Homemade Taco Seasoning

Prep 5 minutes
Servings 1 (2 tablespoons)

This Homemade Taco Seasoning recipe is the perfect blend of spices for all your favorite Mexican dishes. Directions for 1 packet or a big batch!ย  Itโ€™s so easy and inexpensive to make, youโ€™ll never buy pre-packaged again.

scoop of taco seasoning in glass jar

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Easy Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe

Not a week goes by without some type of Mexican or Tex-Mex dish gracing my dinner table. Because of this, I was always running out of those spice packets. So years ago I started making my own blend. Homemade Taco Seasoning is crazy easy to put together and way less expensive if you use it frequently. I keep a 4 ounce container filled at all times.

Whatโ€™s in Taco Seasoning?

My taco seasoning mix recipe includes the typical taco seasoning spices: chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and cayenne. If any of these ingredients arenโ€™t your thing, or you like one more than another, feel free to adjust to your taste. Spice mixes are very forgiving.

  • Replace the standard chili powder and paprika with ancho chili powder and smoked paprika, which gives the spice blend an awesome smoky flavor.
  • Adjust the salt. I prefer to control the amount of salt by having only a little in the spice blend and then adding in extra separately, depending on what Iโ€™m making. (Keep in mind my recipe calls for Kosher salt, which isnโ€™t as fine or strong as table salt.)
  • Adjust the heat. The spiciness will come from the chili powder and cayenne pepper. Start with the small recipe I included, taste and decide if you want more or less spice. You can also replace the cayenne with some crushed red pepper flakes, or simply omit it.
  • Add in some flour. Most store bought packets include flour, which is used as a thickening agent. If you want to include it in your mix, I recommend a 1/2 teaspoon per recipe.
8 different mounds of spices separated in bowl

How to Make Taco Seasoning

This easy homemade taco seasoning is made in minutes and used the same way as a store-bought packet. You simply place all the spices in a jar with a tight-fitting lid, and shake to incorporate. That’s it!
(To make this taco seasoning recipe, scroll below to the printable recipe card for all the details.)

How many tablespoons in a packet of taco seasoning? This taco seasoning recipe allows you to mix together 2 tablespoons (which is the equivalent of 1 taco seasoning packet you would buy), or 1/2 cup that you can store in a spice jar and use when you need it.

overhead scoop of taco seasoning inside glass jar

Uses for Taco Seasoning

How to season taco meat: Use this spice blend as needed. I recommend 2 tablespoons of seasoning per pound of meat. NOTE: Most store bought packets include flour, which is used as a thickening agent. If you want to include some, I recommend a 1/2 teaspoon per recipe.

It’s perfect for tacos and burritos, beef, chicken, pork, and pretty much all of your favorite Mexican dishes. I use it often in these dishes:

Proper Storage

This taco seasoning from scratch will store well in an airtight container for up to 6 months. Keep it in a cool, dry place and out of direct sunlight.

I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe โ€“ be sure to give it a review below! Also donโ€™t forget to follow Belly Full onย TikTok,ย Facebook,ย Instagram,ย Pinterest, andย YouTube!

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Homemade Taco Seasoning

Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 (2 tablespoons)
This Homemade Taco Seasoning recipe is the perfect blend of spices for all your favorite Mexican dishes. Directions for 1 packet or a big batch!ย  Itโ€™s so easy and inexpensive to make, youโ€™ll never buy pre-packaged again.

Ingredients 

Recipe for 2 tablespoons (the equivalent of one store-bought packet)

  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne

Recipe for Big Batch (about 1/2 cup)

  • 1/4 cup chili powder
  • 6 teaspoons cumin
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne

Instructions 

  • Place all the ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid, fasten tightly, and shake to incorporate fully.
  • Use as needed (I recommend 2 tablespoons of seasoning per pound of meat.)
  • NOTE: Most store bought packets include flour, which is used as a thickening agent. If you want to include it in your mix, I recommend a 1/2 teaspoon added into the 2 tablespoons recipe.
  • This seasoning mix will store well in an airtight container for up to 6 months. Keep it in a cool, dry place and out of direct sunlight.

Nutrition

Calories: 43kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 719mg | Potassium: 210mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 2969IU | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and any changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are very important to you, I would recommend calculating them yourself.

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About Amy Flanigan

Well, hey there! Amy here, founder and COO at BellyFull. If youโ€™re looking for tried and true, fuss-free, budget-friendly, delicious, every day recipes, youโ€™ve come to the right place.

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11 Comments

  1. Skip Young says:

    5 stars
    Iโ€™m a widower and cook for myself this taco seasoning is better than the packets because I make it to my taste

  2. Maureen Pascal says:

    5 stars
    Excellent taco seasoning…this is now my favorite taco seasoning recipe

  3. Amanda says:

    5 stars
    This is a great dependable bread. I made one big loaf. It rises so well and has good texture. Also healthy ingredients.

  4. Deb Smith says:

    5 stars
    Great recipe. I will ever buy packaged taco spice again.

  5. Sonja says:

    5 stars
    This is a great recipe, thank you!

  6. Sharon says:

    5 stars
    This is about the 10th batch I’ve made of this seasoning mix – we use it in all of our favorite Mexican dishes. Great recipe, thank you!

  7. Bridgette says:

    5 stars
    I love this recipe! It’s so easy and it’s all natural. I added dried cilantro flakes and sea salt. It made great tacos. I added 1/2 cp tomato sauce and 2/3 cp water to 1 lb ground beef.

  8. Sean says:

    Dumb question but how do I add this to meat? Sprinkle over cooked meat and add water or just the seasoning itself(no water). Packets always use water. Thank you!

    1. Amy @Belly Full says:

      Hi Sean! You use it just like you would if you bought the packets.

  9. Chrissy says:

    My hubs will never forgive me if I don’t try your totchos recipe.

  10. Dave says:

    5 stars
    Thanks Amy…. This is great! Presently, I use bulk mix and make a bean dip that always comes out a little heavy on the salty side so this mix will be made without it and I’ll be using this in it’s place.

    For those more adventurous, or gluten sensitive, may I suggest you use maltodextrin, It leaves no after taste and completely dissolves in any liquid.

    It’s usually made from highly refined tapioca starch and is inexpensive. Tapioca starch does not completely dissolve and leaves behind both a texture and an aftertaste. I use it in my Hidden Valley (copycat) ranch dip mix as a thickener.

    It’s available from Modernist Pantry (they have a lot of really cool kitchen alchemy stuff).