Once you make your own taco seasoning at home, you'll never go back to the icky processed store bought version again... Easy, less expensive, and preservative-free! This is a great multipurpose taco meat seasoning mix that can be substituted 1:1 in any recipe.
Making Taco Seasoning At Home
I prefer to make my own homemade spice mixes whenever possible. I mean, why not? It takes just a few minutes to stir a few spices together, and the results are SO much better than anything I've ever purchased.
One spice mix that I make time and time again is my basic taco seasoning. Yeah, those little packets at the grocery store are relatively inexpensive, but have you ever really looked at the ingredients?
Last time I checked, I found partially hydrogenated soybean oil, silicon dioxide, and ethoxyquin (what?! this is a pesticide!), to name just a few... Even the new organic taco seasoning packets I've seen recently have evaporated cane juice in them (i.e. sugar), which is totally unnecessary.
NO, thank you! I prefer the satisfaction of knowing that, when I make my own taco seasoning, I can control the quality of the ingredients - AND the ingredients themselves. No icky additives allowed!
Ingredients
Chances are you already have the necessary ingredients for my basic taco seasoning recipe sitting in your spice cabinet.
- chili powder
- paprika
- ground cumin
- salt
- onion powder
- garlic powder
- cayenne pepper
- oregano
- ground black pepper
Beyond Basic Taco Seasoning
- For mild taco seasoning: omit the cayenne pepper to tone it down a bit.
- For spicy taco seasoning: add more cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes.
- For more smoky flavor: substitute ancho chili powder for the regular chili powder or smoked paprika for the regular paprika.
I prefer an all organic taco seasoning mix, but you can certainly use conventional spices, as well. In case you're wondering, the Simply Organic brand is my most trusted favorite. They make the BEST organic spices!
Amazon is my go-to for ordering spices. The prices are much better than my local grocery stores, especially if they ship as an add-on item or are available with Subscribe & Save.
How To Make Taco Seasoning
Making your own taco seasoning could not be easier! Simply measuring each spice out into a mixing bowl, and whisk them together well.
Then transfer the taco seasoning mix to a clean container for storage. I love these little 200-gram flip-top jars for my spice mixtures, but they can be a bit pricey. I was once lucky enough to score an entire box of 12 for $8.99 plus shipping on eBay! Simple Mason jars or Weck jars work great, as well.
Homemade taco seasoning should last for about 6 months when stored in a cool dry area. Shake it up well to ensure the spices are evenly distributed before using.
Ratio Of Water To Taco Seasoning
This taco meat seasoning can be used 1:1 in any recipe that calls for taco seasoning. I typically use about 2 tablespoons of seasoning + ¼ cup of water per pound of meat.
For example, I add 2 tablespoons of seasoning and ¼ cup of water to one pound of cooked and drained ground beef in my easy ground beef taco meat recipe. I also often like to stir in a can of drained and rinsed black beans to stretch the ground beef a little more.
Printable Recipe ↓
Homemade Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
- ¼ cup chili powder
- 3 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 3 tablespoons ground cumin
- 1 ½ tablespoons salt
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 2 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Whisk all of the ingredients together.
- Transfer to a clean container for storage. Store in a cool, dry place for up to six months.
- Substitute this homemade taco seasoning spice mix 1:1 in any recipe that calls for taco seasoning. I typically use about 2 tablespoons + ¼ cup of water per pound of meat.
Recipe Notes
Featured Products
More Seasoning and Rub Recipes To Try
Looking for more seasoning mixes and rub recipes to spice things up? Here are some other delicious and easy options!
- Sweet & Smoky Brown Sugar Salmon Rub
- Spicy Barbecue Pork Rub Recipe
- Deep Fried Turkey Seasoning
Did you make this recipe?
I'd love to see how your taco seasoning turns out... Tag me @Unsophisticook on Instagram or use the hashtag #Unsophisticook so I can check it out. Enjoy!
Emily says
This is such a handy pantry staple - I love knowing exactly what's in the mix instead of the mystery packets from the store. One tip that made a big difference for me: toast the spices in a dry skillet for about 60–90 seconds before mixing, it really wakes up the cumin and chili flavor. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Tara Kuczykowski says
Great tip - thanks for sharing!
linda says
This was great! We just made it! Thanks! All organic!
Sue says
I am going to try this for a church get together after the evening service with our missionary from Kenya, Africa. About 40 people.
Judy says
Thanks for this recipe. I use taco seasonings in many recipes. Once I open the packet I try to use the rest of it up quickly. Now I don't have to open a packet to use a little bit.
Your assistant is adorable!!!
Rick says
Thanks for the recipe, I've always wanted to try to do it myself. Now I don't have excuses anymore!
Nancy says
always have a homemade version of this in my cabinet. so nice knowing what the ingredients are.
steph says
Why the cornstarch? Also, add some ground coriander for a more complex flavor.
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
The cornstarch keeps the mixture from getting clumpy, and it also helps create a saucier texture if you add a little water when mixing it with ground beef like the store bought packets do. Coriander sounds like a great addition though!
Beth says
There is no mention of cornstarch in the recipe. I don't know where the question and answer come from. Are we supposed to add corn starch, and if so how much. I thought maybe it was in the taco recipe, but not there either.
Thanks.
Tara Kuczykowski says
Hi Beth — so sorry for the confusion! I revamped the recipe a few years ago and removed the cornstarch. It's not really necessary. ;)
Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen says
I love those little jars & what a bargain! Taco seasoning is something I never remember to buy and you are so right, making your own is so much better!
Elizabeth @Food Ramblings says
great post :) thanks!
Linda @ My Crafty Home Life says
Love this series...and what a great helper you have.
Johnann says
This is a great recipe. I eat wheat free and it can be difficult to find many seasoning mixes without some silly addition of wheat.
Anna says
Thanks for the recipe. I was thinking about making my own mix just this morning! It came at the perfect time.
Cassie says
I make my own too...it's all about awareness. I couldn't believe that crazy list of ingredients!
Paula - bell'alimento says
We make this all the time. Love it!