Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe (2024)

I love homemade seasoning mixes so I can adjust the salt and spice levels.

This easy Taco Seasoning recipe is the perfect way to spice up your chicken or beef with ingredients you likely have in your pantry.

I keep a large batch of this taco seasoning at all times to quickly cook up tasty tacos.

Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe (1)

For More Than Just Tacos

  • Store-bought seasoning is convenient but contains additives and lots of salt. Making your own taco seasoning at home means you can reduce the salt or add extra heat if you’d like.
  • It’s quick to make and can be doubled or tripled and stored in the pantry.

Ingredients in Taco Seasoning

It’s a blend of spices, most of which you likely have in your pantry. It’s the perfect way to season meat for tacos and beyond.

  • Chili Powder: It’s not just for chili, it adds depth, warmth, and heat. You can use mild or hot chili powder.
  • Ground Cumin: Adds a slightly nutty warm flavor
  • Garlic Powder: Adds color, sweetness, and classic taco flavor.
  • Onion Powder and Dried Oregano: Adds savory depth of flavor.
  • Seasoning: Salt & pepper can be adjusted to taste.
  • Options: A pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes add heat. A pinch of smoked paprika adds a nice smoky flavor.
Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe (2)

Variations

  • To make a low sodium verison, add less salt (or no salt) based on your dietary needs.
  • To make mild taco seasoning, leave out the cayenne pepper and/or chili flakes.
  • To make it spicy, double the cayenne or add other dried chili peppers to your liking.
  • Since this is made from spices, it’s naturally gluten-free, double check that your chili powder and other spices are gluten-free.
Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe (3)

How Much Taco Seasoning to Use

Once you try it homemade, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought packets of taco seasoning.

  • To replace a store-bought packet, use 2 tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning.
  • Use 2 tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning for 1 pound of ground beef. Add 1/2 cup of water with the seasoning and let it simmer.
  • Options: Add 1/2 diced onion to the meat while browning. Once browned, stir in a tablespoon of tomato paste or a diced tomato if you’d like.

Other Way to Use Taco Seasoning Mix

Of course, it’s great for ground beef tacos, but this DIY taco seasoning recipe can also be used for other types of tacos or as a seasoning for meat and vegetables.

  • 1 pound of ground meat: ground beef, ground chicken, or ground turkey
  • Sprinkle it on shrimp or chicken before grilling.

I love using this recipe to makeDorito taco saladandslow cooker chicken tacos.

Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe (4)

Storage

Store this taco seasoning recipe in a spice jar in a cool dry place. It will last at least 6 months. I usually prepare a triple batch so it’s ready to go whenever I need a little taco mix!

Ways to Use Taco Seasoning

5 Minute Taco Dip

Dips and Dressings

Shrimp Tacos

Seafood

Taco Ring

Ground Beef

Easy Taco Salad

Salads

Did you enjoy this Homemade Taco Seasoning? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!

Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe (9)

4.91 from 282 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
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Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe

This Taco Seasoning recipe is easy to make and it's just for tacos! Use it as a seasoning for meats and veggies or to add a little zip to soups and casseroles.

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Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe (11)

Servings 2 tablespoons

Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe (12)

Author Holly Nilsson

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • ½ tablespoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • pinch cayenne pepper optional

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, add all ingredients and mix well to combine.

  • Store in an airtight container in a cool dry place for 6 months.

To Use:

  • To prepare ground beef tacos, add 2 tablespoons (or more to taste) of seasoning mix to 1 pound of cooked ground meat (optional, add diced onions) in a large pan or skillet.

  • Add ½ cup water, mix, and simmer until most of the water has evaporated.

Notes

  • 2 tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning is equal to one packed of store-bought seasoning.
  • Use 2 tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning for 1 pound of ground beef. Add 1/2 cup of water with the seasoning and let it simmer.
  • Options: Add 1/2 diced onion to the meat while browning. Once browned, stir in a tablespoon of tomato paste or a diced tomato if you’d like.

Tuck the taco meat into taco shells or tortillas and top with your favorite toppings like lettuce, tomatoes and cheese.

4.91 from 282 votes

Nutrition Information

Serving: 2.25tablespoons | Calories: 24 | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 655mg | Potassium: 139mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1293IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe (13) Course Pantry, Seasonings

Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe (14) Cuisine American

© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.

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Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What can I use if I don't have enough taco seasoning? ›

Packet Taco Seasoning replacement: if you only want to make enough taco seasoning to replace 1 packet, use the following amounts:
  1. 1 tablespoon chili powder.
  2. ¼ teaspoon garlic powder.
  3. ¼ teaspoon onion powder.
  4. Pinch of cayenne pepper.
  5. ¼ teaspoon dried oregano.
  6. ½ teaspoon paprika.
  7. 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin.
  8. 1 teaspoon salt.
Mar 16, 2021

What are the ingredients in original taco seasoning? ›

Ingredients. Corn Starch, Chili Pepper, Maltodextrin, Salt, Spice, Onion Powder. Contains 2% or less of: Vegetable Oil (high oleic canola and/or soybean oil), Silicon Dioxide (anticaking agent), Natural Flavor, Modified Corn Starch.

