This Homemade Taco Seasoning recipe is made without any added sugar or weird ingredients – just a delicious blend of Mexican spices and herbs to get your taco party started! (gluten free, paleo, vegetarian, vegan)
This Homemade Taco Seasoning recipe has been a long time coming! After using it to make these ground beef tacos and again in this creamy taco pasta, I knew I had to dedicate a separate post all about taco seasoning.
The first time I made my own seasoning blend was kind of an accident. I was making some normal ground beef tacos for taco night and I had everything ready to go except for the seasoning. I thought I had a packet of the store-bought stuff in my spice cabinet but I didn’t, so I decided to season the meat with what I thought would taste good and the results were surprisingly great!
I know I probably shouldn’t admit this because I’m Mexican, but I’ve always actually liked the flavor of store-bought taco seasoning. Other than it being a little too salty, I never minded the flavor at all. So my goal with this taco seasoning recipe was to make it taste like the store-bought stuff. But better. And I did!
The best part is that this recipe has no fillers, preservatives, added sugar or funky ingredients – just my favorite blend of Mexican spices and herbs to get your taco party started.
How to make taco seasoning
This taco seasoning is a simple blend of herbs and spices that I regularly have in my kitchen. The ingredients themselves aren’t super fancy, but the proportions are just right, making this seasoning a powerhouse of flavor. Here’s what you’ll need.
- 4 tablespoons chili powder
- 4 teaspoons ground cumin
- 3 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
This homemade taco seasoning will last about 6 months when stored in an airtight container, so make a big batch of it and keep it in your spice cabinet to use whenever you’d like!
How to customize this taco seasoning recipe
- Watching your salt intake? Simply leave out the salt in this recipe and just add it as needed during the cooking process.
- Like your taco seasoning on the spicy side? Add 1 tablespoon ground cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the mix.
- Want more of a smoky flavor? Use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika. You could also add some ground chipotle powder.
Once you’ve got your little jar of homemade taco seasoning, all that’s left to do is get cooking! Here are some of my favorite ways to use it.
Recipes made with taco seasoning
- the best taco salad
- healthy chicken nachos
- ground beef tacos
- creamy taco pasta
- easy taco casserole
- sprinkled on any ground or shredded meat mixture for tacos
- sprinkled on popcorn or your favorite snacks
For ground beef, chicken or turkey tacos, I recommend using 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning per 1 pound of meat.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons chili powder
- 4 teaspoons ground cumin
- 3 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon oregano
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a small airtight jar and close with a lid. Shake to combine.
Isabel’s Tips:
Nutrition Information
Love this taco seasoning! Just the perfect balance of spices! So happy I found this recipe.
I haven’t seen any new posts for some time now are you still available
or am I still subscribed??
Thanks Jimmy
Hi Jimmy! Isabel is currently on maternity leave but will return soon.
when you add the taco seasoning to the meat, do you add water, like with the store packet?
Hi Shellie! We would recommend using this recipe without water, almost like a dry rub for the meat. Hope this helps!
I use your taco seasoning for all my tacos, but it’s the PERFECT companion to tacos dorados! Thank you!
Love your recipes
Thank you so much!
I’m sold on this taco seasoning for life, it really is perfect.
Yummy! Just made this up! This is just right amount of spice for my Taco Salad!
Grandsons should like the spike up of spice!
Thank you
Great recipe, thanks! I use it with veggie broth to marinate soy curls,
Love this recipe ❤
Thank you so much!
What kind of chili powder do you use? They are all so different, so it would make a difference in the final flavor of the mix. Thanks, love your recipes and look forward to trying them.
Hi Cheryl! I love and use almost exclusively the Simply Organic brand of spices. Here’s the specific one that I use – https://amzn.to/2poMYPS.
Hi Isabel! I’m a fan of your recipes and have made many of them. Seriously, you should write a cookbook! That would be SO great! In regards to the taco seasoning, I wondered about the chili powder. I have several pure chili powders I got from Native seeds in Tucson. Would you recommend still using the blend you suggested or could I use what I have. Ancho, guihillo(sic), hatch, poblabo is what’s in the cupboard.
Hi Becky! Yes you can definitely use your chili powders, I bet it’ll turn out delicious with them! We are actually in the process of publishing a cookbook! So be on the lookout for that later this year 🙂
Thanks for your reply! I just saw it today. Of the chili powders I listed, would you use one over the other? I haven’t made the taco seasoning yet because I still have some commercial stuff to use up. So happy to know you have a cookbook in the works! Hope umpire having a nice maternity leave! Thanks!
Becky
I would say ancho and guajillo!
A perfect keep on hand blend – making this over the weekend! I would be honored if you shared this and some of your other great recipes at our What’s for Dinner party – http://www.lazygastronome.com/whats-for-dinner-sunday-link-up-163/