Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe - Savory Nothings (2024)

5 minutes mins

| 1 Comment |

5 from 6 votes

Jump to Recipe | Updated: | by Nora

Homemade Taco Seasoning tastes amazing – without the ingredients you might find in the one you can find at the store!

You can make this mild with just ground paprika or hot with chili powder, depending on your family’s preferences. Use it to give all your favorite Mexican recipes the best flavor!

Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe - Savory Nothings (1)

I’ve been making my own homemade taco seasoning for a really long time. It’s so easy to whip up a jar of this stuff, takes 5 minutes, tops. I always keep it on hand in the kitchen, because we love a good tex-mex dinner.

I much prefer this over store-bought seasoning packets, because I can make it really mild for my family with two young kids and a toddler. Feel free to spice it up as much as you like!

Ingredients you’ll need

Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities!

Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe - Savory Nothings (2)

Ingredient notes

  • Chili powder/ground paprika: I will usually do this with all ground paprika, because one of my children has a zero tolerance for spiciness. You can also use all chili powder for a very spicy seasoning, or use a combination of chili powder, ground paprika and smoked paprika for some extra flavor.
  • Onion/garlic powder: Depending on the brand you buy, onion and garlic powder can become a little lumpy over time. If your powder has stuck together into one giant block, I highly recommend breaking it up as much as possible before stirring up the seasoning.
  • Salt: I use a fine sea salt, if you use table salt or kosher salt, the saltiness of your seasoning will vary.

How to make your own taco seasoning

Add all ingredients to a medium bowl and combine very well (I use a fork for this and “mash”/stir the seasoning to fully blend all of the spices). Then store in a dry place in a clean, airtight jar.

  • Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe - Savory Nothings (3)
  • Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe - Savory Nothings (4)

As you can see, this taco seasoning mix is not only simple, but also gluten free, OK if you’re a crazy person doing a Whole30 or eating paleo (sorry, love you ?) and completely free from artificial flavors, colors, flavor enhancers, stabilizers…

Recipe tips

  • Make it your own: I encourage you to try it as written once, then adjust it to whatever suits your taste better. Want more heat? Add more chili. Not a fan of cumin? Try reducing it. Play with it until it’s perfect for you!
  • Store it right: Keep your taco seasoning in a dry (very important!), well-closed jar. It’s best to use it within 6 months or so, because ground spices start losing their flavor after a while.
Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe - Savory Nothings (5)

Recipe ideas

This seasoning mix is so versatile! You can use it on ground beef to make taco meat. Or on chicken. Or on fish. On steak. On shrimp, even! Here are my favorite recipes to use it in:

  • One Pot Taco Pasta
  • Guacamole
  • Crockpot Chicken Taco Soup
  • Sheet Pan Nachos
  • Crockpot Chicken Tacos
  • One Pot Chicken Burrito Bowls
  • Mexican Beef and Rice

PSIf you try this recipe, please leavea review in the comment section and add a star rating in the recipe card – I appreciate your feedback! Follow along onPinterest,FacebookorInstagram.

Printable recipe

Printable Recipe Card

Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe - Savory Nothings (6)

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Homemade Taco Seasoning

Homemade Taco Seasoning is incredibly easy to make and tastes amazing without all the flavor enhancers and artificial ingredients you find in store-bought one!

Recipe by Nora from Savory Nothings

made it? tap the stars to add your rating!

5 from 6 votes

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Recipe details

Prep 5 minutes mins

Total 5 minutes mins

Servings 10 tablespoons

Difficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons chili powder OR more ground paprika for extra mild
  • 2 tablespoons ground paprika OR smoked paprika
  • 2 tablespoons ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon dried garlic powder
  • ½ tablespoon dried onion powder
  • ½ tablespoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Mix all ingredients together and keep in a small, clean, dry tightly sealed jar in your pantry for up to six months.

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Notes

Ingredient notes

  • Chili powder/ground paprika: I will usually do this with all ground paprika, because one of my children has a zero tolerance for spiciness. You can also use all chili powder for a very spicy seasoning, or use a combination of chili powder, ground paprika and smoked paprika for some extra flavor.
  • Onion/garlic powder: Depending on the brand you buy, onion and garlic powder can become a little lumpy over time. If your powder has stuck together into one giant block, I highly recommend breaking it up as much as possible before stirring up the seasoning.
  • Salt: I use a fine sea salt, if you use table salt or kosher salt, the saltiness of your seasoning will vary.

Recipe tips

  • Make it your own: I encourage you to try it as written once, then adjust it to whatever suits your taste better. Want more heat? Add more chili. Not a fan of cumin? Try reducing it. Play with it until it’s perfect for you!
  • Store it right: Keep your taco seasoning in a dry (very important!), well-closed jar. It’s best to use it within 6 months or so, because ground spices start losing their flavor after a while.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tablespoonCalories: 21kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 392mgPotassium: 122mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1426IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 33mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition is an estimate.

More recipe information

Course: Spice Mix

Cuisine: Mexican

Recipe first published on 04/25/2018. Updated with slight improvements to recipe and new photos/text on 04/12/2021.

