Taco Seasoning
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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 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
About This Recipe
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 Taco Meat for a Taco Bar at least once every few weeks. More recently, we’ve been using this spice blend to make Taquitos for the freezer.
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.
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?!
Ingredients
You’ll need the following ingredients in order to make your own taco seasoning…
Just keep your pantry stocked with these cheap herbs and spices all year round so you can whip up your favorite Mexican dishes anytime.
Here’s how I use the taco seasoning recipe to make ground beef for tacos.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Recipes That Use Homemade Taco Seasoning
We have SO many delicious Mexican recipes. In fact we have an entire post featuring our favorites!
25+ Amazing Mexican Recipes
The ultimate collection of tasty and easy Mexican recipes that will satisfy your cravings without a trip to the restaurant!
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
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.
Taco Seasoning FAQs
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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!
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
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Instructions
To Make the Seasoning:
- Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight container.
- 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Edna says
Simply the best. It’s been over two years since I first tried this seasoning mix. No more store bought taco seasoning for me👍🏾
Rachel Tiemeyer says
Wonderful! Thanks for the feedback and review, Edna.
Lois Hogan says
I’ve made this recipe as written for at least the past 8 years. This stuff is like pure ambrosia. We have a large family with 5 teenage boys and it never fails to get raves. I usually quadruple it so I can used it another couple of times before having to mix up a new batch.
Rachel Tiemeyer says
Oh wow, that’s a huge compliment to know you’ve been making this recipe for so long and for such a big family. Thanks for taking the time to leave a review and feedback, Lois!
Marianne says
Thank you for this recipe! I’ve been making my own for awhile. The recipe i use doesn’t call for salt and it definitely needs salt so i started adding it to the mix. BUT…i can not find my book i had it written in 😭 (don’t have it saved anywhere else) so I’ve been back to buying taco seasoning packets. Not anymore!! Thank you 🥰
Rachel Tiemeyer says
You’re welcome! I hope it’s helpful. Sometimes I add a pinch of sugar, too. So if it feels like it’s missing something, you might try that. 😉
Chris says
the flavor of this seasoning is amazing. but i’ve always ued water. 3/4 c broth with the 2T of mix? and is it beef or chicken broth? assume beef, but didn’t want to assume. Thanks.
Rachel Tiemeyer says
Water works, too. I’m tested it that way. Chicken or beef broth just kicks up the flavor a little
Taco Dad says
I never thought about making my own Taco seasoning mix. I love this idea as I can kick the spice up to my liking or tone it down for the kids.
pam says
Can you please clarify me the exact measurement of the chili powder. Is it 1 1/2 tsp or 1/2 tsp as both are mentioned in the recipe. Please do reply as I am new to cooking, I always follow the exact measurements. Thank you
Rachel says
You will use 1 1/2 teaspoons of the chili powder. Enjoy!
Wanda says
I do like how the cornstarch makes the seasoning stick to the meat so I have started using tapioca flour, there’s also another alternative and I can’t think of the name right off the top of my head but it has the same results without adding any grain or corn to the seasoning mix. I usually add just a couple of tablespoons to an entire batch and I usually make an 8 oz mason jar of taco seasoning.
Sarah says
This recipe was great! I omitted the cumin as I’ve never been a fan of it, but it was so great to be able to enjoy tacos with my loved ones without having to set the protein aside so that I could have some. Thank you for this!
Rachel says
That’s awesome. Thanks for the feedback, Sarah.
Becca says
Oh! And I will mix the seasoning and water together BEFORE adding it to the meat.
Becca says
Just made another triple batch of this!! I split the chili powder amount with chipotle seasoning, and do the same with the paprika/smoked paprika. I typically use 1-1 1/2 Tbsp per pound of meat, with some water (depending on the fat content of the meat, usually ground turkey)
I even made a HUGE batch to send to our family serving as missionaries in Cambodia (we grew up in Texas with Tex-Mex)
Thea says
Hi ! This recipe looks awesome… I was just wondering if you needed to use a liquid along with the seasoning. Most of the packets also call to use water as well. Thanks! I am looking forward to trying this. The packet ingredients look really scary
Rachel says
That’s a great question. Oftentimes the packets require water because they include cornstarch as a thickener. I usually play it by ear with this recipe and if my meat looks a bit try, I add a little water. It’s not a fine science and requires a little eye-balling and taste-testing. Good luck and thanks for stopping by our blog!
Nancy says
Hi. I am excited to try this taco seasoning because the packets always give me a stomach ache, but I can’t not eat it because I love tacos. My question is how many teaspoons or tablespoons of the above mix would you add to a pound of ground meat? Thanks.
Rachel says
Since the meat is fully cooked when you add it in, I usually go by taste. My husband and I can use the entire recipe on 1 lb of meat, but that’s too spicy for my kids. So, I think your best bet is to taste as you go.
Jeanne Kupsh says
Thank you!!! Went to make taco salads for dinner tonight…only to find I didn’t have any taco packets!!!! I mean, I always have them, so didn’t bother to check. Ugh! You’ve saved dinner!!!!! And if this tastes as good as I think it will, I won’t bother buying those dumb packets anymore!!!
Polly says
Great! I used to be a packet junkie but haven’t bought one since I discovered how easy this was. Glad you like it!
Cayla says
Oh! Another question. Does this equal the amount in the store bought packets?
Rachel says
This is a great question. I’ve found that using this entire recipe is very close to an entire packet, but not quite. So I always double the recipe and season according to taste.
Cayla says
Hi! I’ve got another question. My husband likes the store bought taco seasoning with the cheesy flavor. Do you know of anything that can be added to this to add a cheesy flavor? I mean something powdered that can be stored in the pantry mixed right in with the seasonings? Not just adding cheese to what I’m cooking.
Rachel says
Cayla, I don’t think I can answer that one. The cheese flavor is probably a chemical made in a factory, if I had to guess.
jen says
Nutritional Yeast. 😉
Cayla says
Would you have any suggestions for something to use instead if cumin? My husband hates that, says it smells like sweaty armpit. Nice, huh? 🙂
Rachel says
That’s hilarious. My husband feels that way about cilantro. Cumin adds a smoky flavor to the seasoning. Maybe in it’s place try adding a bit more chili powder, since it’s a mix of spices. It will add a little more heat and smokiness to the mix.
katrina says
Try smoked paprika. It’s awesome, and will add the smokey flavor you’re looking for without the cumin. It is a bit spicy so if you’re not into heat only add a little
Polly says
Thanks for the tip!