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!
Was out of store bought taco seasoning and came across this recipe. Super good and a perfect combination of spices. Used it in a tortilla casserole and made it very flavorful. The only change I made was to cut down the chili powder slightly. Will never buy another pre-made package again. Thanks! Susan
Hey I saw a lot of comments about water… if you are making taco meat the only reason the taco seasoning directions on the packet say to add water (and way more than needed by the way) is to make sure the seasoning blends throughout all the meat and then you simmer to get the flavor to set in. You cook (or should cook all the water off in the process anyway so you can use no water to very little water and make sure everything cooks together long enough for it to blend. Just like most dishes with a sauce. Cook it well ahead of time… even if you have to refrigerate and reheat…. The more time the seasonings can part the better the flavor when you eat it…
I like this recipe very easy to make. First thing I noticed was I was out of chili powder so I got out all the ingredients for that and made it. When I started making the taco seasoning almost all the ingredients were already there. Not as much deference in chili powder and taco seasoning as I thought.
I like this. Easy to put together with stuff I already have. Also, you can customize if you want, ie cut down or ramp up red pepper flakes. How I used for taco filling was to brown 1 lb ground beef. Then I drained excess grease. I added two and a half tablespoons of seasoning and one half cup of water. I simmered for about 5 minutes. Delicious and easy.
I’ve made it twice now and love it. Thank you! :)
Only thing I’d like to know is how much water do you add to it I know like in a taco seasoning packet from the store it’s like 2/3 of a cup from this recipe I don’t know.
Store bought seasoning adds a thickener. I added a quart cup of cornmeal and a cup of water to thicken and stretch the meat.
Just slowly keep adding and trust yourself. ?
Same amout of water as directed on 1 packet. Let it cook down a bit, It will enhance & blend the flavors as it cooks down.
Instead of 1 tsp paprika I put 1 tbsp and I love it. The recipe is awesome. Keeping this and it’s so simple.
How much seasoning would I use for 1 pound of meat to make tacos. Thank you
I was wondering the same thing
Same.
1 recipe, appx 3T pound of ground meat, I believe. To “bloom” the flavor even more, push meat off to the outer edges of the fry pan. Sprinkle some of the seasoning directly onto the bottom of the pan for a few seconds. Mix meat back in and sprinkle the rest in. Try more Cumin also. GRANULATED (dry) Garlic works well in this.
I love tacos so much
Works great helps save a $1 as i can make a jelly jar full to keep for make ahead