I used to get the store-bought taco seasoning until a friend suggested I try the homemade taco seasoning recipe. Since then, I haven’t looked back at the store-bought ones!
This Mexican seasoning blend is not only easy to make, but it is much better than the store-bought ones. They taste better, and they are much healthier too.
There’s no filler in the homemade version like with the store-bought ones. And you don’t have to worry about MSG, added sugar, or any kind of additives.
You will probably already have all the ingredients in your pantry, and it’s cheaper and has fresher flavors. So, let’s take a look at how you can make your own DIY taco seasoning at home!
Why You’ll Love This Taco Seasoning
- When you make your own spicy or mild taco seasoning, you get to be in control of the bold flavors and balanced spice.
- It is way faster to make it at home than running to the store.
- The whole thing is very customizable. So, you can decide if you want mild, spicy, or low-sodium taco seasoning.
- You can make this your own chicken taco seasoning, or use it for other things like chicken and veggies.
What Is Taco Seasoning Made Of?
- The core flavor profile of this pantry spice mix is smoky, savory, and slightly spicy.
- You’ll be using common spices, like chilli powder, cumin, paprika, etc.
- This taco seasoning mix works well with everything, even if you’re not going for a Mexican-style dinner.
Ingredients for Taco Seasoning
- Chilli Powder: You can mix dried chillis with pasilla, ancho, or cayenne to your taste.
- Ground Cumin: This is a very important ingredient, and it gives off an earthy and slightly nutty flavor.
- Garlic Powder: Adds a savory garlic flavor.
- Onion Powder: This will add a flavorful onion flavor to your seasoning for taco meat.
- Dried Oregano: Adds a slightly bitter, yet herby flavor.
- Smoked Paprika: This will add color to the spice mix, as well as make for a spicy taco seasoning.
- Fine Salt: Salt only enhances the other spice flavors.
- Black Pepper: This will give your blend a spicy kick.
- Red Pepper Flakes: Adds more heat to the blend.
How Much Taco Seasoning to Use
- If you’re cooking about 1lb or 500 g of ground beef, you need about 2 tablespoons of this ground beef taco seasoning mix, which is about 30 g.
- And for cooking 1lb of ground taco meat, you need to add ½ to ¾ cup of water or broth.
- Now, after simmering, you can adjust the taste by adding more cumin or chilli powder and even a bit of lime juice.
How to Use Taco Seasoning (Beyond Tacos)
- Taco Meat: You can obviously use this seasoning for different types of taco meat, like beef, chicken, or turkey.
- Roasted Veggies: If you are cooking a simple dish of roasted veggies, you can add this seasoning to make it taste delicious.
- Taco Rice or Cheesy Rice: When cooking taco rice or cheesy rice, you can use this blend to enhance the flavors.
- Soups: You can use this blend in different soups.
- Nachos, Quesadillas, Burritos: You can make these with your taco seasoning.
- Marinades and Dips: Use the store-bought taco seasoning substitute to make marinades and dips.
Storage & Shelf Life
- You can store this easy taco seasoning mix in different airtight glass jars made for spices.
- To store the seasoning, you should make sure the container is airtight and keep it in a cool, dark, and dry area.
- This seasoning mix stays fresh for up to 6 months.
- You can label your jar to keep this meal prep taco seasoning when you need it for meal prep.
Flavor Variations
- You can make a mild taco seasoning version with no heat or spices.
- Add extra cayenne to make a spicy taco seasoning.
- Use smoked paprika for a smoky version of this blend.
- Make a low-sodium version with less salt.
- You can also make a Fajita-style version using more oregano and lime pairing.
Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe – Better Than Store Bought
You don’t have to think about buying taco seasoning when you can make this homemade taco seasoning recipe, which is far better than store-bought.
Servings4 Servings
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp / 8 g Chili powder
- 1 tsp / 2 g Ground Cumin
- ½ tsp / 1.5 g Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp / 2 g Onion Powder
- 1 tsp / 2 g Dried Oregano
- 1 tsp / 2 g Smoked Paprika
- 1 tsp / 6 g Fine Salt
- ¼ tsp / 0.5 g Black Pepper
- ¼ tsp / 0.5 g Red Pepper Flakes
Equipments
Instructions
Measure the Spices
- Make sure you measure the spices correctly by using a measuring spoon and flattening the spoonful of spices with a knife for exact measurements.
Mix Until Well Combined
- Mix the measured chilli powder, ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes into a bowl.
Store in an Airtight Container
- Transfer the mixture into an airtight container and store in a cool and dark place.
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Recipe FAQs
Is homemade taco seasoning healthier than store-bought?
Yes, homemade taco seasoning is much healthier than store-bought.
Can I make taco seasoning without chili powder?
Yes, you can make a mild taco seasoning version without adding chilli powder.
What’s the difference between taco seasoning and fajita seasoning?
In the case of fajita seasoning vs. taco seasoning, the fajita version has more oregano and lime pairing.
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