This post contains affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
Making your own taco seasoning is economical, easy, and delicious! This recipe uses pantry staples and is designed to whip up a large batch you can keep in a jar and use to season all your favorite tacos, week after week. It tastes much more fresh than store-bought seasoning packets and allows you to skip all the preservatives and focus on flavor.
Once you realize how easy it can be to make kitchen basics from scratch, you start to rethink your whole grocery list. Making your own taco seasoning is a perfect example. You may have been raised exclusively on the store-bought seasoning packets—I sure was—but once you realize how easy and fresh the alternative is, they lose their appeal fast.
Keep this on hand and everything from easy chicken tacos to taco salads to Mexican stuffed peppers suddenly become even simpler and more delicious. This also makes a great seasoning for roasted chickpea tacos! It’s a must-have in my spice cabinet and I know you’ll love it, too.
Why You’ll Love This Taco Seasoning
- Bolder, fresher flavor from your own spices
- Customize the mix to your taste—hotter, milder, more or less garlic, etc.
- Easy to make, store, and scoop out whenever the taco craving strikes
- No filler—skip the preservatives, color enhancers, and sugar in store-bought packets. It’s empowering to know exactly what’s in your food!
Main Ingredients in Taco Seasoning
You most likely have all these spices in your pantry already. If you do need to buy any components, all are staples and commonly used in other recipes. Of course, you could also just make a really big batch of taco seasoning, which is not a bad idea at all. 🙂
- Chili powder. American chili powder is actually a blend, not a single type of chili dried and ground. Taco seasoning has a lot of chili powder, so be mindful that if you choose a particularly spicy one, it will carry over to the full batch of seasoning.
- Paprika. I default to sweet paprika but using smoked is another way to customize.
- Cumin. One of my favorite and most-used spices!
- Dried minced onion. This adds great texture and flavor to your blend. Onion powder is a good substitute, but use about half the amount.
- Garlic powder. I typically use garlic granules with no added salt or filler.
- Cayenne pepper. Just a pinch to wake it all up!
- Kosher salt. Add a small amount as a base and natural preservative.
Replace Paprika Extra Often!
Paprika loses potency faster than other dried spices. Be sure yours is not over the hill! As with any spice, buy the highest-quality you can and store it in a cool, dark spot, away from heat or sunlight that will make it oxidize more quickly and lose aroma and flavor. Replace even high-quality ground paprika every 3-6 months. If you’re unsure, just sniff the jar. It should still have a clear, fresh aroma.
How To Make Taco Seasoning
- Combine spices in a small bowl and blend well. A set of rectangular measuring spoons makes it easy to portion spices straight out of jars. Blend with a miniature whisk or any spoon.
- Use or store. This recipe makes more seasoning than you are likely to need for a single taco night; keep the extra in any tightly-sealing jar. I use an old jam jar and a Sharpie to label. Close the lid tightly and store in a cool, dark spot. It will stay fresh this way for about 6 months, by which time you’ll surely need (want!) to make another batch anyway.
Once mixed up, use this blend just as you would a traditional packet or in any recipe that calls for taco seasoning.
If just making every day taco meat, I find that two heaping Tablespoons of seasoning per one pound of ground beef, chicken, or turkey is a well-balanced amount.
I do add extra salt: about 1/2 teaspoon per pound of meat. This will vary according to taste, which is why I recommend including only a small amount of kosher salt in the taco seasoning itself. Don’t skip that little bit, though: it acts as a powerful all-natural preservative and keeps your blend tasting fresh longer.
More Easy Mexican and Tex-Mex
- From-Scratch Flour Tortillas – easier than you probably think!
- Crockpot Shredded Chicken Tacos
- Skinny Baja Chicken Tacos
- Jalapeno Lime Fish Tacos
- Mexican Three Bean Salad
- Don’t forget the homemade guacamole and pico de gallo!
Homemade Taco Seasoning
IngredientsÂ
- 4 Tablespoons chili powder
- 3 Tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon paprika
- 3 Tablespoons ground cumin
- 1 Tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons dried minced onion
- 1 Tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
InstructionsÂ
- Combine all spices and mix well to blend. Store in an airtight container until ready to use.4 Tablespoons chili powder, 3 Tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon paprika, 3 Tablespoons ground cumin, 1 Tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons dried minced onion, 1 Tablespoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- For example, to prepare simple tacos, use 2 heaping Tablespoons of seasoning mix per one pound of ground beef, chicken, or turkey. Begin to brown the meat in a skillet over medium-high heat, add a bit of water or salsa if desired, and sprinkle the seasoning on top as it cooks. Simmer until ready to serve. Tacos!
Notes
- Chili Powder: American chili powder is actually a blend, not a single type of chili dried and ground. Taco seasoning has a lot of chili powder, so be mindful that if you choose a particularly spicy one, it will carry over to the full batch of seasoning.
- Paprika: I default to sweet paprika but using smoked is another way to customize. I suggest using only part smoked, otherwise it is likely to be overpowering.
- Dried Minced Onion: This is dried, flaked onion—it adds great texture and flavor. Onion powder is a good substitute, but use about half the amount.
- Helpful Equipment: A set of rectangular measuring spoons makes it easy to portion spices straight out of jars. Blend with a miniature whisk or any spoon.
- Storage: Keep the extra in any tightly-sealing jar. I use an old jam jar and a Sharpie to label. Close the lid tightly and store in a cool, dark spot. It will stay fresh this way for about 6 months.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This post was originally published on April 29, 2019 and has been updated with new photos and more helpful tips; the actual spice blend is completely unchanged. We still think it’s perfect!
Handy recipe to have up your sleeve, thanks for sharing!! I love Mexican food so this is right up my alley. Cheers!
I love making taco seasoning homemade and this recipe did not disappoint! Thank you
Wow! I am always hunting for homemade seasonings and this recipe sounds fantastic! Need to recreate this in my kitchen.
I love how easy this is to make and what a kick it packs with the cayenne pepper! Sounds delicious!
We are having tacos this weekend!! I’m so glad I didn’t buy that package of seasoning, now that I know how to make it homemade!