More homemade spice mixes

  • Homemade BBQ Rub
  • Hot Apple Cider Cinnamon Spice Mix
  • Homemade Pumpkin Spice Mix

Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe - Savory Nothings (10)
About Nora
When I got married to my professional chef husband, I realized I had to step up my game in the kitchen. Now I share my favorite foolproof family recipes here on Savory Nothings: Chef-approved, kid-vetted and easy enough for everyday home cooks like you and me! Learn more.

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Comments

  1. Denise says

    Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe - Savory Nothings (13)
    No more supermarket spice packs. This recipe is delicious as is!

    Reply

Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe - Savory Nothings (2024)

FAQs

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

Packet Taco Seasoning replacement: if you only want to make enough taco seasoning to replace 1 packet, use the following amounts:
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder.
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder.
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder.
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper.
  • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano.
  • ½ teaspoon paprika.
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin.
  • 1 teaspoon salt.
Mar 16, 2021

What are the ingredients in original taco seasoning? ›

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

What does Old El Paso taco seasoning have in it? ›

Ingredients: Corn Starch, Maltodextrin, Salt, Chili Pepper, Spice, Sugar, Garlic Powder. Contains 2% or less of: Sea Salt (potassium magnesium chloride, salt), Citric Acid, Onion Powder, Vegetable Oil (canola and/or soybean oil), Silicon Dioxide (anticaking agent), Natural Flavor.

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

I have found that I like to make my own Taco Seasoning (also called Mexican Seasoning) – which is simply a blend of chili powder, cumin, garlic and cayenne pepper. I also throw in a fair amount of paprika, to add even more depth to the flavor.

What if I don't have cumin for taco seasoning? ›

Cumin is an earthy, aromatic spice that brings citrusy notes to a dish. If you're in a pinch, there are many great alternatives you might already have in your pantry. Caraway seeds and ground coriander most closely mimic cumin's flavor, while curry and chili powders contain cumin.

How can I add flavor to my food without spices? ›

Building flavour naturally without having to rely on sugar, salt and fat
  1. A splash of vinegar.
  2. A squeeze of citrus juice.
  3. A handful of chopped herbs.

What is McCormick Taco seasoning made of? ›

McCormick Taco Seasoning is crafted with a premium blend of zesty herbs and spices including chili pepper, paprika, oregano and garlic. Blended especially for chefs, McCormick Taco Seasoning gives chefs an all-in-one, ready-to-use mix to deliver intense, concentrated flavor to Mexican-inspired dishes and beyond.

What do authentic tacos have on them? ›

Lime is probably the most essential of authentic Mexican taco toppings. A squeeze of lime adds a dash of acid that brings out the other flavors in a taco beautifully. Onions, cilantro, pico de gallo, sliced radishes or cucumbers, avocado, and chili peppers are also standard toppings for authentic tacos.

What is in old El Paso taco Kit? ›

Each box comes with six flour tortillas, six crunchy taco shells, taco seasoning and taco sauce. Dinner can be ready in about 20 minutes, making these Old El Paso taco kits perfect for any busy evening. Tonight, we taco!

Does Mrs. Dash make a taco seasoning? ›

There is always room for tacos when Dash™ Salt Free Taco Seasoning Mix is in the kitchen. Add this seasoning to your ground beef and transform your kitchen into a taco haven. Always great fresh taste, and always salt free.

What is the difference between McCormick taco seasoning mild and original? ›

Our Original Taco Seasoning Mix is spicier than our Mild Taco Seasoning Mix. ~Cara" / X.

What's in Ortega taco seasoning? ›

Yellow Corn Flour, Spices, Salt, Maltodextrin, Paprika, Modified Corn Starch, Onion Powder, Sugar, Garlic Powder, Citric Acid, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Natural Flavors, Caramel Color. Product formulation and packaging may change. Please refer to the product label for the most accurate information.

What is the best substitute for taco seasoning? ›

Combine chili powder, paprika, onion powder, sea salt, garlic powder, cumin, oregano, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and red pepper flakes in a bowl; mix well. Enjoy!

What do Mexicans use for seasoning? ›

With garlic and onions as the savory cornerstone, the most common Mexican spices and herbs are coriander, allspice, cloves, thyme, Mexican oregano, Mexican cinnamon (ceylon), cumin and cacao which showcase the breadth of Mexican food.

What spices does taco seasoning contain? ›

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.

What is close to taco seasoning? ›

Chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried oregano – then shake. That's it!

What can I use if I don't have complete seasoning? ›

My homemade version of this complete seasoning mix is a blend of:
  • garlic.
  • onion.
  • cumin.
  • coriander seeds.
  • parsley.
  • oregano.
  • black pepper.
  • salt.

What can I use instead of Mexican spices? ›

Substitute for Mexican spice
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder (add more if you like)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder (or 2 teaspoons crushed dried fried onions)
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes.
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano.
  • 2 teaspoons paprika.
  • 1½ teaspoons ground cumin.
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt.
Sep 24, 2020

How do you season without seasoning? ›

Acids act a little like salt in that they help bring out the natural brightness of foods and work to meld flavors together. Try making a quick salad dressing with lemon juice and zest or red wine vinegar with a smidge of oil—or toss veggies and grains with citrus or vinegar to brighten them up.

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