This easy homemade taco seasoning recipe is so delicious and made with simple pantry spices — perfect for tacos, fajitas, and more!
So Much Better Than Store-Bought!
There’s no going back once you make your own taco seasoning. ♡
This quick and easy blend only takes a few minutes to mix together with everyday spices you already have on hand — no additives, no fillers, and no mystery ingredients included. It’s perfectly balanced with all of the zesty taco seasonings we all love. And it works with everything from classic ground beef tacos and fajita chicken to roasted veggies, shrimp, soups and more.
I highly recommend making a double or triple batch so that you can have extra seasoning to keep on hand. Because once you taste how fresh and vibrant homemade taco seasoning can be, you’ll nix the store-bought packets for good!
Taco Seasoning Tips
A few quick tips to help this homemade taco seasoning recipe turn out perfectly every time:
- Use fresh spices: Dull or old spices will make the blend taste flat. If your chili powder or cumin is more than a year old, it’s worth replacing.
- Use American-style chili powder: If you live outside of the United States, be sure to use the mild, blended chili powder common in U.S. grocery stores (which already includes spices like paprika, oregano, and garlic), not pure ground chili peppers like cayenne. Otherwise, the mix will be far spicier than intended!
- Adjust the heat/smokiness: Feel free to double the crushed red pepper flakes for a spicy kick, or omit then for a milder seasoning. You can also add in 1/2 teaspoon chipotle seasoning for a smokier taco seasoning.
- Shake before using: The spices naturally settle over time. Give your jar a quick shake to redistribute everything before sprinkling.
- Batch it up: This recipe easily doubles or triples. Mix a large batch and store it in an airtight jar to save time later.
- Label and date it: Homemade seasoning stays fresh for up to a year, but it’s best used within six months for maximum flavor.
Ways To Use Taco Seasoning:
This zesty spice blend is good for so much more than just taco night! Here are some of our favorite ways to put homemade taco seasoning to use:
- Classic Tacos: Brown ground beef, turkey, or chicken, stir in a few tablespoons of seasoning and a splash of water, and simmer for a few minutes until saucy.
- Fajitas: Sprinkle over chicken or steak strips with bell peppers and onions before sautéing for bold, smoky flavor.
- Roasted Veggies: Toss sweet potatoes, cauliflower, or chickpeas with olive oil and seasoning before roasting.
- Soups and Stews: Add a tablespoon or two to chili, tortilla soup, or taco soup for extra depth and warmth.
- Seafood: Use as a dry rub for shrimp, salmon, or tilapia — it adds a quick, flavorful kick.
- Eggs: Stir into scrambled eggs, breakfast burritos, or frittatas for a Tex-Mex twist.
- Snacks: Sprinkle over popcorn, fries, or roasted nuts for a fun savory snack.
- Dips: Mix with sour cream, Greek yogurt, or cream cheese for an easy taco dip or chip topping.
FAQ
Use about 2 tablespoons for every 1 pound of ground beef, chicken, or turkey. Adjust to taste depending on how strong you like the flavor.
Absolutely! Just skip the salt in the mix and season your dish to taste while cooking.
Yes! This blend is naturally gluten-free. But as always, double-check your ingredients to be sure that they are certified gf.
Yes! One batch of this recipe equals roughly the same amount as a standard 1-ounce store packet (about 2–3 tablespoons). Just use it exactly the same way you would the packet mix.
Homemade Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon chili powder*
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika (I prefer smoked paprika)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Combine ingredients. Add all of the ingredients to a small jar and stir (or shake) until evenly combined.
- Store. Use immediately or cover and store for up to 1 year.
Notes
Did you make this?Let me know how it turned out in the comments below!
Hello, I just made up this recipe cause I’m tired of not having on hand when I need it. But my problem is how much to use for 2lbs for hamburger for Taco’s? Could someone plz tell me how much to use. I made a double batch for this. BWT.. It smells great even better than when you buy it at the store..
Or. Grab a packet or 5, when they are on sale (sometimes $.50!) and put the contents into an empty jar. Mine is in a thoroughly cleaned glass roasted red peppers jar, and tastes great since last December.
I like buying the cheap packets at the store for convenience. Today I can’t make it to the store but I have all the ingredients on my spice shelf. This recipe saving me the hassle of getting out today
I’d rather make my own and not have corn starch, maltodextrin, corn flour, silicon dioxide, and sugar in my seasoning. But you do you.
My husband thinks the “name brand” packets of taco seasoning make the meat taste like wet dog ? this is SO easy to make, you know exactly what is in it AND my husband loves it ? Just kinda disappointed someone would bother to leave a “you can just buy it” comment You can say that about almost anything, might not be the right website for you ?
Why would you even leave this type of comment? I mean, why would you purposefully go onto a recipe page and add your two cents about just buying the packets? Obviously, people are here looking for how to make their own taco seasoning. You don’t think the thought ran across their mind that they could just purchase it?
What does your comment have to do with the recipe? Not useful. I prefer making my own with organic grown spices and this recipe is the BOMB… nothing fabricated in a packet compares.
I used about 1 1/2 TBSP of taco mix for 1 lb. the of meat and about 1 to 2 TSP of water to keep it moist. It was just right for me!!!
Yummy I improvised and added extra cumin, Cajun seasoning, and loads of garlic powder
I used a different recipe in the past. I tried this because of reviews. It didn’t disappoint. Hubby liked it better. I thought it was lacking something but I’m going to make a bulk batch and continue to use. I’m sure it will grow on me.
i made this exactly as recipe, added to a pound of ground beef and found it bland, even after adding more and more. i had to adjust adding more salt and much more cumin, and some more of other spices. the main spice it was lacking was the cumin. maybe okay if you like it very very mild, but the cumin just doesn’t seem like enough.
Delicious and super easy! I really liked adding the smoked paprika, gave it a little extra something.
This is the best! I will never go back to the store bought package! I double the recipe and keep it in an empty spice jar, labeled of course!
I had a chicken recipe that uses taco seasoning and I couldn’t find any in the store at the moment, I then found this recipe and it was BOMB! This is my go to seasoning from now on. Thank you for your great recipes, you never disappoint me!
I made it for this exact same reason! I haven’t finished the dish yet…hope it turns out to be half as good as yours sounded!
Great recipe! Very close to my own! I like to use hungarian paprika for a sweet touch and a pinch of annato for more color. And when I actually make taco meat (whether it’s beef, chicken, whatever) I always add a little tomato paste for a real saucy punch. It makes all the difference! Soooo good!!
Recipe would be better if it told how to used the seasoning. How much do you add to 1 pound beef?