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Taco Seasoning

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This DIY taco seasoning recipe is quick and easy to whip up, and works great as a seasoning on everything from tacos to veggies, meat, seafood, rice, beans, soups, salads and more.

Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe

Getting ready to make a recipe that calls for taco seasoning, but don’t have a jar on hand?

No worries — just mix up a quick batch of this homemade taco seasoning! ♡

All you need is a handful of spices that you likely already have in your pantry. Simply whisk them all together, store in a sealed spice jar, and use whenever you are ready!

This homemade taco seasoning is — of course — fantastic when used to season the meat, seafood, veggies or beans in your favorite taco recipe. But don’t forget that it can also be used a million other ways as well! I’m especially partial to using taco seasoning to flavor Mexican rice or a side of black beans. It works great as a rub for steak, chicken, fish or shrimp, especially during summertime grilling season. I also often sprinkle it in soups or add it to a vinaigrette when I’m craving a zesty salad. And if you’re feeling adventurous — trust me on this one — it’s actually surprisingly delicious when sprinkled on popcorn too!

However you use it, this homemade taco seasoning recipe is a great one to have in your back pocket. So go raid your spice drawer, and let’s make a quick batch together!

Homemade Taco Seasoning IngredientsHomemade Taco Seasoning Ingredients:

To make this homemade taco seasoning recipe, you will need the following spices:

  • Chili powder: Please note that this is American-style chili powder, which includes a mix of spices. (International readers, it is fairly mild and not cayenne. ♡)
  • Ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder and dried oregano: Pretty straight-forward.
  • Paprika: I prefer to use smoked paprika, but you could also use standard or sweet paprika if you prefer.
  • Salt and black pepper: I used fine sea salt and finely-ground black pepper for this recipe.
  • Crushed red pepper flakes: To add a bit of heat. If you prefer a milder taco seasoning, you can leave these out. Or if you don’t have crushed red pepper flakes on hand, you could also sub in a pinch of cayenne.

 

How To Make Taco Seasoning

How To Make Taco Seasoning:

To make homemade taco seasoning, simply…

  1. Combine the ingredients.  Combine everything together in a small jar, cover and shake until evenly combined.
  2. Store. A batch of homemade taco seasoning should last you about a year!

Taco Seasoning Recipe

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Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe

Homemade Taco Seasoning

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 108 reviews
  • Prep Time: 2 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 minutes
  • Yield: About 3 tablespoons 1x

Description

This homemade taco seasoning recipe can be made in minutes. And it’s also preservative-free, gluten-free and easily customizable. So much better than storebought taco seasoning mix!


Ingredients

Scale

Instructions

  1. Combine ingredients. Add all of the ingredients to a small jar and stir (or shake) until evenly combined.
  2. Store.  Use immediately or cover and store for up to 1 year.


Notes

Chili powder: Please note that this recipe uses American-style chili powder, which is actually a blend of spices and very different than cayenne (as well as many other types of chili powders sold internationally).

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244 comments on “Taco Seasoning”

  1. Thank you so much for publishing this recipe. It is wonderful.






  2. Came across this when I thought I was out of taco seasoning so had to try it. Family loved it and now I’m no longer allowed to buy store bought lol. I did add some minced dried onion into it since it takes away me having to dice fresh up to add into the meat. I can never just make it the 1x way and usually do up a jar full at a time to keep on hand at all times.






  3. Very flavorful taco seasoning!! Comes together in just a few minutes – super easy!! Thank you!






  4. Great recipe! better than the packet from the grocery store.






  5. WOW – I threw this together because I forgot to buy taco stuff at the store. Super easy, I already had everything I needed and oh it was so good. Husband and nine year old loved it. I like the fact that it can be made spicer but just adding a little more pepper flakes but it can be milder as well if needed. I had just over a half pound of meat and used two tablespoons of mix with 1/3 cup of water. Cooked until the water was gone and put everything together. So easy and very good. I made it 3x to save for future meals.






  6. I browned a package of LightLife Plant-based ground “meat” and then added 1 Tablespoon of this seasoning and 1/2 cup of water. Simmered for several min and used it to make taco salad. With chips, lettuce, tomato, avocado, mango and cheese. It was very good.






  7. Absolutely fantastic blend of spices! I added some diced sweet peppers,
    a jalapeno and onion to the ground taco meat after seasoning it…wow! Perfect flavor!
    My boyfriend ate 7 tacos…so watch out!






