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.
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
Blend all spices in a bowl and use to season any taco meat you are cooking. Use approximately 1 tablespoon per pound of meat.
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.
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
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?
Taco Seasoning
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.
- Whisk them 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.
Notes
Nutrition
Recipe from the Gracious Pantry® archives, originally posted 8/19/10.
Just made this seasoning and used on some ground turkey meat…YUM! Thanks so much for sharing!
Sara – My pleasure!
just made a double batch of this, and it smells AMAZING!!! cant wait to have tacos this week!
Jamie – Enjoy!
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.
Paula – Thanks so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
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!
Melissa – Fantastic! 🙂
I’m making this tonight! I’ve always wanted to make my own taco seasoning! Thanks
LouAnn – My pleasure! Hope you enjoy it. 🙂
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!
Amanda C – My pleasure! 🙂
Do you have a recipe for a no sodium Chili Seasoning? Can’t wait to try your Taco Seasoning!
Sharon – Not yet, but it’s on my list.
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.
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.
Thanks so much!
Tiffany W – My pleasure!
Awesome Clean recipe! Thank you.
Kim T. – My pleasure! 🙂
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?
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.
Where did you find the awesome little jar for it?
Sondra – The link is at the very bottom of this blog post under the directions. Enjoy! 🙂
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.
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!
Is this recipe for 1 pound of meat?
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.
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.
Angela – My pleasure! I hope you both enjoy the seasoning!
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
Kim – Thanks so much! That does sound difficult. I wish you much success!!
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.
Noe – I’m so happy you’re enjoying it! It’s definitely great to keep on hand. I use it all the time!