Julie Steinkamp If you have ever grabbed one of those little packets of taco seasoning at the store, you already know they work — but have you ever looked at the ingredient list? There is a lot going on in there that you just do not need. Once you start making your own homemade taco seasoning, you will wonder why you ever bought the packets in the first place! It comes together in about 5 minutes, costs way less, and you know exactly what is going into your family’s tacos. Truly, this is one of my favorite things to always have stocked in the pantry!
Why you’ll love this recipe!
So fast and easy. We are talking 5 minutes, one bowl, and a spoon. That is genuinely all it takes. Mix everything together and you are good to go!
You control what goes in it. No fillers, no anti-caking agents, no mystery ingredients — just real spices from your pantry. Clean eating does not have to be complicated!
Way more economical. One batch makes enough seasoning for several taco nights. When you are feeding the kiddos regularly, those little packets add up fast. Buying spices in bulk and mixing your own saves so much money over time.
Totally customizable. Want it spicier? Add a little more red chili flakes. Feeding littles who can’t handle the heat? Pull back on the pepper. You can tweak it exactly to your family’s taste!
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What ingredients are needed for Homemade Taco Seasoning?
Chili powder — This is the base of the whole blend and you will use the most of it. I use 5 tablespoons, which gives it that classic taco flavor. Grab a good quality chili powder and it makes all the difference!
Garlic powder — Three tablespoons of garlic powder gives the seasoning so much depth of flavor.
Salt — Four tablespoons of salt seasons everything perfectly.
Onion powder — Two tablespoons round out that savory flavor. Paired with the garlic powder, it makes the whole blend taste so much better than anything from a packet.
Paprika — Two tablespoons of paprika add a beautiful color and a mild, slightly sweet pepper flavor.
Cumin — Two tablespoons of cumin is what really makes this taste like taco seasoning. It has that warm, earthy, slightly smoky flavor that is so iconic in Mexican-inspired dishes. Do not skip this one!
Black pepper — Four teaspoons of black pepper adds just a little bit of heat and brightness.
Oregano — One tablespoon of dried oregano gives the blend a little herby, savory note. It is one of those ingredients that you might not notice if it is in there, but you would definitely notice if it was missing!
Red chili flakes — Just ½ tablespoon gives the seasoning a gentle kick without making it too spicy for the kiddos. If your family loves heat, feel free to bump this up a bit!
Brown sugar — One tablespoon of brown sugar might surprise you, but it perfectly balances all of the savory and spicy elements. It gives the seasoning a really nice depth of flavor. Trust me on this one!
I order quite a few of my spices from Thrive Market. They make it easy to find clean ingredients and ship straight to my door. If that is something you are interested in, here is a link to try it out and you can get 40% off your first order! Azure Standard is another great option especially if you are looking to purchase in bulk! Everything can also be found in the grocery store too!
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Tools you may need
Mixing bowl — Any size mixing bowl works great for combining all of the spices together. I love this set!
Measuring spoons — You will need a good set of measuring spoons to get all of those proportions right! These ones are my favorites.
Mason jar or airtight container — Once you have your seasoning mixed, you want to store it in something airtight so it stays fresh. A wide-mouth mason jar works perfectly and looks so cute on the spice shelf!
How to make Homemade Taco Seasoning:
I promise this is one of the easiest recipes on the blog. You just need your spices, a bowl, and a few minutes!
Step 1 — Measure out all of your spices
Add all of the spices directly to your mixing bowl — the chili powder, garlic powder, salt, onion powder, paprika, cumin, black pepper, oregano, red chili flakes, and brown sugar. 
Step 2 — Mix it all together
Use a spoon or spatula and stir everything together until the blend is completely uniform and evenly combined. This only takes about a minute! You want to make sure all of those spices are really incorporated so every scoop has all that great flavor.
Step 3 — Transfer to an airtight container
Carefully pour your homemade taco seasoning into a mason jar or airtight container. A wide-mouth jar makes this really easy without making a big mess! Store it in your pantry or spice cabinet and it will stay fresh for several months.
Step 4 — Use it in your tacos!
When you are ready for taco night, brown your ground beef, drain the fat, and add 1½ tablespoons of this seasoning per pound of meat. Stir it in and let it cook for just a minute or two. That is it — the most flavorful taco meat your family has ever had! The kiddos absolutely love taco night around here and knowing exactly what is in our seasoning makes it even better.
FAQs
How long does homemade taco seasoning last?
Stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, this seasoning will stay fresh for up to 6 months. For the best flavor, use it within 3 months. Dried spices do lose their potency over time, so a fresh batch always tastes best! Please keep in mind there are no anticaking agents so the spices may harden together. This is totally normal, just mix it up with a fork and it’s good to go!
How much seasoning do I use per pound of meat?
Use 1½ tablespoons of this homemade taco seasoning per pound of cooked, drained ground beef. That is about the equivalent of one store-bought packet, so it is a really easy swap!
Can I make this less spicy?
Absolutely! If you are feeding little ones who are sensitive to spice, you can reduce or leave out the red chili flakes and cut back on the black pepper. It will still taste amazing, just with a milder kick.
Can I use this seasoning for things other than taco meat?
Yes! This seasoning is great on chicken, shrimp, roasted vegetables, in soups, and even sprinkled on roasted potatoes. It is such a handy blend to have on hand. Once you start making your own, you will find yourself reaching for it all the time!
Looking for more recipes made from scratch?
If you loved making your own taco seasoning, you might also enjoy these!
Quick Homemade Baguettes
Fermented Honey Garlic
Homemade Yogurt in the Instant Pot
Caesar Salad Pasta Salad
Ground Beef Korean Bowls
If you make this homemade taco seasoning, I would love to hear what you think! Leave a 5-star rating and a comment below — it means the world to me. And if you share a photo of your taco night on Instagram, tag me so I can see it! I love seeing my recipes come to life!
I’d love for you to follow along @julie.natruallychaotic over on Instagram!
Thanks for stopping by, see you next time!
Homemade Taco Seasoning
Skip the packet! This homemade taco seasoning takes 5 minutes and uses simple pantry spices. Your family will love taco night even more!
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp. garlic powder
- 2 tbsp. onion powder
- 1 tbsp. oregano
- 5 tbsp. chili powder
- 2 tbsp. paprika
- 4 tsp. black pepper
- 1/2 tbsp. red chili flakes
- 4 tbsp. salt
- 2 tbsp. cumin
- 1 tbsp. brown sugar
Instructions
- Add all of the spices directly to your mixing bowl — the chili powder, garlic powder, salt, onion powder, paprika, cumin, black pepper, oregano, red chili flakes, and brown sugar.
- Use a spoon or spatula and stir everything together until the blend is completely uniform and evenly combined.
- Carefully pour your homemade taco seasoning into a mason jar or airtight container. A wide-mouth jar makes this really easy without making a big mess!
