The Best Homemade Taco Seasoning
Get ready to make the best homemade taco seasoning with a tasty combination of simple spices! This easy recipe is free of additives, MSG or loads of sodium. It’s the most delicious seasoning for proteins, veggies and more. So good, you’ll never buy store-bought again!
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This homemade taco seasoning will elevate taco night to a whole new level of deliciousness! The perfect ratio of the most flavorful, yet simple spices are mixed together for that classic Mexican flavor we love. A major plus to mixing up your own taco seasoning is you won’t find any fillers, MSG, additives or high amounts of sodium. You can also easily tweak the flavor profile to your preference. For example, add a dash or two of cayenne pepper if you like it extra spicy, or make it taste smoky with smoked paprika. The options are truly endless!
Why you’ll love this recipe
- It’s super convenient! This is the recipe for you, if you find yourself ready to make tacos but forgot to buy a store-bought packet.
- Better for you. Store bought packets sometimes contain dairy, cornstarch, preservatives and sugar. Avoid any fillers and ensure your seasoning blend is gluten-free and dairy-free with this simple recipe.
- Quick and easy to mix up! You probably already have the 10 spices needed to make this recipe in your pantry. And you need less than 5 minutes to have this ready to go!
THE BEST TACO SEASONING!!!! I have made many….but this one is truly the best. For the add salted, I put pink salt. I will be making this recipe for my homemade Christmas gift this year!!! Thanks so much! Have a blessed day.
— Rena
What ingredients are needed
This easy homemade taco seasoning recipe is inexpensive to make and has the best flavor. Here is a note on the ingredients. Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all of the exact measurements.
- Chili powder: This will give your seasoning just enough kick.
- Ground cumin: Adds an earthy, warm flavor.
- Garlic: For just enough garlic flavor, this recipe uses both garlic salt and garlic powder.
- Paprika: Has a sweet, peppery taste.
- Sea salt and ground black pepper: These enhance all of the flavors in the recipe.
- Onion powder: Gives the seasoning a savory onion flavor.
- Crushed red pepper flakes: Chili flakes add heat. If you’re serving someone sensitive to spice, this can be omitted.
- Dried oregano: Brings herbal notes to the mix.
Variations/substitutions
- This recipe is really versatile! Any of the spices or herbs can be omitted or substituted with your choice of ingredients. You can also easily change the amounts based on your taste preferences.
- Add heat: As written, this is mild taco seasoning. To make it spicy, add cayenne pepper or more red pepper flakes.
- Make it smoky: For more of a smoky flavor, use smoked paprika instead of regular.
- Salt: For a low sodium option, omit or use less salt. You can also use regular table salt or Himalayan pink salt.
How to use this recipe to make tacos
Taco night is always a favorite in my household! The toppings are pretty important when it comes to making amazing tacos, but a flavorful seasoning is really key to the best taco experience possible. Here’s how it comes together for the best tacos:
Step 1: In a small bowl or jar, mix all ingredients and store in airtight container. I like using a mason jar with a lid and giving it a shake to mix. This also makes it easy for storage.
Step 2: For 1 pound of ground beef or other meat for tacos or seasoning for another use, add 3 tablespoons seasoning mixture plus 1/2 cup water or chicken broth to the browned meat.
Step 3: Simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently until there is very little liquid left in the pan.
Helpful tips
- How much to use for tacos: In a typical taco seasoning packet, there is 2-3 tablespoons of seasoning for one pound of ground meat. This diy taco seasoning makes approximately 4 tablespoons. Use as much or as little as you’d like for seasoning your meat.
- Double the recipe: To have this available in bulk, double, triple or quadruple the recipe. Make as much of this mix as you would like.
Frequently asked questions
Most taco seasoning mixes contain salt, warming spices (such as paprika, oregano, and chili powder), onion powder, and garlic powder. This delicious recipe is made with chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, sea salt, black pepper, ground paprika, garlic powder, garlic salt, onion powder, and crushed red pepper flakes.
