Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe

Making taco seasoning from scratch takes less than 5 minutes, and is much more economical than buying taco seasoning packets. Plus, because you are in total control of the ingredients, you can easily adjust it to your own taste!

Homemade taco seasoning will make your tacos, enchiladas, casseroles, fajitas, soup, and so many more recipes taste even better!

MAKE YOUR OWN TACO SEASONING

Ever been making a Mexican dinner and realized you were out of taco seasoning? So frustrating! But that never needs to happen again, because you can make your own taco seasoning from scratch with ingredients you already have in your spice cupboard!

You can whip up a batch in under 5 minutes. Seriously – it took me 5 minutes and I had to stop and take pictures of everything. haha. All you have to do is measure and whisk!

What is in taco seasoning?

Every recipe is different, but most taco meat seasoning recipes include a combination of the following ingredients:

• chili pepper (not to be confused with cayenne pepper)
• paprika – Smoked paprika adds the best flavor!
• cumin – I love cumin, so this recipe has plenty.
• onion powder – You can also use minced onion if you prefer.
• garlic powder – Again, if you prefer dry minced garlic, it works just fine.
• oregano – Adds an earthy, peppery flavor.
• red pepper flakes – These add heat, so you can make your seasoning hot or mild. 
• cayenne pepper – I prefer red pepper flakes, but cayenne will also add heat to your seasoning.
• salt and pepper – Salt enhances the flavor of all the ingredients, and black pepper adds mild spice.
• sugar, cornstarch, flour, MSG, potato starch, and fillers – These ingredients are often included in store bought taco seasoning, but because we are making our own, we can leave them out!

I tried a few recipes and made a few tweaks before coming up with this mild taco seasoning that everyone in the family loved. Look at all those little mountains of delicious flavor. You can almost smell the photo, can’t you?

Is this gluten free taco seasoning?

You bet! Unlike commercially prepared taco mixes, this recipe has no added flour, so it is naturally gluten-free. If you are extra sensitive to gluten, check your herbs and spices that are labeled certified gluten free.

How much taco seasoning is in a packet?

A packet of taco seasoning is usually 1 ounce. I measured an ounce of taco seasoning mix, and it is approximately 3 tablespoons. 

Is this taco seasoning low carb?

Yes it is! One serving has only 1.2 net carbs. This is based on adding 3 tablespoons of the seasoning to a pound of ground beef, which yields six servings of taco meat. 

I specifically came up with this keto taco seasoning when I realized that my regular brand contained sugar and potato starch, making it off-limits for my keto diet.

How long will DIY taco seasoning last?

If you keep it in an airtight container, it should last 6-8 months, maybe even up to a year. So feel free to double or triple the recipe so you always have it on hand. I like to store mine in mason jars.

VARIATIONS:

• Need low-sodium taco seasoning? Simply omit the salt. Because it is a flavor enhancer, you may need to use more than 3 tablespoons of mix per pound of meat to get the same results.
• Like a little sweetness in your tacos? Add a teaspoon or two (or more) of sugar to the seasoning mix.
• Coriander adds a warm, nutty flavor if you want to add it.
• Looking for thick instead of juicy taco meat? Add a tablespoon of cornstarch to the mix.

RECIPES THAT USE TACO SEASONING:

• Ground Beef Enchiladas
• Taco Pizza
• Pumpkin Chili
• Taco Soup with Ranch
• Salsa Chicken
• Taco Popcorn
• Chicken Enchilada Chili
• Taco Cabbage Skillet

Ground Beef Taco Seasoning

Kara

Taco night just got tastier! You can whip up this homemade taco seasoning recipe in less than 5 minutes, and adapt the spices to your own liking.

5 from 3 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Course Main Dish- Beef

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 9 Tablespoons (approximately)

Calories 21 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika or regular paprika
• 4 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 tablespoons onion powder
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano leaves
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

 

• Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl. Store in an airtight container for up to a year.
• To make taco meat: Brown a pound of ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Drain off all fat.
• Add about 3 tablespoons of your homemade taco seasoning to the drained meat, then add 1/4 cup of water.
• Simmer for 5-10 minutes, adding more water if mixture seems dry.

Notes

• Nutrition information is based on using 3 tablespoons of mix per pound of ground beef, and six servings per pound.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 21kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.2gSodium: 565mgPotassium: 109mgFiber: 2gSugar: 0.4gVitamin A: 1040IUVitamin C: 0.5mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 1mg

Keyword taco seasoning from scratch

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Once you learn how to make your own taco seasoning, you won’t need store bought blends full of unwanted ingredients ever again. Taco Tuesday just got healthier and more delicious!