Skip the store-bought packet; homemade taco seasoning is quick to make and packed with flavor! A bold, zesty spice mix that’s perfect for tacos, burritos, and beyond.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Holly’s Recipe Highlights
- Versatile: It tastes great in almost any recipe and pairs well with chicken, beef, fish, or shrimp.
- Why I Love It: It doesn’t contain additives, and you can control the salt and heat levels.
- Budget Tip: Make your own taco seasoning in large batches; it costs less than buying packets.
Ingredient Tips
This taco seasoning recipe uses a blend of spices, many of which you likely have in your pantry.
- To make a low-sodium version, add less salt (or no salt) based on your dietary needs.
- To make mild taco seasoning, skip the cayenne pepper and/or chili flakes.
- To make it spicy, double the cayenne or add other dried chili peppers to taste.
Taco Seasoning Guide
- To replace a store-bought taco seasoning packet, use 2½ tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning.
- For 1 pound of ground beef, use 2½ tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning. Add ½ cup of water to the seasoning and let it simmer.
Storing Made Simple
Store this DIY taco seasoning recipe in a spice jar in a cool, dry place. It will last at least 6 months. I usually prepare a triple batch so it’s ready to use whenever I need taco mix.
Tasty Taco Twists
Did you make this Homemade Taco Seasoning? Leave a rating and comment below.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1½ teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- pinch cayenne pepper optional
Instructions
- In a small bowl, add chili powder, cumin, black pepper, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, and cayenne pepper. Mix with a whisk to combine.
- Store in an airtight container in a cool dry place for 6 months.
To Prepare Tacos
- Add 1 pound of lean ground beef or turkey to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, breaking up with a spoon, for 5 to 7 minutes or until no pink remains. Drain any fat.
- Add 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning to the meat and cook for 1 minute more.
- Stir in ½ cup water and, if desired, 1 tablespoon of tomato paste. Simmer uncovered until most of the water has evaporated.
- Serve in taco shells or tortillas.
Notes
- To replace a packet: 2 ½ tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning will replace one packet of store-bought seasoning.
- Use 2 to 2 ½ tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning for 1 pound of ground beef. Add ½ cup of water with the seasoning and let it simmer.
- Optional: Add ½ diced onion to the meat while browning. Once browned, stir in a tablespoon of tomato paste or a diced tomato if you’d like.
- Tuck the taco meat into taco shells or tortillas and top with your favorite toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Pantry, Seasonings
Cuisine American, Mexican, Tex Mex© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
This is much better than the packet stuff at the store. I used it in a High Protein Chicken Enchiladas recipe and it was fantastic! That recipe is on my YouTube channel, The Real Deal Recipe Reviews.
I use this recipe all the time. Thanks!
I made triple the recipe with 5 lbs of ground beef. I only put 1/2 tsp chili flakes and and the pinch of cayenne and it still had a nice heat. I added 4 tbsp of tomato paste and needed to add a bit more salt for the extra ground beef. Excellent results! My crew enjoyed their tacos.
That sounds delicious. Thanks for sharing, Cheryl!
So good!
This is my go-to taco seasoning mix. I just made it in bulk as we prepare 20 lbs of beef to feed a crowd. This is the first time I noticed a few things. The notes say 2 Tbs equals a store bought packet. Then 2.5 Tbs to add to a pound of ground beef. The Nutritional Info says a serving is 2.25 Tbs. Is this intentional to have the Nutritional Info not match the instructed amount to use and the store bought equivalent?
I’m sure the actual amount to use is based on taste preference, and that’s fine.
Hi TL, 2 tbsp is the equivalent to one packet of taco seasoning. We use 2 to 2 ½ tablespoons of taco seasoning per pound of meat depending how flavorful you like your meat. I hope that helps!
Easy,, fresh, consistently delicious. I have been using this recipe now for several years.
The seasoning is perfect and is so much better than store bought. I am going to make a bigger batch for future use. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe.
Finally my search is over! I have been looking for a make ahead home made taco seasoning for a long time. Made this in bulk tonight and used with the IP shredded chicken tacos. The store bought seasoning is always waaaay to salty and often has too much heat for my kiddo. This will be my go to from now on.
I liked the idea of homemade taco seasoning, but the recipe listed was not enough to fill a jar??? Is there a recipe to make a larger amount?
You can click print and increase the serving sizes to adjust the yield of the recipe.
Delicious
This taco seasoning recipe was absolutely wonderful. I was able to put it together quickly and it tasted 10 times better than store bought seasoning. I’ve been meaning to write a comment because this is my go to recipe among many others. Thank you!!
Thank you so much, Mary Beth! So happy to hear this taco seasoning is your go-to recipe!
I used half o teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano and used Kosha salt.
Best taco seasoning recipe ever!! Been using this repeatedly for 1 1/2 to 2 years. Tried with shrimp, ground turkey, ground beef, chicken, and fish. It’s delicious!!!!
I made this last month & it was delicious. I had to go back to look up the recipe again, this time it’s going in my book. It’s a keeper. Delicious. Thank you.
Excellent!
I made this last night and it was the ideal seasoning for some ground chicken I was using to make a taco salad. Thanks so much!
Question: which brand of chili powder do you use? I find some chili powders are spicy.
Thank you
I use whatever chili powder I have on hand Rose. I recommend using your favorite!
Wayyyy too much pepper. That’s all I could taste
Question. When I go to print this recipe for 10 servings, the ingredients are twice the amount as when I print 10 servings for the Easy Ground Beef Tacos. Same ingredients but double the amount. Which one is the correct one to follow? Thank you!!!!
Hi WolfieGirl, I would follow the easy ground beef tacos recipe.
The listed spices for ground beef tacos are for 4 servings and the listed spices for the taco seasoning is for 2. So to make them both for 10 servings you will send up with twice as many spices on the taco seasoning, however the notes under the recipe tell you how much to use per pound of ground beef, so you would end up using the same amount as ground beef tacos. I hope this helps.
I use this seasoning for ground beef in burrito and taco meals. Whoever said this was bland gave me a good laugh. It is delicious and packed full of flavor. My wife doesnt like hot things so I didnt add cayenne and added have the only 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. I use this for 2 pounds of ground beef and add more salt to taste if needed. super easy and my go to for taco seasoning. Thanks!