Homemade Taco Seasoning
Mix up your own flavorful homemade taco seasoning with just a handful of simple ingredients – and NO additives – for the best-tasting tacos!
The Best Taco Seasoning
Making your own taco seasoning mix at home is easier than you think! With just 8 simple ingredients you probably already have at home, this recipe is so easy to make and comes together in seconds!
This aromatic DIY taco seasoning contains just the right amount of savory, salty, and spicy flavors to elevate any dish! Try it on ground beef tacos, chicken, soups, and more! You can use this spice blend in any recipe where you’d normally add a packet of taco seasoning.
Why Make Your Own Taco Seasoning?
Store-bought taco seasoning often contains additives like sugar, preservatives, or anti-caking agents.
Making your own seasoning blend allows you to decide exactly what’s inside – only the good stuff!
The fresh, vibrant aroma and balanced spices of this homemade taco seasoning—without any unwanted additives—will elevate your tacos, giving you a superior, cleaner flavor that tastes genuinely authentic.
Related: For a fun way to serve tacos to a crowd, check out our Taco Charcuterie Board idea!
For your convenience, I’ve provided ad links to supplies used to make this recipe; see our disclosure policy here.
Ingredients
The ingredients used to make taco seasoning are common pantry staples! You probably have most, if not all, at home already!
- 1 Tablespoon Chili Powder: This is the base of our seasoning blend, providing a well-rounded savory and mild heat.
- 2 teaspoons Ground Cumin: Adds earthiness to the seasoning.
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika: Adds a mild, sweet and smoky flavor and also contributes to taco seasoning’s distinctive orangish red color.
- 2 teaspoons Garlic Powder: For an aromatic, savory element.
- 2 teaspoons Onion Powder or Dried Minced Onion: Provides a subtle, savory onion flavor without the moisture of fresh onion.
- 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano: Mexican oregano is often preferred in taco seasoning for a bolder, slightly more herbaceous note, but Italian oregano also works in a pinch.
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper: Adds a touch of mild spice, without making the overall seasoning blend overly “spicy.”
- 1/4 teaspoon Sea Salt: Salt is a flavor enhancer and a small amount provides balance to all the seasonings and spices.
- Cayenne Pepper or Red Pepper Flakes: (Optional) We didn’t include either of these spicy additions to our original seasoning blend. However, if you like your taco seasoning spicy, you could add a teaspoon of either one for some nice heat.
The above amounts will yield about the same as a standard packet of taco seasoning. You can alternatively make big batches to store in a mason jar and have ready by tripling or quadrupling all of the ingredient amounts.
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a small bowl.
- Whisk to combine and evenly distribute all the spices.
- Transfer to an airtight container or small mason jar for storage.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Prep Tips:
- Yield – One batch of our homemade seasoning makes about 1/4 cup, equivalent to what you’d get in most store-bought packets (which usually contain between 3-4 Tablespoons).
- Use as a Dry Rub – To help the seasoning stick better to your protein, stir in 1/2 teaspoon of cornstarch to the seasoning before using.
- Make it Spicy – You can increase the heat level for this seasoning by using two Tablespoons of chili powder instead of one, and/or adding a teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes.
- Storage – Keep in an airtight container or jar at room temperature. The pantry, or wherever you keep your spice jars, would be perfect.
Try These Homemade Spice Mixes And Sauces Too:
- Homemade Ranch Seasoning
- Apple Pie Spice Recipe
- Homemade KFC Seasoning Mix
- DIY Everything Bagel Seasoning
Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe (Printable Recipe Card)
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Homemade Taco Seasoning
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Mason Jar
- whisk
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon Chili Powder
- 2 Teaspoons Ground Cumin
- 2 Teaspoons Garlic Powder
- 2 Teaspoons Onion Powder or Minced Onion
- 1 Teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 1 Teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 1/2 Teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl and whisk to combine.
- Transfer to an airtight container for storage.
Notes
- Nutrition information is an estimate.
- Yield – This recipe makes about 1/4 cup of seasoning, or about the same amount as you’d get in a standard packet of store-bought taco seasoning.
- Use as a Dry Rub – To help the seasoning stick better to your protein, stir in 1/2 teaspoon of cornstarch to the seasoning before using.
- Make it Spicy – You can increase the heat level for this seasoning by using two Tablespoons of chili powder instead of one, and/or adding a teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes.
Nutrition
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