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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.

A white bowl of taco seasoning with a wooden spoon.

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.
The top view of ingredients, each in separate bowls and labeled with what is in them.

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!

  1. Mix spices together: Combine all the seasonings together in a bowl.
  2. 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.

The top view of taco seasoning in a bowl with a wooden spoon scooping out some 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.

A plate of soft tacos grilled with meat and topped with shredded cheese, olives, lettuce, tomatoes and sliced avocados.

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

4.70 from 55 votes
By: Alyssa Rivers
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!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 4 Tablespoons

Ingredients 

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

Originally Posted on August 27, 2019ย 
Updated on March 12, 2023ย 

Nutrition

Calories: 12kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 616mgPotassium: 70mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 731IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 19mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

 

 

About Alyssa Rivers

Alyssa Rivers is the author of 'The Tried and True Cookbook', a professional food photographer and experienced recipe-developer. Having a passion for cooking, her tried and true recipes have been featured on Good Morning America, Today Food, Buzzfeed and more.

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165 Comments

    1. 5 stars
      I made this today and followed the recipe exactly. We all agree that it’s better than store bought! Will use this recipe from now on!

  1. 5 stars
    Just made “The Best Homemade Taco Seasoning’ and it is definitely THE BEST! I have been trying different recipes for about a year and this one is handsdown the winner! Here is my adaptation: Chili Powder: 1 Tbsp for mild and 2 Tbsp for Spicy and 3 Tbsp for Extra Spicy. I used about 9 tsp of the mix for 2 lbs of ground beef and added about 3/4 of a cup of water. It was delicious and everyone asked if we could have again for dinner the next night!. Mmmmmm.

  2. I never buy the packages any more, anything I can get rid of to have less of those annoying preservatives and things youโ€™ve never heard of in our food. This tastes great and makes it easier to shop for taco day lol. I add a good organic salsa we enjoy to make the meat more moist and gives us the veggies in it too. ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. 5 stars
    Decided to make chicken tacos but had no seasoning packets so I Googled taco seasoning recipes and found this. Had no cumin in the house so I just omitted it and followed the rest of the recipe as it says. It is very good! I’m actually eating dinner while writing this review. Thanks for the recipe! I’ll definitely use it every time I want tacos!

  4. So good. I made a double recipe and used it with two pounds of beef. I couldnโ€™t believe how fast dinner went away. I added a 1/4 tsp sugar. Never buying store bought taco seasoning again.

  5. 5 stars
    I exclusively use this for taco seasoning! No more store bought! Only little changes I make is using chili powder with lime in it and adding a little more garlic (because thereโ€™s no so much thing as too much right?)

  6. 5 stars
    Thanks for the recipe! I used only 1/2 tsp of salt but my husband said it was still way too salty. So the next time I will reduce to 1/4 tsp. (Personal choice) Very lovely blend of seasonings. I did whisk in 2 tsp of cornstarch to the mix before I added it to the meat to help thicken it up a bit. As one other commenter mentioned I wont be buying taco seasoning ever again.

  7. 5 stars
    I made this tonight for chicken tacos. My whole family isnโ€™t a big fan of cumin so I only added half of what it called for but this was the best Iโ€™ve ever had. Just perfect and we all loved the flavor. Thank you !

  8. 5 stars
    I made this DIY taco seasoning in about 2 minutes tonight. It was perfect! Just the right balance of flavors. Thanks for the recipe.

    1. What a great recipe! Just made ahead for tomorrow’s plant-based tacos! Looks and smells just like the packaged stuff, but 100% fresher! I’m so glad this recipe and I crossed paths! Thank you!!

  9. 5 stars
    I made this because I forgot to buy the little taco seasoning packets at the store. I will never buy those little packets ever again! I browned the ground beef, mixed in the seasoning, and used a half cup of beer (Stella Artois) instead of water. Cooked it down. Devoured. Thanks for saving my Taco Tuesday, Alyssa!

    1. Oh my goodness YUM!! This recipe is way better than the prior one I was using. Lime seltzer water instead of regular water kicks it up a notch too! Thanks a bunch!

  10. 5 stars
    This is so good! I make some up and leave in the cabinet for when I need it. Just made some chicken tacos tonight, but I put it on ground beef too. I do use smoked paprika because that’s what I have, and no chili powder (don’t like it) I use a roasted garlic Chipotle instead.

  11. 5 stars
    I have tried several taco seasoning recipes and I must say this is the best thus far. It definitely beats the package seasonings which are no longer flavorful as they once were. Thanks for sharing.