• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Feels Like Home™ logo

  • Shop
    • Christianity Downloads
    • Family Downloads
    • Food & Cooking Downloads
    • Hobbies & Crafts Downloads
    • Learning Downloads
  • Blog
  • Family
    • Parenting
    • Holidays & Celebrations
    • Marriage
    • Kids activities
      • Kids Crafts
      • Christmas Crafts for Toddlers & Preschoolers
      • Christmas Crafts for Kids
      • Christmas Crafts for Tweens & Teens
    • Learning
      • Reading & Writing
      • STEM
  • Faith
    • Bible Study
    • Encouragement
  • Recipes
    • Comfort Food
    • Eating after Bariatric Surgery
    • Gluten-Free
    • Recipes for Foodie Kids
    • Quick & Easy Weeknight Meals
  • Health
    • Mental Health
      • Hobbies & Crafts
      • Self-Care
    • Physical Health
      • Bariatric Surgery
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • SHOP
  • RECIPES
  • FAMILY
  • FAITH
  • HEALTH
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    See More:   Condiments & Spices Gluten-Free Recipes for Beginners Vegetarian

    Last Modified: Aug 9, 2022 by Tara Ziegmont 2 Comments

    The Best Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe

    1FacebookMessenger183PinterestTwitterWhatsAppEmail
    184
    SHARES
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Homemade taco seasoning is easy to make with spices you already have in the pantry. Mix it up with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. It's the best for tacos, burritos, dips, and more!

    a small bowl of homemade taco seasoningPin

    I think taco seasoning is straight from heaven. I love the stuff.

    We eat a lot of tacos, taco dips, enchiladas, chilis, and other dishes that use taco seasoning, so we go through a lot of it.

    The trouble is that pre-made taco seasoning is insanely high in salt and contains preservatives that probably aren't the healthiest.

    I'm the first person to reach for convenience foods when necessary - pre-made pie crust, frozen whipped topping, and ketchup are high on my list - but we also make a lot of things from scratch. In almost every case, cooking from scratch is healthier and better-tasting – and almost always cheaper, too.

    taco seasoning ingredientsPin

    What is in homemade taco seasoning?

    The beauty of making your own spice blends is that you get to control the ingredients. You decide how spicy it should be. You decide how much chili powder if if you put in any sugar. It's all up to you.

    I recommend that you start with my base recipe, but taste it before you put it on your meat and adjust the spices as you think will suit your taste. Don't put the stuff on a pound of ground beef before you taste it!

    • Chili powder - This is the base of pretty much every taco and fajita seasoning blend. It's typically made from ground chile peppers, cumin, garlic, and other spices.
    • Cumin - This adds a smoky nuttiness to the seasoning.
    • Sea salt
    • Ground black pepper
    • Paprika - Sweet paprika (the normal kind) has a slightly smoky flavor. If you prefer a more smoky flavor, you can use smoked paprika instead.
    • Garlic powder - If you prefer, you can use dehydrated garlic.
    • Onion powder - Don't skip this even if you don't like onions! You need it to balance out the flavors!
    • Red pepper flakes - These add heat, so if you want a very mild seasoning, add less of red pepper. You could also substitute cayenne pepper here, but use half the amount.
    • Oregano - This adds freshness and balances out the smoky and spicy flavors.

    Is there sugar in taco seasoning?

    There is sugar in commercial taco seasoning, but there is no sugar in my recipe. I prefer not to add extra sugar if it's not necessary (and it isn't in this recipe).

    Do you add water to taco seasoning?

    I do not unless I am making taco sauce. You can find the recipe for that below in the What to Use Taco Seasoning for section.

    Some people mix their taco seasoning with ¼ cup of water before mixing it in with their ground meat, especially if the meat is very lean and got a little dry. This is always an option, but it is not required.

    a jar of homemade taco seasoningPin

    How long does your own taco seasoning last?

    Does anyone go by the guidelines on how long to keep spices? I still have chives that I bought in 2001.

    Kidding aside (was I kidding?), spices do have a shelf life because they lose their potency over time, even when stored in an airtight container (like a half pint mason jar) in a cool, dry, dark place.

    A batch of homemade taco seasoning will be its at its best for 3-6 months, assuming your spices were new when you made it, but you can use it for longer than that. Just know that you might have to use a little more to get the same flavor if it sits longer.

    This recipe makes a little over a half cup of taco seasoning mix, or enough to make about 4 pounds of ground beef or ground turkey.

    How much taco seasoning to use

    A pre-made taco seasoning packet is good for one pound of meat and contains about 2.5 tablespoons of spices.

    When I am making taco meat, I sprinkle 2.5 tablespoons of my homemade taco seasoning over ground meat or shredded chicken and add about ½ cup of water to help the meat stay moist.

    It's best to start with a little less than you think you need, taste often, and add small amounts until you reach the amount of seasoning you want.

    What to use taco seasoning mix for

    Ground eat & poultry - As I stated above, you should use about 2.5 tablespoons of taco seasoning for one pound of ground meat (beef, pork, turkey, or chicken) or shredded poultry (chicken or turkey).

    As a rub - You can use taco seasoning as a rub for grilled, roasted, or pan-fried chicken, steak, pork, seafood, fish, or tofu. 

