homemade taco seasoning recipe

Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe (with video)

This easy homemade taco seasoning recipe is the perfect way to spice up your dishes without worrying about added sugars, fillers, additives, and anti-caking agents found in many store bought taco seasonings. By making it yourself from scratch, you can control exactly what spices go into it and in what amount, including how much or little salt you want to add. It’s completely customizable to fit any dietary need or preference.

homemade taco seasoning recipe

Homemade Taco Seasoning

Convenience and affordability are key nowadays, especially in the kitchen. And, while I love a quick grab-and-go premixed taco seasoning, I also value freshness and whole food ingredients with no additives. Unfortunately, the cheaper options usually contain anti-caking agents, fillers, additives, and added sugars. Instead, I like to buy individual spices in bulk and make my own homemade taco seasoning in large batches that’ll last me for months. As a result, I don’t have to worry about the quality of ingredients and it’s a tried and true recipe, so I know it’ll taste good with pretty much anything!

Ways To Incorporate Homemade Taco Seasoning

You can use taco seasoning in so many ways. It’s not just for tacos! It’s a delicious way to add a blend of healthy spices to any dish to bring in some warmth, boldness, and a bit of spice. Here’s a few ideas on how to use it:

  • Add to any ground meat mixture. Add it to ground beef, ground chicken, or ground turkey to give it the perfect flavor for tacos, taco salads, burritos, burrito bowls, or even Mexican-inspired casseroles.
  • Make a Southwest Frittata. Take your breakfast frittata to the next level by adding taco seasoning to the mix. Try my Southwest Breakfast Frittata recipe here.
  • Spice up your seafood. Season shrimp or fish with this taco seasoning for fish tacos, shrimp tacos, fajitas, shrimp salad, etc.
  • Add it to casseroles. Give any casserole a twist by adding this taco seasoning to it!
homemade taco seasoning recipe

Homemade vs Store-Bought

In my opinion, there are many reasons to choose homemade taco seasoning over store bought brands. Here’s why:

  • No fillers or additives. Many store-bought taco seasonings contain things like corn starch (usually from genetically modified corn) and even vegetable oils, which I personally like to avoid.
  • No added sugars. Adding sugar to taco seasoning is unnecessary, in my opinion, to achieve a delicious flavor.
  • No anti-caking agents. To keep the seasonings from getting too clumpy and to extend shelf life, some brands add things like silicon dioxide, which I’m not a fan of.
  • It’s cheaper in the long run. If you buy individual spices in bulk, it’s actually cheaper to make homemade taco seasoning in the longrun.
  • It’s customizable to fit your taste and dietary preferences. If you need to reduce the amount of salt for dietary reasons, you can do so! Or, maybe you don’t like spice – take away the chili flakes. This recipe is very customizable.
homemade taco seasoning recipe

Taco Seasoning Ingredients

So, what does taco seasoning consist of? It’s a blend of delicious, warming spices that you probably already have in your pantry.

  • Chili Powder – This is the base/foundation to a good taco seasoning blend.
  • Cumin – After chili powder, cumin is the next important because it adds a warm, nutty, earthy flavor to the mix.
  • Sea Salt and Pepper – I like to use celtic sea salt and fresh ground pepper, but any type is fine.
  • Paprika – You can use regular or smoked.
  • Garlic Powder – Gives it a garlic-y flare.
  • Onion Powder – Adds a kick on onion flavor.
  • Dried Oregano – This rounds the flavor out with an herbal taste.
  • Red Pepper Flakes – This adds extra spice. Feel free to leave this out.
homemade taco seasoning recipe

How To Store Homemade Taco Seasoning

Store your homemade taco seasoning in an airtight container (preferably glass) and keep it in a cool dark place (i.e. cabinet). It’ll stay fresh for up to six months.

homemade taco seasoning recipe

How Much Taco Seasoning is in a Packet?

If a recipe calls for 1 packet of taco seasoning, most store bought packets contain 2-3 Tablespoons of seasoning. I would suggest starting with 2 Tbsp of seasoning. Then, give it a taste to see if you want to add another tablespoon.

Watch Me Make It Below

homemade taco seasoning recipe

Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe

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This homemade taco seasoning recipe is my absolute favorite and free of added sugars, fillers, anti-caking agents, etc. I like to add it to ground beef, chicken, and turkey as well as casseroles, frittatas, and more. Feel free to multiply the recipe for batch prepping. It’ll stay fresh at room temperature for up to 6 months.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 2 servings

Video

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Tbsp Chili Powder
  • 1.5 tsp Cumin
  • 1 tsp Black Pepper
  • 1 tsp Sea Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Paprika (regular or smoked)
  • 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Dried Oregano
  • 1/4 tsp Red Pepper Flakes

Instructions
 

  • Add all ingredients to a small bowl.
    homemade taco seasoning recipe
  • Mix until fully combined.
    homemade taco seasoning recipe
  • Transfer taco seasoning to a spice jar or regular jar and store at room temperature for up to 6 months.
    homemade taco seasoning recipe

For Use:

  • Add 2-3 Tbsp of the taco seasoning to every 1 lb of ground beef, chicken, turkey, etc. once the meat has fully cooked through.
  • Feel free to add a splash of water to keep the meat from drying out and continue cooking until all of the meat has soaked up the seasoning.

Notes

Two tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning is equivalent to 1 store bought packet of taco seasoning.
Keyword diy taco seasoning, homemade taco seasoning, homemade taco seasoning recipe, taco seasoning, taco seasoning recipe
Did you make this recipe? Be sure to tag me on Instagram!@KaylaJChandler or #FeelinFabWithKayla

Looking for More Healthy Recipes?

If you’re on the search for more healthy recipe ideas, here’s a few of my favorites.

 

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