Homemade Taco Seasoning

This Homemade Taco Seasoning recipe is quick and easy to prepare, with no fillers, thickeners, or preservatives – just spices! Taco Tuesday has never tasted so good!

Easy DIY Taco Seasoning

Taco seasoning is a very commonly used ingredient in so many recipes we make for dinner, from classic tacos to dishes like cheesy taco spaghetti and Mexican steak bites. And these taco seasoned oyster crackers have been a very popular snack!

Needless to say, we go through a pretty large amount of taco seasoning, so it only made sense to learn how to make it myself. This easy taco seasoning recipe is made with spices you likely already have in your cupboard and nothing else – no fillers or preservatives. The flavor is a thousand times better than anything you can get at the store and it can be prepared in just a few seconds.

If you love to make your own seasoning blends, then be sure to also check out our recipes for Homemade Chili Seasoning and Homemade Italian Seasoning Mix.

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Seasoning Blend

Here are just a few reasons why I love this easy taco seasoning recipe so much that I’ll never buy it at the store again.

• Quick and easy. It takes literal seconds to prepare this seasoning blend.
• No fillers, no additives, and no preservatives. This seasoning mix contains spices and nothing more.
• Uses common spices. Each ingredient in this recipe is a spice I almost always already have in the cupboard.
• Long shelf-life. Stored properly, this homemade taco seasoning will last for up to 6 months.

What’s In Taco Seasoning?

Taco seasoning is made up of a handful of common spices that you likely already have in your kitchen. See the recipe card below for measurements.

• Chili powder – Chili powder is made with a mix of different peppers and spices to provide a robust flavor.
• Paprika – I used regular paprika but smoked paprika works as well.
• Ground cumin
• Onion powder & garlic powder – These help to balance out the seasoning and create a more robust flavor, without making it too onion-y or garlicky.
• Cayenne pepper – Adds a mild heat but doesn’t make the seasoning too spicy.
• Oregano – Adds a bit of earthy flavor.
• Salt & Pepper – Finely ground sea salt is ideal and a much better option than table salt.
• Crushed red pepper optional – This ingredient adds a little spice, but it’s fine to leave it out for a mild seasoning mix.

How to Make Homemade Taco Seasoning

Once you realize how easy making homemade seasoning is, you’ll never grab another packet at the store.

• Combine the ingredients. Stir all the ingredients together until evenly combined.
• Adjust to taste. Feel free to give it a little taste test and adjust as desired.
• Store. Transfer the seasoning mix to spice jars and store until using.

Tip: use a funnel to make it easier to transfer the mixture into the spice jars.

Can I Make A Larger Amount?

Absolutely. If you tend to go through a lot of taco seasoning, feel free to double or triple the ingredients. (Or just make extra to share! Homemade spice mixes are a great gift.)

Ways to Use Homemade Taco Seasoning

There are SO many ways to use this seasoning mix. Don’t feel like you’re limited to just basic tacos. Here are a few other ideas:

• Taco meat – The classic way to use this seasoning. Just cook ground beef (or chicken or turkey) in a skillet then add the taco seasoning to taste. Use in recipes like walking tacos, mini beef tacos, taco lasagna, Dorito taco salad, Fritos taco salad, taco pizza, taco soup, and more.
• Fajitas – Season the meat with some of the taco seasoning, then pan-fry or grill. Add more seasoning to taste. Or try my sheet pan steak fajitas or chicken fajitas nachos.
• Shredded chicken – Place chicken breasts in a slow cooker with 1/2 cup water and a couple of tablespoons of taco seasoning. Cook on low until fork tender. Shred and serve as a taco or burrito filling. You can also use it to make Instant Pot shredded chicken.

How Much Taco Seasoning Equals One Packet?

Most packets of taco seasoning are 1 ounce, which is roughly equal to 3 tablespoons. This recipe makes much more than that, so you’re basically making several packets at the same time.

Proper Storage

Store the taco seasoning mix in a dry place for up to 6 months. Your spice cabinet or pantry would be the best place in the kitchen to keep the mix. Be sure to keep it in a sealed, airtight container. Spice jars are ideal, though any glass or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid will work.

More Mexican-Inspired Recipes:

• Carne Asada Tacos
• Tamale Casserole
• Crockpot Queso Blanco
• Pork Carnitas