Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe (5 Minutes!) - Wholesome Yum (2024)

Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe (5 Minutes!) - Wholesome Yum (1)

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Table Of Contents hide

  • Why You’ll Love This Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe
  • What Is In Taco Seasoning?
  • How To Make Taco Seasoning
  • How Much Taco Seasoning Per Pound Of Meat?
  • Storage Instructions
  • What Is Taco Seasoning Used For?
  • More Easy Homemade Seasoning Recipes
  • Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe (5 Minutes!)

I’ve been making my own homemade taco seasoning recipe for a long time (most often for taco salad), but prior to that, I searched for them in stores.Unfortunately, the options I foundwere filled with chemicals and sugar, and the few that weren’t were expensive. So, to learn how to make my own taco seasoning, I looked at the packaging of several store-bought brands to identify common themes. Then I came up with the best DIY taco seasoning ingredients below!

This recipe also holds a special place in my heart: It’s the first one I published after I left my software engineering job (back in 2018) to work on Wholesome Yum full-time. I also loved it so much that I included it in my first cookbook. Years later, I’m still so grateful that I get to call this my job.

I’ve used this taco seasoning mix in dozens of recipes since then — see ideas for using it below! And if you’re a fan of homemade healthy seasonings like this one, don’t miss my zesty lemon pepper seasoning (great for chicken),Montreal seasoning for steak,Cajun seasoning, andhomemade fajita seasoning.

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe

  • Warm, spicy, and smoky
  • Simple seasoning with common ingredients
  • No artificial ingredients, starches, fillers, and preservatives
  • Takes just 5 minutes
  • Easy to store for a long time
  • Naturally gluten-free
  • More affordable (and I’d say more delicious) than store-bought taco seasoning
  • Perfect for all kinds of Mexican recipes
Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe (5 Minutes!) - Wholesome Yum (2)

What Is In Taco Seasoning?

This section explains how to choose the best DIY taco seasoning ingredients, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

  • Chili Powder – The main ingredient in this seasoning blend.
  • Ground Cumin – Adds an intense, smoky flavor. It works to balance the sweetness and heat of the other spices.
  • Sea Salt & Black Pepper
  • Smoked Paprika– I have not seen smoked paprika in a store-bought packet, but always use it in mine because I believe it tastes better. Feel free to use regular sweet paprika if you want to.
  • Dried Oregano– You can replace this with Mexican oregano, dried coriander, or dried cilantro if you prefer those flavors.
  • Garlic Powder – Enhances the savory flavor.
  • Onion Powder – Gives an earthy, slightly sweet flavor and adds depth to the mixture.
  • Cayenne Pepper– The level of pepper in this mix is mild overall. If you like a spicier blend, you can double the amount or add 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes.

Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe (5 Minutes!) - Wholesome Yum (3)

Does taco seasoning have salt?

Yes, taco seasoning blend does include salt.

Because most store-bought mixes have salt and I wanted it to replace those 1:1 in any recipe, I included salt in my homemade version of this spice mix. If you are trying to reduce your sodium intake, you can omit the salt or reduce the amount.

Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe (5 Minutes!) - Wholesome Yum (4)

How To Make Taco Seasoning

Stir all the taco seasoning recipe ingredients together in a small bowl, then transfer to an airtight container or small glass jar.

Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe (5 Minutes!) - Wholesome Yum (5)

TIP: Shake right in your storage container to save on dishes.

If you don’t want to dirty extra dishes, you can place the seasonings right into a mason jar, cover it, and give it a good shake.

Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe (5 Minutes!) - Wholesome Yum (6)

How Much Taco Seasoning Per Pound Of Meat?

Use 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning per pound of ground meat, such as ground beef or pork, shredded chicken, or shrimp.

Most pre-made packets recommend this, and I developed this homemade taco seasoning recipe to match, so that you can easily replace store-bought in any recipe.

Storage Instructions

My easy taco seasoning recipe makes a fairly large batch, because I think it’s annoying to make it every time I need it. It makes enough for 3 pounds of meat, which is usually three separate meals at our house. If you have a larger family, or if you want to make it even less often, feel free to double, triple or even quadruple it.

