Homemade Taco Seasoning
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Homemade taco seasoning is quick and easy to make, and you probably have all the ingredients you need in your kitchen pantry right now. It’s a perfectly balanced seasoning that is delicious on tacos, burritos, chicken, rice, and more.
Store-bought taco seasoning might taste good, but it’s often loaded with additives and hard-to-pronounce ingredients. That’s one of the main reasons I like to make my own.
The other reason is just as important: it tastes better. Fresh spices bring so much more flavor, and since I don’t add salt to the mix, I can season each recipe exactly the way I like it. This blend uses six pantry-staple spices to create that classic Tex-Mex flavor—and as a bonus, making it yourself is way less expensive than buying the packets.
For a different variation, try my fajita seasoning next!
How to use taco seasoning
Use this taco seasoning to add a bit of Tex-Mex flavor to all your favorite dishes.
Use 2-3 tablespoons per pound of meat.
(It is typically recommended to use 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning per pound of meat. But we like our food extra flavorful, so we often add three tablespoons.)
If you’re worried that you won’t use a whole batch of homemade taco seasoning, have no fear. There are lots of ways to use this tasty seasoning mix!
- To season baked fries.
- On hashbrowns.
- In a Tex-Mex casserole.
- Add it to your favorite chili recipe.
- To season enchiladas.
- In chicken taco soup.
- On baked chicken.
Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 tablespoons sweet or smoked paprika (see notes)
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon oregano
- Optional: 1 teaspoon cayenne (if you like it spicy)
Instructions
- Mix the ingredients in a small bowl.2 tablespoons chili powder, 2 tablespoons sweet or smoked paprika, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon cumin, 1 tablespoon oregano, Optional: 1 teaspoon cayenne
- Store in a jar in your pantry.
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
Why sweet paprika… to tone it down? Isn’t it just another (bell) pepper? And then add Cayenne, another hot pepper? Chili are hot peppers.
The cayenne is optional. If you want lots of spice, you can substitute spicy paprika and use the optional cayenne.
This is my favorite taco seasoning ever!!
I am thrilled to hear that! Thank you for letting me know!
This is such a great tacos seasoning mix! We made it twice already and used it for jackfruit tacos that we ate with guests and it was a hit every time! So flavourful and balanced!
Thank you for this recipe! I am making an other batch today. 10 stars! 🌟
Do you add any water when cooking?
That depends on what you’re making!
Really liked this recipe. I did add sea salt to it. Nice flavor and wasn’t spicy even with adding Cayenne.
You are right, I had all the ingredients for this taco seasoning right in my pantry! Move over prepacked seasoning.
I love your taco seasoning. It is really handy to have in the cupboard and so much cheaper than buying the shop-bought seasoning too.
This is our GO TO taco seasoning! We use it for a taco skillet and a chili recipe all the time, the best! Thank you!
Yes!!!!! I love the addition of smoked paprika! Love having a jar of this stuff ready to go!
I have a question. How can you call this homemade if you are using premixed chili powder? I have yet to taste two chili powders that are the same. I have yet to try it, but it sounds delicious.
This sounds delicious! I love the pretty white bowl you used for the photos. Do you mind sharing where you found it?
This is a bit embarrassing but it’s my cat’s old water dish lol. I thought it was pretty too so I kept it to use after I bought her a new one. 🙂