Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links from which I will earn a commission. Learn more in our disclosure.
Once you make this easy Homemade Taco Seasoning, you'll never go back to buying those overpriced packets again! It tastes incredible, is healthy, super frugal, and has none of the fillers you'll find in most store-bought versions.
And to take your taco meat to the next level, use the special cooking tips I've included in this post.
This homemade taco seasoning uses traditional spices like chili powder and paprika, but also has a few unique ingredients.
Many years ago, around the time that I started this site, I shared a taco seasoning recipe here. It was a great recipe, but I always wondered if it could be better.
Years later, I spent hours working on a new version and I have to say that it's now truly amazing and my family agrees wholeheartedly.
The day that I finished the recipe and updated it here, we were super busy and were all working through dinnertime on various things. Suddenly, it was 10 pm! Too late for taco salad? Nah, I knew how good it was going to taste and so we had dinner at 10:30 pm and celebrated this new recipe.
Now, I don't recommend eating dinner at 10:30, but I do recommend you make this taco seasoning soon and keep it in your pantry at all times.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This recipe is great for so many reasons.
- Great Taste — As mentioned above, this recipe is so great, it's worth cooking with it even after an exhausting day when most people would typically turn to eating something out of a can or box.
- Control Over Ingredients — No icky MSG-type stuff or fillers. For example, did you know that many taco seasonings have lactose (milk sugar) in them and that sometimes cornstarch is the main ingredient?
- Save Money — Individual seasonings are simply less expensive than blends. And those small taco seasoning packets are so pricey!
- Have Fun with Kids — Making seasoning blends is an easy way to involve your kids in the kitchen.
- Save Money and Time — No last-minute trips to the store to get something that you can easily make yourself.
- Freshness — Homemade seasoning blends are a lot fresher than what you'll find in the store.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you'll need. For the amounts, scroll to the printable recipe card.
- chili powder – use whatever chili powder you like, but we love my homemade version
- cumin
- smoked paprika – regular paprika or ancho pepper can be used as well
- garlic powder – this homemade version is simple to make
- onion powder
- oregano
- salt – I prefer Jacobsen Salt for its clean sourcing and lack of additives compared to many conventional salts.
- black pepper
- red pepper flakes
- cocoa powder – optional but adds depth similar to Mexican mole sauces. I like Rodelle brand for its clean sourcing.
- coconut sugar – this adds a caramelized flavor to the recipe along with a hint of sweetness. You can use stevia or another low-carb option if you like instead, but you'll only get the sweetness and not the caramelizing unless you use allulose.
- coriander (optional, but highly recommended)
Ways to Use
There are so many ways to use taco seasoning. In fact, we often have this DIY Taco Seasoning as a standby seasoning on our table because of how versatile it is. Try it on:
- Tacos (of course) — with regular or Grain-Free Taco Shells (AIP).
- Tortillas — with regular or Paleo Tortillas.
- Taco Salad
- Veggies
- Salad
- Popcorn
- Chicken
- Beef
- Fish
- Sides (like rice, potatoes, etc.)
- Soups (like this Creamy Root Vegetable Soup)
- Ice cream (yes, it's true. Try it on chocolate ice cream and see!)
How Much Taco Seasoning Is in a Packet?
Most store-bought taco seasoning packets contain about 2 tablespoons of seasoning mix. Here's how to use this homemade taco seasoning to season one pound of meat.
- 2 tablespoons = mild flavor
- 3 tablespoons = bold flavor
Storage
Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for best freshness. For longer storage, you can refrigerate the seasoning to help preserve the flavor of the spices. I prefer glass over plastic when possible.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- Amount to Use: Use 2–3 tablespoons of the seasoning mix per pound of meat. 2 tablespoons yields a more classic taco meat, while 3 tablespoons gives “bigger” flavor without being overdone. For beans, use about 2 tablespoons of this blend for every 2 cups of cooked beans.
- Red Pepper Flake Options: Aleppo peppers are a good alternative that has a nice depth of flavor.
- Salt Options: You can use pretty much any type of salt, however, if using kosher salt, you'll want to use about 1 1/2 teaspoons due to the larger flakes. Just make sure to taste test and adjust as desired. Starting with less is best. You can add salt to the finished dish or add more to the seasoning mix once you know how salty you like it.
