Ditch that high sodium taco seasoning from the store and make some Homemade Taco Seasoning instead! It’s so easy to spice up your Mexican recipes with this homemade seasoning mix.
Use this delicious mix in our Instant Pot Chicken Tacos for a fresh burst of flavor! Or sprinkle some in our favorite chicken corn chowder!
Why this Recipe Works
If there’s one staple to keep in your spice cabinet, it should be this Homemade Taco Seasoning. It adds instant flavor to all kinds of recipes with way better taste than the packaged spice blends!
There are few meals more guaranteed to satisfy everyone in my family than tacos. From Baked Tacos to Turkey Taco Soup, taco inspired meals are always a surefire hit.
Homemade Taco Seasoning makes it easy to have a delicious Mexican meal on the table in no time at all. The flavor is so much better than the store bought stuff, not to mention more economical!
Most taco seasonings you buy in a packet or shaker from the grocery store contain the same central ingredients. Cumin is a must-have in any taco seasoning blend, along with garlic powder, onion (minced or powdered) and coriander.
Yes, those nifty packets make Taco Tuesdays more convenient. Instead of measuring the spices one by one, you just rip open a pack, toss it with ground beef and serve.
I’ve found, however, that the mixes from the store lack a certain freshness, maybe because they’re sitting on the shelf for who knows how long!
A lot of taco seasoning also has anti-caking agents and preservatives added to increase the shelf life, not to mention lots and lots of sodium.
When you make your own batch of Taco Seasoning at home, you have all the convenience of a pre-made mix at a fraction of the cost and with better flavor.
What you Need for Taco Seasoning
(At a glance, scroll down for full printable recipe with amounts)
My favorite taco seasoning contains:
- chili powder
- garlic powder
- red pepper flakes
- oregano
- paprika
- cumin
- minced onion
- coriander
Salt and black pepper round the whole spice blend out.
To make this taco seasoning, all you do is combine the ingredients in a bowl or mason jar. Mix or shake and add to your recipe wherever it calls for taco seasoning!
Seal with a lid to store.
That’s it!
How to Use Taco Seasoning
If you’re making taco meat or meat to put on a taco salad, I usually use about 1 1/2 Tbsp per pound of ground beef or pork. I would also add in about 1/3 cup water and 1 Tbsp cornstarch while cooking.
If you’re using ground turkey, start with a few tablespoons of water (as the water doesn’t absorb as much with this type of meat).
Easy, delicious tacos!
Homemade taco seasoning stores well in a ziploc bag, mason jar or tight container.
Aside from regular tacos, this Taco Seasoning adds spice and flavor to tons of other Southwestern and Mexican recipes like Chicken Taco Soup, Layered Taco Dip and Taco Tortilla Stacks!
Once you try making your own taco seasoning, chances are good you’ll never reach for the store bought stuff again! This specific blend of herbs and spices never lets me down.
Making Your Own Taco Seasoning
Another thing I love about making my own spice blend for tacos? It’s so easy to customize the taco seasoning to suit your own preferences.
Here are some ideas for making the ideal seasoning for your family’s tastes:
- Sensitive to heat? Cut down on the red pepper flakes.
- For a spicier taco mix, add MORE ready pepper flakes. Start with 1/4 tsp and adjust to taste.
- Reduce the salt for those on low sodium diets.
- I often double or triple this recipe when I make it. If you’re like my family and eat a LOT of tacos, you might want to do the same.
As long as I have a jar of taco seasoning and a pound or two of ground beef on hand, I know delicious tacos are just a few minutes away.
I’ve also tossed taco seasoning with beans and veggies for a vegetarian taco meal!
More Recipes with Taco Seasoning
- Taco Soup Recipe
- Taco Roasted Chickpeas
- Tequila Chicken Tacos
- Taco chili
- Chicken Taco Chili
- Slow cooker taco meat
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Homemade Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 ½ Tablespoons chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon minced onion
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients in a small bowl or mini mason jar with lid.
- Store in airtight container in cool, dry place.
Notes
- Add more red pepper flakes for a spicier taco seasoning!
- I usually double or triple this recipe when making it so that I have it on hand at all times!
- For taco meat to put on a taco or salad, I would usually use about 1 1/2 Tbsp per pound of meat. I would also add in about 1/3 cup water and 1 Tbsp cornstarch. If it’s ground turkey I would use less water (doesn’t seem to soak it up as well).
Nutrition
Give homemade Taco Seasoning a try tonight! You’ll love having this tasty and easy spice blend at your finger tips.
I want to try this. I am wondering how long the shelf life is. Thank you!
I make my own taco seasoning all the time. Buy quality spices and you’ll never go back to the salt-laden packaged stuff anymore!
Was going to make chicken tacos, didn’t realize that we were out of packets…thus great time to try home made. Tastes just like the packets! Thanks!
Great idea! I can’t wait to try this and add this to a gift basket, thank you for sharing. I see a lot of comments about how this may save them money. I understand that, but the REAL value is that I will actually know what I will be flavoring my family’s meat with. There seems to be a lot of non-natural things in those taco seasoning packets-yuck. You have some great recipes! Thank you!!
We try to limit our spending as much as possible pretty much year round. Making your own seasoning mixes is a great idea. I can’t wait to try your version of taco seasoning!
Thanks Renee, hope you like it 🙂
I just love homemade seasonings 🙂 will be keeping this mixture handy!
Yay for homemade taco seasoning!! 🙂 I am totally going to be trying this the next time we have tacos! 🙂
I am definitely going to make this. The MSG in a lot of seasoning packets is bad news for my husband so homemade sounds really good. Will let you know how it turns out. 🙂
Homemade taco seasoning is a great idea!
What a fun idea! Good luck with Feb 🙂
I love making my own seasoning mix – the way you’ve displayed it on the slate is super fabulous! No spend February sounds like a great idea and a great example for the kids 🙂
Such a great idea to make your own! I make my own pumpkin pie spice but never savory seasonings. Pinned
I buy the big taco seasoning from costco but I want to try this when I run out. I love the idea of having a month of not spending anything extra. I will sugest this to my husband.
WOW, this is a great idea — these taco packets run over a dollar per by me, so that was making me crabby. What is the reconstituting recipe, though? How much water, if any, do you use? How much powder per pound of beef? Also, I like the tomato-y aspect of the sauce, have you experimented with tomato powder? I have had trouble finding it, and I think ordering it over the internet would undo the money savings. How much tomato sauce would you add, if you did? Thanks.
Hi Melissa, great questions!!
If I’m just make taco meat to put on a taco or salad, I would usually use about 1 1/2 Tbsp per pound of meat. I would also add in about 1/3 cup water and 1 Tbsp cornstarch. If it’s ground turkey I would use less water (doesn’t seem to soak it up as well).
I’ve never seen tomato powder!? You could add in a tablespoon (maybe more, maybe less) of tomato paste to get that tomato flavor? It’s more constituted than sauce, and won’t make your meat liquid-y. You can freeze your remaining paste in ice cube trays.
Hope this helps!!!
I think the tomato powder she is referring to is actually tomato bouillon. You can find it with the other bouillon usually. If but there than on the international aisle with the Mexican food stuff.