Store this mix in a cool, dry place in an airtight container, such asspice jars with lids or a small multi purpose jar. It will last 1-2 years, but is best used within a year for the best flavor.

What Is Taco Seasoning Used For?

Taco seasoning can add zesty flavor to many Mexican dishes, including taco meat, chicken, shrimp, vegetables, and more.

Here are a few ways to use it:

  • Ground Beef – The most common way to use taco seasoning is for ground beef tacos! Brown a pound of ground beef in a skillet, then add 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning and 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water. Cook until the extra liquid absorbs into the meat. Warm your favorite tortillas (I prefer almond flour tortillas or even cheese taco shells), then stuff them with the taco meat and toppings, like fresh salsa, shredded cheese, avocado (or guacamole), shredded lettuce, sour cream, and fresh cilantro.
  • Chicken – Sprinkle it on before baking chicken breasts or season shredded chicken before using in other dishes.
  • Taco Salad – My most popular recipe that uses this spice mixture! Tens of thousands of readers have made it and it gets rave reviews.
  • Other Taco-Flavored Dishes – Of course, you can use this recipe for any taco inspired dishes such as layered taco dip, 5-ingredient taco soup, baked taco casserole (or low carb taco casserole), or swap out the fajita seasoning in shrimp fajitas (or any kind of sheet pan fajitas).
  • Vegetables – Give your veggies a taco kick. Try this taco seasoning recipe on your sauteed broccoli, garlicky sauteed zucchini, or crisp-tender air fryer cauliflower.

More Easy Homemade Seasoning Recipes

Taco meat seasoning is just the beginning! There are plenty of other homemade seasoning recipes to try:

Ranch Seasoning Mix

Italian Seasoning Mix

Poultry Seasoning

Pork Chop Seasoning

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Recipe Card

Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe (5 Minutes!) - Wholesome Yum (12)

4.97 from 61 votes☝️ Click stars to rate or click here to leave a review!

Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe (5 Minutes!)

Learn how to make homemade taco seasoning in 5 minutes! This taco seasoning recipe uses simple pantry ingredients and tastes better than store-bought.

Prep: 5 minutes

Total: 5 minutes

Author: Maya Krampf from WholesomeYum.com

Servings: 12 (adjust to scale recipe)

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Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them.

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.

  1. Stir all ingredients together. Store in an airtight container.

  2. How to use taco seasoning mix:

    Brown the ground beef (or other meat) first. Then, add 2 tbsp (28 g) seasoning and 1/2 cup (120 mL) water per pound of meat. Simmer until the extra liquid evaporates or absorbs into the meat.

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Related Easy Recipes

  • Low Carb Keto Tortilla Chips

  • Easy Taco Soup Recipe

  • Barbacoa Recipe (Chipotle Copycat)

  • Taco Salad

Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1/2 tbsp

  • Recipe from The Easy Keto Cookbook.
  • Recipe makes approximately 6 tbsp total. Use 2 tbsp per 1 lb meat, with no additional salt – more details in the post above. Serving size is for enough seasoning for 1/4 lb of meat, which would be 1/2 tbsp seasoning.

Nutrition Facts

Amount per serving. Serving size in recipe notes above.

Calories9

Fat0.4g

Protein0.4g

Total Carbs2g

Net Carbs1g

Fiber1g

Sugar0.2g

Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.

Course:Condiment

Cuisine:Mexican

Keywords:DIY taco seasoning, homemade taco seasoning, how to make taco seasoning, taco seasoning ingredients, taco seasoning recipe

Calories: 9 kcal

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. 🙂

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FAQs

What is taco seasoning mix made of? ›

Most taco seasoning mixes contain salt, warming spices (such as paprika, oregano, and chili), onion powder, and garlic powder. This top-rated recipe is made with chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, sea salt, black pepper, ground paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and crushed red pepper flakes.

How much taco seasoning per pound of meat? ›

To use: Use about 2 tablespoons of the taco seasoning for every 1 pound of meat. Use more or less depending on your preference. Brown meat and drain the fat. Add your taco seasoning along with about 1/2 cup of water.

