This taco seasoning recipe makes the best tacos, taco soup, and more! It takes just minutes to make, using spices that you likely have in your kitchen.
Once you start making your own taco seasoning, you’ll never go back to store bought! This taco seasoning recipe is incredibly easy, made from just a handful of spices and seasonings. You will love the flavor that it brings to taco night!
Store-bought packets of taco seasoning often contain a few questionable ingredients. When you make your own seasoning blends at home, you’ll know exactly what’s going into your meals. You can also adjust the ingredient amounts, salt and spiciness to your tastes.
You can make this taco seasoning recipe ahead of time and store it in your spice drawer to use in quick meals later on. Once you mix together the spices, the taco seasoning will stay fresh for months. Below you’ll find a list of my favorite ways to use homemade taco seasoning.
Why you’ll love this Taco Seasoning Recipe:
- Quick & Easy: This recipe takes less than 5 minutes to make, using ingredients that you likely keep on hand in your kitchen.
- Simple Ingredients: It’s healthier than many of the store bought seasoning packets, and tastes better, too.
- Flavor: This taco seasoning has the best flavor! You can customize the recipe to suit your tastes, such as making it more or less spicy by adjusting the amounts of chili powder and cayenne pepper.
- Versatile: You can use this taco seasoning in so many healthy meals, such as burrito bowls, tacos, ground turkey tacos and taco salad. You can even use it to season veggies such as roasted sweet potatoes.
Taco Seasoning Recipe Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need for this taco seasoning recipe. Find the full recipe with ingredient amounts in the recipe card below.
- Chili Powder: I use mild chili powder because my kids don’t like too much spice; you can use a spicier chili powder if you wish. Try adding a little chipotle chili powder for lots of smoky spice, but not too much, since it can be very spicy.
- Ground Cumin: Cumin is a common, earthy spice that is often used in Mexican cuisine.
- Paprika: You can use sweet paprika or smoked paprika, depending on your preference.
- Onion Powder & Garlic Powder: Onion powder and garlic powder are often used in spice mixes and add mild onion and garlic flavor.
- Dried Oregano: Dried oregano adds another layer of flavor. While it’s often used in Italian cuisine, oregano is also commonly used in chili and Mexican dishes.
- Cayenne Pepper: This recipe uses just a small amount since cayenne is spicy.
Ingredient Notes
- I usually wait and add salt when cooking, rather than adding it to this seasoning mix. This way, you can season to taste with salt and adjust the amount depending on how much salt is called for in the recipe you’re using. This taco seasoning recipe has plenty of flavor from herbs and spices, so you won’t miss the extra salt found in the little packets from the store.
- The freshness of your spices will determine the freshness of your taco seasoning, so check the expiration dates before you mix the ingredients together.
How to Make Taco Seasoning
This taco seasoning couldn’t be easier to make!
- Combine the taco seasoning ingredients in a small bowl.
- Use a small whisk or spoon to mix the spices together until everything is well combined.
- Use right away or store in an airtight container.
Like this Recipe? Pin it to Pinterest!
How Much Taco Seasoning Per Pound of Meat
Use 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning per pound of ground beef or ground turkey. To make taco meat, first brown the ground meat in a large skillet. Then add the taco seasoning and 1/2 cup of water. I also like to add 1/2 cup of canned tomato sauce for added moisture and flavor, but this is optional. Cook at a low simmer until most of the liquid has evaporated, stirring occasionally. After cooking, season with salt and pepper to taste. I usually add about 1/4 teaspoon of salt per pound of meat.
Storage Instructions
Store homemade taco seasoning in a labeled zip-top bag or other sealed container. I like to use a small glass Weck jar to store my spice mixes. Keep it in a cool, dry place, at room temperature. I keep mine in a spice rack with the rest of my spices. Stored this way, taco seasoning will stay fresh for about 6 months, or for as long as the individual spices would be fresh.
