The BEST Homemade Taco Seasoning! (2024)

Published: ·Updated: by Sabra · 2 Comments

Jump to Recipe Rate this Recipe

This Easy Homemade Taco Seasoning is so packed with flavor and has none of the fillers that you will find in prepackaged seasoning blends. Add it to your next taco night and you will never look back!

The BEST Homemade Taco Seasoning! (1)

This Mom's Menu is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. This post may be sponsored or contain affiliate links but all opinions are my own. I may earn money from purchases made through the links shared here (at no additional cost to you)

Yep - this is it. The ONLY taco seasoning you will ever need again!

You won't believe how simple it is to make your own taco seasoning with things you likely already have on hand.

I keep this mixed up and ready to go in a mason jar at all times. I love making my own seasoning blends because I know exactly what is in them, plus I can adjust them to suit my family's taste.

Generally, I use about 3 tablespoon of this mix per pound of meat. But feel free to add more or less to suit your family's taste. I recommend starting with 3 tablespoon then tasting and adding more if needed.

The BEST Homemade Taco Seasoning! (2)

How to change it up:

  • This mix is very mild. If you prefer a spicy taco seasoning add a tablespoon or more of cayenne pepper to the mix! Just be aware that a little goes a long way, so if you add more, do so at your own risk.
  • Replace about 2-3 tablespoons of the chili powder with Tajin chili and lime seasoning to give your mix a little zip.
  • Add about 1 tablespoon or so of dried oregano for something different!
  • Swap the traditional paprika for smoked paprika to give this taco seasoning a smoky flavor.

Side Note: I swear by Bloemer's chili powder! I have made this with other brands and it's always great, but Bloemer's is the best! Bloemer's is a small local company and is available in the Louisville, KY area in most grocery stores, but if you aren't local - then you can order online by clicking the link above. (I am not an affiliate for Bloemer's and don't get anything for promoting them)

The BEST Homemade Taco Seasoning! (3)

Be sure to check out these other great recipes:

  • Chicken Taco Soup | Keto, Instant Pot
  • Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette
  • Mexican Street Corn Salad | Keto
  • Churro Cupcakes | Keto, Gluten Free

📖 Recipe

The BEST Homemade Taco Seasoning! (4)

Taco Seasoning

Sabra - This Mom's Menu

This seasoning has SO much flavor, with none of the fillers that you will find in prepackaged seasoning blends. Add it to your next taco night!

5 from 5 reviewers

Servings 18 Servings

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Mix all ingredients in a jar.

  • I use about 3 tablespoon to ¼ cup of the mix per pound of meat when making tacos

Be sure to read the entire post for tips, tricks, and help troubleshooting.

The nutrition information listed here is only an estimate and is simply provided as a courtesy. It nor any other information within this post should constitute medical or nutritional advice. Be sure to read all packaging and ingredient labels for potential allergens. Optional ingredients are not included unless otherwise specified.

Nutrition

Calories: 10kcalCarbohydrates: 2gSodium: 777mgPotassium: 45mgFiber: 1gVitamin A: 370IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 0.3mg

Tried this recipe?Mention @thismomsmenu or tag #thismomsmenu

More Keto Sauces and Seasonings

  • Sugar-Free Coconut Curd | Keto
  • Foolproof Keto Lemon Curd
  • Delicious Homemade Pesto with Pecans | Low Carb
  • Cranberry Sauce | Low Carb

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Rate this Recipe

  1. Lou Anne Laney says

    I made this soup tonight, started it in my Crock-Pot about lunch time. I cooked a cup of minute rice and added just before I served it. We put the sour cream and shredded cheese on top. I would give it 5 stars. This was some of the best soup we've ever ate. Thanks for sharing. Lou Anne Laney

    Reply

  2. J M says

    I made this with 1/2 the chili powder swapped for Tajin & 1/2 the paprika swapped for smoked paprika. Slightly less salt (the Tajin has salt). 2 TBL/1 lb was enough. Nice flavor combo

    Reply

The BEST Homemade Taco Seasoning! (2024)

FAQs

What can I use if I don't have enough taco seasoning? ›

Packet Taco Seasoning replacement: if you only want to make enough taco seasoning to replace 1 packet, use the following amounts:
  1. 1 tablespoon chili powder.
  2. ¼ teaspoon garlic powder.
  3. ¼ teaspoon onion powder.
  4. Pinch of cayenne pepper.
  5. ¼ teaspoon dried oregano.
  6. ½ teaspoon paprika.
  7. 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin.
  8. 1 teaspoon salt.
Mar 16, 2021

What are the ingredients in original taco seasoning? ›

Most taco seasoning mixes contain salt, warming spices (such as paprika, oregano, and chili), onion powder, and garlic powder. This top-rated recipe is made with chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, sea salt, black pepper, ground paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and crushed red pepper flakes.

