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This Homemade Taco Seasoning is so flavorful and takes less than 5 minutes to make. You will never buy taco seasoning from the store again!
Want to know what to make with this seasoning? Try these Taco Stuffed Peppers, this classic Taco Soup or this Rotel Dip with this homemade taco seasoning.
Taco Seasoning Recipe
Isn’t it the worst when you go to cook and don’t have the seasoning that you need for the recipe. That’s where homemade seasonings come in! If you don’t have store bought taco seasoning on hand, this recipe can be made in less that 5 minutes from classic seasonings that we all have in our pantry!
Once you try out this homemade recipe, you will never buy store bought again. These flavors make any taco have more flavor and make them taste SO much better! Try it out with this easy Taco Ring. It takes even the most simple recipe to the next level.
What is Taco Seasoning Mix Made of?
Taco Seasoning is made up of simple spices that, when they are mixed together, make the best flavor. Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all of the exact measurements.
- Chili Powder: This gives it some kick. Add more if you like your seasoning extra spicy!
- Garlic Powder: The garlic powder complements all of the other flavors without being too overpowering.
- Onion Powder: This is a subtle onion flavor that really stands out.
- Dried Oregano: The oregano brings in a spicy but sweet flavoring.
- Paprika: Paprika has a smokey flavor and helps add color to the taco seasoning.
- Ground Cumin: This unique flavored seasoning adds lots of flavor with a little spice.
- Salt and Black Pepper: These enhance all of the flavors in the recipe.
How to Make Your Own Taco Seasoning
You can also change the flavor up to have more or less heat depending on your preference. That’s the beauty of homemade seasonings, you can customize them to be however you want!
- Mix spices together: Combine all the seasonings together in a bowl.
- Store: Place the mixture in an airtight container.
How much homemade taco seasoning equals one packet?
A standard store-bought packets of taco seasoning holds about 2 tablespoons of seasoning.
How much taco seasoning for 1 pound of meat?
I use about 2 tablespoons in one pound of ground turkey or ground beef. This is such a simple recipe and it all comes together quick and easy for you to make several taco dishes! The recipe can easily be doubled and use more or less to taste.
Tip: I also like to add 1/2 cup of water to the meat and seasonings to make the meat more moist.
How long does taco seasoning last?
This is the best part! When you store your seasoning, make sure to keep it in a cool, dry place in an airtight container and it will last up to 6 months.
Want more taco recipes?! Try these ones!
Who doesn’t love a good taco? I’ve gathered up a few of my favorites for you to try with this seasoning!
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The Best Homemade Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Combine all of the seasonings in a bowl and stir to combine.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
- This recipe can easily be doubled! To use the seasoning, cook 1 pound of ground beef in a skillet until no longer pink. Add 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning to the ground beef along with 1/2 cup of water.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I found this taco seasoning recipe via Pinterest when I was out of store bought and didn’t want to make a trip to the store. The result: I will never buy store bought again!!! Love this seasoning!!
How much meat/poultry do you add this spice mix to?
I used one recipe in one pound of ground turkey. Recipe can easily be doubled and use more or less to taste. I also like to add 1/2 cup of water to the meat and seasonings to make the meat more moist. XOXO
I want to say I have tried every homemade taco seasoning known to man, but realistically, I’ve only tried a few. I found one that was awful and a couple that were ok but none that were really good. I don’t think I’m a big cumin fan, so any recipes that are heavy on the cumin aren’t my cup of tea. I love that your recipe makes a small amount which will be perfect for testing purposes. Since you are THE Recipe Critic, I expect that I will absolutely love your taco seasoning recipe! Do you happen to have the proportions worked out in case someone wants to make a big batch? Sometimes just doubling or tripling the ingredients to make a big batch doesn’t work well. Keeping my fingers crossed!
I usually buy packaged taco seasoning but when I went to my cupboard to get a package there was none. So I did the next best thing and and went to Pinterest! I found your recipe and it was great so I will be using your recipe from now on – no more packaged seasoning. Thanks!
So glad I found this. Thought I had a seasoning packet, but didn’t. Just a quick Thank you for having this here. I printed so I will have it on hand for now on… I will be saving on pinterest too…Thank you again, Ro
I added 1/4 tsp cayenne powder to kick it up and it was spicy. I also added 2 TBSP dried onion and when I cook my meat I add tomato paste and water. This is the best recipe I have found.
This was a little spicy for my little one. Any suggestions how to decrease the heat??
You are always to leave out the seasoning when cooking with it for your little one or using less of the warmer spices in this seasoning. Hope that helps and your little one enjoys it! XOXO
Thank you for shring this really GREAT taco seasoning and she is right its super easy make enough to put in your own seasoning jar and you will have enough for extra my Husband LOVES the flavor his coment was ” MMMMmmm this is really good”
That is great to hear! I am so glad that he liked it and that it is a keeper! Thanks so much for sharing! XOXO
I refuse to buy packs now. This stuff is awesome!
YAY!! That is great to hear! XOXO
This was the best! I made your beefy baked tacos the other night with this seasoning….incredible taste!!!!
OH, thank you so much! That means a lot! I am so glad that you liked it! XOXO
I made this for the first time on Thursday night. I had run out of taco seasoning packets and googled “taco seasoning recipe”. I had all the ingredients in my cupboard! It was a little to strong on the cumin flavour first time I made it, so I only put in 1 1/4 teaspoons when I made it for nachos on Saturday night and it was great!! My husband likes it because it’s less salty than the packets. This will be a go to recipe for me, we eat tacos at least once a week. Thank you!!
YAY!! That is perfect! Way to go! I love that you made it your own! So glad that it turned out and you all like it! Thanks so much for sharing! XOXO
Thanks for this recipe, it was absolutely perfect! (And NOT spicy; the 3-year-olds ate it happily!) I will be using this all the time!!!
If a recipe calls for a half a package of taco season how much would that be with homemade.
The recipe is for 1 pound of meat so roughly half the recipe
I made this recipe yesterday for my taco salad. It was perfect! Didn’t change anything. I made sure to put it in my recipes with a star on it. I will continue to use this recipe in the future. Thank you!
That is great to hear! Thank you so much for sharing! XOXO
Is is it spicy??
Hi Alyssa! Thanks for the great recipe! I made this last night and can’t wait to dig into my taco salad for lunch today! Sometimes I find that it’s hard to season the ground turkey but I use a potato masher to make sure all the goodness gets into the meat! Thanks again!