There’s no need to ever buy taco seasoning at the store again! This recipe for taco seasoning is so easy to make, uses simple spices you probably already have stocked up in the cabinet and comes together in just 5 minutes.
I am a taco lover, y’all. Like I’m pretty sure that if I had to choose one food to eat for the rest of my life it just might have to be tacos. And I’m not even ashamed to admit that the kind of tacos I’m absolutely talkin’ about are the Old El Paso kind. You know the ones? Fully loaded with perfectly spiced ground beef and ALL OF THE TOPPINGS stuffed into a crisp hard shell (my fav) or a soft flour tortilla. I’ve loved them for as long as I could remember. So believe me when I tell you that I know a good taco when I see one. And that yes, the key to a good taco, amongst other things, definitely lies in the way the filling is seasoned.
That’s why I don’t play around when it comes to my taco seasoning. Hence why you’ll never see a manufactured packet of taco seasoning in my cart at the grocery store. Honestly, I can’t even tell you the last time I bought one! Even when I’m in a pinch, I can’t find a good enough reason not to whip up this homemade version in under the time it would take me to get out of my pjs and go to the grocery store to get one. You feel me?
Taco seasoning is one of those kitchen staples I believe that every chef or home cook should know how to make. The best part (about anything homemade) is that you get to control exactly what goes into it and unlike the store bought version, you’ll be damned if there are any ingredients you simply can’t pronounce. Am I right? It’s cheaper in the long run, easily customizable for things like spice level and, with a shelf life of up to a year, you can make a big batch to always keep on hand.
And now that you’ve always got your own homemade taco seasoning lingering in the pantry, the options of turning anything into a taco have risen SUBSTANTIALLY. You’re welcome.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE YOUR OWN HOMEMADE TACO SEASONING MIX
I take pride in my spice cabinet! I’ve always been a firm believer in being able to achieve a world of flavour just by experimenting with them. Making homemade spice mixes is one of my favourite things to whip up in the kitchen especially when they’re as quick and easy as this homemade taco seasoning is. I hope you’ll join me in adding it to the list of things you’ll never buy from the store again. As always, using fresh and good quality spices will give you the best results. Let’s discuss the spices needed to bring it to life in a little bit more detail down below:
- Chili Powder: The base of this taco seasoning recipe. Don’t worry. Chili powder sounds spicy but it’s not at all. It adds an Earthy, warm and slightly sweet flavour to the seasoning.
- Cumin: Where that pungent smoky Earthy and hearty flavour comes from. Cumin is a popular spice in many Mexican dishes.
- Paprika: Adds vibrance and flavour to this homemade taco seasoning recipe. For a smokier bite, try using smoked paprika instead of regular.
- Garlic Powder: Cause is it really a homemade seasoning without a little bit of garlic? Adds balance and the perfect garlicky bite to the seasoning.
- Onion Powder: Adds a subtle onion flavour to this taco seasoning recipe.
- Oregano: Adds flavour and freshness to this recipe for homemade taco seasoning.
- Cayenne: Adds a little bit of heat and a spicy kick to the seasoning. However, this recipe for taco seasoning mix is on the mild side. Therefore, if you like things more on the spicer side, add more cayenne pepper. You can use chili flakes instead, if you prefer.
- Salt and Pepper: Balances out the flavours of the rest of the ingredients and makes this homemade taco seasoning pop!
HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN TACO SEASONING (KEY TIPS)
You can find full instructions for how to make this quick and easy recipe for taco seasoning mix in the recipe card down below. But here are a few quick tips to keep in mind:
- Use fresh, potent and good quality spices for best results. Keep in mind that spices start to lose their potency and degrade over time. So, beginning with the freshest spices is key and will give you the best results. It’ll also give your homemade taco seasoning the longest shelf life.
- Make sure all of the spices are well combined. Add them to a bowl and whisk very well. Or, to save on time (and dishes!) you can add the spices directly to the jar you’re going to store the seasoning in. That way, all you have to do is secure it with a lid, shake vigorously and store.
- Run the seasoning through a sifter or sieve (fine mesh strainer) to smooth it out if you notice any clumps.
- Store your homemade taco seasoning in a cool, dry place such as a spice cabinet or pantry for best and longest lasting results. If kept in an airtight container or sealed jar, this homemade taco seasoning will last for up to a year! Could that your sign to double (or triple!) the batch?!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I’m glad you asked! The first step to being successful in making your own seasonings and spice mixes from scratch yourself at home is to know what’s in them! You can always start by reading the label on the package at the grocery store to give you a general idea. Obviously homemade versions of anything will always be much better and healthier as they won’t contain all the crap and unpronounceable ingredients you’ll find in the grocery store versions.
Generally speaking, taco seasoning is a blend of chili powder, paprika, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Sometimes cayenne pepper or chili flakes are thrown into the mix to add a bit of heat.
You’re used to buying your taco seasoning from the grocery store. I get it – they’re convenient and measured out to perfection. So, the only thing holding you back from giving this homemade recipe a go is the fact that you’ll have no clue how to get that perfect seasoning to meat ratio again. Fear not! Use about 3 tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning mix to replace 1 packet of store bought taco seasoning. Personally, I find the perfect ratio to be 3 tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning (aka the equivalent to 1 store bought packet) per every pound of taco meat.
If stored in an airtight jar or container and kept in a cool, dry place (such as a pantry or a spice cabinet), this homemade taco seasoning will last for up to a whole year! Yup. That’s right! You really can’t go wrong with doubling the batch to make sure you always have some on hand for quick and easy taco dinners (even when it’s not Tuesday!)
EASY RECIPE FOR TACO SEASONING
There's no need to ever buy taco seasoning at the store again when this recipe for taco seasoning is so easy to make, uses simple spices you probably already have stocked up in the cabinet and comes together in just 5 minutes.
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp Chili Powder
- 2 tbsp Cumin
- 2 tbsp Smoked (or regular) Paprika
- 1 tbsp Salt
- 1 tbsp Pepper
- 2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 2 tsp Onion Powder
- 2 tsp Oregano
- 1/2 tsp Cayenne
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a bowl or the jar you plan to store the seasoning in. Whisk well or shake vigorously to combine. Store, sealed, in a cool, dry place for up to one year.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 200Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 7924mgCarbohydrates: 36gFiber: 17gSugar: 3gProtein: 9g
Nutrition is only an estimate and calculated using Nutritionix.
SEE THIS HOMEMADE TACO SEASONING MIX IN ACTION IN MY QUICK AND EASY TACO GROUND BEEF RECIPE!
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