Why You’ll Love Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe Recipe
This homemade taco seasoning takes almost no time to prepare and uses common dried herbs and spices that you may already have in your pantry. The blend delivers a balanced combination of smoky, savory, earthy, and mildly spicy flavors.
Making taco seasoning at home also gives you complete control over the ingredients. You can adjust the salt, increase or decrease the red pepper flakes, or customize the spices depending on how you plan to use it. One batch makes approximately 20 servings, so there is plenty to keep on hand for quick weeknight meals.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 4 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
Directions
- Add the chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes, dried oregano, paprika, ground cumin, sea salt, and black pepper to a small bowl.
- Stir thoroughly until all the spices are evenly combined and the seasoning has a uniform appearance.
- Transfer the taco seasoning to a clean, dry airtight container or spice jar.
- Store it in a cool, dark cupboard until ready to use. Give the container a quick shake or stir before measuring the seasoning.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes approximately 20 servings of homemade taco seasoning.
Prep time: 1 minute
Total time: 1 minute
Servings: 20
For tacos, start with about 2 tablespoons of seasoning per pound of ground beef, chicken, turkey, or another filling. You can adjust the amount depending on how strongly seasoned you prefer your tacos.
Variations
Mild Taco Seasoning: Leave out the crushed red pepper flakes or reduce them to 1/4 teaspoon for a milder seasoning blend.
Spicy Taco Seasoning: Add extra crushed red pepper flakes or a small amount of cayenne pepper for additional heat.
Smoky Taco Seasoning: Replace regular paprika with smoked paprika to give the seasoning a deeper, smoky flavor.
Low-Sodium Taco Seasoning: Reduce the sea salt or leave it out entirely. Salt can then be added separately when preparing your meal.
Extra-Garlic Taco Seasoning: Increase the garlic powder to 1 1/2 or 2 teaspoons for a stronger garlic flavor.
Herbier Taco Seasoning: Increase the dried oregano or add a small amount of dried cilantro for a more herb-forward blend.
Storage/Reheating
Store homemade taco seasoning in a clean, completely dry airtight container. A small glass spice jar, mason jar, or tightly sealed pantry container works well.
Keep the seasoning in a cool, dry, dark location away from direct sunlight, moisture, and heat. A pantry or kitchen cupboard away from the stove is ideal. For the best flavor, use the seasoning within about 6 months, although properly stored dried spices can remain usable longer. The aroma and flavor will gradually become less intense over time.
Because this is a dry seasoning blend, reheating is not necessary. If the spices settle or clump slightly during storage, simply shake the container or stir the mixture before using it.
FAQs
How much homemade taco seasoning should I use per pound of meat?
A good starting point is about 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning for every pound of meat. You can use slightly less for a milder flavor or add more for strongly seasoned tacos.
Do I need to add water when using homemade taco seasoning?
For traditional seasoned taco meat, adding a small amount of water can help distribute the spices and create a flavorful coating. After browning and draining the meat, add the seasoning with about 1/2 to 2/3 cup of water and simmer until most of the liquid has reduced.
Is homemade taco seasoning spicy?
This version has some heat from chili powder and crushed red pepper flakes, but the exact spice level will depend on the chili powder you use. For a milder blend, reduce or omit the red pepper flakes.
Can I make taco seasoning without salt?
Yes. Simply leave out the sea salt to create a salt-free taco seasoning. You can season the finished dish with salt separately, giving you more control over the final flavor.
Can I double this taco seasoning recipe?
Absolutely. Double or triple all of the ingredients while keeping the same proportions. Making a larger batch is convenient if tacos, burritos, fajitas, and other seasoned dishes are regular meals in your household.
What can I use homemade taco seasoning for besides tacos?
This seasoning is versatile enough for burritos, quesadillas, taco salads, nachos, soups, chili, roasted vegetables, rice, beans, chicken, ground turkey, beef, and other Mexican-inspired dishes.
Can I use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika?
Yes. Smoked paprika works well and gives the taco seasoning a noticeably smokier flavor. You can replace all of the regular paprika or use a combination of regular and smoked paprika.
How long does homemade taco seasoning last?
For the strongest flavor and aroma, try to use homemade taco seasoning within about 6 months. Its quality depends largely on the freshness of the individual spices used to make the blend.
Why did my taco seasoning become clumpy?
Moisture is usually responsible for clumping. Always use a completely dry container and measuring spoon, and keep the seasoning away from steam. Minor clumping is harmless and can usually be broken apart by shaking or stirring the mixture.
Can I use this taco seasoning with chicken or turkey?
Yes. The seasoning works well with ground or diced chicken and turkey as well as beef. It can also be used with pork, beans, lentils, or meat alternatives for different taco fillings.
Conclusion
Homemade Taco Seasoning is one of the easiest pantry staples you can prepare from scratch. In just one minute, a handful of everyday spices becomes a flavorful blend that is ready for tacos, burritos, nachos, soups, meats, vegetables, and more.
Making your own seasoning also makes it easy to customize every batch. Keep it mild, turn up the heat, reduce the salt, or add a smoky twist depending on your preferences. Store a batch in an airtight container, and you’ll have convenient homemade taco seasoning ready whenever taco night comes around.
Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe
A quick homemade taco seasoning blend with smoky chili, cumin, paprika, and aromatic spices. Perfect for tacos, seasoned meats, beans, and Mexican-inspired dishes.
- Prep Time: 1 minute
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 minute
- Yield: 20 servings
- Category: Seasoning
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
Instructions
- Mix together all of the ingredients in a small bowl until evenly combined.
- Transfer to an airtight container and store in a cool, dark cupboard.
Notes
- Stir or shake the seasoning before each use to redistribute the spices.
- Adjust the crushed red pepper flakes to make the seasoning milder or spicier.
- Store in an airtight container away from heat, moisture, and direct sunlight.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 18 kcal
- Sugar: 0.3 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 0.6 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 1.2 g
- Protein: 0.7 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
