Taco Seasoning Recipe

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A good, homemade taco seasoning recipe is always a good recipe to have on hand. It’s made with simple, easy-to-find ingredients, it’s made quickly and easily and gives any dish amazing flavor.

A full jar of Taco Seasoning.

Why Make Taco Seasoning Homemade?

The sad fact is,  most of the packaged stuff you can buy has either sugar, maltodextrin or MSG in it. (Or a combination of all of those!) Not exactly what I want to put in my body, thank you.

What You’ll Need

  • 2 tbsp. ground cumin
  • 1 tsp. paprika
  • ½ tsp. cayenne pepper (optional)
  • ½ tsp. onion powder
  • ½ tsp. garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp. ground black pepper
  • ¼ tsp. chili powder

How To Make Taco Seasoning

All the spices for this taco seasoning in a bowl.

Blend all spices in a bowl and use to season any taco meat you are cooking. Use approximately 1 tablespoon per pound of meat.

The spices all mixed together.

Note: This mix has a small amount of “kick” to it. Nothing that will set your mouth on fire, but definitely noticeable. If you want something without the kick, leave out the cayenne and add an extra ½ teaspoon of paprika.

The optional teaspoon of cayenne to make this taco seasoning spicey.

How Much Homemade Taco Seasoning To Use?

1 lb. ground meat – 2 tbsp. taco seasoning

1 cup dry rice (or other grains) – 1 tbsp. taco seasoning

Taco Seasoning jar full of spices, tipped over and spilling out.

Ideas For Using This Seasoning

  • Tacos – Mix this into the meat during cooking
  • Burritos – Mix this into the meat during cooking
  • Cheese Taco Pasta – Mix this into the meat and pasta combo during cooking
  • Salsa – Blend this into fresh salsa for an extra kick
  • Mexican dip – Blend this into the meat or beans or both
  • Mexican soups and stews – Use this as seasoning in soups and stews. Simply drop it into the broth
  • Enchiladas – Give the sauce a little something extra with 1 to 2 tbsp. of this seasoning.
  • Quesadillas – Sprinkle this over the cheese before cooking. Let the spices melt into the cheese

More Seasoning Mix Recipes

Need A Jar?

Copyright button.
A full jar of Taco Seasoning.

Taco Seasoning

Why buy packets of seasoning at the store that are filled with junk when you can so easily make your own at home in minutes?! Use approximately 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning per pound of meat.
4 from 4 votes
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Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Mexican
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 77kcal
Author: Tiffany McCauley

CLICK TO WATCH THIS RECIPE IN ACTION!

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp. ground cumin
  • 1 tsp. paprika
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • ½ tsp. cayenne pepper
  • ½ tsp. onion powder
  • ¼ tsp. ground black pepper
  • ¼ tsp. chili powder

Instructions

  • Put all the measured spices into a mixing bowl.
    All the spices for this taco seasoning in a bowl.
  • Whisk them together.
    The spices all mixed together.
  • Note: This mix has a small amount of “kick” to it. Nothing that will set your mouth on fire, but definitely noticeable. If you want something without the kick, leave out the cayenne and add an extra 1/2 teaspoon of paprika.
    The optional teaspoon of cayenne to make this taco seasoning spicey.

Notes

Please note that the nutrition data below is a ballpark figure. Exact data is not possible.

Nutrition

Serving: 2tbsp. | Calories: 77kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 3g | Sodium: 38mg | Potassium: 345mg | Fiber: 3g | Vitamin A: 2095IU | Vitamin C: 2.1mg | Calcium: 143mg | Iron: 10.5mg

Recipe from the Gracious Pantry® archives, originally posted 8/19/10.

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I'm Tiffany, a cookbook author, food lover, mom, and writer for MSN and the AP Newswire.
   
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72 Comments

  1. Just made this seasoning and used on some ground turkey meat…YUM! Thanks so much for sharing!

  2. just made a double batch of this, and it smells AMAZING!!! cant wait to have tacos this week!