  8. Thank you for this recipe. My daughter and I made it today and it is far superior to store bought! We used the smoked paprika, as well. Very aromatic.
    Thanks again. Kathy






  9. Delicious ?






  10. Added a pinch of cayenne (we like ours a little spicy!) Best tacos ever!






  11. Recipe would be better if it told how to used the seasoning. How much do you add to 1 pound beef?

  12. Great recipe! Very close to my own! I like to use hungarian paprika for a sweet touch and a pinch of annato for more color. And when I actually make taco meat (whether it’s beef, chicken, whatever) I always add a little tomato paste for a real saucy punch. It makes all the difference! Soooo good!!






  13. I had a chicken recipe that uses taco seasoning and I couldn’t find any in the store at the moment, I then found this recipe and it was BOMB! This is my go to seasoning from now on. Thank you for your great recipes, you never disappoint me!






    • I made it for this exact same reason! I haven’t finished the dish yet…hope it turns out to be half as good as yours sounded!

  14. This is the best! I will never go back to the store bought package! I double the recipe and keep it in an empty spice jar, labeled of course!

  15. Delicious and super easy! I really liked adding the smoked paprika, gave it a little extra something.






  16. i made this exactly as recipe, added to a pound of ground beef and found it bland, even after adding more and more. i had to adjust adding more salt and much more cumin, and some more of other spices. the main spice it was lacking was the cumin. maybe okay if you like it very very mild, but the cumin just doesn’t seem like enough.






  17. Yummy I improvised and added extra cumin, Cajun seasoning, and loads of garlic powder






    • I used a different recipe in the past. I tried this because of reviews. It didn’t disappoint. Hubby liked it better. I thought it was lacking something but I’m going to make a bulk batch and continue to use. I’m sure it will grow on me.






  18. I used about 1 1/2 TBSP of taco mix for 1 lb. the of meat and about 1 to 2 TSP of water to keep it moist. It was just right for me!!!

  19. Or. Grab a packet or 5, when they are on sale (sometimes $.50!) and put the contents into an empty jar. Mine is in a thoroughly cleaned glass roasted red peppers jar, and tastes great since last December.

    • I like buying the cheap packets at the store for convenience. Today I can’t make it to the store but I have all the ingredients on my spice shelf. This recipe saving me the hassle of getting out today

    • I’d rather make my own and not have corn starch, maltodextrin, corn flour, silicon dioxide, and sugar in my seasoning. But you do you.






    • My husband thinks the “name brand” packets of taco seasoning make the meat taste like wet dog ? this is SO easy to make, you know exactly what is in it AND my husband loves it ? Just kinda disappointed someone would bother to leave a “you can just buy it” comment You can say that about almost anything, might not be the right website for you ?






    • Why would you even leave this type of comment? I mean, why would you purposefully go onto a recipe page and add your two cents about just buying the packets? Obviously, people are here looking for how to make their own taco seasoning. You don’t think the thought ran across their mind that they could just purchase it?






    • What does your comment have to do with the recipe? Not useful. I prefer making my own with organic grown spices and this recipe is the BOMB… nothing fabricated in a packet compares.

  20. Hello, I just made up this recipe cause I’m tired of not having on hand when I need it. But my problem is how much to use for 2lbs for hamburger for Taco’s? Could someone plz tell me how much to use. I made a double batch for this. BWT.. It smells great even better than when you buy it at the store..

  21. I have recently found out I’m in congestive heart failure. The biggest dietary change is the extreme reduction of sodium. I had not been able to find a low or no sodium taco seasoning as yet, but by simply omitting the sea salt, this recipe actually fills my need quite nicely. I season everything with it.






    • We used a recipe very close to this one for our low sodium diet. Also be sure to check the sodium levels in your bread (s) . A tip from our nutritionist. The amounts of sodium varie ALOT. Avoid pumpernickle and Rye as those have highest sodium of all.) For this recipe we double the Cumin, Garlic, and Oregano for 1 lb to 1 +1/4 Lb.






  22. Just made loaded tostones with this seasoning mix for the ground beef, we love it!
    I linked back to your recipe, feel free to check it out at www.fridaynightcocktails.net/loaded-tostones/
    I’ve been using your taco seasoning recipe for years and I typically quadruple the batch while I have all the spices out. I store it in mason jar and just use it as needed. Definitely agree on using the smoked paprika :)
    Thank you for this recipe!






