Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe for Tacos, Soup, Chili, and More
This homemade taco seasoning recipe is made with simple pantry spices for an easy from-scratch seasoning blend full of flavor. It comes together in just minutes and works perfectly for tacos, taco soup, chili, dips, and more. Keeping homemade seasoning blends on hand is one of the simplest ways to make homemade meals feel easier on busy days.
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Making your own taco seasoning is an easy way to start transitioning away from relying on prepackaged food and toward keeping more from-scratch staples on hand. Making the switch to homemade can feel overwhelming at first, but you don’t have to do it all at once— and truth be told, I don’t. I still use some prepackaged options because life just gets busy sometimes, but this homemade taco seasoning is one of my favorite swaps. I love it because it is made with simple ingredients, takes only a few minutes to mix up, and it helps save money too!
There are no fillers or junk used here, just simple herbs, spices, and salt. Simple basic ingredients always win! I have started seeing some cleaner taco seasoning options at the grocery store, but they are often expensive, and the cheaper ones typically contain some not-so-desirable ingredients – vegetable oil, cornstarch, maltodextrin – no thanks!
One of the things I love most about making a DIY taco seasoning mix is that you get to control the ingredients and flavors of your blend. I love it for tacos of course, but I use it in so many other dishes as well. The seasoning blend also works great in soups, dips, chili, and other weeknight dinners. Keeping homemade taco seasoning on hand is a simple way to stock your pantry with more wholesome from-scratch ingredients!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love this Homemade Taco Seasoning
- It comes together in just a few minutes
- Made with simple pantry herbs and spices
- Made without fillers or additives often found in store-bought packets
- Easy to adjust for mild or spicy flavor preference
- For more than just taco night – think soups, dips, chili, and more
- A practical from-scratch pantry staple for quick homemade meals
What You’ll Need to Make This Homemade Taco Seasoning
- Chili powder
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Oregano
- Smoked paprika
- Cumin
- Mineral salt
- Black pepper
How to Make This Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe
Making this taco seasoning blend is so easy and takes just a few minutes.
Measure out the herbs, spices, and salt. Place them in a bowl and stir until blended. Or you can place all of your ingredients in a pint-size jar, place the lid on, and shake it up!
Store in an airtight jar or container in a cool, dark pantry. If you choose to store it in a jar, I like these Ball Leak-Proof lids.
That’s it! It really is that simple.
Storage Tips
Store your seasoning blend in an airtight container in a cool, dark pantry. If you notice it starting to clump, try tucking a food-safe moisture-wicking clay packet into the container. For the best flavor, use it within six months. After that it’s still perfectly safe to use, but spices do lose their potency over time, so fresher is always better.
How Much Taco Seasoning to Use Per Pound of Meat
For most taco meat recipes, about 2-3 tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning works well for 1 pound of ground beef, chicken, or turkey. (For this recipe I recommend 3 tablespoons). If you prefer a stronger flavor, you can add more seasoning to taste.
After browning the meat, stir in the taco seasoning along with a small amount of water or broth (about 1/4 to 1/3 cup) and let it simmer for a few minutes so the flavors can blend together.
This homemade taco seasoning also works well in taco soup, chili, shredded chicken, and other easy from-scratch meals.
About 2 tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning is roughly equal to one store-bought seasoning packet. For this taco seasoning recipe I recommend using 3 tablespoons.
Ways to Use Homemade Taco Seasoning
Taco Night
- Ground beef tacos
- Chicken tacos
- Taco bowls
- Taco salad
Soups and Chili
- Chicken taco soup
- Homemade chili
More Ideas
- Roasted vegetables
- Taco dip
- Sheet pan meals
Homemade Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup chili powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 3 tablespoons cumin
- 1 tablespoon mineral salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a small mixing bowl or jar.
- Stir or shake well until the seasoning blend is evenly combined.
- Store in an airtight jar or container in a cool, dry pantry.
Notes
This recipe is adapted from Around the Family Table Cookbook by Glenda Groff.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much homemade taco seasoning equals one packet?
About 2-3 tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning is typically equal to one store-bought seasoning packet.
How much taco seasoning do I use per pound of meat?
Use 2 to 3 tablespoons of taco seasoning per 1 pound of ground beef, chicken, or turkey. Start with 2 and adjust to taste.
Is homemade taco seasoning healthier than store-bought?
It can be, since you control the ingredients. Many store-bought packets contain added fillers, excess sodium, and anti-caking agents, while homemade blends are made with simple pantry spices.
How long does homemade taco seasoning last?
Stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry pantry, homemade taco seasoning will stay fresh for about six months. Though it will still be perfectly safe after that, spices do lose flavor over time.
Can I make it without salt?
Yes. You can leave the salt out completely and add it later when cooking. This is a great option if you’re watching sodium.
What is homemade taco seasoning made of?
Homemade taco seasoning is made with simple pantry spices like chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. It’s a quick from-scratch blend that adds bold flavor without store-bought packets.
