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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.
It’s so bad that my dad can’t even put his boat at his dock because the dock is completely submerged.
I had to invest in two large umbrellas because regular sized umbrellas were just no longer cutting it here in the swampland.
Needless to say, it doesn’t feel much like summer. More like early fall, except with loads of mosquitos and a disgusting thickness to the air even though it’s only been in the high sixties.
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 chicken breasts 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 DIY TACO SEASONING IS THE BEST
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 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?
A quick visit to Google told me I was only a few minutes away from a flavorful homemade taco seasoning.
A little recipe tweaking told me I was able to control the level of heat and the salt content from making my own spice mix and my tacos have never been the same.
Now whenever I made my own taco seasoning, I make a large batch and store it in my spice cabinet for everything under the sun.
HOW CAN YOU USE TACO SEASONING?
This perfect taco seasoning has become something of a multipurpose spice blend in our house.
Obviously it is great for making tacos any night of the week. But I like to add it to everything from spicy taco cheese ball to 7-layer dip to 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 pantry can lend lots of flavor to nearly any recipe you make.
Homemade Taco and Chili Seasoning
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 3 teaspoons sea salt
- 4 teaspoons black pepper
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, oregano, paprika, ground cumin, sea salt, and black 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.
- When making chili or tacos using one pound of ground beef, start with 1 1/2 tablespoons of the seasoning blend and adjust according to your tastes.
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