  23. good but spicy

  24. Excellent






  25. It’s really perfect.






  26. I made this tonight and did 3X the recipe. It was perfect for 3 pounds of turkey. I will never buy the package mixes again. This was awesome tasting! Thank you!






  27. I’ve used this recipe a few times now to use in taco soup. It’s so much better.






  28. Your recipe saved my taco night.
    ..bought everything, started cooking the ground meat and realized I forgot seasoning…IT IS SOOO GOOD!! Made in 5 minutes and it was a hit!
    THANKS for posting the recipe.!






  29. So delicious!!!! A million times better than any store bought package! Kids loved helping me mix and said they were the BEST tacos EVER!






  30. Hit the spot. I won’t be buying taco seasoning in the future






  31. Great, simple recipe. I adjusted some of the spices to taste and added a bit of Wondra flour to give the sauce that seasoning makes a little more body.

  32. I consider myself an EXTREMELY amateur cook. As I read through your recipes for seasoning mixes as well as your recipes for proteins, I find confidence in myself because you are so “matter of fact “ with the way you present your recipes. I really appreciate that about you and Therefore, I find myself trying new dishes that I would never had attempted before. Thank you. Carla B.

  33. The taco seasoning is wonderful






  34. how much do you use per pound of meat?

    • Appx 3T per 1 to 1 & 1/4 lb ground meat. Same as taco seasoning mix in store, but use this instead. Hope that works for you. Post if it did.

  35. Nice recipe, thank you. I liked the comment “a batch should last you about a year.” I quadrupled the amounts and expect to need another batch in about 3 months.






  36. I make this in big batches and keep it in a mason jar in the pantry because I use it so often. It works on all types of meat and shrimp.






  37. My son requested that I bring taco seasoning mix to the house,
    But our friend who eats dinner with us, said he didn’t like taco seasoning packets, that they were gross because they had so many preservatives and random junk in them.
    so he was really happy when I told him that I would make taco seasoning mix that would be much better than any store-bought packet.
    I quadrupled the recipe and followed it exactly except that I used cayenne pepper rather than red pepper flakes.
    Hopefully it’s not going to be too spicy!
    Thanks for the recipe!
    I feel much better feeding this to my family than a packet of preservatives and fillers






  38. Is this recipe for 1 pound of meat?

    • Yes, 1 recipe works out to ALMOST 3T. Per 1 to 1 25 lb ground beef if you measure exactly ( BUT that includes adding 1/2 t. More garlic plus 1/2t more oregano …we like Mexican oregano but regular wirks well too) We do not use the cayenne ( kids)

  39. Like many others I would agree that it is very bland. Good attempt but not quite there,not enough salt and almost no flavor. I’m very dissappointed being it was a 4.9 rating.






  40. Thank you for this recipe! I had all the spices, I just needed a good recipe. I added 2 TBS seasoning + 1/2 c water to 1 lb cook ground beef. Very flavorful and low sodium, that’s a win win.






  41. Really enjoyed the flavor and I had all the ingredients in my spice rack






  42. Absolutely excellent! I made this seasoning for a Gluten Free recipe for my child who has Celiacs Disease.






  43. I cooked up some ground beef and was so frustrated when I realized I didn’t have a package of taco seasoning! Found this simple recipe and WOW! Both my husband and I like this more than the premade seasoning packets. Another HUGE plus is that the kids (4 and 2 super picky eaters) loved it too! It wasn’t too spicy for them which is what I was worried about. Thanks for posting!






  44. Way better than store bought!! I did add a little cornstarch to it for thickener.






  45. I like this recipe because many of the store-bought products have MSG which gives me migraines. Thank you. I look for to using it not only on tacos, but grill items as well.






  46. Approximately how much do you use per pound of hamburger?






  47. Just what I was looking for! Perfect for 1lb of ground meat!






  48. I live in northwest Spain close to Portugal. ‘Round here there ain’t no street tacos, no crunchy beef tacos, no Tex-Mex — nothing. The closest thing to tacos is a storebought Old El Paso Taco Kit — which just doesn’t cut it. But now thanks to this important recipe, I can feel a lot closer to home. Imagine that!

  49. Love this recipe. I will never use store bought taco seasoning again!

  50. I’ve used this recipe in the past and liked it. Since I hadn’t rated it OR saved the recipe, I’m doing that now.