Homemade Taco Seasoning is easy to make and tastes so much better than store-bought. Loaded with an abundance of flavor and a tiny bit of heat, taco seasoning gets used more than anything else in my spice cupboard.
It is beyond simple to stir together this Mexican spice mix and it will save you time when you are cooking later. My family eats a lot of Mexican food and for years I have used taco seasoning regularly in countless recipes.
Mexican Seasoning
About ten years ago, I decided to try making my own taco seasoning recipe and I’m so glad I did. I found a basic recipe for taco seasoning over on Allrecipes.com long ago and over the years, I’ve tweaked and adapted it to our tastes.
It makes sense to prepare a double or triple batch of this seasoning mix and keep it on hand at all times.
Just a bit spicier than standard taco mixes and completely adaptable to your individual tastes, these are some of my favorite Mexican spices in the kitchen.
Homemade Taco Seasoning
I use this Homemade Taco Seasoning at least 3-4 times a week and I keep it on hand at all times. My kids already know to stir a new batch together when it’s running low.
This is probably the most used spice staple in my pantry. Just a spoonful will add an abundance of flavor to any meal.
Homemade spice mixes always taste so much better than store-bought and they’re surprisingly easy to make too. If you haven’t tried it yet, you need to put Homemade Crazy Salt on your must-try list.
This Homemade Italian Seasoning is another favorite that gets used constantly in my cooking. Jamaican Jerk Seasoning, Homemade Mild Curry Powder, and Harissa Dry Spice Mix are great ones to try as well.
Many of our favorite recipes use this Taco Seasoning. The Best Taco Meat has been a hit with everyone who tries it along with Taco Meatballs.
I keep a package of that taco meat cooked and ready to use in the freezer almost all the time.
Slow Cooker Steak Fajitas are a dinner that almost cooks itself and these Black Bean Taco Nachos are a kid and adult favorite for lunches and for dinners.
The Southwest Chicken Skillet is filled with plenty of vegetables and an abundance of flavor from these Mexican spices.
Kitchen Tip: I use these jars to make this recipe.
Taco Seasoning Recipe
- In a jar or small mixing bowl, combine chili powder, red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, oregano, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and pepper.
- Shake or stir to combine.
- Store in an airtight container until ready to use.
Taco Seasoning Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons of chili powder I used NM Red Chili Powder
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl, stir together all of the spices. Store the seasoning mix in an airtight container. I keep mine in a glass mason jar in my spice cabinet.
Nutrition
{originally published 10/17/11 – recipe notes and photos updated 6/29/21}
Kim Burke says
I added your mix to some Jackfruit for some vegan tacos and it was great. My only change was half paprika and half of the smoked paprika.
Mary Younkin says
That’s awesome, Kim. I am thrilled that you liked it!
Colleen Hufford says
My goal during this Corona virus is to try new recipes and remove more preservatives out of our food. My question is how much of your taco mixture is needed for 1 pound of meat. Thank you, Colleen
Mary Younkin says
We use 2-4 tablespoons per pound of meat, Colleen. It depends on how spicy you like it.
Linda says
I would like to make this to give as gifts. Could you share the instructions to use the mix comparable to a packet of mix I would purchase in a store?
Mary Younkin says
That would be 2 – 2 1/2 tablespoons per seasoning packet, Linda.
Tracey says
I am really eager to try your blend, but could I just ask how long this stores for?
Mary Younkin says
This will keep for months without any issues, Tracey.
Linn says
Mary I really liked the combination of flavors. I used this mixture to season freshly cooked pinto beans. It’s a keeper for me. I am looking forward to try it with ground beef. Just for my preference I will use a bit less smoked paprika. Thanks!
Mary Younkin says
That’s awesome, Linn. I’m glad you like the seasoning mix.
Tami says
I have made this at least 5 times now. It is the best flavor and you know there is no other fillers in it. Can’t imagine using anything else again! Thank you so much!
Mary Younkin says
I’m thrilled that you like it so much, Tami!
Kathryn Trane says
Just wondering how hot this is. We have 3 little ones under 6 who love tacos.
Mary Younkin says
It isn’t especially spicy, Kathryn, but you might want to try adding it in slowly to see how strong it is.
Maggie Sallah says
Hi, Mary! So excited to use your recipe.
Quick question – do you add any water to the meat and mixture while browning and simmering?
Thanks!
Mary Younkin says
I do not add water, Maggie.
Maggie Sallah says
Oops I didn’t see this reply! I thought I messed up when trying to post so I reposted
Sorry and thanks!
Bob says
Mary, thank you for this great recipe; I plan to try it in the immediate future.
My current go-to recipe for taco rub/seasoning is very similar to yours but I like to tweak mine from time to time just for the sake of variety, hence my browsing the internet and running across your recipe.
In doing my research on taco spices I analyzed about a dozen highly-rated recipes and yours was the one that looked best for fine-tuning my own recipe’s ingredients and proportions.
Compared to your recipe, I substitute sweet paprika or reduce the amount of smoked paprika to cut the smoky taste a bit.
If you don’t have smoked paprika on hand, a good substitute is ground chipotle pepper, which provides the smoky taste and a bit more pepper heat.
Thanks again.
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you like the recipe, Bob. I’ve made this with sweet paprika as well and it works nicely both ways. Personally, we love the smoky paprika best.
Maggie Sallah says
Seasoning is fabulous!
Do you add water to the meat when cooking?
Pauline Gray says
Thank you Mary, I’m going to try and make jumbo liar and the person who told me about it said she uses Mexican spices so I will definitely stir some into a jar and keep in in the fridge. Much appreciate the information you gave out thank you
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you like the seasoning mix, Pauline!
Lori Sims says
Oh my goodness! I absolutely love this. I made some yesterday and was afraid of the chili powder but this came out and tasted perfect. 🙂 Thank you.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad you like the seasoning, Lori!
Julie says
FINALLY!! I’ve been looking for an amazing mix of taco seasoning! THANK YOU!!
Mary Younkin says
I’m thrilled that you like the spice blend, Julie.
Elana McClure says
Delicious!!! Made a believer out of me, no more seasoning packets in this house!!
Mary Younkin says
I’m happy to hear that you’re enjoying the spice mix, Elana!
Susan Carpenter says
My family does not eat cumin, it tastes like soap. How can I adjust the recipe for them and me?
Mary Younkin says
Feel free to skip the cumin if you don’t care for it, Susan.
Jacqui says
It had the perfect amount of heat!
Susan says
Sounds yummy, why is the oregano & cumin crossed off?
Thank you Susan
Mary Younkin says
You have the ability to click the ingredient box next to the item if you don’t wish to use it. You may have accidentally bumped that in your settings.
Norma Garcia says
I love it, for years I’ve been doing it this way and have never gone back to store packet taco seasoning.
Mary Younkin says
Norma- Pantry staple and so easy!
Emily says
I’ve tried a few recipes and like this one but I don’t add any cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes. I also cut the oregano in half. Guess it really isn’t her recipe anymore 😏 but I liked it as a guide.
Elaine says
I tried it! It came out too spicy will cut the cayenne and pepper flakes and pepper down a bit . But loved the taste!