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When you have homemade taco seasoning in your pantry, you never have to worry about running out on Taco Tuesday! This flavorful and versatile mix will quickly become a staple in your kitchen.
I’m not sure what the weather is like in your neck of the woods, but it’s downright swampy here in Ohio.
I’m not even exaggerating when I tell you it has been raining for weeks.
Since we rely heavily on our grill during the summer months, we’ve been having to get a little more creative in the dinner department. Let’s be real, no one wants to grill in the rain even if you do have a cute, giant umbrella overhead.
Since our summer staples like Grilled Garlic Basil Shrimp, Sweet and Spicy Beef Kebobs, burgers and grilled pork chops are pretty much out of the question for the foreseeable future, we’re eating all the tacos.
Because for one, tacos are amazing, and for two, tacos are super easy. And quite frankly, I’m all about that easy summer life right now.
As long as I have the essentials like taco shells, shredded lettuce, cheese and my homemade taco seasoning, we’re good to go.
Why you should make your own taco seasoning
There is nothing worse than being in the middle of making a recipe only to realize that you’re out of a key ingredient.
This has happened to me an embarrassing number of times. But these moments of pantry inconvenience have resulted in a number of my favorite recipes, including my favorite pumpkin pie spice, apple pie spice, homemade ranch seasoning, and chai spice blend.
I figured there had to be a way to make homemade taco seasoning, too. After all, I might as well avoid any future Taco Tuesday mishaps, right?
So here’s the thing: Not only does making your own taco seasoning mean you’re less likely to run out, but it gives you total control of the flavors.
Have you ever tasted the store-bought packets of taco seasoning on their own? They’re salty. They pretty much taste like salt with a dash of other seasonings thrown in.
But the homemade version actually tastes like the spices you use. Plus, you can control the heat level and salt content to match your family’s preferences or dietary needs.
Now whenever I made my own taco seasoning, I make a big batch and store it in my spice cabinet for everything under the sun.
Did you know?
Many commercial taco seasoning packets contain hidden gluten or whey. When you make homemade taco seasoning, you can be sure your seasonings are gluten free and dairy free and safe for friends and family with dietary restrictions.
What you’ll need for homemade taco seasoning
You’ll need a handful of spices for your DIY taco seasoning. There’s a good chance you already have most of what you need on hand!
You’ll need:
- Chili powder
- Ground cumin
- Black pepper
- Sea salt: I like to use fine sea salt in my seasoning mixes.
- Paprika: Use smoked paprika for more of a smoky flavor.
- Garlic powder: Granulated garlic will also work.
- Onion powder
- Dried oregano: I prefer using Mexican oregano in taco seasoning.
- Crushed red pepper flakes: Use less for a milder seasoning.
- Cayenne pepper: Omit for a milder seasoning or increase the amount for a spicier one.
You can pick up all of these at any grocery store, but you can also get high-quality spices at specialty stores for even more flavorful mixes.
Storage
Once you mix all of the ingredients for the homemade taco seasoning together, transfer the mix to an airtight container.
Small Weck jars are perfect for storing homemade seasoning mixes, but Mason jars and glass spice jars also work great.
Store spices in a cool, dark place at room temperature. When stored correctly and made with relatively fresh spices, this taco seasoning should keep for up to a year.
Using homemade taco seasoning
When replacing a 1-ounce packet of store-bought seasoning, you will need about 3 tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning.
Obviously it’s great for using in any of your favorite taco recipes or making meat for taco salad, nachos, burritos, and more. Ground beef, ground turkey, and even ground chicken are all made better with a bit of this seasoning.
You can also use it in any recipes that call for taco seasoning, such as soups and stews like crockpot taco soup, taco casserole, spicy taco cheese ball, 7-layer dip, and more.
It’s even great on roasted veggies, such as air fryer roasted potatoes.
I even like to use it as homemade chili seasoning, too.
Gasp! Yes. I know it’s controversial, but I like to use the same mix for tacos and chili.
I’ve found that taco and chili seasonings are usually so similar in flavor that it made sense to consolidate them in my pantry and use this mix for both! So I add it to hearty chili when the weather gets cold.
Turns out, being well prepared with flavorful homemade spice blends in your spice drawer can lend lots of flavor to nearly any recipe you make.
Homemade Taco Seasoning
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 4 teaspoons black pepper
- 3 teaspoons sea salt
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, add all of the ingredients and whisk to combine.4 tablespoons chili powder, 2 tablespoons ground cumin, 4 teaspoons black pepper, 3 teaspoons sea salt, 2 teaspoons paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Notes
- Stored in an airtight container, this spice blend will keep for up to a year.
