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Home Recipe Index Condiments

Taco Seasoning

★★★★★ 5 /5
Jump to Recipe Rate Recipe
Polly Conner
By: Polly ConnerPosted: 6/16/22Updated: 2/9/23

This post may contain affiliate or sponsored links. Please read our disclosure policy.

I’ve been making this taco seasoning recipe for years and have perfected it. Use this easy homemade taco seasoning for all your Mexican recipes! Pro Tip: Triple or quadruple the batch and store it in your pantry.

“Simply the best. It’s been over two years since I first tried this taco seasoning recipe. No more store-bought taco seasoning for me!” -Edna

Homemade Taco seasoning in a mason jar

This house LOVES Mexican food, and I now use my special seasoning blend in all of it. My 2-year-old will scarf down a whole bowl of spicy Mexican Soup without any protest. We make a Taco Bar at least once every few weeks. More recently, we’ve been using this spice blend to make Taquitos for the freezer.

How to Make Taco Seasoning

If you’re ready to get down to business,this 30 second video shows you how quickly and easily Taco Seasoning comes together.

Why Make Your Own Taco Seasoning Mix

Like me, you may like the convenience of the little store-bought packets. But let’s talk about two reasons why I’ve been completely converted over to making my own.

Taco seasoning recipe spilled out of a jar

Do You Know What’s in Your Packet?

Over the years, I’ve grown increasingly aware of what is actually in pre-packaged foods. I realized that my little bundles of taco-joy were filled with some questionable ingredients. Check out the ingredients in the packet that I used to buy:

  • Maltodextrin – hidden sugar
  • salt
  • chili pepper
  • onion powder
  • spice
  • monosodium glutamate – also known as MSG and can cause headaches among other things
  • corn starch – thickener
  • yellow corn flour – thickener
  • partially hydrogenated soybean oil – one of the most unhealthy oils out there
  • silicon dioxide – anti-caking agent
  • natural flavor – no idea what this is
  • ethoxyquin – preservative

Store-Bought Packets Add Up

I also hated that I was paying $1-$2 for a single serving. I used taco seasoning so much that I finally realized it’d be worth it to make my own batch and triple it for future use.

Turns out I had every ingredient I needed in order to make a big batch of this yummy taco seasoning mix! Isn’t it pretty?!

What Ingredients Do I Need?

You’ll need the following ingredients in order to make your own taco seasoning…

Taco seasoning ingredients including the following: 
Chili powder
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Crushed red pepper flakes
Dried oregano
Paprika
Ground cumin
Salt & pepper

Just keep your pantry stocked with these cheap herbs and spices all year round so you can whip up your favorite Mexican dishes anytime.

What Quantity Does This Recipe Make?

This Taco Seasoning mix makes about 4 tablespoons (1/4 cup), but I almost always double or triple it and store my mix in a mason jar in my pantry.

Taco seasoning layered in a mason jar

How Much Do I Use Per Pound of Meat?

We typically use 2-3 tablespoons of seasoning per pound of ground meat. Add more if you like the flavor, less if you have sensitive palates. You can always season the meat with more salt at the end, if you’d like, as well.

Here’s how I use the taco seasoning recipe to make ground beef for tacos.

Taco seasoning mix being used on ground beef.
  1. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Saute 1 cup diced onion, stirring frequently, until softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in 3-4 cloves of garlic and cook for 30 to 60 seconds more.
  2. Increase the heat to medium-high. Add 2 pounds lean ground beef and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until no longer pink, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon as it browns. Drain off excess grease.
  3. Sprinkle 4-6 tablespoons of taco spice mixture over the meat and stir until coated. Add in 1 cup of chicken/beef/vegetable broth OR water and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, until the mixture has reduced some, about 5 minutes.

How Many Tablespoons Are in a Packet of Taco Seasoning?

If you’ve been used to using one packet of taco seasoning per 1 pound of meat, then you might have this question. There’s typically 3 tablespoons (sometimes 4 tablespoons depending in the brand) in a store-bought packet of taco seasoning.

So that means, you’ll want to use about 3 tablespoons of our homemade taco seasoning in place of a packet.

How Long Does Taco Seasoning Last?

According to Food Network, “Ground spices…typically don’t last past 6 months. The best freshness test for ground spices is to give them a whiff — if they smell like nothing, then it’s time to say goodbye.”

I will say this though…my homemade taco seasoning seems to pass the “whiff” test and stay flavorful for longer than 6 months. Use your own discretion after the 6 month mark.

Recipes That Use Homemade Taco Seasoning

We have SO many delicious Mexican recipes. In fact we have an entire post featuring our favorites!

Mexican recipes

25+ Amazing Mexican Recipes

The ultimate collection of tasty and easy Mexican recipes that will satisfy your cravings without a trip to the restaurant!

See the recipes

Or try some of these popular recipes…

  • Totally Tasty Taco Bar
  • Cheesy Chicken and Black Bean Enchiladas
  • Mexican Soup
  • 7 Layer Taco Dip
  • Easy Taco Salad with Southwest Ranch Dressing
  • Anything Goes Tortilla Soup
  • Shredded Beef Tacos
A hand holding a jar of taco seasoning mix

Can You Freeze Taco Seasoning?

Though it’s best to keep spices in a dry cabinet (source), you can store larger backup supplies in the fridge or freezer to elongate their life.

