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!
How much for 2 lbs of burger
Like others, I “just knew” that I had everything I needed to make nachos. Discovering I was out of taco seasoning, I desperately searched for online guidance. I had all the spices/herbs needed, and a nearly empty garlic powder jar. Perfect!
My husband doesn’t like spiciness, so no hot peppers. Not wanting to overpower the venison taste, I only used 1T mix to 1# meat. (I had some tasty salsa that added the kick that I like later.)
Although there are taco spice packets out there without MSG, I love being in control of my own ingredients, especially the sodium.
Thank you for your recipe.
I have 1.19 lb of meat to cook do i add this whole seasoning it seems like a lot. I did make the 1x option
Yes, The recipe as written will yeild 2T. + 1 t. …Not counting any red pepper flakes. It may seem like alot, but 1 envelope has much more than that. That is because the envelopes add cornstsrch and fillers and MUCH more salt. After you brown the meat, drain off any excess fat. Add spice blend and 1/2 to 3/4 cup water & stir. Then cook down the water to your desired consistancy. For us that is cooking down almost all of the water.
Perfect! Just smell it and you know it’s like the package mix without the fillers.everyone loved it.
Hi! How much of this seasoning do you use per 1 pound of ground beef? Thanks so much for all of your lovely recipes!
Usually it’s 2 tablespoons per pound.
i didnt have paprika on hand but made it anyway. tripled the batch. i have to get a glass jar so using a clean plastic mayo jar. is it ok to not have the paprika in it? let me know
I think you will find that paprika, especially smoked paprika ( or 1/2 t. Somked & 1/2 t. Regular paprika ) will add a much better blend. We like the smoky taste of the smoked, BUT that part is up to your personal taste. One note; IF your spices have been on your cabinate for a year, or especially more than that It is very much worh it to buy new ones. I think that this MOGHT be a readon dome people thought this blend was bland. We always buy spices in glass containers b/ c they retain the flavor much better. The do a far superior job of keeping moisture and air out. For the spices I go through ALOT of I do buy the larger sizes, BUT I transferr them to glass jars/ then lable the date of purchase.
Absolutely zero flavor! I am confused by the ratings. The store bought taco seasoning is better. I added more of some of the spices, but it was too late I suppose. There was no recovering this dish…wasted my organic meat!!! Recipe definitely needs revamping!!!!!!!!!!!
Did you use fresh ingredients? Spices lose their potency over time.
It was alright. Kind of bland. I ended up adding more salt and garlic powder
How much water to use in this taco seasoning?
This is my second time using this recipe… I 3x it to store in a glass bottle for future times.
It’s wonderful on the ground beef recipe with rice for burrito’s or stuffed bell peppers or without for taco or nacho dip. YUMMY! Thank you for the recipe.
The best taco seasoning without all the salt it’s wonderful
Made this to add to a bland-looking flauta recipe. It was perfect – and would be for its intended purpose too. Thanks!
Have now used it – repeatedly – for tacos. It is perfect. Thanks again!