How to Make Homemade Taco Seasoning

This homemade taco seasoning is a game changer. It has fantastic flavor, ingredients you’ll be happy to offer your family and only as much salt as you want. You’ll be saying goodbye to yellow taco seasoning bags forever.

plate with 7 spices surrounding jar of taco seasoning
Homemade Taco Seasoning ingredients from left to right: cayenne pepper, garlic powder, oregano, cumin, chili powder, coriander and black pepper.

When it comes to flavoring the chicken or beef topping for our tacos, I relied on commercial taco seasoning for far too long. It was easy and had the right flavor, but I didn’t love all the ingredients and high amount of salt.

Taco Seasoning Mix Ingredients
Commercial Taco Seasoning ingredients.

So, I created this recipe that tastes very similar to the commercial products (my family would object otherwise) and meets my criteria for simple ingredients. We’ve been using the following recipe ever since – that’s since 2014!

pouring taco seasoning from jar onto plate
Bright, bold spices – for more heat add more cayenne!

How to Use Homemade Taco Seasoning

  • Use this seasoning blend on any Southwestern inspired dish such as tacos, taco dip, shredded chicken, chicken taquitos, fajitas, tortillas, taco beef mix, etc.  
  • Try it on popcorn as popcorn seasoning.
  • Use as a dry rub for roasting or grilling chicken or pork.
  • Replace store bought packages to make a saucy mix for taco meat.

Saucy Taco Meat Recipe

My family loves the flavorful, sauce that you get with the store bought packages of taco spice mix. To get that same sauciness, here’s what to do:

To replace one package combine:

  • 3 Tbsp of homemade taco seasoning
  • 1/2 Tbsp of flour
  • 2/3 cup of water
  • 1 – 2 tsp salt to taste

Brown and fully cook ground beef or chicken in skillet. Sprinkle with 3 Tbsp of taco mix and 1/2 Tbsp of flour and stir to blend in. Gradually stir in 2/3 of water. Add 1 tsp salt. Taste and adjust salt if needed.

tvp vegetarian tacos
Make a saucy filling for tacos.

Other Homemade Seasoning Blends

three jars of seasoning blends Cajun, Italian and Taco
My favourite homemade seasoning blends that I use ALL the time.

Taco Seasoning Recipe

jar of taco seasoning on counter
Print Recipe
4.75 from 8 votes

Homemade Taco Seasoning

Great for any Southwestern inspired dishes such as tacos, taco dip, shredded chicken, fajitas, tortillas, refried beans, quinoa and beans, taco beef mix. This mix doesn't include salt, so you can control the amount of salt by adding it to the final recipe as needed.
Prep : 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 3 ounces
Author: Getty Stewart

Ingredients

  • 4 Tbsp chili powder
  • 4 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp coriander
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp fresh ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper

Instructions

  • Mix all ingredients in bowl ensuring any lumps are removed.
  • Pour into small jar and seal well.
  • Taco Sauce
  • To make sauce for tacos add ½ Tbsp flour and 3 Tbsp of seasoning to hot skillet of fully cooked ground beef or chicken. Stir in 2/3 cup of water and cook until bubbling and thickening. Add as much salt as you prefer.

Video

Notes

Note: This mix does not include salt – add as much or as little as you’d like to the final recipe.
3 Tbsp taco seasoning = 1 package of seasoning
Yield 3-4 ounce jar
 
Tried this recipe?Mention @GetGettyS or tag #GetGettyS

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Calories: 57kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 2g | Sodium: 184mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 1g | Iron: 4mg
Course: Gifts, seasonings, tacos
Cuisine: American
Keyword: gifts from the kitchen, homemade seasoning, seasoning blend, tacos

I’d love to see your blend and what you’re making with it! Take a photo and tag #getgettys so I can see it and like it!

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Select, store and serve seasonal food for everyday cooking with Getty. Getty is a food educator and Professional Home Economist, who loves sharing tips and recipes following the seasons from her Canadian kitchen. Sign up to get seasonal tips and recipes delivered to your inbox. Learn more about Getty or check out her books and pdf guides.

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