If you are adding the taco seasoning to ground meat for tacos, then you’ll want to add 1/2 cup of water to the browned meat along with the taco seasoning. Stir to combine and mix all together. Let simmer for about 5 minutes and until most of the liquid is absorbed.
Homemade taco seasoning should be kept in a cool, dry place and in an airtight container and it will last up to 6 months.
Ways to use
There are so many ways to use this homemade taco seasoning blend to add delicious Mexican flavor to meals. Yes, it is great when you are making tacos or fajitas! Here are other ways to use it:
- Soup: If you are making a taco soup or an enchilada soup, add this seasoning. It gives it so much flavor.
- Marinade: Add a dry rub to your salmon, chicken breast, shrimp or steak with this spice blend. I use it often times to make these salmon tacos.
- Roast vegetables: Spice up your veggies and sprinkle a tablespoon or two over any favorite veggies before roasting.
- Mixed in a dip: This is the perfect taco seasoning to use in this Mexican sour cream dip.
More taco recipes
Here are some of my favorite recipes that call for taco seasoning, so you can give this recipe a try!
If you try this, let me know! Leave a comment and if your family loves it as much as mine does, be sure to give it a five star ⭐️ rating! Also, tag @kimscravings on Instagram with a picture of your creation. Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more healthy delicious recipes straight to your inbox.
The Best Homemade Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt + more as needed to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
Instructions
- In a small bowl or jar, mix all ingredients and store in airtight container. I like using a jar with a lid and giving it a shake to mix. This also makes it easy for storage.
- For 1 pound ground meat for tacos or seasoning ground meat for another use, add 3 tablespoons seasoning mixture plus 1/2 cup water or chicken broth to one pound of browned meat. Simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently until there is very little liquid left in the pan, about 5 minutes.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
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This was a great recipe. I loved this recipe and would use it all the time but, I noticed you adjusted the seasoning and ratios. Can you share the old recipe. This new one is just not the same.
Just changed it back! Thanks so much for your feedback!
Hi Kim! I loveeeee this taco seasoning recipe. I was wondering if I could prep a batch of it and keep it in a spice jar to use until it’s empty? How long do you think it would keep? Or would it be best to just throw it together when I need to use it?
So happy to hear! It will last 6 months stored in a cool, dry place.
We’ve been using this recipe as a stake to our pastry fur several years now. We’ve adjusted it to either leave out salt or remove the heat from the red pepper flakes as dietary or taste buds required.
I would say that after all these years that I most certainly wouldn’t skimp out on the garlic salt.
Hi Kim,
I’m excited to try your homemade taco season as like you I hate all the sodium in store bought seasoning packets. Would the 3 tablespoons amount and 1/2 cup of water be equivalent to one store packet for one pound of meat?
Yes! That should be perfect. Let me know how you like it!
Your seasoning was perfect, but my favorite part is seeing your McCarty plate!
So glad you love the seasoning as much as my family does and yes, I LOVE my McCarty plate! It was a gift.
THE BEST TACO SEASONING !!!! I have made many….but this one is truly the best. For the add salted I put Hinnahyai Pink Salt. I will be making this recipe for my homemade Christmas gift this year!!! Thanks so much! Have a blessed day
Yay! That makes my day, reading comments like yours!
This seasoning is delicious!! Thank you for sharing.
So glad you enjoyed!!
Definitely liking that there are just spices in here without a bunch of additives
Definitely! Hope you get a chance to give it a try!
In this recipe you list 1/4 tsp ground black pepper and 1 tsp black pepper. What is the difference? Do you really mean 1 1/4 tsp total?
All is fixed now. Thanks so much for letting me know!
Hi Kim,
Black pepper is listed twice in the ingredients list. Just making sure that is correct! Looking forward to making this & your other recipes!
Thanks!
Erin
Thanks so much for letting me know, Erin! Fixed that.