Quick homemade taco seasoning loaded with chili powder, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, and oregano. This perfectly balanced taco seasoning mix makes the BEST seasoning for tacos, burritos, chicken, and much more!
Taco Tuesdays just got a whole lot better! Homemade taco seasoning is a MUST in my pantry. I used to go through packs of taco seasoning every week but why use the packaged stuff when you can make your own? Don’t get me wrong, store-bought taco packets are very convenient and taste so good but are loaded with a whole bunch of fillers and ingredients we can’t even pronounce.
This quick DIY homemade version tastes even better and will save you a lot of time and money. You can mix a big batch and store it in a large mason jar or just mix a 2 tablespoon version to make the equivalent of one taco mix packet.
Homemade DIY Taco Seasoning: What you will Need
- 4 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 tablespoons cumin
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried onion
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional)
Add all the spices to a mason jar. Cover tightly and shake! Enjoy on chicken, shrimp, or beef!
Tip: 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning is equivalent to 1 packet of store-bought taco seasoning.
The BEST Homemade Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 tablespoons cumin
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon minced onion (dried), optional
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon corn starch, optional
Instructions
- Add all the spices to a mason jar or large zip-seal bag. Close and shake until fully combined.
Notes
This is all I use for tacos. It really hits the spot!
interesting considering the only spicey ingredient is black pepper. i added cayenne to my mix bc there wasn’t enough spice. maybe it is the Texas in me.
Love your recipes, species I usually have, easy to follow and not too long and drawn out. Glad I found you on line. Anne
so much better!
Hi,
Sorry for the stupid question but, is this mix still being mixed together with water? As the store bought is. If so, how much would be recommended?
Thanks!
Your question isn’t stupid at all! As with any mix, this should have given instructions for how to use it, including things like, “Brown 2 (or 1?) pounds of ground beef, drain off fat, and add 2 Tablespoons of seasoning with 1/3 cup of water. Simmer for 3-5 minutes, until liquid is slightly thickened.”
As it is, the directions only say that 2 Tablespoons of mix equal approximately 1 packet of seasoning, but if we had a packet of seasoning to get the instructions from, we probably wouldn’t be hunting down this recipe!
Thank you🌻
This is great!
Hi I love this idea but wondering what size mason jar does this fill pease?
Made this 3 times now, multiplied the recipe by 16 to make enough to share (makes just over 7 cups). I’ve made bottles of this spice mix to give as gifts at Christmas and everyone loved it! I use this spice mix on almost everything – hamburgers, soups, stews, casseroles… I sprinkle it on chicken, fish, pork… almost anything. My spaghetti wouldn’t be the same without it! It’s just a great combination of spices that elevate every dish I use it in. Highly recommend! Keep it in a mason jar to keep it fresh.
How long will the seasoning mix stay “fresh” or “good” for? Thanks!
up to 6 months!
What extra can I add if I want it hot instead of mild.
Cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes!
For a kick, use Spanish Blend Chili Powder!
What does the cornstarch do?
Acts as a thickening agent and absorbs the liquid in the meat
So simple and easy!! Love it and so did My Family
Where is the “button above” for the amounts needed for one serving of this recipe?
Hover your mouse over where it says servings 4. A bar should come up, move the bar to the left, and it will take it down to enough for one serving. Hope that helps.
It’s next to the servings you can toggle it left or right to adjust the servings the recipe makes!
I made Taco Soup for supper last night and realized that I had forgot to buy a taco seasoning packet. You came to the rescue!! I love this seasoning recipe. I made a small mason jar full and should be good for seasoning for a year! LOL Thank you for such a perfect recipe. I think it’s better than the store bought!
well i accidentally put in one TBS of garlic powder not one tsp is this gonna ruin it?
help! sincerely an idiot
You should be okay!!
Recipe says 1 Tablespoon salt. If all other ingredients were measured accurately you’re set.
Great taco seasoning very quick and easy to make. We had beef burritos with this seasoning. Very good!
How long will this keep?
One question: did you use cumin seed? or cumin powder? or roasted cumin powder??
Thank you.
I used seed ground in a spice grinder.
I making my own cumin powder at home by blending fresh cumin seeds.
Wow!! I had always tried to make my own seasoning from reason the ingredients of packets I used to use, never came out that great. I eyeballed all measurements using all the ingredients you listed and !!! Super on point!! Glad I found something where I am not missing taco seasoning packets! Who needs them all the extra fillers and added preservatives when you can make a better one at home! Thanks!
Great recipe! Made it tonight, loved it! My only substitution, instead of salt, I used 1 Tbsp of Adobe .. no more store bought for us!
Thank you!!! We used this recipe last night and it was so yummy 😋 way more flavour than store bought.
It’s unfortunate that you keep getting comments about the salt because people aren’t reading the recipe properly but we think it was perfectly balanced.
This was the first homemade recipe I tried so I’m so glad I’ve found it. I think now I’ve convinced my boyfriend to eat the home made version instead of the store bought one he loved so much.
That’s great to hear, Rebekah!!
hi, what about the salt? I haven’t seen comments and planning on making tonight
The mixture makes for several batches. You only need 2 T of the mixture for 1 lb of hamburger.
This is my go too recipe!
I didn’t notice the part where it said 2 tablespoons of the mixture is one taco packets worth of seasoning so I used the entire amount in my tacos tonight. Needless to say, my partner and I are now suffering. I’m sure if we used the proper amount it would have been amazing though 😂
I need to update the recipe to make just 1 serving because this has happened to a few people as well!
I used this recipe for taco seasoning last night when I realized I didn’t have any more Frontera beef seasoning packs in my pantry. I added a bit of cayenne for a little kick, added some beef broth to the ground beef and thickened with organic tomato sauce. My family said it was the best they’ve ever had and I should make tacos this way from now on! Thank you for this recipe…it kept me from running to the store when I was late with dinner prep to start.
This may be an old post but, I wanted to say, thank you for sharing your recipe. Your ratios were on point! I also added a teaspoon each of dried cilantro, and dried Mexican oregano. Used it to make Vegan taco salads using Impossible Burger Plant Based product.
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review!
How much water do you add for every 2 table spoons of seasoning
You add 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of water plus 2 T of the taco mix.