Homemade Taco Seasoning

January 14, 2020

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Easy Homemade Taco Seasoning. This recipe has such a delicious blend of spices and it’s the perfect quick seasoning addition to Mexican and Tex-Mex foods. It’s great for seasoning beef, chicken, pork, seafood, vegetarian recipes and more!

Love those classic Tex-Mex flavors? Also try my Ground Beef Tacos (you can use 1 1/2 Tbsp of this taco seasoning instead of using those spices listed) and try this easy Taco Salad. Two weeknight staples!

Photo of ground beef tacos on a platter which have been seasoned with a homemade taco seasoning. Showing how to use the DIY taco seasoning.

Taco Seasoning Recipe

So you may be trying this for the first time because you’ve realized you’ve got a recipe that calls for taco seasoning and you’re all out of the store-bought stuff. But then once you try it and see how easy it is, and more cost effective (especially if you buy bulk spices) you’ll be using this homemade blend all the time!

It really only takes a few minutes from start to finish, just gathering up each of the spices, measuring out and whisking everything together. It really couldn’t be easier.

I love homemade spice blends because you can also adjust them to taste (making them less spicy, salty, more well seasoned with other spices, etc), and it’s the perfect shortcut or head start to simplify recipes.

Ways to Use Taco Seasoning

Here are just a few ideas of different dishes to use taco seasoning in but the possibilities are endless:

  • Tacos
  • Taco salad
  • Tostadas
  • Burritos
  • Chili
  • Rice bowls
  • Taco soup
  • 7 layer dip
  • Roasted vegetables
  • Fajitas
  • Add a little to homemade salsa

Blended taco seasoning in a small white ceramic bowl with a white ceramic spoon scooping up the seasoning.

What Spices Go Into This Easy Taco Seasoning?

For this homemade blend you’ll need:

  • Chili powder
  • Cumin
  • Paprika
  • Oregano
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Salt and pepper
  • Cayenne pepper (optional, if you want it spicy)

How to Make Taco Seasoning

Easy as can be, just add all spices to a mixing bowl and whisk to blend.

Taco seasoning in a mixing bowl showing all the spices separately before mixing.

How to Store Taco Seasoning?

Store it in an airtight container in a cool, dry area, away from direct light. Recycle – you can remove label from an empty glass spice jar (just wash and dry well first) and store it in that.

How Long Does It Keep For?

It should keep well (if properly stored) for 1 year. You can just place of small piece of tape at the bottom of the jar to write the date as a reminder.

Can I Make a Double Batch?

Yes of course. You can multiply the recipe by as many times as you’d like.

Possible Variations:

  • Add 1/2 tsp coriander for another layer of flavor.
  • Add 1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder. It is delicious in Mexican food.
  • Swap the onion powder for 1 tsp dried onion flakes instead.
  • Add 1 tsp cornstarch (did you know some store-bought blends include this?) if you want it to lightly thicken sauces.
  • Adjust the amount of salt added. You can even make it salt-free if preferred, then season as you add to each dish.
  • Use red pepper flakes instead of cayenne pepper.
  • Try it with different types of chili powder (Ancho, New Mexico, etc) or use a blend of several.
  • Use fresh ground spices.

Close up image of taco seasoning in a teaspoon.

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Taco Seasoning
5 from 3 votes

Taco Seasoning

This easy recipe has such a delicious blend of spices and it's the perfect flavor addition to Mexican and Tex-Mex foods. It's great for seasoning beef, chicken, pork, seafood, vegetarian recipes and more!
Servings: 5 Tbsp (approx.)
Prep5 minutes
Ready in: 5 minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl and whisk together. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 year.

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16 Comments

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      You don’t need to because it doesn’t have added cornstarch but you could if you’d like to include some. I usually just like tomato sauce.

  • Andy Flick

    add â…› tsp of baking chocolate and â…› tsp of cinnamon to this and you have a great recipe

  • Cheryl Foster

    Chili powder at the store typically contains most of the other spices you listed. Is that what you use, or do you use just a straight chili powder? If so, what kind? Thanks!

  • Robert Loescher

    I am always interested in DIY spice blends. Store bought taco seasoning mixes are usually loaded with sodium. (a.k.a. Salt Bomb) I see yours only uses 1/4 tsp of salt. Awesome. I am curious though…why no cilantro flakes in your Taco Seasoning mix?

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      Because they don’t seem to have a whole lot of flavor and they just taste quite a bit different from fresh in my option so I always just keep fresh cilantro on hand, but you can definitely add some in if you’d like!

  • Littlebit

    I printed your recipe for this So long ago and have never gone back to the stuff in the packet. Never.

  • Ronda

    Is this recipe for seasoning mix to be used completely with 1 pound of meat or is it enough for multiple uses? I see it says 5 tablespoons, but I have no idea how much comes in one of those packets of the premixed stuff.

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      It’s about 2 Tbsp per packet of taco seasoning which is about how much you’d want with 1 lb of meat, with the addition of a little more salt unless on a low-sodium diet.