  3. Hi Tiffany,
    I have been enjoying your website for a couple of years now, I found it from a friend’s posting on Facebook. Your recipes are great for me, as I am diabetic, and am always looking for healthy, yet flavorful recipes. My husband and I love tacos, but as you know, the taco seasoning packs are LOADED with sodium. I’ve tried creating my own combinations in the past, but just couldn’t get the flavors quite right. I am so glad I ran across this recipe not too long ago and tried it. It was so good! My husband even commented that it was “better than those packets”. As always, thanks for your amazing creative talent in developing and sharing these recipes. It’s been fun following you on your journey and watching your website develop and expand.

  4. OMG! Tried this the other day and my family inhaled it! Literally we had NO leftovers! I had NO lunch for the next day, my husband had 6 tacos and my kids (2) each had 4 I had a portion of the meat on top of some spring mix! Totally will be making this again and again!

  5. I’m making this tonight! I’ve always wanted to make my own taco seasoning! Thanks

  6. These are all the same spices I use when I make Mexican food anyway (a specialty of mine). I hate the taste of the premade taco seasoning from the store. I am so glad you have it down to a science. Last night I tripled it and put it in a 1/2 pint Bell jar…thanks so much for the idea!

  7. Do you have a recipe for a no sodium Chili Seasoning? Can’t wait to try your Taco Seasoning!

  8. Tiffany W says:

    I just whipped this up, and it smells wonderful! Cannot wait to try this on tacos! Just a question for you though, how much do you actually put on the tacos? For example, if I have a pound of hamburger, should I use all of it (going off of your measurements), or half of it?

    Thanks!

    – Tiffany W.

    1. Tiffany W – For a pound, 1 tbsp. would be plenty. At least in my opinion. You might want to start with a little less and add more as needed. It’s okay to stir in more after it’s cooked. You just have to give it a few extra minutes to absorb the spices.

  9. Awesome Clean recipe! Thank you.

  10. I love it! I have been dying for a clean eating taco recipe, as both my husband and I love them. Would you prepare the tacos the same way as with traditional taco seasoning? That is, add the 2/3 cups water, the seasoning and then simmer with meat until water is absorbed?

    1. Allyson – I never add water to mine. Just 1 tbp. of oil or so, and cook the meat mixed with the spices. I usually add them after they have browned.

  11. Where did you find the awesome little jar for it?

    1. Sondra – The link is at the very bottom of this blog post under the directions. Enjoy! 🙂

  12. Nicholas Miller says:

    I didn’t think this added enough taco/Mexican flavor. I would add more than a tablespoon per pound and this really does need some salt.

    1. Nicholas – Most taco seasoning packets have a TON of salt and msg added. So without that addition, yes. You would definitely have to add salt. But I try not to dictate how much salt to add to a recipe because everyone has such different tastes in that department. But by all means, use as much as you need!

  13. Is this recipe for 1 pound of meat?

    1. Erin – No. Not the entire recipe. For 1 pound of meat I suggest 1 to 2 tablespoons of the seasoning, depending on how strong you want the flavors.

  14. looking for new way of cooking my mom.. She is.on Dialysis and she has to be on low low salt. I’m.a great cook and nowIm .having too change up of how too cook healthier.. thank you for your help.

  15. I’ve been eating mostly clean for almost 2 years. My husband has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure recently and now I’ve got to remove salt from his diet. Sound easy, right? WRONG! Good lord there’s some kind of sodium in EVERYTHING. I can’t thank you enough for all your hard work to make our lives easier! Keep up the good work. Love your blog and recipes.
    Kim

  16. 5 stars
    This is my go to taco seasoning now. I’ve used this many times and the whole family loves it. I make a big batch and jar it for a quick meal. I throw some chicken, about a half cup of bone broth or water in the slow cooker and sprinkle liberally with this mix.

    1. Noe – I’m so happy you’re enjoying it! It’s definitely great to keep on hand. I use it all the time!

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