic and onion flavor.
- Dried oregano – adds a slightly bitter, herby note. Use Mexican oregano if you can find it for a brighter flavor.
- Red pepper flakes – this is optional and adds heat if you prefer a spicy taco seasoning. You can substitute with a pinch of cayenne or even chipotle powder.
Natasha’s Pro Tip:
Smell your spices before making this recipe. It may sound strange, but this is the best way to know if herbs and spices are past their prime. If they don’t have much of an aroma, it’s time to replace them.
How to Make Taco Seasoning
Once you see how easy it is to make your own taco seasoning, you’ll always want the homemade version. The process is quick and so easy and you can easilly multiply the recipe to make a bigger batch.
- Gather the ingredients – Measure out all of the spices you need from your pantry.
- Combine – place them all into a small bowl and stir to combine.
- Store – Transfer the seasoning to an airtight container and keep it on hand for all your future taco needs.
How Much Taco Seasoning is in 1 packet?
We substitute DIY taco seasoning in the same amount as what is in a packet. Typically, 2 to 3 Tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning is equal to 1 packet of store-bought seasoning.
How to Use Taco Seasoning
In addition to using taco seasoning for Taco Recipes, you can use it for:
- Ground Beef – for 1 pound of ground beef, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of this seasoning, along with 1/2 cup of water. This seasoned ground beef is great for Taco Salad, my Mexican Beef and Rice Skillet, and Beef Burritos.
- Flavored Butter: Mash the seasoning into softened butter and spread onto Instant Pot Corn on the Cob or Grilled Corn.
- Seasoning – for Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries and, of course, Taco Soup.
Storing Homemade Seasoning
- Shelf-life: Homemade seasoning keeps really well. Depending on the freshness of the spices you use, it will keep for up to 6 months. This is why I like to make big batches of this at a time.
- How to Store: I like to keep the seasoning in a jar with an airtight lid. Like other spices, it should be stored in a cool, dry, dark place, like your pantry. You can use spice jars or any small lidded container. See our Kitchen Organization post for how we set up our spice drawer.
This DIY taco seasoning recipe is easy to make, cheaper than store-bought packets, and it tastes better, too. Plus, when you make it yourself, you’re in control of the ingredients, which means no sugar, fillers, or preservatives.
Taco Seasoning Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp paprika, preferably smoked paprika
- 1 tsp fine sea salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- Pinch red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
- In a small bowl, add all of the taco seasoning ingredients. Stir to combine and store homemade taco seasoning in an airtight container or spice jar for up to 6 months.
Notes
Nutrition Per Serving
Filed Under
More Tex-Mex Recipes to Try
- Easy Homemade Salsa (Restaurant-Style)
- Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Easy Tostada Recipe
- Guacamole Recipe
- Mexican Street Corn (Elote Recipe)
- Ceviche
- Turkey Chili
- Fish Taco Bowl
- Cilantro Lime Rice
This is my go to taco seasoning, delicious.
The best Taco seasoning mix! I didn’t have enough cumin but still tasted just right. Will save and use again.
American living in Paris here, where they don’t have pre-packaged taco seasoning… so I’ve been deprived for years!
This weekend I was invited to a barbecue and wanted to bring something “typically American”: taco salad. It was a huge hit! People were practically elbowing each other for the leftovers! (I made 2 very large containers full)
I’m so glad I found your recipe and will definitely be making up a batch to fill one of my spice jars so some’s always on hand 🙂
I’m so happy you found my recipe too, Pam! That’s so great!
Do you have a link for those nice storage jars with the cork lids?
Hi Michael, here’s my Amazon Affiliate Link for the spice jars.
This is an excellent taco seasoning recipe. Don’t add all the salt at once and taste/add to your liking. I made it spicier with cayenne because that’s what I had on hand. Smoked paprika is a must for me! I also used one recipe for 1.2 lbs. of ground turkey. This is a keeper. Thank you, Natasha!
This recipe was fantastic. Although, I substituted the chili powder with Adobe Chili powder. We couldn’t stop eating tacos. I will definitely make a big batch of the seasoning to have on hand.
I love this taco seasoning recipe! I will never buy store bought packets again, they don’t compare! Thanks Natasha!
Wanted: Instructions to use this homemade taco seasoning to make tacos. I guessed and it’s good, but instructions would have been terrific.
Hi JB! See the section above titled, “How to Use Taco Seasoning” for instructions on how much to use based on how ground meat you want to make.
It’s our go to now. Fun to make, tastes so good. Tasty and just right amount, for us, of heat and salt.
I would like to try this with chicken tacos. Do you think it would still be 2T of mix with a pound of chicken?
Hi Linda! You should be able to use the same amount as recommended for ground meat.
Do you recommend 1/4 taco seasoning per 1 lb
Of meat? Simmer 10 mins?
Hi Deloris, that would depend on which recipe you would use it for. Please see the “How to Use Taco Seasoning” section of this recipe post for Some tips. I hope that helps.
Thank you! This is my go to for taco seasoning. The only change I make is that I use Marjoram instead of Oregano. It’s a little milder so I added an extra half tsp, but it adds a hint of sweetness that I like. It’s a little closer to Mexican Oregano in flavor, especially if you add a pinch of coriander for a citrus touch. Delicious!!!
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us, Sarah!
Excellent recipe! BUT – to the point about corn meal, yes its a filler but also adds a certain body to the cooked meat. I agree with you that it may not belong – but it has a purpose. Adding a 1/2 TBS of masa flour to this recipe will add that body back in.
I made this to go on a nacho bar and it was perfect!! I used The whole batch of seasoning (3T) for 2 lbs of ground beef and 1 cup water and it was the best!! Thanks again for being my go to for all things edible!! 👏🎉👏🎉
Thank you because I could not find the how to use recipe in the recipe.
This was delicious! My family, especially 2 grand children loved it! We all did! Wonderfully perfect. Thank you!!
You’re welcome! Happy to be able to share this recipe that you all love!
This is the best taco seasoning I’ve ever made! I used the whole recipe for 1.3 pounds of ground beef and it was perfect. I did not add the optional red pepper flakes.
This was great! I doubled the recipe and for the paprika, I did 1/2 paprika and 1/2 smoked paprika and I think it added a nice touch without being too smoky. Thank you!
Trying for the first time. Do you use all of this recipe at one time. Ty
Hi Kitty! It depends on what you’re making and how much. I have a note in the blog above with instructions, see the section titled, “how to use taco seasoning.”
Never tried one of your recipes that I didn’t love and you make it so easy showing us step by step how to make them. Thank you and your husband. Always look at your website before I decide what to make for dinner.
I’m so happy to hear that, Marlene! Thank you for the wonderful comment.
Love this seasoning! So much better than store-bought mix, I’ll never go back. I used it on roasted cauliflower tacos and they were wonderful, so I’m looking forward to trying it on chicken and beef as well.