This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Made with an aromatic blend of spices and herbs that you already have on hand, Homemade Taco Seasoning is an easy recipe that will bring a kick to your favorite taco filling. It’s simple to make and keeps well so that you can enjoy perfectly spicy and flavorful tacos for months without the extra prep.
We love Taco Tuesday because we’re big taco fans around here—whether it’s chicken birria tacos, salmon tacos, pork tacos, or a Mexican taco pasta, taco night happens often in my kitchen. And when I’m skipping the tortillas, I’ll whip up cozy taco bowls instead. So yeah, we go through a LOT of taco seasoning!
Why You’ll Love This Taco Seasoning
- Big Bold Flavor. Using basic spices, this homemade taco seasoning delivers bold, warm flavors that make every taco night more delicious. Plus, you can easily adjust the spice level to fit your taste!
- Fresher. Unlike store-bought packets, this seasoning is preservative-free and made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. You’ll taste the difference in every bite!
- Healthier. It’s naturally vegan, free of fillers, dairy-free, low-carb, and keto-friendly—perfect for fitting into a variety of diets without missing out on flavor.
- Versatile and Easy. From taco meat to soups, casseroles, and beyond, this spice mix works with just about anything. Try it on my walking taco casserole for a fun twist!
Why Make Taco Seasoning From Scratch?
The better question is, why not make your own taco seasoning from scratch? When it takes 30 seconds to whip together and uses things you can easily find in your spice drawer, there’s no reason not to go DIY. Plus, if you’re making it yourself, you control the spice level and the ingredient ratios. Just adjust the recipe until it’s perfect for you!
Recipe Ingredients
Crack open your spice drawer to find everything you need to make a nicely balanced diy taco seasoning. You can see the exact amounts for each ingredient by scrolling down to the recipe card.
- Chili Powder – I’m using pure ground chili powder here as the base of our seasoning, adding a warm flavor with a hint of heat.
- Ground Cumin – This earthy spice is the heart of many taco seasonings. It adds a smoky, slightly sweet flavor that balances the heat from the chili powder.
- Garlic Powder – For savory, garlicky goodness, I use garlic powder and not garlic salt.
- Onion Powder – It adds a hint of natural sweetness to the mix.
- Paprika – I typically go with sweet paprika for a mild, peppery flavor. You can try it with regular paprika, or if you want more depth and smokiness, swap it for smoked paprika.
- Dried Oregano – Mexican oregano works best here, but regular oregano does the trick too.
- Red Pepper Flakes – Add as little or as much as you like! This gives the seasoning a nice, subtle kick, but you can leave it out if you prefer a milder blend.
- Salt and Pepper – I use table salt and freshly ground black pepper for the best flavor. Sea salt or kosher salt are also good choices.
How to Make Taco Seasoning
Recipes don’t get much easier than this. Follow these steps for several meals’ worth of ready-to-go taco seasoning in just a few minutes.
- Mix It Up: Combine all your spices and herbs in a small bowl. Mix them until they are thoroughly combined.
- Seal: Transfer your homemade taco seasoning into an airtight container, spice jars, or a jar with a lid.
- Store: Keep your seasoning in a dark place. Use it within 3 months for the best freshness, but it’s safe to store it for up to one year.
How Much Seasoning To Use
One batch of this homemade taco seasoning equals roughly two standard store-bought packets, making it perfect for seasoning multiple meals! 2 tablespoons is the right amount to flavor a pound of ground beef, ground turkey, ground chicken, shrimp, or even grilled flank steak.
Variations
The best part about preparing taco seasoning from scratch is that you can shake things up to make it just right for you. Here are some small changes that can make a big difference.
- Crank Up the Heat: The pepper flakes are enough for us, but if you like a little more heat, try stirring in a bit of cayenne pepper. Start by mixing about 1/8 of a teaspoon into your taco seasoning, then taste it and decide if you want more. Once you’ve got the balance that’s right for you, stir to combine all the ingredients and pop it in the spice drawer.
- Go Low-Sodium: You can cut the amount of salt you add, or even go salt-free! Just taste your taco seasoning to see what works for you.
- Go for a Smokier Flavor: If you want to add another element to your spice mix’s flavor profile, try using smoked paprika instead of plain. This is especially good on chicken to give it that smoky, fresh-off-the-grill flavor with no actual grilling needed.
Recipe Tips
- Keep It Fresh: While using truly fresh herbs obviously isn’t an option, using whole dried herbs and chopping them finely for the seasoning will keep them tasting a lot fresher. This is why I recommend freshly cracked black pepper. Using whole dried oregano leaves and chopping them yourself can also make your seasoning more flavorful.
- Consider Color: Make sure you inspect your spices before you buy them at the store. Sometimes, spices on supermarket shelves have been sitting there for a while. Skip duller, muted colors and go for brighter and more vibrant hues, which tend to be freshest.
- Double It Up: If you’re planning to serve tacos at a party, make black bean dip for a potluck, or you just have a large group of family and friends, you can take this recipe and double or triple it. With such a flavorful mix, you might find it disappearing a lot faster than you expected!
Serving Suggestions
One of the best things about this taco seasoning is how versatile it is. You can go classic and use it on tacos, like these slow cooker chicken tacos or in my taco soup. It also brightens up the savory meat in skillet burritos and salsa chicken. Use it to add a kick to my turkey enchiladas, your vegetarian taco fillings like classic black beans, this lively and filling fiesta rice, and whatever else needs a dash of Mexican flair.
Storage Instructions
Although it’s best if used within 3 months, this taco seasoning will last for up to 6 months when it’s kept in a cool, dry place. Make sure it’s stored in a container that seals tightly. Small mason jars work great, or even used glass spice jars with screw-on tops—just make sure you change the labels so you remember what’s inside.
More Homemade Spice Blends
- The Best Chicken Seasoning Blend
- Homemade Fajitas Seasoning Mix
- Homemade Jamaican Jerk Seasoning
- Homemade Restaurant Style Salsa
Pin this now to find it later
Pin It
Homemade Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 3 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons table salt, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon smoked or sweet paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients. Combine all the spices in a mixing bowl and mix well until everything is thoroughly combined.
- Store. Transfer the prepared taco seasoning to an airtight container or a spice jar and store it in a dark, dry place for up to 3 months.
Equipment
Notes
- Equivalency: One batch of this Homemade Taco Seasoning is equal to about two store-bought packets.
- To Store: For the freshest taste, use it within 3 months, but it is safe to store the taco seasoning for up to 6 months when stored in a tightly-sealed container.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
This seasoning is spot on! I won’t buy it in the store again!
I just made a batch! Homemade is always the best!
I love homemade taco seasoning – there’s nothing like it!
This saves us so much money plus a trip to the store. Thank you for making taco night easier.
Love to make a big batch of this and have in the pantry for taco night – so much better then the packets!