Skip the packet—this easy homemade taco seasoning recipe is ready in minutes with pantry staples you probably already have. It’s flavorful, and way better than store-bought. I make a batch to keep on hand for taco nights!
Easy Homemade Taco Seasoning
Skip the store-bought packets—this homemade taco seasoning has been my go-to for years! I originally scaled it up from my popular turkey taco recipe, and after trying countless variations, I always come back to this flavorful blend. It’s mild enough for kids but still packed with flavor, and works perfectly with ground beef, ground turkey, chicken, or even in taco dip. The best part? It’s easy, economical, and free from the preservatives and additives found in store-bought mixes. Plus, you can adjust it exactly to your taste.
Why This Works!
I’ve been making my own homemade taco seasoning for years because I don’t like using taco packets loaded with preservatives. I first shared my recipe years ago when I posted my turkey taco lettuce wraps, but decided to share it on it’s own so you can use it for any taco recipe that calls for a taco spice packet.
- Healthier: Since you’re making it from scratch you have control of what goes into this. I use organic spices to keep it free from pesticides. No added filler or artificial ingredients.
- Kid-Friendly: The mild spice mix makes this perfect for all palates.
- Make-Ahead: Easy to make a batch and keep in in your spice drawer, ready anytime you have some ground beef, ground turkey, etc to whip up tacos.
- Budget Friendly: Cheaper than buying individual packets each time you make tacos.
Ingredients You Will Need
This homemade taco seasoning recipe is made with just 6 ingredients, perfect for taco lovers and picky palates. The kids will love it because it’s mild and flavorful. I always keep a batch in my pantry ready to use. Here’s what you need:
- Chili Powder: The backbone of this seasoning, it provides a spicy kick and a deep, rich color to the mixture
- Cumin: This spice gives the seasoning its characteristic earthy, slightly spicy flavor, reminiscent of many Mexican and Latin American dishes
- Garlic Powder: It adds a savory, robust flavor to the seasoning
- Sweet Paprika: Gives a mild sweetness and vibrant color to the mix
- Dried Oregano: Enhance the flavors of the other ingredients
- Kosher Salt: enhances the flavors of all the other ingredients, making them more pronounced
- (Optional) to make it spicy, add cayenne pepper, to taste
This recipe makes about 1 cup of seasoning, enough for 8 full batches using 1 lb of meat each (about 32 individual servings total).
Variations
- Onion powder
- Ancho chili powder in place of chili powder, for heat
- Smoked paprika in place of sweet paprika, for smoky heat
- Crushed red pepper flakes, chipotle chili powder or cayenne pepper, to make it spicy
- Black pepper, to taste
- Make it low-sodium by using less salt or omitting altogether
How To Make Homemade Taco Seasoning
Mix all of the spice ingredients together in a small bowl, and store in a glass spice container.
Storage
For the best flavor, this taco seasoning recipe is best stored for up to 6 months, but can be stored for up to 1 to 2 years if it’s kept in a cool, dry place and in a tightly sealed container or mason jar.
How to Make Taco Meat with This Seasoning
Brown 1 pound of ground beef, turkey, chicken, pork, or even tofu in a large skillet. Add 1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons of this homemade taco seasoning, along with ¼ cup minced onion, ¼ cup minced red bell pepper, and ½ to ¾ cup water. Stir well, then simmer covered for 5 minutes, until the flavors are absorbed.
Serve the seasoned meat in warm taco shells and top with your favorite fixings—lettuce, tomato, pico de gallo, cheese, salsa, sour cream, black beans, avocado, or guacamole.
More Taco Recipes
Another popular seasoning you may like is my recipe for Sazon seasoning, or try these 5 taco recipes to use this taco seasoning spice mix.
- Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps
- Madison’s Beef Tacos
- Turkey Taco Chili Soup
- Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Chili
- Taco Salad
Taco Seasoning Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon garlic powder
- 3 tablespoon cumin
- 3 tablespoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt, use half for table salt or Morton's Kosher Salt (see notes below)
- 3 tablespoon chili powder, *
- 3 tablespoon sweet paprika
- 1 1/2 tablespoons dried oregano
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients together and store in an airtight container.
Why is there an asterisk after the chili powder? I’ve looked through the page and can’t find a note.
I make this recipe quite often and I love it! Thanks, Gina.
check labels for gluten-free
Do you make it with regular oregano or Mexican oregano?
Either works!
This recipe is the answer to not buying any more Taco Seasoning packets at the store. It made enough for about 5-6 servings. I stored it in a small glass jar. It has the most flavor ever. The meat just soaked it all in. Can’t wait to make tacos and a taco salad for dinner.
That’s exactly what I do Kathy!!
Absolutely perfect balance of flavors. Been using it for awhile & just now writing a review. Always have it on hand
So glad you love it!
Love this mix! Only one I use for tacos. Easy to make and keep on hand!
I always have this made up and stored in my spice cabinet. Love it!
Perfect!
I lost my taco seasoning recipe and tried a few before finding this one. This is my go to recipe for taco seasoning now. Easy to make and delicious!
So happy to hear!!
Love a homemade seasoning and I will never buy store bought again. This recipe is so good and have used it for a couple years now.
The only recipe I use for taco seasoning. Easy, quick and delicious.
Excellent blend of seasonings! I use it all the time and bottle it to give as gifts as well. Thank you for the recipe.
I love your recipes however I feel this is too salty.
Love this stuff. I have been using Gina’s recipe for a few years now and will never go back to using packets.
No more packets here…this is all we use now! Thank you!
Wonderful!
Very good! It is all ingredients I already had in my cupboard. I think this recipe has more flavor than the what you get in the store-bought packets. Heed the salt suggestions. I used Morton Kosher Salt and, like some others, I thought it was a little too salty.
Seasoning is great. No matter what kid or grind of salt, it is to much . Reduce that and it’s perfection! I also added a teaspoon of cornstarch as a thickener but it’s not necessary.
Love this seasoning. I made a match minus the salt so I could adjust the salt per whatever recipe I’m making. I often add beef bouillon to ground turkey breast for ground beef recipes. The bouillon has too much salt already, so mixed with the taco seasoning makes yummy taco meat! Better than any taco seasoning packet!
So glad you now have this as a separate recipe on your website! I’ve made ahead before to have by doubling Madison’s taco recipe but this makes it much easier. Thank you 😊
great!!
This is a perfect taco seasoning. It’s easy, spicy, and preservative free. Thanks for sharing!
Perfect taco seasoning. Simple, tasty and free of preservatives. Thank you for sharing.
I cut the salt in half, but otherwise this was great.
Fantastic blend. There is a flavor I don’t love with taco seasoning packets. This one blows those out of the water! The perfect blend of spices that make your mouth dance!
So happy you love it as much as we do!!
Having a hard time finding sweet paprika. I have smoked and regular paprikas. Which is better to substitute for sweet?
Regular and sweet are the same thing.
This was so easy and flavorful. No more store bought taco mix. You can control the salt and heat. I added a little cornstarch to thicken it up. Perfect.
So glad you liked it!!
Looks great but checking, Is the salt amount correct?
This is my question. That is much more salt than you usually use
This seems like a lot because it’s 32 servings.
This is correct, it makes 32 servings!
I think the problem is the type of kosher salt. I use Morton’s kosher salt whereas the link in this recipe is Diamond’s. Apparently the size of the crystals is different, where you will need less Morton’s salt to equal the salt content of Diamonds brand.
I found it way too salty. I would use half next time.
Correct, if you use Mortons or table salt, use less.
I have been using the taco seasoning you published earlier that has much less garlic powder to chili powder/cumin ratio. Do you think this is better for tacos?
I personally like it better, I tested both. Of course, both would work!