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!
When mixing all the dry ingredients together exactly how much does it make or do you use all of it together per pound of meat
Made it and trying it tonight on Chicken Wings willcast my vote afterwards!
This stuff is awesome. I will never buy those nasty packets of taco or enchilada seasoning again. Not only does it taste better, but it is so much healthier. I wrote the recipe on my spice jar so I won’t ever loose it. I use it in all my quick tex mex meals. Diced chicken, sauté with the spice for taco or enchilada filling. Add it to ground beef for tacos or ground beef, tomatoes, beans, onions etc and top with with jiffy corn muffin batter for an easy and delicious tamale pie.
Family favorite. I add 1 8 oz. can tomato sauce per pound of meat. Enhances flavor and keeps the meat moist without being drippy for tacos. Thank you for a tasty, easy, budget friendly recipe.
Good… it smelled and tasted wonderful.
Yes this taco seasoning is sooooo much better than the store bought package. I had just replaced all my outdated spices and was able to make this seasoning. Lots of taste!!! Fresh spices sure do make a BIG
BIG difference. I always store spices in glass containers date and label them. (when close to the year end expiry date I compost the spices–sterilize the empty jars and refill with fresh spices!)No more store bought spice packets for our hose.
Thank you for this recipe
Yvonne
Loved this recipe! So much better than the packaged versions. Surprised that others found this was bland. Did add some cornstarch to the recipe to thicken the meat mixture up quickly.
Loved it – really flavorful. Thanks!
Love this seasoning! We often amp up the amount of red pepper flakes to give it even more of a kick.
I was making nachos and lo and behold I forgot to get the seasoning packet. Found this recipe and had everything except onion powder but made it anyway. Once it was all mixed up I smelled it and it smells just like nacho/taco seasoning!
This is a great recipe and I’m going to make up a batch when I get the onion powder and keep it in with all my spices.
Highly recommend