If you choose to make a large batch of Taco Seasoning, you can for sure store it in the freezer! I’d recommend tripling or quadrupling the batch and storing it in a large mason jar.

After making thousands of freezer meals over the years, we know that air is the enemy of freezer food. Keep that in mind when selecting the jar size.

Did you make this? Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram at @thrivinghome so we can see your creations and cheer you on!

★★★★★ 5 from 14 reviews

Taco Seasoning Mix

Homemade taco seasoning mix. Skip the additives and artificial ingredients and whip up a big batch of this FABULOUS natural taco seasoning mix. I’ll never go back to buying those expensive little packets again!

Yield: About 4 tablespoons 1x
Prep: 5 minutesCook: 0 minutesTotal: 5 minutes
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Scale:

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • a pinch of red pepper flakes (or more if you like things spicy)
  • Optional: 1/2 teaspoon sugar

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions

To Make the Seasoning:

  1. Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight container. 
  2. Double or even triple this recipe to have on hand for all of your favorite Mexican meals!

To Use the Seasoning on Ground Meat: Use 2-3 tablespoons of taco seasoning plus 1/2 cup broth or water per pound of browned meat. Taste and season with more of the mixture or more salt, as needed.

(See Notes below for more details about making delicious taco meat.)


Notes/Tips

Here’s how we like to make Taco Meat:

  1. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Saute 1 cup diced onion, stirring frequently, until softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in 3-4 cloves of garlic and cook for 30 to 60 seconds more.
  2. Increase the heat to medium-high. Add 2 pounds lean ground beef and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until no longer pink, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon as it browns. Drain off excess grease.
  3. Sprinkle 4-6 tablespoons of taco spice mixture over the meat and stir until coated. Add in 1 cup of chicken/beef/vegetable broth OR water and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, until the mixture has reduced some, about 5 minutes.
© Author: Polly Conner
Cuisine: Mexican Method: Mix

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Polly Conner

Polly Conner

As co-founder of Thriving Home, Polly’s passionate about helping busy parents get dinner on the table. With a house full of kids, dogs, and (usually) a DIY project in the works, she knows firsthand how every minute (and every dollar) counts. As a business owner, she enjoys wearing multiple hats and serves best as a project manager for Thriving Home.

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  1. AvatarRebecca Blowers says

    Posted on 3/14/23 at 8:38 pm

    The only taco seasoning I use!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Carla from Thriving HomeCarla from Thriving Home says

      Posted on 3/15/23 at 10:04 am

      Me too! Thanks for leaving a review Rebecca.

      Reply
  2. AvatarBobbie says

    Posted on 2/24/23 at 10:21 am

    I can see this being used in Spanish Rice, too.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Carla from Thriving HomeCarla from Thriving Home says

      Posted on 2/25/23 at 12:56 pm

      Mmmm. Yes, great suggestion Bobbie!

      Reply
  3. AvatarBobbie says

    Posted on 2/24/23 at 10:19 am

    I, too, am trying to make my own food combinations in lieu of purchasing additives. I just need the garlic and onion powders. What I want everyone to see is the “Scale” with 1X, 2X, 3X buttons on the recipe that adjusts to doubling and tripling the recipe. How very, very handy!! They are easy to miss.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Carla from Thriving HomeCarla from Thriving Home says

      Posted on 2/25/23 at 12:58 pm

      Thanks Bobbie!

      Reply
  4. AvatarJill Uffelman says

    Posted on 12/6/22 at 5:46 pm

    This is the best tasting taco seasoning recipe. I always make a quadruple batch and have it in my cupboard. I’ve made it for several years.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Carla from Thriving HomeCarla from Thriving Home says

      Posted on 12/7/22 at 9:17 am

      Thanks for the review Jill! I always have it on hand too and love to gift it in cute jars to friends. 🙂

      Reply
      • AvatarBrittany says

        Posted on 12/30/22 at 3:12 pm

        This is the best taco seasoning! I stopped buying store bought years ago & always keep this on hand for our Mexican dishes!

        ★★★★★

        Reply
        • Carla from Thriving HomeCarla from Thriving Home says

          Posted on 12/31/22 at 7:01 pm

          Yay! Love to hear this Brittany!

          Reply
  5. AvatarMorgan says

    Posted on 11/26/22 at 9:50 am

    This is going to be my son’s gift to his teachers this year. Along with a tag that says “Season’s Spicy Greetings” and the recipe attached.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Carla from Thriving HomeCarla from Thriving Home says

      Posted on 11/27/22 at 2:39 pm

      Love it Morgan! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  6. AvatarTheresa Goodnight says

    Posted on 11/22/22 at 5:02 pm

    I was looking for an alternative for a packet of seasoning I have to buy every time we have tacos. I had all these ingredients at home, and it was super simple to make. I used it to make chicken for tacos in the crockpot. 🤩

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Carla from Thriving HomeCarla from Thriving Home says

      Posted on 11/23/22 at 10:25 am

      Love to hear that Theresa! I’ve actually found some cute spice jars and gifted the seasoning to my girlfriends over the years. 🙂

      Reply
  7. AvatarHolly Gatson says

    Posted on 10/21/22 at 9:37 pm

    Yum! This seasoning has just the right amount of heat. I love using it in your Instant Pot Creamy Mexican Chicken recipe and in other dishes. Many thanks!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
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