    Fish - I would use slightly less seasoning for fish, about 1.5 tablespoons per pound.

    Seafood - This is a great seasoning for shrimp, crab, or scallops. Just sprinkle it on or use in place of Old Bay in a steamed shrimp recipe.

    Vegetables - Give your roasted veggies a flavor boost by tossing in a tiny bit of olive oil and then sprinkling with taco seasoning before putting in the oven.

    Home fries - I love to toss diced potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle them with taco seasoning. Roast in the oven until crispy and you have delicious home fries. Top them with a fried egg and call it breakfast!

    Baked potatoes - Mix a bit of taco seasoning with sour cream to top your baked potato.

    Tortilla chips - You can sprinkle cut tortillas with taco seasoning and then bake to make homemade tortilla chips.

    Potato chips - Use this air fryer potato chip recipe and sprinkle the chips with taco seasoning just before air frying.

    Popcorn - You can sprinkle popped popcorn with taco seasoning for a savory snack.

    Add it to baked tortilla chips, popcorn, or mix it into Greek yogurt for a quick dip for chips and veggies.

    Tomatoes - Mix a tablespoon of taco seasoning with a jar of diced tomatoes for a zippy base for soup or salsa.

    Beans - Mix 2 tablespoons of seasoning with a can of black beans or refried beans. This mixture can be added to tacos or burritos or just served as a side dish.

    As a dip - You can mix taco seasoning with Greek yogurt or sour cream to make a yummy dip for veggies or chips.

    Taco sauce - Mix 3 tablespoons of taco seasoning with 16 ounces tomato sauce, ⅔ cup water, 2 tablespoons white vinegar, and a teaspoon sugar. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

    homemade taco seasoning ingredientsPin

    Recipe variations

    As it is written, this recipe is fairly mild. You can control the amount of spice in by adjusting the amount of red pepper flakes and/or adding some cayenne pepper.

    For a smokier spice blend, use smoked paprika in place of the regular sweet paprika.

    Adjust the amount of garlic powder and onion powder to change up the flavor. If you really love garlic, try doubling it.

    Try these other spice blend recipes

    • Homemade Fajita Seasoning
    • Homemade Sweet & Spicy BBQ Seasoning
    • Homemade Cajun Seasoning Mix
    • Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix
    a small bowl of homemade taco seasoning

    The Best Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe

    Homemade taco seasoning is easy to make with spices you already have in the pantry. Mix it up with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. It's the best for tacos, burritos, dips, and more!
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course Condiment
    Servings 11 tablespoons
    Calories 24 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • ¼ cups chili powder
    • 2 tablespoons ground cumin
    • 4 teaspoons sea salt
    • 4 teaspoons ground black pepper
    • 2 teaspoons paprika
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano

    Instructions
     

    • Combine all ingredients in a jar with a tight lid. Shake until well mixed. Store in a cool, dry place.
    • Use 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning per pound of meat.

    Notes

    To use: Use 2-½ tablespoons of spice mix per pound of meat, in place of a packet of taco seasoning. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1tablespoon | Calories: 24kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 939mg | Potassium: 147mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1697IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe? Pin it for later!Follow @FeelsLikeHome or tag #FeelsLikeHomeBlog!

    1FacebookMessenger183PinterestTwitterWhatsAppEmail
    184
    SHARES

    More Condiments & Spices

    • How to Make Sweet Teriyaki Sauce
    • Authentic Mexican Enchilada Sauce Recipe
    • How to Make Watermelon Jam
    • Red Lobster Copycat Pina Colada Sauce for Coconut Shrimp

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Maggie says

      August 21, 2012 at 12:25 am

      Love Mexican food and this recipe will be wonderful! ☺

      Reply
    2. Sara says

      September 02, 2012 at 12:07 am

      5 stars
      Yes! I've been looking for an EASY taco seasoning recipe for awhile now. Those little packets from the store may be convenient, but my family runs through them so fast & that gets pricey! Thanks for the post.

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Tara.

    Harrisburg PA mom blogger Tara Ziegmont
    I am passionate about helping women to care for themselves and their families physically, emotionally, and spiritually by making time for what matters most through a combination of delectable recipes, Christian inspiration, and family fun. If you're tired of feeling so weary and uninspired, you're in the right place. I'm so glad you're here!
    Read more about me...

    Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram LinkedIn email me subscribe

    Popular Recipes

    • Cheeseburger Soup from Taste of Home
    • Cracker Barrel Copycat Fried Apples
    • Sweet Balsamic Pork Roast in the Instant Pot
    • Couldn't Be Easier Cherry Pie

    Food with an Instant Pot in the background

    AS SEEN ON

    a list of the websites where Tara Ziegmont has been featured

    Popular Bible Studies

    • A Grateful Heart - 2 week printable study
    • 10 Bible Verses on Anger
    • 13 Bible Verses on Disappointment
    • 50 Bible Verses Every Christian Should Know
    • 10 Bible Verses to Overcome Worry

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions

    As seen on

    a list of the websites where Tara Ziegmont has been featured

    Contact Tara


    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my full disclosure policy.

    Copyright © 2022 Feels Like Home Blog

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Do not sell my personal information.
    SettingsAccept
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT