Easy Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe | Ready in 2 Minutes! (2024)

Mix up this homemade taco seasoning recipe in only 2 minutes! It’s not too spicy, not too mild, and WAY better (and cheaper!) than the packet. We use it for ground beef taco meat and my kids always clean their plates!

We are a taco family. Whether they’re in Corn Tortillas, Flour Tortillas, served with Instant Pot Brown Rice or Coconut Rice, or on a bed of Cilantro Lime Coleslaw – we LOVE tacos.

What we DON’T love is store-bought taco seasoning.

So, I use this homemade taco seasoning recipe instead for amazing tacos every time!

HOMEMADE TACO SEASONING

I confess that I haven’t always made my own homemade taco seasoning. I didn’t want to add another thing to my to-do list. If only I had realized sooner that making this taco seasoning mix recipe only takes 2 minutes!

And then we did the Whole30. For those who don’t know, the Whole30 is an elimination diet that doesn’t allow any sugar, soy, dairy, legumes, gluten, or grains.

Even the best label readers should be on their toes, because there are hidden sugars (among other unhealthy things) in the most unlikely places…

• Liquid smoke
• Worcestershire sauce
• Fish sauce
• Oyster sauce
• Salt
• “Healthy” brands of lunchmeat

And there’s sugar in many dried spices too, including store-bought taco seasoning.

Since tacos aren’t nearly as delicious without taco seasoning, it was high time I perfected my own homemade taco seasoning recipe!

WHY MAKE THIS TACO SEASONING RECIPE

There are several pros to making your own spice blends, like taco seasoning:

YOU CAN ADJUST THE TACO SEASONING RECIPE TO YOUR TASTES.

We like our taco seasoning flavorful and medium. You might like it straight-up hot. Or maybe you have little ones who need mild for their young taste buds, but you want it to still have enough pizzazz for you too.

When you make your own spice blend, take a moment to smell and taste each spice as you add it to the blend. Becoming familiar with what each individual spice tastes like will help you create the perfect blend for you and your family.

Cumin and chili powder are both in this homemade taco seasoning recipe, but they each have different flavor profiles. You may want more cumin and less chili powder – taste them and experiment!

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IT’S A WHOLE LOT CHEAPER TO MAKE YOUR OWN TACO SEASONING.

One packet of store bought taco seasoning costs 98¢ for one ounce (that’s just 2 tablespoons) on Amazon. I know for a fact I can make the same amount of taco seasoning for mere pennies – especially when I buy my spices at either ALDI or Walmart. (If you’re curious which is cheaper, ALDI or Walmart, I ran the numbers.)

Plus, buying single spices means I can reuse them as needed for other recipes. Cumin is one of the key spices in my Best-Ever Slow Cooker Refried Beans, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend substituting taco seasoning in its place. It’s just not the same!

MAKING HOMEMADE TACO SEASONING MIX IS GENERALLY HEALTHIER.

I say generally here because you could probably go to your local health food store and buy taco seasoning that doesn’t have too much junk in it… but you’re also going to pay an arm and a leg.

Instead, make your own! You can control exactly what goes into your blend and make sure it meets whatever real food priorities you’re working toward. Plus you’ll know for sure it is gluten-free or free from other allergens.

TACO SEASONING INGREDIENTS

This taco seasoning mix recipe includes several basic pantry spices, including:

• Chili powder
• Ground Cumin
• Salt
• Ground Black pepper
• Paprika (smoked paprika can be subbed but it will have a hint of BBQ flavor!)
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Crushed red pepper flakes (Omit or use less for mild taco seasoning)
• Oregano

If you don’t want salt, then skip it!

If you don’t want sugar, you’re in luck – this recipe doesn’t have it!

Psst! If you’re going to add salt, I highly recommend Ava Jane’s Kitchen. You may think all salt is created equal, but unfortunately, 90% of the salt produced around the world contains microplastics (gross, right?). Ava Jane’s Kitchen is an exception. Their salt is 100% microplastic-free, and it’s SO GOOD! Plus, you can get a free 8oz. bag of sea salt (just pay shipping and handling!)

HOW TO MAKE TACO SEASONING

Step 1: Combine all ingredients in a glass jar.

Step 2: Shake well and use as desired.

I almost always make this taco seasoning in big batches. That way, I have it ready next time we need tacos!!

STORING HOMEMADE TACO SEASONING

Anytime I buy spices at ALDI (where they’re only 99¢), I keep the glass jars. They’re very similar to this kind, and they line up so nicely in my spice cabinet. Here’s how I remove the labels, and then I use a permanent marker to write what homemade blend is inside (sharpie doesn’t wipe off easily, but you can wash it off with soap and water).

These small 4 oz mason jars are another good option too. The neat thing about those is that they’re the perfect size for Avocado Chocolate Mousse or DIY Magnesium Lotion! I love it when I can use something in my kitchen in multiple ways!

Whatever you use for your spices, make sure to use an airtight container or jar to keep your seasoning mixes fresh for longer.

HOW TO USE DIY TACO SEASONING MIX

Obviously, I use this seasoning in my ground beef tacos recipe, but DIY taco seasoning mix isn’t just for the meat – you can add this spicy, smoky flavor to all sorts of things!

• I’ve added this taco seasoning to Cauliflower Rice and it was SO GOOD.
• I’ve also added it to Crispy Potato Wedges, roasted sweet potatoes, and Homemade Breakfast Sausage, to flavor Almond-Crusted Baked Chicken, and in a pinch to make Homemade Guacamole.
• This homemade taco seasoning recipe is also a staple in my Easy Tortilla Soup and if I have a Mexican food theme on my meal plan, then I’ll use it to flavor my Instant Pot Whole Chicken too!
• You could even add it to the Easiest Scrambled Eggs or spice up Homemade Chicken Nuggets. Black beans and casseroles are tasty too!

I think you really can’t go wrong with shaking a bit of homemade taco seasoning on everything, right?

HOMEMADE TACO SEASONING RECIPE FAQS

MORE AMAZING HOMEMADE SPICE BLENDS

• Montreal Steak Seasoning
• Poultry Seasoning
• Homemade Ranch Seasoning
• All Purpose Seasoned Salt
• Fajita Seasoning
• Blackened Seasoning

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Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★5 from 6 reviews

Mix up this homemade taco seasoning recipe in only 2 minutes! It’s not too spicy, not too mild, and WAY better (and cheaper!) than the packet. We use it for ground beef taco meat and my kids always clean their plates!

• Author: Tiffany
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Yield: ⅓ cup 1x
• Category: Sauces/Condiments
• Method: Bowl
• Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

Scale

• 2 Tbsp chili powder
• 1 Tbsp cumin
• 2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½tsp garlic powder
• ½tsp onion powder
• ½tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• ½tsp oregano

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a glass jar.
2. Shake well and use as desired.

Notes

• Whatever you use for your spices, make sure to use an airtight container or jar to keep your seasoning mixes fresh for longer.

Nutrition

• Calories: 98

Keywords: taco seasoning recipe, taco seasoning, homemade taco seasoning, homemade taco seasoning recipe, taco seasoning mix