Ever reach for a taco seasoning packet only to realize you’re completely out? Before you make a trip to the store, check your spice cabinet—you probably already have everything you need to make your own!
This easy homemade taco seasoning takes just 5 minutes to mix together and uses simple spices like chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic, and oregano. It’s flavorful, customizable, and easy to keep on hand for taco nights.
Table of Contents
I’ll show you exactly how to make it, how much to use per pound of meat, how it compares to a store-bought packet, and plenty of delicious ways to use it beyond tacos. Once you have a jar of this homemade blend ready to go, you’ll never need to rely on a seasoning packet again!
Why Make Your Own Taco Seasoning?
Making your own taco seasoning is one of those small kitchen shortcuts that can make weeknight cooking much easier. Instead of keeping a collection of seasoning packets in the pantry, you can mix up a batch in about 5 minutes using spices you may already have on hand.
One of the biggest advantages is control. When you make taco seasoning from scratch, you decide exactly how much salt and heat goes into the blend. Prefer mild tacos? Keep the recipe as written or reduce the chili powder. Like your tacos spicy? Add cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper.
Homemade taco seasoning is also convenient. Instead of measuring several individual spices every time you make tacos, prepare a larger batch once and keep it in an airtight container. The next time you’re making dinner, you can simply scoop out the amount you need.
Perhaps the best reason is simply the flavor. Freshly mixed spices can have a much more noticeable aroma than a packet that’s been sitting in your pantry for months. Once you find the combination you like, you can make it your go-to taco seasoning and adjust it whenever your tastes change.
What is in Taco Seasoning?
Taco seasoning is usually a combination of chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic, onion, oregano, salt, and pepper. The exact ingredients and ratios vary from recipe to recipe, which is one of the best things about making your own—you can create a blend that’s exactly right for you.
Here’s what each ingredient contributes to the flavor:
- Chili powder: This provides much of the classic taco flavor, along with color and a mild amount of heat. Remember that chili powder is typically a blend of ground dried chiles and other spices, so the flavor can vary between brands.
- Cumin: Cumin gives taco seasoning its warm, earthy flavor and is one of the ingredients that makes the blend instantly recognizable.
- Paprika: Paprika adds color and a subtle sweetness. You can use regular paprika for a milder flavor or smoked paprika for a deeper, smokier seasoning.
- Garlic powder: Garlic adds savory depth without introducing the moisture of fresh garlic, making it ideal for a dry seasoning mix.
- Onion powder: Onion powder adds another layer of savory flavor and a little sweetness.
- Oregano: Oregano brings an herbal note that balances the warmer spices. Mexican oregano is a particularly nice choice if you have it available.
- Salt: Salt helps bring all the other flavors together. You can reduce or omit it if you prefer to season your food separately.
- Black pepper: A little black pepper adds mild heat and rounds out the flavor.
You don’t need every ingredient to make taco seasoning, but changing or removing one will change the final flavor. For example, smoked paprika makes the blend noticeably smokier, while adding cayenne pepper increases the heat.
Once you have all the spices, mix them together and store the blend in an airtight container until you’re ready to use it!
Printable Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe Card
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp Chili Powder
- 2 tbsp Cumin
- 1 tbsp Paprika
- 1 tbsp Salt
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- 1 tsp Oregano
- 1 tsp Black Pepper
Instructions
- All all ingredients to a small bowl and stir to combine well. Store in an airtight container or ziploc bag until ready to use.
Notes
- This recipe makes about 9 tbsp (just over 1/2 cup) of seasoning. Two tablespoons equals one packet of taco seasoning.
- Store this seasoning in an airtight container or jar for up to 6 months.
How to Make Taco Meat With This Seasoning
Once you’ve made your homemade taco seasoning, making taco meat with it is incredibly simple. The seasoning works particularly well with ground beef, but you can also use the same basic method with ground turkey or ground chicken.
For 1 pound of ground meat, start with about 2 tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning. Brown the meat in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon or spatula as it cooks.
Once the meat is cooked through, drain excess grease if necessary. Return the skillet to the stove and add the taco seasoning along with about ½ to ¾ cup of water. Stir everything together until the seasoning is evenly distributed.
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for several minutes. As the water cooks down, the spices will coat the meat and create the flavorful mixture you’re looking for. If the meat looks too dry, add another splash of water. If it’s too liquid, let it simmer a little longer.
