This homemade Taco Seasoning recipe is so much better than store bought, and is great for so much more than just tacos.
It’s a well rounded combination of herbs and spices that you can use for meats or veggies, or for seasoning soups, beans, and so much more.
Just a quick 5 minute mix of some pantry staples is all it takes…
Making your own seasoning blends is the way to go. They’re so much fresher than those store bought mixes, which are mostly just salt anyway.
Homemade Montreal Steak Seasoning is one of our go-to’s for grilled meats, and we use our Creole Seasoning all the time.
Today, we’re sharing one of our other favorites… taco seasoning!
Why We Love this Homemade Taco Seasoning
- It’s customizable. Want it spicier? Add more chili flakes. Herbier? Ramp up the oregano. It’s your seasoning!
- You control the sodium. Most store bought mixes are basically just flavored salt.
- The recipe can easily be doubled, tripled, quadrupled, etc.
- It stores well. If you have an airtight jar, it can last for months.
- There are so many uses for it. We’ll share some of our favorites later in the post.
Ingredients
I am including exact measurements in the recipe card at the end of this post. Here are the things you will need:
- Chili Powder – This is the base flavor of taco seasoning. It gives your meat or veggies that classic Tex-Mex kick. You can use regular chili powder, or swap part of it for chipotle chili powder for a touch of smokiness.
- Cumin Powder – I can’t imagine taco seasoning without cumin! It adds that unique flavor that makes Mexican food so irresistible.
- Garlic Powder – A pantry must-have that adds a savory punch and depth to the blend. Use granulated garlic if that’s what you have; both work great here.
- Onion Powder – This balances the garlic perfectly and gives the seasoning that subtle sweetness and savory base.
- Oregano – I like to use Mexican oregano when I can find it (check the international aisle or Latin markets), but regular oregano works just fine too.
- Paprika – Paprika brings gorgeous color and a mild sweetness. You can use regular paprika, but if you love a smoky edge, go with smoked paprika — it deepens the flavor beautifully.
- Red Chili Flakes – This is where you can control the heat. Just a little sprinkle adds a subtle burn. If you love it hot, add more.
- Salt – I add just enough to enhance all the other flavors. The beauty of making your own seasoning is you control the sodium — no overly salty packets here!
- Pepper – Freshly ground peppercorns are always best for that extra pop.
How to Make Taco Seasoning
It’s just a simple matter of measuring all of the ingredients and mixing them together.
Transfer your seasoning to an airtight spice jar or mason jar, if you are making a large quantity.
NOTE: The measurements in the recipe card make enough taco seasoning for 1 pound of ground meat. Adjust recipe amounts as needed.
How to Use Taco Seasoning
It goes great as a general purpose seasoning. Think meats, veggies, rice dishes, eggs or beans.
GypsyPlate recipes using this taco seasoning:
Storage
You can store this up to 6 months in an airtight spice jar. It doesn’t really expire, but it loses it’s freshness and vibrancy after some time.
For best results, keep it in a pantry out of direct sunlight.
The next time you’re craving tacos, go fresh. Go homemade. You’ll be thrilled at the depth of flavor when you take that first bite.
Taco Seasoning, on our Gypsy Plate… enjoy!
Recipe Video
DIY Taco Seasoning
Give your taco night a fresh and flavorful makeover with this homemade Taco Seasoning recipe!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- ½ tablespoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika (we use smoked)
- ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
- If making more than you are using immediately, store remaining in an airtight container.
Notes
- This recipe amount is for seasoning one pound of meat. Adjust measurements as needed.
Nutrition Information
Yield 8 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 14Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gSodium 261mgCarbohydrates 3gFiber 1gSugar 0gProtein 1g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former worldwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.
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