This easy homemade taco seasoning recipe is a tasty blend of bold, rich flavor. Perfect for adding instant flavor to tacos, burritos, fajitas, soup, beans, vegetables, and more!
Have a few minutes? Let's make some taco seasoning!
Store-bought seasoning packets are convenient but nothing beats the freshness and versatility of making your own spice blends right at home.
This quick & easy homemade taco seasoning recipe is a great way to save money and control the ingredients (because it has no additives, preservatives, or excess sodium).
Plus it's made with ingredients you likely already have in your pantry. (And you can easily customize & adjust them to your own taste!)
Ingredients for Taco Seasoning
Scroll down to the recipe for full amounts, but these are the spices you'll need to grab from your pantry:
- Chili powder: Most often I either use "Simply Organic" brand chili powder, or whatever is in the bulk bins and my local co-op (usually "Frontier Co-op" brand). In my experience, most chili powders are mild to moderately spicy depending on how much cayenne pepper they contain.
- Ground cumin
- Dried oregano: Be sure your dried spices are fresh (not expired and past their prime) for best flavor and results.
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Smoked paprika
- Salt: I use fine grain salt for this recipe. You can add as much or as little as you prefer. For low-sodium or no sodium, simple reduce or leave it out.
Like it spicy? Add black pepper, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or red pepper flakes. Ground chipotle is also a great addition for some warm smokiness.
Preparing
Combine & shake: To make your taco seasoning, simply combine all the spices in a bowl or jar, then thoroughly shake or stir to mix it together. That's it!
Storing
Sealed container: Store it in a sealed glass mason jar at room temperature to have on hand whenever needed.
Storing time: We find it keeps for several months in an airtight container in the pantry.
Tip: I often make a larger batch by doubling, tripling, or quadrupling the recipe to save for later - super convenient!
Store-Bought Packets
A standard packet of taco seasoning mix typically equals 2 or 3 tablespoons of seasoning.
This recipe yields about 3 tablespoons, so it's a great match and replacement for one store-bought taco seasoning packet.
Note: This seasoning mixture is mild if using mild chili powder.
How to Make Taco Meat
This seasoning mix is great for making simple ground meat tacos. Since we are vegan, I often use Beyond Meat's plant-based grounds (or something similar) which works great. The general recipe is:
- 1 pound of vegan ground beef or meat crumbles
- 2-3 Tbsp. taco seasoning
- 1/3 cup water (more or less as desired)
Instructions: Simply brown your "meat" in a skillet first, then add the taco seasoning and water. (The water helps to combine and coat the crumbles evenly.) Then let it simmer for a few minutes until the water has absorbed.
Recipes with Taco Seasoning
Use this seasoning in a wide variety of dishes for instant, bold flavor. A few ideas include:
- Chickpea-Walnut Taco Crumbles (pictured above)
- Portobello Fajitas (pictured below)
- Southwest Tofu Burrito
- Vegan Taco Salad with Southwestern Dressing
- Mexican Mac and Cheese
- Chipotle Taco Hummus
- Black Bean Lentil Taco Soup
Tip: It's also great for general use on veggies, potatoes, rice, casseroles, soups, and more!
For more inspiration, also browse all sauce & seasoning recipes or Mexican-inspired recipes.
Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp. chili powder*
- 1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. smoked paprika (or regular)
- 1/2 tsp. salt (more/less as desired)
Optional spicy additions:
- 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes, a dash of cayenne pepper, or a dash of ground chipotle
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a small bowl or jar. Stir or shake until thoroughly combined.
- Use immediately or store in an airtight container for later use. (It keeps for several months.)
Notes
Nutrition Per Serving (Estimate)
Sodium: This is omitted as I cannot provide an accurate number. I encourage you to calculate your own to provide a much more precise reading based on the exact ingredients, brands, and amounts you're using.
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Kim
This is a keeper. Will add a bit more onion, garlic and chipotle next time. Thanks for posting!
Kaitlin
Great ideas, Kim! Love the chipotle for a little smoky heat. Thanks so much for sharing your kind feedback!
Jayne
I am so happy I saved this recipe! I am making another round. I also used as a steak marinade for fajitas!! Score. Thank you for sharing.
Kaitlin
Glad you're enjoying it, Jayne! Thanks for the feedback!
Claire Wankiewicz
This is awesome! Not too hot, warms you in your tummy not your mouth. I've used this in other recipes too and it adds just the right lift in flavor. Love this recipe.
Kaitlin
Lovely to hear, Claire! I'm so glad you're finding various uses for it. Your kind feedback is appreciated - thank you!
Torrie
Tried this for tacos and it was great. Just added a bit more chili powder and 1 tablespoon tomato paste. Big hit with the boys.
Kaitlin
Great additions, Torrie! Glad it was enjoyed!
Jeannette
This is great! Thank you. I made chicken fajitas. My daughter will like this because it isn’t very spicy. I intend on making the black bean soup soon. Thank you again!
Kaitlin
Fantastic, Jeannette! Hope you enjoy the soup as well. Thanks so much for your kind feedback!
Inga
Love this recipe thanks. I use it again and again.
Kaitlin
Thanks for sharing!
Becky
Perfect combination of spices! I used cayenne powder instead of flakes. This will be my go-to taco seasoning now.
Kaitlin
Great to hear!
Mandy
This was perfect. Thanks!
Kaitlin
Great to hear, Mandy. Thanks for sharing!
Kristin
Do you use the entire thing for 1 lb. of ground beef?
Kaitlin
Hi Kristin! Yep, typically 2-3 Tbsp. taco seasoning is used for 1 lb. meat. Simply add a little water if the mixture is too dry. (I've used it to season Beyond Meat ground beef before and it's fantastic.) But feel free to cater the seasoning amount to your own taste!
Rosa
Do I still have to add water to this? Store bought asks for water.
Kaitlin
Hi Rosa! It depends on how you're using it and personal preference. If seasoning ground meat/meat substitutes, then you can add 2-3 Tbsp. water (or more) like the packets state to help better mix the seasoning if the mixture is dry. (In a recipe like my Chickpea-Walnut Taco Crumbles, I only use 1 Tbsp. water.)
Loraine
This turned out even better than any store bought taco seasoning. I will be using this as my go-to from now on for taco Tuesdays!! Thank you!
Kaitlin McGinn
Fantastic, Loraine! Thanks for giving it a try and sharing your kind review. Hope you continue to enjoy it on your Taco Tuesdays!
Michele
This is a great recipe! It tastes just like one you buy at the store. I will never buy a package mix again! Thanks for posting.
Kaitlin McGinn
So wonderful to hear, Michele! I appreciate you coming back to let me know - thank you!
Gayle
Love that it has oregano, but all I had was Italian seasoning! I used my pestle to make the onion powder from dried. Turned out great. It will be a regular in my spice arsenal. Especially for kids who can’t take peppery or hot flavors but like the savory kick this has. Thank you!
Kaitlin McGinn
Fantastic, Gayle! Love that you made this work with what you had. Thank you so much for the kind feedback - very appreciated!
Anonymous
Hi, I love your site. One quick question, if I may, if I put a little extra garlic and onion powders in it, would it ruin it? I love garlic and onion. -Katerina
Kaitlin | The Garden Grazer
Hi Katerina! Glad you're enjoying the site. Adding more onion and garlic powder would definitely not ruin it - go for it! It's a pretty versatile seasoning. Hope you enjoy!