Easy Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe

Learning how to make homemade taco seasoning is easy! Once you start with one spice blend or combination, you will love creating your own variety of herb and seasoning combinations. Since we do Taco Tuesday almost weekly for our taco nights, we use a lot of taco seasoning packets, so it was natural to start with this one. Taco seasoning packets get expensive fast, and since it’s just a simple spice, it’s not hard to make.

While the packets are convenient, you can be frugal with your seasoning, especially with Winco spices from the bulk section. I started making this in 2014 and haven’t deviated much from it unless I am low on a specific spice!

 Homemade Taco Seasoning Ingredients:

• Cumin
• Chili Powder 
• Paprika– We have also used smoked paprika as well to give a smoky flavor.
• Oregano
• Onion Powder
• Minced Onion
• Garlic Powder
• Salt
• Black Pepper
• Cayenne Pepper

To spice it up, you can increase the amount of chili powder and cayenne pepper to boost the spicy flavor. You could add in red pepper flakes as well.

How To Make Your Own Taco Seasoning: 

Measure and pour all the seasonings into a container. I like to layer mine in; it’s fun to see how it comes together after shaking.  

Give the container a couple of good shakes to mix everything. 

Seal your container and store it in your spice cabinet. 

Taco Recipes To Use Taco Seasoning On: 

Like a taco seasoning packet, you will need to add water to the meat. You can use about 3 tablespoons of seasoning to about 1/2 cup of water per pound of ground beef or pound of meat.

A cup of seasoning would make a couple of pounds of meat. You can always add more of this easy homemade taco seasoning recipe to any meat you are cooking and go by smell to find the best flavor for your personal tastes! But it makes the best taco meat when you use your own taco seasoning mix.

• Ground Beef Tacos- or as a seasoning on any ground meat
• Chicken Fajitas 
• Steak Fajitas
• Taco Soup 
• Taco Pasta 
• Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
• Instant Pot Chicken Tacos
• Taco Salads
• Taco Pizza
• Taco Twist Casserole
• Refried Bean Dip
• Blackstone Griddle Fajitas

Store-Bought Taco Seasoning:

Sometimes I can pick up little taco seasoning packets for cheap or convenience at local grocery stores. We have tried a lot of brands over the years, so if making your own isn’t for you, these are great to grab. Taco packets are easier when the kids are the ones doing the cooking that night.  They don’t hurt to have on hand in your spice cupboard.

• Badia Taco Seasoning
• Winco Taco Seasoning
• Ortega Taco Seasoning
• McCormick Mild Taco Seasoning

How To Store Taco Seasoning:

Like any other spice or seasoning, you will want to store this in an airtight container in a dark, cool place, such as a spice cabinet or a dry pantry. I have also put them into a smaller spice jar to give as gifts with a recipe card attached so they can make it again.

A small mason jar will hold this spice mix, but a larger mason jar will work if you make a big batch, like a double or triple batch of the seasoning. You could use a Rubbermaid container or a canister as well. When I started making this, I upcycled a Parmesan cheese container that worked great.  Plus, Etsy, which I love, has Amazing Spice Jars you can buy and label to store taco seasoning in.

What spice blends have you made at home before? Have you made Homemade Taco Seasoning before?