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.
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 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:
To make homemade taco seasoning, simply…
- Combine the ingredients. Combine everything together in a small jar, cover and shake until evenly combined.
- Store. A batch of homemade taco seasoning should last you about a year!
Homemade Taco Seasoning
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: About 3 tablespoons
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
- 1 tablespoon chili powder*
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika (I prefer smoked paprika)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Combine ingredients. Add all of the ingredients to a small jar and stir (or shake) until evenly combined.
- 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).
Went to the pantry…No Taco Seasoning! I had dinner guests coming in a few hours! What to do, what to do? No time to run to the store! I found this recipe and decided to try it. All I can say is… WOW – Just WOW! Delicious! We ate till we popped! Was the perfect recipe for a nice get together with a few friends. Perfect mix of flavors. There wasn’t any left and I made 5 pounds of taco meat! I did not have garlic powder but I used minced garlic instead. Fresh Salsa to top it all off. Yum Yum Yum! Yep, placed in my favorites box! Thank you SOOO Much!
Thanks Charlotte, we’re happy you and your friends enjoyed this! :D
Have you ever experimented with adding coco powder into your taco seasoning? I noticed it listed as an ingredient in some premade taco seasoning and was intrigued. I’ve mostly just stuck to this basic recipie. I would think it would only be a little. Maybe a fourth of a teaspoon?
Hi Lisa! Hmmm we actually haven’t tried that, but should because it would probably be really good! We think it’s definitely worth experimenting with, and that 1/4 teaspoon is a great place to start. Let us know how it turns out!
Can you use cornstarch as a thickener for this recipe?
Hey Andrea! We’re not sure, since we haven’t tried that. We’d probably advise leaving it out, and just adding cornstarch or flour to thicken a particular recipe (just depends on what it is) – you shouldn’t need the thickener if you’re just using the seasoning for meat, for example, but for a soup or stew, sure. We hope this helps, and that you enjoy! :)
In a pinch, made this tonight. Recipe after adding all ingredients calls for 1 tsp for every 2 tsp of store bought mix. Figuring aprox 3 tsp per ounce we added 3 tsp to start. Mix seamed not quite there so we added a 4 th tsp. While not quite like packaged mix it was a good substitute and would do again.
Thanks Sandra, we’re glad you enjoyed it!
Hi!
I made an adapted version of this recipe and posted it on my blog..thanks for sharing! :)
https://www.bostongirlbakes.com/2015/08/21/homemade-taco-seasoning/
Awesome Heather, thanks for sharing with us!
I just made this for dinner and it could not have been more on point!! Thank you for sharing, it’s a keeper!
Thanks Meghan, that’s so sweet! We’re so happy you liked it!
POPPING TO NIGHT. SOUNDS REALLY GOOD THANK YOU
Awesome — enjoy!
This is an OUTSTANDING recipe for Taco Seasoning. I used it to make a homemade hamburger helper. The longer I live, the less I buy store bought box dinners, pre-packaged seasonings etc.
All I did was brown some ground Turkey, boil some whole wheat rigatoni, added two 1/2 inch slices of Velveeta and some milk along with this seasonings recipe (I did use the flour in mine) and BAM! My kids devoured it!!
One thing though, I left out the crushed red pepper because it would have been too spicy for my 5 year old, but I did sprinkle it on my serving…DELICIOUS!!!
Sorry I don’t have a picture to share. It’s all gone!
Thank you, Valizander! I’m happy to hear you and your family loved it. Sounds yummy! : )
How much do you use per lb. of hamburger, and how much water also per lb. of hamburger, to make regular taco meat?
I use about 2-3 tablespoons per pound of meat.
There should be instructions on how to use this stuff once you make it. :(