Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe with a Surprise Ingredient
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Once you make this easy Homemade Taco Seasoning, you’ll never go back to buying those overpriced packets again! It’s healthier and cheaper, plus it has none of the fillers. It’s also great for more than just tacos, it tastes great on veggies, meats, and more.
And there’s a surprise ingredient sure to make your tacos extra special. Read on for that information.
This Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe fits in perfectly with how I run my life–and my kitchen.
I just love making my own pantry staples, from non-dairy milks (like Easiest Almond Milk and this Easiest Coconut Milk) to Powdered Egg Replacer, Easy Homemade Ketchup, Homemade Salad Dressings, and more.
But one thing that I really get a kick out of (yes, I really get into this) is making my own homemade seasonings. Over the years, we’ve found or developed quite a few of them including chili powder, celery salt, this all-purpose seasoning and this Dorito® seasoning, but today I’m sharing a new one with you — a Homemade Taco Seasoning recipe.
Making your own homemade seasonings (like this DIY Taco Seasoning) ensures you will almost never be out of the seasoning you need for something you’re cooking, and that means time and money saving.
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Why Make Your Own Seasoning Blends?
Why indeed? Isn’t it easier to just buy those pre-made blends at the store?
It can be, but here is why I love making my own spice blends.
- Control Over the Ingredients (no icky MSG type stuff or allergenic ingredients. For those of you with milk allergies, did you know that many taco seasonings have lactose (milk sugar) in them?)
- Save Money (individual seasonings are cheaper than blends)
- Have Fun with Kids – making seasoning blends is an easy way to involve your kids in the kitchen 🙂
- Save Even MORE Money (have you seen the prices of those packaged “Taco Seasoning” mixes at the grocery store? Ugh!
- Save Money and Time (no last-minute trips to the store to get something that you can easily make yourself)
- Freshness – making your own seasoning blends ensures you use up your spices more quickly so spices will get old less frequently
More Homemade Spice Mixes
Here are some more homemade spice blends to try.
How to Use this Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe:
There are so many ways to use taco seasoning, including:
Tacos (of course) – you will LOVE these Grain-Free Taco Shells (AIP)
Tortillas (here’s a great recipe for Paleo Tortillas)
Taco Salad
Veggies
Salad
Popcorn
Chicken
Beef
Fish
Sides (like rice, potatoes, etc.)
Veggies
Soups (like this Creamy Root Vegetable Soup)
even Ice Cream!
Seriously, try this homemade taco seasoning on this Vegan Chocolate Ice Cream or this Chocolate Avocado Ice Cream. It’s amazing!
We even use this DIY Taco Seasoning as a standby seasoning on our table. It tastes great on veggies and loads of dishes!
Oh, and if you have a loved one or friend on the AIP (Autoimmune Protocol or Autoimmune Paleo) Diet who still loves taco seasoning, here is my tasty AIP version. You will love it whether or not you are on a special diet. Oh, and if you aren’t familiar with the AIP Diet, this Simple Guide to the AIP Diet is a great introduction!)
So now on to the homemade taco seasoning recipe that tastes great on so many things…..
Spice Tips
I would strongly recommend purchasing organic spices. Many non-organic spices are irradiated, and so aren’t the best choice.
Taco Seasoning, like any seasoning that is, or is made up of peppers, should be stored in the fridge to prevent oxidation.
I also recommend storing your spices in glass spice jars instead of in plastic. I love some of the following for their compact shape as well as appearance (it’s nice to have nice-looking things in your kitchen :)!)
- Traditional Spice Jars
- Small Glass Mason Jars
- Simply Organic Spice Jars
- Hexagon Spice Jars
- Glass Jars with Hinged Lids
Really the possibilities are endless.
Substitutions for Special Diets
- Spice Brands: For my spice shopping, I really like Frontier Brand. I’ve done taste tests, and the Frontier Brands have won out every time. Their prices are great too! Starwest Botanicals, has good options too.
- Homemade Chili Powder: If you would like to make your own chili powder, here’s my recipe for The “Best” Basic Chili Powder.
- Use approximately 2 tablespoons taco seasoning mix for each pound of ground meat (or to taste, of course. Some people may prefer 1 tablespoon, others up to 4 tablespoons).
As with other taco seasonings, either use the mixture as is, or add approximately ¾ cup water to the beef and seasoning mixture to make a more “saucy” beef. - You can also flavor beans, like lentils, with this mixture. About 2 cups of cooked beans will be the equivalent of one pound of ground beef.
- Multiple Batches: And as I said in my “Saving Time in the Kitchen by Baking in Bulk” post, I recommend making more of this in homemade taco seasoning in advance so that you have it on hand when you need it. Cook once, use two three four times or more!
Recipe Notes
- Aleppo Peppers: For red pepper flakes, Aleppo peppers would add a wonderful depth of flavor, but red chilis are fine.
- Add More “Heft”: For a DIY Taco Seasoning with a bit more “heft” to it, add about 1 teaspoon flour or starch of choice to the mix. Of course, if you use a whole grain flour, you will want to store the resulting mixture in the refrigerator ’cause whole grains will spoil at room temperature.
- Salt: We love salt. The amount in this recipe is perfect for us and for many of my readers. However, some readers have said that it’s way too much. I suspect some are adding it to a dish that already has salt, which we are not. Regardless, please adjust the recipe to your taste.
- Special Addition—Cocoa!: Yes, that’s right. Add 2 teaspoons of cocoa to this mix to make it extra special. No, you’re tacos won’t taste like a dessert. This small amount of cocoa added to taco seasoning gives just that little extra bit of “yum” to your spice blend, and your tacos!
Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 2 1/2 teaspoons salt (or to taste–see Recipe Notes)
- 2 teaspoons pepper
- 2 teaspoons cocoa optional but recommended
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.
- Mix well.
- Store in a tightly closed container.
- 2 tablespoons is the standard amount to use for 1 pound of meat, but you can of course use this seasoning to taste.
Notes
-
- Aleppo Peppers: For red pepper flakes, aleppo peppers would add a wonderful depth of flavor but red chilis are fine.
-
- Add More “Heft”: For a DIY Taco Seasoning with a bit more “heft” to it, add about 1 teaspoon flour or starch of choice to the mix. Of course, if you use a whole grain flour, you will want to store the resulting mixture in the refrigerator ’cause whole grains will spoil at room temp.
-
- Salt: We love salt. The amount in this recipe is perfect for us and for many of my readers. However, some readers have said that it’s way too much. I suspect some are adding it to a dish that already has salt, which we are not. Regardless, please adjust the recipe to your taste.
- Special Addition – Cocoa!: Yes, that’s right. Add 2 teaspoons of cocoa to this mix to make it extra special. No, you’re tacos won’t taste like a dessert. This small amount of cocoa added to taco seasoning gives just that little extra bit of “yum” to your spice blend, and your tacos!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is merely an approximation. Optional ingredients are not included and when there is an alternative, the primary ingredient is typically used. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts since they have been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
I’d love to hear what you think about this recipe (or if there’s another spice blend you’d like me to try to make a homemade version of.)
Let me know in the comments!
I make my own taco seasoning as well. It’s so much better than the packaged kind and you really can control the ingredients, which I love.
When it’s this easy, why buy it! Great recipe Adrienne. I love all the varietions you always offer, not just for ground beef:)
Joshua and I would love for you to stop by Whole Food Wednesdays. Your recipes and tips are lovely.
Have a great day.
Hello France! Thanks for the compliment! I just went to your site to try to find Whole Food Wednesdays – but I can’t find it – could you help please? :-).
Just found it!
I just fixed up a batch for me and my husbands first taco night tonight. Were on a little bit of a health kick right now (emphasis on the little) but we wanted tacos and one without all the msg from the packets. Plus were on a budget so this is perfect. I cant wait to use it. We are in love with cumin. Thanks so much for sharing. Cant wait to tell you how it turned out.
You’re welcome, Heather! I can’t wait to hear what you think! As I said in the post, I hope to share another version, but this one is great too :-).
I was just thinking that when I run out of taco seasoning that I should make my own. Thanks for posting this!
You’re welcome! Hope you like it!
You know it just never occurred to me to make my own taco seasoning! Thanks for the inspiration and the recipe!
Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
Hope you have a fabulous week!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
https://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/
You’re welcome – and thanks for the kind words! See you next week!
Love this idea! We try to steer clear of too much sodium and chemicals and my husband LOVES tacos. Now, I can make a big jar and have it on hand:) If you have a chance, I would love for you to link this up at my party today!
https://kim-toomuchtimeonmyhands.blogspot.com/2011/12/get-schooled-saturday-4.html
Hello Kim – I hope you like it! I hope to have another version soon – just trying to keep up with everything! If I get the chance I will stop by your blog. I’m not feeling great and I took a nap so I am really behind now :-).
Thanks, it was tasty for seasoning my nacho meat! I added 1/4 t cayenne and 1 T cornstarch to the recipe (for those who want it to have a little kick).
Nice tip about the cayenne. Thanks!
Thank you so much for the taco seasoning recipe. I can almost taste it. I found and am following you from Bloggeritaville and hope to visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you could follow me also. I would love that. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
Wow. This totally just made my mouth water. I love homemade taco seasoning! Thanks so much for linking up to Homemaker Monday! 🙂
So genius! Thanks for sharing at Church Supper! Have a great week!
Everyday Mom’s Meals
I just wanted to let you know that I’ve featured your post on my blog. Love the recipe!! And, I bet it’s a great way to save on calories and MSG.
Don’t forget to grab a button! 🙂
Thank you so much! I really appreciate it!
Sounds like an absolutely perfect taco seasoning blend! And your photo…gorgeous!
Thank you so much for linking up to “A Little Birdie Told Me…” at Rook No. 17.
I’m spotlighting your post on my Facebook page today!
Jenn
Perfect! I’m always using this (and always running out), but I was never really sure what was in it. I can’t wait to try this.
I’ve never thought to make my own taco seasoning! My family lives overseas, and one package of taco seasoning costs over $1.70! That’s a lot! I’ll definitely be using your recipe for our tacos, which will be more cost-effective, too!
Melissa,
This is one of the great benefits of making your own mixes! I will be sharing another great packaged mix substitute in the near future. Hope to see you then! Where are you living? My father is from Ireland and I traveled quite a bit and lived in Japan for a year. Take care.
There is an excellent balance of flavors in this spice mix – what a great thing to have on hand! Thank you for sharing it with the Gallery of Favorites.
Thanks for sharing this recipe.
I have got to go back to making my own seasonings. I received some “high quality” ones last week from a giveaway and they had dubious ingredients, too.
Yum! I love homemade seasonings. Yours is a bit different from mine. I look forward to trying it! Visiting from Workshop Wednesday!
Never tried making my own before, but I’m sure it’s WAY better than the little package stuff I buy! Thanks for sharing!
Hi, this looks great! I’m definitely going to try it. 🙂