How much taco seasoning should I use for 1 pound of beef? ›

To use: Use about 2 tablespoons of the taco seasoning for every 1 pound of meat. Use more or less depending on your preference. Brown meat and drain the fat. Add your taco seasoning along with about 1/2 cup of water.

What to add to taco seasoning? ›

Combine chili powder, paprika, onion powder, sea salt, garlic powder, cumin, oregano, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and red pepper flakes in a bowl; mix well. Enjoy!

What can I use if I don't have all purpose seasoning? ›

Mix together garlic powder, basil, parsley, savory, thyme, mace, onion powder, black pepper, sage, and cayenne pepper in a bowl. Store in a sealed jar.

What's the difference between Mexican seasoning and taco seasoning? ›

Mexican seasoning typically consists of a blend of traditional herbs and spices while taco seasoning is a specific blend of spices that may not be used as much in traditional Mexican dishes.

What are the ingredients in McCormick taco seasoning? ›

SPICES (INCLUDING CHILI PEPPER, PAPRIKA, OREGANO), ONION, SALT, POTATO STARCH, SUGAR, GARLIC & NATURAL FLAVOR.

What is the order of taco ingredients? ›

To assemble tacos, layer beef mixture, cheese, lettuce and tomatoes in each taco shell. Serve with salsa; top with sour cream.

How many tacos will 3 pounds of meat make? ›

Each taco shell or small soft taco-size tortilla fits about 2 ounces or 1/4 cup of meat. If you add diced onions, you could stretch a pound of ground beef to make about a dozen tacos. With just the meat and spices, you can make about 8 tacos from a pound of meat.

How do you fix too much taco seasoning in meat? ›

6 Tips to Fix Dishes That Are Too Spicy
  1. Add Dairy. There's a lot of hype about using milk to help provide relief from spicy foods, and for good reason. ...
  2. Use Citrus. ...
  3. Add Nuts or Nut Butters. ...
  4. Sprinkle in Sugar. ...
  5. Add Starch or Grains. ...
  6. Dilute It.
Apr 14, 2022

Do you drain ground beef before adding taco seasoning? ›

Cook and stir ground beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 7 to 10 minutes. Drain and discard any excess grease. Pour water and seasoning mix over beef; stir to combine.

What to do if you don't have enough taco seasoning? ›

What can you use instead of taco seasoning? - Quora. Chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper and cumin all mixed together is pretty much the same. The cumin is the star here, without it, you'll mostly be getting hot and salty, not so much the taco flavor.

How do you make tacos taste better? ›

Salsa and guacamole are great, but look to mix it up with fresh radish, chicharrones, or pickled onion. A fresh, warm tortilla is made better by a crunchy counterpart.” One of Romero's favorite toppings is a morita pepper and peanut salsa, which lends a spicy, smoky, crunchy lift to any taco.

What are the most popular taco ingredients? ›

The most common toppings that you will find for crispy tacos are shredded lettuce (romaine or iceberg lettuce), finely shredded cabbage, sliced or chopped tomatoes, and onions (white onion is more popular than red onion). This list can go on for ages, but I will only mention the most popular fried tacos. Shredded Beef.

What can I use instead of Mexican spices? ›

Substitute for Mexican spice
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder (add more if you like)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder (or 2 teaspoons crushed dried fried onions)
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes.
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano.
  • 2 teaspoons paprika.
  • 1½ teaspoons ground cumin.
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt.
Sep 24, 2020

What can I add to taco meat to make it go further? ›

Potatoes!! The potato skin to be exact. I asked the waiter about this and he said that's what gives it its creaminess and that his mother used to add potatoes (and sometimes pinto beans) to their ground beef to make it go further.

How do you season without seasoning? ›

Jams, preserves, honey, and maple syrup can be used for glazing meats or roasted vegetables. Brown sugar can be mixed with savory spices as a rub for dry meat. All types of vinegar (cider, wine vinegar, Balsamic, rice, or flavored) can be used as marinades or to drizzle on veggies or fruit.

What can I add to tacos to make them taste better? ›

Toppings for Tacos
  1. Shredded lettuce or cabbage.
  2. Tomatoes.
  3. Shredded cheddar cheese or Mexican blend.
  4. Red onions.
  5. Guacamole (store bought or homemade) or avocado.
  6. Olives.
  7. Jalapeños.
  8. Sour Cream.
Mar 10, 2022

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