Homemade Taco Seasoning

5 from 4 votes

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Move aside store-bought seasonings, we don’t need you anymore! Make your own Taco Seasoning at home that tastes just as good, if not better, than the store-bought stuff. You only need a few handfuls of Mexican spices, some salt, and yellow cornmeal. Perfect to use for Taco Tuesday, Crockpot Chicken Taco Meat or Taco Rice!

taco seasoning in measuring spoon and jar on plate

The Best Copycat Taco Seasoning

Do you do Taco Tuesdays? We sure do, and boy, do we make our way through loads of taco seasoning! But what happens when we run out? Why, I make my own, of course!! I will admit that I try to keep at least one or two store-bought taco seasoning packets in my pantry for when I run out of the homemade or don’t have all the ingredients on hand to make it. It is definitely a lifesaver in a pinch, and there is definitely no judgement here, but once you make this homemade version, you really won’t want to go back to store-bought. A quick glance at pre-made taco seasoning packet ingredients can give you an idea of how to go about making your own. The recipe I’m sharing today is my favorite combination of spices, and I hope you love it as much as I do!

taco seasoning ingredients on plate

How to Make Taco Seasoning

I think you’ll recognize all of these ingredients in the taco seasoning mix and most likely already have jars in your spice cabinet waiting to be put to good use. All of these are common spices…even smoked paprika is easy to find nowadays.

For a complete ingredients list and measurements, see the printable recipe card down below.

Combine Ingredients + Stir

This hardly needs to be said, but combine all ingredients together in a small bowl. Your homemade taco seasoning is ready to use in any recipe you would use taco seasoning!

taco seasoning swirled on plate

How to Use Homemade Taco Seasoning

This homemade taco seasoning recipe is enough for 1 pound of ground beef. Simply brown your ground beef, sprinkle in the seasoning, and stir. Add in 3/4 cup cold water and simmer until ready to serve.

If you buy lean ground beef, there’s no need to drain the excess fat, but if you have a fattier kind of beef, feel free to drain it before adding in the seasoning and water. Also, your finished taco meat might seem a little saltier because after the ground meat has been browned and drained, you’ll be left with less meat if you’re using fattier beef.

Can I make a big batch of this?

Yes, I’d definitely recommend making a triple or quadruple batch (or even bigger!) of this recipe. You’ll just have to remember that 3 1/2 tablespoons of this taco seasoning is the amount you’ll sprinkle into your meat to season it properly. I’d recommend making one batch first to see how you like it and then go from there.

taco seasoning in measuring spoon and jar on plate

How to Store Taco Seasoning

Just like any seasoning or dried herb, you’ll want to store this in an airtight container or a small mason jar in a cool, dark cabinet or drawer. It will last for months as long as it’s sealed up well.

Love Tacos? Try These Tasty Sides:

taco seasoning in measuring spoon and bowl on plate

I’d love for you to try this and give it a star review! Be sure to save/bookmark/print/pin/share this recipe. I love it and think you will too.

Have a great day, friends! Happy taco-making!

taco seasoning in measuring spoon and jar on plate
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5 from 4 votes

Homemade Taco Seasoning

Make your own Taco Seasoning at home that tastes just as good *if not better* than anything you could buy at the store. Hello, Taco Tuesday!
servings 4 (for 1 lb taco meat)
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Measure out all spices and ingredients into a small bowl. Stir to combine.
  • Store in an airtight container in a cool dark place.

Notes

One recipe makes 3 1/2 Tablespoons of seasoning, enough for 1 lb of taco meat of your choice. 

Nutrition

Calories: 23kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 600mg | Potassium: 42mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 420IU | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1mg
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: homemade spice blend, taco seasoning, taco seasoning recipe

Homemade Taco Seasoning FAQs

What is taco seasoning?

Taco seasoning is a blend of spices and herbs used to add flavor to tacos and other Mexican-inspired dishes. It typically includes a combination of chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.

Why make homemade taco seasoning?

A DIY taco seasoning recipe allows you to customize the flavor and adjust the spice level according to your preferences. It also allows you to control the ingredients, avoiding any additives or preservatives that may be present in store-bought seasoning packets.

How can I adjust the spice level in homemade taco seasoning?

You can adjust the spice level by adding or reducing the amount of chili powder, cayenne pepper, or red pepper flakes in the seasoning blend. Start with smaller amounts and gradually increase or decrease until you reach your desired level of spiciness.

How much taco seasoning should I use per pound of meat?

A general guideline is to use approximately 2-3 tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning per pound of meat. However, feel free to adjust the amount according to your taste preferences.

Can I use homemade seasoning in dishes other than tacos?

Yes! Homemade taco seasoning can be used to flavor various dishes such as fajitas, enchiladas, burritos, chili, soups, and more. It adds a delicious Mexican-inspired flavor to a wide range of recipes.

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Recipe Rating




14 Responses
  1. B

    5 stars
    This is great! I have a question about the cornmeal. Why use it? The spices tasted great when I checked it before adding cornmeal, which I chose to leave out.

  2. Becca

    We use ground chicken to make our tacos. Would you recommend the same 3-1/2 Tablespoons seasoning plus 3/4 cup of water when using the ground chicken? Thank you so much!

  3. Karen

    Bless you, Lauren. I’m making taco soup tonight for my husband’s aunt, who is GF. But guess who didn’t have any GF taco seasoning?

    Thanks for coming in clutch!

  4. Arpita Patel

    5 stars
    Made this when my son was home from college and it certainly passed the taste test! I will use this recipe from now on. Very easy to put together with ingredients I had in my cupboard.

  5. Amanda

    Is this comparable to the *mild* McCormick seasoning, heat wise? My kids love that one, but every homemade mix I’ve tried has been WAY to hot for them.

    I’m hoping this is what I’ve been searching for!

    1. Lauren

      It depends how spicy your chili powder is! If you have a mild one, then its mild! Also double check your paprika to make sure its smoked not spicy!

  6. Frank

    Hi,
    I see one of your taco recipes calls for a Lime Mojito Seasoning, but I can’t find the recipe for that. Would you be so kind as to send me your link to it? Thanks so much.

  7. Irene k

    Hi Lauren..love your family and your recipes. My one wish is that you would make the recipes shareable. I share them to my facebook page and refer to recipes on that site. Like if I want to make a dessert, your coconut cake doesn’t come up because I couldn’t “share” it. Unless there is a specific reason you are not able to share, it would so easy for many people to refer back to the recipes quickly and easily. Just a thought…have a wonderful day😊

    1. Lauren

      You can just copy and paste the link! But, yes, I am working on it 🙂 You can also find the recipes on my FB page and share them from there as well.

  8. DeAnna Mandigo

    5 stars
    This sounds great! I love tacos, and I love even more than eating them, cooking them homemade! I usually add some Vigo Yellow Rice with Saffron, and a can of Goya black beans. As for seasonings, I will use your recipe, but I don’t have access to smoked paprika. I have regular paprika, but I don’t think that’s very flavorful, so could I use 1 packet of Goya Sazon instead of the smoked paprika?

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