Once your taco meat is ready, pile it into warm tortillas and add your favorite toppings. Shredded lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, salsa, sour cream, avocado, onions, and cilantro are all great options.
Tip: For ground meat, 2 tablespoons per pound is a good starting point. If you prefer a stronger taco flavor, you can add a little more seasoning after tasting the meat.
How Much Taco Seasoning Equals One Store-Bought Packet?
One of the most useful things to know about homemade taco seasoning is how to substitute it for a store-bought packet. Fortunately, it’s easy.
For this recipe, use 2 tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning in place of one standard taco seasoning packet. This makes it easy to convert recipes without recalculating all the spices.
However, keep in mind that store-bought taco seasoning packets aren’t all exactly the same size or made with the same ingredient ratios. Some contain more salt, while others may include additional spices or thickeners. Because of that, think of the 2-tablespoon measurement as a convenient starting point rather than a universal rule for every brand.
Tip: When substituting homemade taco seasoning in a recipe for the first time, it’s always a good idea to taste as you go. If you’re following another recipe that specifically calls for a packet of taco seasoning, simply measure out 2 tablespoons of this homemade blend and continue with the recipe as written.
Make a Big Batch
If you make tacos regularly, there’s no reason to mix up taco seasoning from scratch every time. This recipe is perfect for making a larger batch and keeping it ready in your pantry.
Simply multiply each ingredient by the number of batches you want to make. Combine everything in a large bowl, whisk or stir thoroughly, and transfer the finished seasoning to an airtight jar or container.
Making a big batch has several advantages. You only have to measure all of the individual spices once, and you’ll have homemade taco seasoning ready whenever you need it. It’s especially handy on busy weeknights when you want to get dinner on the table quickly.
Easy Batch Scaling
For this recipe, use about 2 tablespoons of seasoning per pound of ground meat.
- 1 pound of meat: 2 tablespoons seasoning
- 2 pounds: 4 tablespoons
- 3 pounds: 6 tablespoons
- 4 pounds: 8 tablespoons
- 5 pounds: 10 tablespoons
10+ Ways to Use Homemade Taco Seasoning
Don’t let the name fool you—homemade taco seasoning is useful for much more than tacos. Once you have a jar in your pantry, you’ll find plenty of ways to add its combination of chili, cumin, garlic, paprika, and herbs to everyday meals.
1. Ground Beef Tacos
The classic choice. Brown ground beef, add taco seasoning and water, then simmer until the meat is flavorful and coated in the seasoning. Serve in hard or soft taco shells with your favorite toppings.
2. Chicken Tacos
Season cooked shredded chicken with taco seasoning and a splash of broth or water. It’s an easy way to turn leftover chicken into a completely different meal.
3. Ground Turkey
Ground turkey has a milder flavor than beef, making it a great match for taco seasoning. Use it like ground beef and adjust the seasoning to taste.
4. Shrimp/Shrimp Tacos
Taco seasoning works beautifully with shrimp. Toss the shrimp with a little seasoning before cooking, then quickly sauté or grill them. Finish with lime juice for a bright, fresh flavor.
5. Taco Bowls
Skip the tortillas and build a taco bowl with seasoned meat, rice, black beans, lettuce, salsa, cheese, avocado, and your favorite toppings.
6. Nachos
Make tasty nachos: sprinkle taco-seasoned beef, chicken, or beans over tortilla chips with shredded cheese. Bake until the cheese melts, then add salsa, jalapeños, sour cream, or guacamole.
7. Quesadillas
Add taco-seasoned meat or beans and shredded cheese between tortillas. Cook in a skillet until golden and crisp, then slice into wedges and serve with salsa or sour cream.
8. Taco Dip
Stir taco seasoning into cream cheese, sour cream, beans, or your favorite layered taco dip. Start with a small amount and add more to taste, since dips can vary significantly in saltiness. Or try mixing it into this Cheesy Bean Dip for an easy appetizer!
9. Refried or Black Beans
Add taco seasoning to canned or homemade beans for an easy flavor boost. This is especially useful when you’re making tacos and want a simple vegetarian filling or side dish.
10. Roasted Vegetables
Toss vegetables such as potatoes, cauliflower, corn, zucchini, or bell peppers with a little oil and taco seasoning before roasting. The spices add plenty of flavor without requiring a complicated marinade.