- AIP Option: Traditional taco seasoning relies on nightshades like chili powder and paprika, so it isn’t compatible with the autoimmune protocol. If you need a nightshade-free option, try this AIP Taco Seasoning instead.
- Cooking Tips: For amazingly good taco meat, brown 1 lb ground beef over medium-high. If the meat is too fatty, spoon off a bit of the fat. Add 2–3 tablespoons of the seasoning plus 1 tablespoon tomato paste. Cook and stir for 30–45 seconds. Add ¼–½ cup water or beef broth, scrape the brown bits from the bottom of the pan, and simmer 5–7 minutes until thick. Add 1–2 tablespoons lime juice. Taste and adjust salt.
- Multiple Batches: Just as I like to do bulk baking, I recommend making more of this homemade taco seasoning in advance so that you have it on hand when you need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is taco seasoning gluten-free?
Many store-bought taco seasoning packets contain fillers like wheat flour, maltodextrin, or anti-caking agents. Homemade taco seasoning avoids these additives and is gluten-free as long as the spices used are gluten-free.
Can you make taco seasoning without chili powder?
Yes, you can and in fact, this AIP Taco Seasoning has no chili powder or nightshades, but still tastes great.
Why is there cocoa powder in some taco seasoning?
A small amount of cocoa powder adds richness and depth similar to traditional Mexican mole sauces. It doesn't make the seasoning taste like chocolate, but enhances the other spices.
More Homemade Spice Mixes
Here are some more homemade spice blends to try.
- Quesadilla Seasoning – not just for quesadillas!
- Pumpkin Pie Spice
- Homemade Celery Salt
- Keto Cinnamon Sugar
- Curry Powder – literally one of the best curry powders I've ever had.
- Herbes de Provence (4 variations)
Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika (or regular)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano (Mexican oregano preferred)
- 1 teaspoon salt (or 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon coconut sugar (or dash stevia or other sweetener, as desired)
- 1 teaspoon coriander (optional, but highly recommended)
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.
- Mix well.
- Store in a tightly closed container.
- Use approximately 2 tablespoons for every pound of meat.
Notes
- How Much to Use: Use 2–3 tablespoons seasoning per pound of meat (2 tablespoons for classic flavor, 3 tablespoons for bolder).
For beans, use about 2 tablespoons per 2 cups cooked beans. - Red Pepper Flakes: Aleppo pepper adds nice depth, but regular red pepper flakes work great too.
- Salt: Any salt works. If using kosher salt, use about 1½ teaspoons due to larger flakes. Start with less and adjust to taste.
- For Really Great Taco Meat: Brown 1 pound ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain excess fat if needed. Add 2–3 tablespoons seasoning plus 1 tablespoon tomato paste; cook 30–45 seconds. Add ¼–½ cup water or broth, scraping up browned bits. Simmer 5–7 minutes until thickened. Finish with 1–2 tablespoons lime juice and adjust salt to taste.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may vary depending on ingredient brands, substitutions, and preparation methods. Optional ingredients are not included. Net carbs are typically calculated by subtracting fiber and sugar alcohols (such as erythritol) from total carbohydrates. This information should not be relied upon for medical or nutritional purposes.
I'd love to hear what you think about this taco seasoning in the comments below!
Thank you for the recipe. It was very frustrating trying to find it though. I kept scrolling down and down and down and couldn’t find the recipe. Then I scrolled up and up and up to see if I had missed it. Finally found it and my frustration with blog recipes has been greatly reinforced. Why is the recipe I want always buried below so much chitter-chatter and 20 photos of the identical item? Does anyone else have this same issue?Sorry- I’m venting!
Hi Linda,
First of all, thanks for reading. I am sorry that you had a hard time finding the recipe. I had a “Jump to Recipe” button recently but we are moving to a new recipe system and not sure what happened to it. I will have to see if I can get it back again.
Some blogs just put a simple recipe and no images. Others like to tell a story and connect w/ their readers that way–some do a lot of photos. For me, I typically only have 2 photos but sometimes I do more and soon I will have a post w/ a lot since it’s very much a step-by-step recipe. I think readers have different thoughts but I personally think that most blogs that only have a recipe can be a little “dry” without any personality. I like to hear the story behind the recipe sometimes, but not always. I do understand your frustration, however.