Recipes that Use Taco Seasoning
- Taco Recipe
- Crockpot Chicken Tacos
- Instant Pot Taco Meat
- Turkey Taco Soup
- Crockpot Taco Soup
- Slow Cooker Taco Pasta
- Instant Pot Taco Pasta
- Taco Salad
More Homemade Seasonings
Once you start making your own spice blends, you won’t want to go back to store bought! Here are a few more favorite homemade spice blends:
Best Taco Seasoning Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 tablespoons cumin
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk or stir until well combined. Use immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 6 months.
- To make taco meat, use 2 tablespoons taco seasoning per pound of ground beef or turkey. Brown the meat, then add in 2 tablespoons taco seasoning, 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste), 1/2 cup of water and an optional 1/2 cup of canned tomato sauce. Simmer until most of the liquid has evaporated, stirring occasionally. Serve taco meat in warmed tortillas or as desired.
Notes
- I usually make this taco seasoning without salt and then add salt to taste when cooking. If you prefer to add salt to the seasoning mix, I recommend adding 1 teaspoon.
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This looks great – I use taco seasoning frequently, and am excited to use a homemade version. I will also look into your recipes and other season mixtures! I pinned this !
I totally agree — it’s so easy to make your own spice mixes so why buy them? This would be used weekly at my house because tacos are always in the rotation. It sounds perfect!
I really need to start making my own taco seasoning! Your recipe proves that it’s so easy and even better than the store-bought kind. And I definitely know the store bought stuff contains ingredients I probably don’t want to know about. Pinning this to remember for the next taco Tuesday! 🙂
Sounds delicious..will try tonight! New insta pot user…so looking for ideas
Hi Susan, You’ll find all of my easy Instant Pot recipes here. I hope you find some new favorites!
Delicious- love that you can adjust the heat! Is there a fajita recipe too?
I do have a fajita recipe, which you can use this with in place of the other seasonings if you prefer. 🙂
Looks delicious ! I was wondering how much of each ingredient as it doesn’t specify the quantities . Thanks for your help 🙂
Hi Andrea
The recipe card at the end of the post has the measurements for each ingredient. Click the Jump to Recipe link at the top of the post to taken to recipe ingredients/instructions card.
I have enjoyed making many more dishes from scratch. Everyone enjoys your taco mix. How do you buy your spices. I have a real hard time getting measuring spoons in the spice jars.
Hi Michele,
I have multiple sets of measuring spoons. I’m not sure where I got them but one is narrow enough to fix in most spice jars. Or I carefully pour, tapping the spice jar.
Can you tell me what onion powder is in UK as I have not been able to find it wendy
It is powdered onions, found with other spices in the spice aisle of the grocery store. If you can’t find it, you can leave it out of the recipe.
I made this taco seasoning for my grandson’s birthday party instead of using a premade seasoning packet . The tacos were delicious using these fresh spices . I will never use the premade packets again. A very healthy recipe without preservatives!! Thank you for sharing
Really loved this blend of spice. Made the seasoning and the taco recipe, as well as the flour tortillas. So nice to have these recipes to get away from preservatives in packaged tortillas & seasoning mixes. Thank you for these great recipes!!
Thank you for the no salt recipe! I usually don’t add it since I’m on a low sodium diet. I’ve made this multiple time and LOVE IT! I also make my own bone broth that helps too.
Perfect amount of spices! Flavorful
I have been using this recipe for a few years. It is excellent and tastes better than what you get in a package.
Love this batch of taco seasoning!!!
I thought I had an envelope of taco seasoning, but I didn’t. I picked this recipe and glad I did. Better than store bought.
It was good and rich. I would suggesting 1/2 of mix for 1 lb of meat.
That was very good and not too spicy at all
Great recipes. I just love them
Wonderful! Thank you for sharing!
This is my go to recipe!
Thank you for including a link to this in your Easy Slow Cooker Taco Pasta recipe. It’s perfect and I now have enough to make that dish again or any other recipe that calls for taco seasoning. Excellent!
Great recipe. The only one I ever use
Easy and I already had all the ingredients in my pantry!
Once I found your recipe, I’ve never gone back to using premixed seasoning packets from the store. I triple the recipe and store in my spice cupboard. I even used a label maker to add the ingredients (with amounts) to the jar I store it in. LOVE that I can add salt later as desired.