Homemade Taco Seasoning is so incredibly simple to make! With this easy, cheaper healthier version of Taco Seasoning, you can say good-bye to the processed packets forever!
If you are looking for more homemade spice blends, check out Homemade Chili Seasoning Onion Soup Mix, or Homemade Seasoned Salt.
PUT DOWN THE TACO SEASONING PACKET!!! RIGHT NOW!!!
It is time to save yourself money and make your own Taco Seasoning.
Homemade Taco Seasoning
Probably my most used homemade spice blend of all time is Taco Seasoning. It is easy to make and helps to add incredible flavor to some of my family’s favorite recipes.
Why Make Taco Seasoning?
Let’s be honest, taco seasoning is easy to find in stores and is relatively inexpensive.
BUT packaged taco seasoning may have added ingredients like sugar, corn, gluten, or preservatives.
So by making Taco Seasoning at home, you can skip the MSG, sugar, corn additives, and preservatives found in all those little packets you buy at the store.
And friends, homemade taco seasoning is EASY to make and INEXPENSIVE.
Ingredients Needed
The standard ingredients in taco seasoning are dried spices that are most likely already in your pantry.
- chili powder
- onion powder
- garlic powder
- cumin
- paprika
- dried oregano
- red pepper flakes
- salt
However, by making Homemade Taco Seasoning you can control the flavoring to your tastes.
- Don’t like garlic? Omit the garlic powder.
- Can’t handle the heat? Omit the red pepper flakes.
- Like it spicier? Increase red pepper flakes from 1/4 teaspoon to 1/2 teaspoon.
Low Sodium Taco Seasoning
Many people need low to no sodium taco seasoning for dietary or heath issues.
Simply omit the salt completely or cut the salt in half. The other dried spices in this taco seasoning will still add incredible flavor to your dishes, just minus the sodium.
How to Store
Homemade taco seasoning is great to make in a large batch because it will last for 6 months in your pantry.
- Taco seasoning, along with all other spice blends, is best stored in a sealable jar or container.
- A ball jar works great for a large batch of homemade taco seasoning.
- You want to make sure you store your spice seasoning in a sealed container so that it will not absorb flavors from other spices in your spice cabinet.
- Taco seasoning will last up to 6 months, and while safe to consume after 6 months, it has the best flavor in that time frame. After 6 months, dried spices begin to lose their potency.
To Replace Store Bought Packet
This recipe yields about 2 tablespoons taco seasoning, which is equivalent to store bought packets. Therefore, for every packet of taco seasoning called for in a recipe, one full recipe can be used it’s place.
Bulk Taco Seasoning
If your family is like me and loves all things tacos, make a large batch of Taco Seasoning and store in a sealable jar in your pantry.
This recipe for Homemade Taco Seasoning makes the equivalent of 20 packets of store bought taco seasoning.
- 1 1/2 cups chili powder
- 1 1/2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 1 1/2 tablespoons onion powder
- 1 1/2 tablespoons oregano
- 1/2 tablespoons crushed red pepper flakes
- 2/3 cup cumin
- 1/3 cup salt
- 1/3 cup pepper
Use 2 tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning per recipe that calls for 1 packet of taco seasoning.
Uses for Taco Seasoning
- To use for Taco Meat: brown 1 pound of meat, then add in 2 tablespoons taco seasoning with and 1/2 cup water and simmer until water is absorbed.
- Season homemade fries
- Mix 2 tablespoons taco seasoning with 1 cup sour cream for a quick Taco Dip or dressing for Taco Salad.
- Season Sweet Potato Chips to make Sweet Potato Nachos
- Season burgers for a Southwestern spin
- Replace seasoning in Homemade Hamburger Helper with Taco Seasoning for Taco Mac.
- Chicken Chili
- Tamale Pie
- Mexican Lasagna
- Taco Pizza
- Sweet Potato Black Bean Burritos
Recipe for Taco Seasoning
Homemade Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/8 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Instructions
How to Make Taco Seasoning
- Combine all ingredients and store in airtight container.
To Use Taco Seasoning
- Use teaspoon for teaspoon for recipes that call for taco seasoning.
- To use this taco seasoning as a packet of taco seasoning to season taco meat, add 1 recipe of this taco seasoning with 1/2 cup water to browned meat and simmer until liquid has evaporated.
Notes
Kristen Chidsey
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I like your site, you are very thorough with your recipe, how long to keep, how to store and suggestions on what you can use it for. I appreciate all this information, you have left nothing out. Thanks so much
You are so welcome Rebecca! I love that you find my site helpful 🙂
I’m going to make a large batch of this to always have on hand. Do you know how many Tablespoons of this I would need to equal “1 packet” for future recipes? I’ve made this several times and love it when I’m in a pinch. Very helpful!
Hi Diana! For every packet of taco seasoning, you would use 2 tablespoons of this homemade taco seasoning.
I prefer making my own seasonings — I know exactly what is in it without any artificial ingredients. I’ve been looking for a good taco seasoning recipe — I’ll be pinning this.
Thanks Marisa! Homemade is always best 🙂
This is so much better than that store bought junk. Thanks for the great recipe!
You bet <3
We always make our own taco seasoning too! So much better than the packets!
I couldn’t agree more!
Tacos are a regular occurance at our house so it would be so nice having taco seasoning on hand at all times! I’m definitely going to try this!
Liz–you will love it! It will save you money and taste better!