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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.
Use to make my own chill powder by (not seasoning) using dried chilis ground fine in the food processor.
Thanks so much for stopping by, Dave! I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Happy Baking!
-Jamie
Been using this blend for awhile now to make chili. We love the way it makes our chili taste. Thank you for the recipe ❤️
So happy to hear you enjoy the seasoning, Nancy! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your feedback!
-Jamie
Thank you for the recipe. I’ve made a similar mix in the past when I’ve been out of a packet, and you are right – it’s much better and no artificial ingredients. I don’t add chili, and add more paprika and cumin. One thing that I do is to toast the spices. I add them to oil in the pot, toast them up and then add the beef.
So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Mary! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your feedback!
-Jamie
Loved this chili mix. I even added a sprinkle of cinnamon. Thanks for your recipe and your sweet spirit!
So happy to hear you enjoyed the seasoning, Lisa! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your feedback!
-Jamie
Perfect chili mix. I am not changing a thing.
So happy to hear you enjoyed the seasoning, PJ! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your feedback!
-Jamie
Hey rude people… this woman was kind enough to post an incredible recipe that took time , effort and kindness. If you don’t like it, don’t make it. Stop being Trolls.
I agree wholeheartedly!!!
I am quite pleased with the work Jamie has put into maintaining this post, and I would also like to say that I do not appreciate such brash words against ANYONE, let alone a sweetheart such as her!!
Woot, woot! Keep it up superstar!!!
Wanda, thank you so much for stepping out and saying this. I came on looking at “reviews” only to see if anyone made any alterations or suggestions for such. I did not. Instead I am finding the typical bull that far too many people live their life by and around.
THANK YOU!!! You said what I’m sitting here thinking. People have just way too much time on their hands if this is what they are doing. They really should just go back to “social media” where they can gripe about things even more.
Be well!
Hi Jamie. I was in the middle of making chili yesterday and I wanted to try something new. I came upon your recipe and wanted to let you know that the chili was sooooo good. The only ingredient I didn’t have was the onion powder but I’m not sure it would have made a big difference in the taste. I make a lot of Mexican food and will be using this spice blend all the time now. Thanks so much and Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Susan
So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Susan! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your feedback!
-Jamie
Do you have a Apple pie spice recipe?
Hi Gladys, I sure do. You can find it here: https://www.mybakingaddiction.com/apple-pie-spice/
Happy baking –
Jamie
The jar of McCormick’s “chili powder” I had for this recipe (not chili seasoning) had the following ingredients: chili pepper, spices, salt, silicon dioxide (anti-clumping), and garlic. I added 1 teaspoon of coriander to this seasoning mix as suggested in another comment. I used about 2 tablespoons to cook up 3 pounds of lean ground beef, and used the rest of the mixture in the chili. I made the chili in my 8-quart crock pot, so it was just enough seasoning for the amount of chili I made. Best beef & bean chili I’ve ever made and it was a big hit with the guys at game night. Keeping this chili/taco seasoning recipe in my book for future use. Thanks!
Here’s a new l ink I found for the archer farms Ancho Chili Powder at Target
https://www.target.com/p/ancho-chili-powder-3oz-archer-farms-153/-/A-14768338
no other added ingredients
Thank you for the suggestion, Paula!
-Jamie