- Use about 3 tablespoons of homemade seasoning to replace a 1-ounce packet of taco seasoning.
- makes about 2/3 cup
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
omg I want to to make it again again!
omit the water if you want, however it is import while simmering, blending, reheating etc. Add as yo may
.
Far beyond the best spice mixture I’ve seen, blends as it sits. Has a bit of a bite, might want to step back on the pepper, step up on the chili powder. Maybe teaspoon of sugar. absolutely the best. As another poster put, I will never go back to chili spice mixture again. Absolutely the the best base Ive tried
James-
Yay! So happy to hear you enjoyed the seasoning! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your feedback. Happy Baking!
-Jamie
In reading this thread I decided to look at my “Simply balanced” brand Organic chili powder jar to see if there was a list of ingredients other than just chili’s as I assumed. I was wrong. My “Simply balanced” “chili powder” includes: organic red chili, organic cumin, sea salt, organic oregano, and tri-calcium phosphate (anti-caking agent). I was surprised to learn that what I thought was just chili’s in my chili powder was not.
Having said that I will probably follow the above recipe, with using either less or no more added salt.
In the future I will read the ingredient list when buying spices.
Looking forward to enjoying chili for dinner tonight.
Thanks so much, Sandy! This has been quite the debate! ;)
Regarding the dispute over
the use of the term “chili powder”, I believe both sides are on the same page. The reason I say this is because using the generic phrase “chili powder” usually implies a blend of seasonings. However, Jamie is referencing pure, ground Ancho chili powder made clear by the link provided above. You all mean the same thing! For clarity in recipes, however, I can understand that it is probably best to state specifically which ground chili powder is used.
Being specific (i.e., ground Ancho chili powder) makes it
perfectly clear that the recipe does not call for a pre-mixed chili powder. I haven’t tried this recipe yet, but am going to very soon. It sounds fantastic.
Jamie, you are very patient! I just made this and it’s very good.
Thank you, Sharla! I’m so glad you liked it!
Michael and Annie made valid points, though I don’t think Michael understood the difference between prepackaged chilli seasoning such as Old El Paso, French’s etc… and basic chilli powder. Nor do you for that matter. Chilli powder is not JUST a blend of ground chillies. EVERY major spice retailer, IE: ClubHouse, McKormick’s etc … use a blend of ingredients to make chilli powder over and above just ground peppers!
Looking at my chilli powder under Safeway’s own label from their spice rack I read: chilli pepper, cumin, salt, oregano, garlic, silicon dioxide. The package of No Name generic powder I have lists that with the addition of coriander and cloves without SiOx. Perhaps you should visit the spice aisle and read the ingredient list on those jars of chilli powder and offer an apology. If you’ve been buying your spices and herbs in bulk then you probably wont see an ingredient list. Sorry to be a real jerk but you were so certain of yourself in shutting down Michael and Annie. I only stumbled on your page to find the correct proportion of other ingredients to add to my chilli powder to replicate the French’s Chilli-O seasoning packet I forgot to buy earlier when I was out and this just set me off.
I appreciate your feedback!
I actually added the whole mixture (sounds like a lot, it’s not) to a huge pot of chili I made. consisted of
1 large white onion
one large green pepper
2 cloves of garlic minced
1 can of diced tomoatos (not drained)
1 can tomato paste
1 can of tomato sauce
1 can of kidney beans
1 can of chick peas
1.5 pounds of ground beef
let simmer for about 1 hour and had it with rice
it turned out amazing and was a crowd pleasure.
Great, Mick!
I used this recipe due to my Wife’s Gluten Allergy for the first time and will use it again. This recipe is better than what is pre packaged.
Thank you, Peter!
Hi!
I stumbled upon your recipe after realizing there was no more of the usual pre made chili packets I use. I had most of the spices already on hand thankfully! Did a taste test just now and even my picky 6 year old aproves lol.Â
Thank you for the recipe, it saved this dinner! :)
When I please a 6 year old, Sheila, I feel like my job is worthwhile! I’m so glad to save dinner. Enjoy!
What make off chili powder is just grounded chilies everything I’ve seen has all other ingredients in it?
Hi, Ray! I’m not entirely sure I understand your question, but you can use whatever kind of chili powder you like. Let me know if I can help with anything else!