Homemade Taco Seasoning needs to be a staple in your kitchen! With a few common spices, you can quickly create a cheaper, healthier version of the store-bought packets of Taco Seasoning.
From Taco Meat to Instant Pot Chicken Tacos to Taco Pizza, this homemade taco seasoning is perfect for all taco-related recipes!
Why Homemade Taco Seasoning is Best
The #1 used spice blend at my house would have to be Taco Seasoning. From tacos to burritos to soups, taco seasoning adds just the right amount of flavor to endless recipes.
But I don't use store-bought taco seasoning. Instead, I make my own homemade taco seasoning.
I know that taco seasoning is easy to find and relatively inexpensive, but I still prefer my homemade blend to the store-bought packets for several reasons.
- Homemade is more economical. I know I just said that the store-bought packets are cheap, but when you use taco seasoning several times per month, it still comes out to be less expensive to make your own.
- Allergy-Friendly. This recipe for taco seasoning is free of the top 8 allergens--no need to carefully read labels to look for traces of gluten, dairy, eggs, corn, or nuts.
- Quality Control. Most store-bought taco seasoning mixes are full of preservatives, MSG, and added sugars. Not to mention they are high in sodium. By making Taco Seasoning at home, you can skip all those additives AND you can customize your taco seasoning blend to suit your taste buds and dietary restrictions.
- Easy. It is INCREDIBLY easy to make taco seasoning. Much easier than having to run out to the store to grab a packet when the craving for tacos strike.
- Flavorful. The dried spices I use in this recipe for taco seasoning are the perfect ratio to replicate the store-bought seasoning--without being overly salty!
Spices Needed for Taco Seasoning
- Chili Powder: Use basic chili powder, not ancho chili powder or chipotle chili powder for the best balance of flavor.
- Cumin
- Paprika: Use regular paprika. While smoked paprika adds a nice smokey finish, it may overwhelm the seasoning blend.
- Onion Powder
- Garlic Powder
- Dried Oregano: Italian or Mexican dried oregano both work in this taco seasoning recipe.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Add a bit of balanced heat to the taco seasoning without being overly spicy.
- Black Pepper
- Salt: Use kosher salt for best results.
How to Make Taco Seasoning
- In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients and mix together until everything is well distributed.
- Transfer the mixture to an airtight container for storage.
Storage Instructions
Be sure to store taco seasoning in an airtight jar or container, like a ball jar, or small spice jar, so that it will not absorb flavors from other spices in your spice cabinet.
It will last for up to 6 months when stored in an airtight container in the pantry. While certainly safe to consume after 6 months, the flavor will begin to lose potency.
Recipe Modifications
As stated earlier, by making your own Taco Seasoning, you can control the flavoring and adjust the seasonings to fit your taste buds.
- 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 ¼ teaspoon to ½ teaspoon.
- Need Sodium-Free or Low Sodium Taco Seasoning? Omit the salt completely or cut in half. I promise this spice blend will still add great flavor to your recipes.
How to Use Taco Seasoning
This recipe for taco seasoning can be used in any recipe that calls for taco seasoning. And while it is the perfect seasoning for traditional ground beef tacos and chicken tacos, think outside the box and use taco seasoning to give your recipes a Mexican spin.
- In place of salt, use 1-2 teaspoons of taco seasoning to season homemade fries.
- Mix 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning with 1 cup sour cream for a quick dressing for Taco Salad or Southwestern Chicken Salad.
- Season sweet potato slices with taco seasoning and use and bake to use as the base for Sweet Potato Nachos.
- Season Burgers by adding 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning to ground meat and form burgers with a Southwestern spin.
- Add taco seasoning to Lentil Tacos, Cauliflower Tacos, or Black Bean Tacos for a meatless spin on taco night.
- Make a creamy taco dip by adding taco seasoning to cream cheese and sour cream.
- Add just the right flavor to Refried Beans, Rice and Beans, Bean Burritos, Chicken Chili, or Sweet Potato Burritos by using a homemade taco seasoning blend.
If you tried out this homemade version of taco seasoning I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.
Homemade Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cup chili powder
- ⅓ cup salt
- ½ cup cumin
- ⅓ cup paprika
- ¼ cup garlic powder
- ¼ cup onion powder
- ¼ cup black pepper
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- ½ tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients and store in airtight container.
- Transfer the mixture to an airtight container and store in the pantry for up to 6 months.
- For every 1 packet of taco seasoning, use 2 tablespoons of this homemade taco seasoning.
Notes
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon oregano
- ⅛ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Micki
Yum! I used this in a bean taco recipe - just the perfect spice level. Thanks so much for adding the small batch instructions!
Gina
Love the idea of making my own rather than buying the packets which tend to have additives and way too much salt - so easy because these are spices I definitely have on hand already!
Rosalie
I add coriander (1 tsp.), dash of oregano and a dash of red pepper flakes. After draining the cooked beef, I saute, finely chopped, a half green pepper , a half jalapeño and half red or yellow onion in evoo, low and slow, and 5 cloves of garlic minced. Add back the beef and add 1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce and 1/4 c. of water. (Add more water as needed.)
For taco salads, crisp iceberg lettuce, fresh tomato, diced red onion. Toss. Dump hot taco meaton top of salad,, top with grated sharp cheddar cheese, toss; add black olives and crushed corn chips. Serve with dab of sour cream and avocado makes it divine! Muy bueno.
Kristen Chidsey
Sounds like a WONDERFUL dinner! So glad you enjoyed.
Megan Hill
I used this recipe to season some chicken breasts in the instant pot with some diced tomatoes and chicken broth, it tasted delicious! Also, I added this seasoning to white rice with some chipotle paste...it was better than I expected. Going to be making this recipe in bulk! Thanks for sharing
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks for sharing Megan! Glad you will be stocking up on this taco seasoning--I always have it on hand!