What's the difference between Mexican seasoning and taco seasoning? ›

Ultimately, the difference between these two comes down to the composition of spices. Taco seasoning is usually milder than Mexican seasoning. Mexican seasoning contains ancho powder and chipotle chile pepper, both of which give it a little more of a kick.

What can I season taco meat with other than taco seasoning? ›

For tacos or Mexican dishes, common spices for ground beef include cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and a pinch of cayenne for heat.

Does McCormick taco seasoning have cumin in it? ›

Tacos are tortillas curled into shell shape and fried. It is filled with ground meat sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, and topped with cheese. McCormick Taco Seasoning Mix is a special blend of Herbs & Spices with prominent cumin flavor & aroma, intended to impart a unique flavor to meat dishes.

What brand of taco seasoning is authentic? ›

Ortega Taco Seasonings are made with the highest quality ingredients and use a unique blend of spices to provide a truly authentic Mexican eating experience.

Does taco seasoning have tomatoes in it? ›

What is Taco Seasoning? Taco Seasoning has masa harina, salt, chiles, tomato powder, garlic, cumin, California paprika, onion, white sugar, Mexican oregano, allspice. All of the spices are pretty finely ground with no large chunks.

Why does my taco meat taste bland? ›

The number one reason why people end up with bland tacos is because the meat wasn't seasoned properly. Luckily, that isn't an issue with this dish. However, if you find that your tacos aren't spicy enough for your liking, feel free to adjust the seasoning as needed or add a few shakes of your favorite hot sauce.

When making taco meat do you drain the grease? ›

Draining the grease from ground beef will make a dish healthier and is usually recommended. Brown the meat first to extract the fat. Then, you can spoon the grease out of the pan or use a colander to drain the grease. It is important you do not discard the hot grease down a drain as it can cause damage to the drain.

Why do you add water to tacos? ›

Turns out it's essential for giving the proper consistency to the taco meat because those seasoning mixes contain cornstarch, which requires water and heat to create a sauce. What you're doing when you add water is helping the cornstarch create a smooth sauce flavored with the spices.

How many tacos will 2 lbs of meat make? ›

Each taco shell or small soft taco-size tortilla fits about 2 ounces or 1/4 cup of meat. If you add diced onions, you could stretch a pound of ground beef to make about a dozen tacos. With just the meat and spices, you can make about 8 tacos from a pound of meat.

How many people will 2 pounds of taco meat feed? ›

You can feed between 2.5 to 3 people with one pound of meat. This estimate assumes that each person will eat two tacos, except children, who are counted as 0.5 of an adult and will have one taco.

What are the ingredients in Old El Paso taco seasoning? ›

Corn Starch, Maltodextrin, Salt, Chili Pepper, Onion Powder, Sugar. Contains 2% or less of: Spice, Vegetable Oil (canola, high oleic soybean and/or sunflower oil), Silicon Dioxide (anticaking agent), Natural Flavor, Modified Corn Starch.

What can I use in taco seasoning if I don't have cumin? ›

8 Good Substitutes for Cumin
  1. Ground coriander. Cumin and coriander grow from a plant in the parsley, or Apiaceae, family. ...
  2. Caraway seeds. ...
  3. Chili powder. ...
  4. Taco seasoning. ...
  5. Curry powder. ...
  6. Garam masala. ...
  7. Paprika. ...
  8. Fennel seeds.

Can you replace taco seasoning with chili seasoning? ›

It would be a different tasting but fair exchange. Chili seasoning is usually salt, chili powder or flakes, cumin, perhaps dried cilantro, parsley and onion powder. Taco seasoning is not as spicy as chili seasoning so you'll need to perk it up to your taste.

Is Cajun similar to taco seasoning? ›

You can also add other spices to your liking, such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and oregano. Cajun seasoning: Cajun seasoning has a similar flavor profile to taco seasoning, so it can be used as a substitute. However, cajun seasoning is typically spicier than taco seasoning, so you may want to s.

Can I use chili mix instead of taco seasoning? ›

If you're sitting at home staring at your packet of taco seasoning and wondering if it can be used for the chili recipe you're preparing tonight, then save yourself a trip to the grocery store. That taco seasoning will work out just fine. Vice versa is true as well. Go ahead and use chili seasoning on your taco beef.

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