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!
Yum!
Grate recipe. I wil try to make this for a fathersgift for my husband before bbq season, together with some glaze.
Pinned this 🙂
Thanks! Hope he enjoys it!
I love make it yourself spice mixes! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. Pinned it.
We may have met by chance…but we become friends by choice.
https://simpleesue.com/frivolous-friday-making-christmas-memories-scrapbook
Hope you enjoy it!!!
A couple of my recipes (for example, taco soup) say to put in 1 PACKET of taco seasoning. How many tbs of your mix wuld I put in? Thanks
Hi. The info about how much to use for certain amounts of beef etc are in the post – does that help? Try to coordinate that w/ your recipe.
I really want to try this, but I’m not sure how much of it to use in one recipe with say 1 pound of meat. Do you use all of it or is this a multi-dinner portion?
In the recipe it says “about 2 Tbsp for each pound of meat”. 🙂
Thank you for this! It’s really good! I was actually a little surprised at HOW good. I’ll not be buying any more of the packets now.
🙂
Thank You so much for this! I have been searching for a homemade recipe after hearing how horrible the packets are! I came across yours on pinterest.
Welcome!!!
you seasoning looks fantastic!
I love the idea of making my own taco seasoning! THanks for sharing it!
I use a lot of taco seasoning because we love tacos and I make a taco soup and other tex mex food, but I hate having to buy the store bought kind because of the hgh sodium, so I usually just add a little this and that to make up my own. Your recipe calls for ingredients that I haven’t even thought of using. I will definitely try this. Thanks.
Thanks for sharing! I have been looking for a recipe for taco seasoning. I am your newest follower. I’d love for you to come by Posed Perfection for a visit and maybe even a follow back. Hope you have a great week!
Blessings,
Nici
Welcome!!! Hope to see you around again. Seriously, I checked out your site. I love the wrapping paper idea. Your paper bag was much prettier than the one I just wrapped a wedding gift in – seriously. I did put a lovely gold bow on so hopefully it wasn’t too tacky 🙂 but that is my style. I mean eco friendly – not tacky :). I am going to share your wrapping tip on my facebook page. If you live anywhere near me you need to come and help me decorate :). Take care.
I am following you! Just pinned your Botanical print. 🙂
I found this through sugarbeecrafts’ linky party and I love the sounds of this recipe. Recently, I was making a double batch of taco meat but only had enough bought seasoning for half the batch, so I searched for a recipe and wasn’t thrilled with it. I will be pinning this recipe and using it next time I cook tacos or enchilladas! Speaking of which, you are welcome to try my enchillada recipe here: https://thedomesticatedprincess.blogspot.com/2012/05/beef-and-cheese-enchiladas.html. You could use your taco seasoning with it.
Thanks for sharing!!!! So glad you came by!
I made the taco seasoning last night and we had healthy taco salad that worked for the anti-candida diet I’m on right now. My hubby said, “Wow. That taco seasoning is better than store bought! I like it!”
We liked it so much that I sprinkled it on our eggs this morning to give them a little zing.
By the way… it was your site that opened my eyes to my candida problem and I’m so thankful that God led me to your site. My body is slowly starting to heal after 10 years of unexplained pain.
Thanks Adrienne!
Oh my. I am so thankful! We are having a particularly hard week. The encouragement was much needed. Bless you!
Looks like you and Bill Echols were thinking the same thing! (Link deleted by Whole New Mom due to it not working anymore) I had used his recipe in the past (which is basically the same as yours) but just saw this up on my FB newsfeed. Always good to remind people that certain spice blends, although they appear that they only come packaged because they are just sooo intricate and mystical, are actually WAY easy to make at home. My boyfriend totally appreciates this recipe – we searched for one after I kept complaining that he was using Taco Bell packets of seasoning in his beans….gross! Did not want to be eating Taco Bell stuff, even if it was only seasoning. I agree with your comment to Carrie – when you make things on your own using local spices, you know that you are taking care of your health plus the health of the environment (less packaging). Again, love your blog!
You are so kind!!! Thanks.
I always make my own as well – I like to know what’s going in, BUT it’s not really valid to state that it’s a cost issue. You can buy a packet of taco seasoning at Kroger for $.30 (and maybe even cheaper at Walmart or with coupons).
Thanks, Carrie – well, the only thing I would say about the cost is….have you checked the weight on those packages? Of course, with coupons….and if you get a freebie…but then health trumps that for sure. Take care :-).
I’m very excited to have found this site with all these great food ideas & information. Thank you for all the research & taste testing. Believe me when I say I have pitch more food trials because of not knowing how or what spices to use. I’m looking forward to going through the rest of the recipes .
Do you have or know of a recipe for ranch salad dressing?
CherylAnne
Hi. I was working on a ranch dressing / dip mix. I think I had one that worked and others that weren’t as good. I’ll have to go dig them up. There are some on the internet but I was working on a taste test of about 4 to see which one was the best.
Used this with morning star grillers crumbles and it made for flavorful, healthier vegetarian tacos!! It was also nice that they were spices I already had on hand! Thanks for the recipe! 🙂
You’re welcome!! Thanks for stopping by!
Thank you for the great recipe!! It just rescued me from taco night disaster, when I realized I was out of the taco packets I USED to keep on hand!! I already had all the ingredients but oregano. Will leaving it out make much difference in the flavor?
You’re welcome!!! I think it will be a slight difference but not a big deal…do you have marjoram? That’s a pretty good sub for oregano.
What does ‘t’ stand for in your recipe?
“t” typically stands for teaspoon and “T” for tablespoon but I’ll fix it to make it more clear. Thanks!