11. Taco Salad
Seasoned ground beef, chicken, or beans can turn a basic salad into a filling taco salad. Add lettuce, tomatoes, corn, avocado, cheese, tortilla strips, and salsa for a quick lunch or dinner.
12. Taco Soup
Taco seasoning is an easy shortcut for adding flavor to soups made with ground beef, beans, tomatoes, corn, and broth. Start with your usual soup recipe and adjust the seasoning to taste.
13. Burritos and Burrito Bowls
Use seasoned meat or beans as the base for burritos filled with rice, cheese, beans, salsa, and vegetables. The same ingredients work just as well in a bowl.
14. Seasoned Rice
Stir a small amount of taco seasoning into cooked rice for an easy side dish. Start with a little and increase gradually so the rice doesn’t become overly salty.
15. Potato Wedges
Toss potato wedges with oil and taco seasoning before roasting or air frying. Serve them alongside tacos or with a chipotle dipping sauce for an easy snack.
Let us know your favorite way to use this taco seasoning in the comments!
Customize Your Taco Seasoning!
It’s so easy to adjust this seasoning to match your taste. Start with the basic recipe, then make small changes to create your perfect blend. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:
- Make It Spicy: Want more heat? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, or chipotle powder. Start small since you can always add more, but you can’t take it out!
- Make It Mild: For a milder taco seasoning, reduce the amount of chili powder and skip any cayenne or red pepper flakes.
- Keep It Smoky: For a deeper, smoky flavor, swap regular paprika for smoked paprika or add a small amount of chipotle powder.
- Salt-Free Version: Simply leave out the salt and season your meat or other ingredients separately. This gives you much more control over the sodium in your finished meal.
How to Store Homemade Taco Seasoning
Store your homemade taco seasoning in an airtight container such as a small glass jar or spice container. Keep it in a cool, dry, dark place, such as a pantry or cupboard, away from the heat and moisture of your stove or dishwasher.
For the best flavor, use reasonably fresh spices when making your blend and label the container with the date you prepared it. Homemade seasoning doesn’t necessarily become unsafe as it gets older, but the spices will gradually lose their aroma and flavor.
As a general rule, aim to use your taco seasoning within about 6 months for the best quality. Give the mixture a quick smell before using it—if the spices have very little aroma, it’s probably time to make a fresh batch.
Frequently Asked Questions
For more questions or comments that we haven’t answered in this article, write to us below!
Is homemade taco seasoning gluten-free?
The individual spices in this homemade taco seasoning recipe are naturally gluten-free, making the blend suitable for many gluten-free diets. If you have celiac disease or a serious gluten sensitivity, check the labels on packaged spices for gluten-containing additives or potential cross-contact. Using certified gluten-free spices can provide an extra level of assurance when needed.
Is homemade taco-seasoning healthier than store-bought?
Making taco seasoning at home gives you more control over ingredients, especially the amount of salt in the blend, and lets you leave out preservatives. Whether it is actually healthier depends on the specific store-bought seasoning you’re comparing it with and how much you use. You can easily reduce or leave out the salt and adjust the recipe to better fit your dietary preferences.
How long does homemade taco seasoning last?
Homemade taco seasoning can keep for about 6 months when stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry, dark place. For the best results, use fresh spices when making your blend and replace the seasoning when it no longer smells strongly aromatic.
Wrapping Up
Making your own taco seasoning couldn’t be easier, and once you have a batch mixed up, you’ll have a versatile spice blend ready whenever taco night rolls around. You can use it for ground beef, chicken, shrimp, beans, nachos, dips, roasted vegetables, and so much more.
The best part is that you can adjust the blend to make it exactly how you like it—add more heat, reduce the salt, or make it smokier with a few simple tweaks.
Mix up a batch today, store it in an airtight container, and you’ll always have homemade taco seasoning ready to turn an ordinary meal into something delicious!
More Recipes to Try
For more tasty recipes that will have everyone running to the table, start with some inspiration in the links below!
Connect With Us
Are you like me and often choose homemade over store-bought? If you made this taco seasoning from scratch, let us know what you used it for, whether it was a classic Taco Tuesday, a vegan veggie bowl, or something completely new. Leave it in the comments to inspire fellow cooks with new ideas!
