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!
Thank you for this recipe! I had all the spices, I just needed a good recipe. I added 2 TBS seasoning + 1/2 c water to 1 lb cook ground beef. Very flavorful and low sodium, that’s a win win.
Like many others I would agree that it is very bland. Good attempt but not quite there,not enough salt and almost no flavor. I’m very dissappointed being it was a 4.9 rating.
Is this recipe for 1 pound of meat?
Yes, 1 recipe works out to ALMOST 3T. Per 1 to 1 25 lb ground beef if you measure exactly ( BUT that includes adding 1/2 t. More garlic plus 1/2t more oregano …we like Mexican oregano but regular wirks well too) We do not use the cayenne ( kids)
My son requested that I bring taco seasoning mix to the house,
But our friend who eats dinner with us, said he didn’t like taco seasoning packets, that they were gross because they had so many preservatives and random junk in them.
so he was really happy when I told him that I would make taco seasoning mix that would be much better than any store-bought packet.
I quadrupled the recipe and followed it exactly except that I used cayenne pepper rather than red pepper flakes.
Hopefully it’s not going to be too spicy!
Thanks for the recipe!
I feel much better feeding this to my family than a packet of preservatives and fillers
I make this in big batches and keep it in a mason jar in the pantry because I use it so often. It works on all types of meat and shrimp.
Nice recipe, thank you. I liked the comment “a batch should last you about a year.” I quadrupled the amounts and expect to need another batch in about 3 months.
how much do you use per pound of meat?
Appx 3T per 1 to 1 & 1/4 lb ground meat. Same as taco seasoning mix in store, but use this instead. Hope that works for you. Post if it did.
The taco seasoning is wonderful
I consider myself an EXTREMELY amateur cook. As I read through your recipes for seasoning mixes as well as your recipes for proteins, I find confidence in myself because you are so “matter of fact “ with the way you present your recipes. I really appreciate that about you and Therefore, I find myself trying new dishes that I would never had attempted before. Thank you. Carla B.
Great, simple recipe. I adjusted some of the spices to taste and added a bit of Wondra flour to give the sauce that seasoning makes a little more body.