I hope that explains things. Let me know what you think.
Hello again, Linda. So I was able to figure it out more easily than I thought. Go back and check it out and see how it works–hope that makes things better for you! (Though I do hope that on occasion you might be interested in at least some of the background :)).
Hi Adrienne – Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I apologize for venting. (Proverbs 29:11) I have never commented on a blog before. Next time, I will count to ten, take a deep breath and look for the “jump to recipe” button! I can certainly handle two photos! Food photos are generally very beautiful and I do enjoy looking at them. But not when there are twelve photos of the same exact dish! Also, I love when a recipe has “step by step” photos. It’s very helpful to me because I’m a novice cook. And, yes, I do enjoy reading blog posts. Somehow, they make the world seem a bit smaller. Thank you again.
Hello Linda – well I will send you the same comment back–thanks for your thoughtful reply. Your apology is accepted. That verse is pretty convicting I know :).
No kidding–a first time commenter :). I feel privileged.
I think more are doing the Jump to Recipe but some bloggers don’t do it b/c it decreases ad income. It’s a hard thing but ideally I want something that my readers like.
I am with you on the photos–hard to know what to do. I used to do 1 photo. Now I have more and in this post I put a ton in b/c I just liked them :). https://wholenewmom.com/whole-new-budget/vegetable-broth-recipe/
Hope to see you around again for sure! Blessings and thanks for taking the time to come back and comment again….so now you are a second time commenter.
I am looking forward to trying this recipe, I also want to try more recipes for seasonings.
Hope you like it! This post should interest you: https://wholenewmom.com/recipes/homemade-spice-mixes/
Excited to try many more than just the taco seasoning I was searching for!
Hope you like them!
We enjoyed this recipe. Thank you.
You are so welcome!!
Perfect blend. Used her homemade chili powder link as well. Love this. 5 star. Easy peasy. No more chemical additives for me.
So great – thanks for coming back to comment!!
Tried this today when I was out of taco seasoning. My kids say it’s the best, better than taco bell! Used the whole recipe on 2 lbs of meat. Will probably reduce the salt next time, but I think it you don’t use the whole recipe the saltiness will even out. Saving this to use again and again!
My husband made this recipe and used the entire recipe for 2 lbs. of hamburger meat! He did not read the entire article and our taco salad was really really salty ?
Oh no!!! You could have added more meat or beans maybe? Hope it works out better next time!
I found that it was also too salty. I will probably cut the sat in half next time. Other than that it was good.
This is gold! I have never thought about making my own homemade seasonings. Will definitely try this. Thank you for sharing.
I’m really digging Smoked Paprika too- but it’s expensive~! I bought a little bottle not too long ago and it was $9 which I thought was really really over the top. However I must admit that I luv it and u don’t really need much to get the sensation / taste / umami. However I like to consider myself a “Spice Witch” and I’ve never heard of nor ever encountered Smoked Cumin. WOW– I can tell you that I will absolutely be on the lookout for it now and try to snag it as soon as I’m able to find some. Onion & Garlic powder themselves do not have MSG in them but I think the poster was trying to say that the Gov’t is now using at least 7 different terms to hide MSG in foods by calling it Soy Protein Isolate or Glutamic Acid or Yeast Extract or Textured Vegetable Protein– and there are several others too so that folks won’t always be able to find it quickly. Most of us have heard of MSG’s role as a flavor enhancer. But how does this work? Concentrated free glutamic acid or MSG acts as a nerve stimulant & changes how the taste buds taste food. A yucky or even a really bad tasting food will taste fantastic when high levels of glutamic acid are introduced as a flavor enhancer.. Hope this info helps some folks…… Please, PLEASE do your research before buying anything u’re not familiar with…
Hi Kaysee. Thanks for commenting. The whole MSG thing is confusing. I don’t know if they are trying to hide MSG or just that they found something that tastes good and it happens to have a lot of glutamates in it? I have done a lot of reading about this and find it all to be a conundrum.
Just made tacos without a seasoning packet?. Best tacos ever.