Can I use tomato sauce instead of water for taco seasoning? ›

It's so easy, cost effective and is great to have on hand. Feel free to use store-bought seasoning if desired. Salsa: Not only does mixing in fresh salsa give the meat extra flavor, it also helps to thicken it up as well. If you don't have salsa on hand, you can use tomato sauce and water instead.

Do you add water before taco seasoning? ›

1/2 cup water: After you've browned your meat, add in 1/2 cup water with 2 tablespoons of the taco seasoning mix. Stir to combine and mix all together. Slowly add in another 1/2 cup water as some will begin to absorb – you want it with a little sauce, just not too watery!

What is the same as taco seasoning? ›

What can you use instead of taco seasoning? - Quora. Chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper and cumin all mixed together is pretty much the same. The cumin is the star here, without it, you'll mostly be getting hot and salty, not so much the taco flavor.

What can I use in taco seasoning if I don't have cumin? ›

8 Good Substitutes for Cumin
  • Ground coriander. Cumin and coriander grow from a plant in the parsley, or Apiaceae, family. ...
  • Caraway seeds. ...
  • Chili powder. ...
  • Taco seasoning. ...
  • Curry powder. ...
  • Garam masala. ...
  • Paprika. ...
  • Fennel seeds.

What is the natural flavor in McCormick taco seasoning? ›

McCormick Taco Seasoning is crafted with a premium blend of zesty herbs and spices including chili pepper, paprika, oregano and garlic. Blended especially for chefs, McCormick Taco Seasoning gives chefs an all-in-one, ready-to-use mix to deliver intense, concentrated flavor to Mexican-inspired dishes and beyond.

Do Mexicans use taco seasoning? ›

Mexican seasoning and taco seasoning are two popular spice blends often used in the culinary world, particularly in dishes of Mexican origin.

Why add tomato sauce to taco meat? ›

Ground meat--Use any ground meat you like for homemade tacos. Beef, turkey, chicken, or pork all work well. Tomato Sauce--Really good tacos have a saucy tomato base, and by adding in a little bit of canned tomato sauce, you can easily replicate the taste of authentic tacos and keeps this taco meat super moist.

Do you drain ground beef before adding taco seasoning? ›

Cook and stir ground beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 7 to 10 minutes. Drain and discard any excess grease. Pour water and seasoning mix over beef; stir to combine.

What is taco meat called? ›

Carne Asada – Asada (or asado) means “roasted” in Spanish. Carne asada is a spicy, marinated grilled steak that's cut into strips. This is the meat that goes into burritos and tacos. Pollo Asado – Pollo means “chicken” in Spanish, which means that pollo asado is grilled, marinated chicken.

What are the ingredients in Old El Paso taco seasoning? ›

Ingredients: Corn Starch, Maltodextrin, Salt, Chili Pepper, Spice, Sugar, Garlic Powder. Contains 2% or less of: Sea Salt (potassium magnesium chloride, salt), Citric Acid, Onion Powder, Vegetable Oil (canola and/or soybean oil), Silicon Dioxide (anticaking agent), Natural Flavor.

How important is cumin in taco seasoning? ›

Ground cumin – Next to chili powder, cumin is the most important ingredient in taco seasoning. It adds an earthy flavor and aroma.

What is the basic rule of adding seasoning? ›

Don't Let the Flavor Disappear - It's best to add ground or cut spices and herbs around the midway point or towards the end of the cooking process, so that their flavors won't disappear. This allows the spices enough time to marry with the food.

How many tablespoons are in a package of taco seasoning? ›

How many tablespoons are in a packet of taco seasoning? If you've been used to using one packet of taco seasoning per 1 pound of meat, then you might have this question. There's typically 3 tablespoons (sometimes 4 tablespoons depending in the brand) in a store-bought packet of taco seasoning.

What can I use instead of Mexican spices? ›

Substitute for Mexican spice
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder (add more if you like)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder (or 2 teaspoons crushed dried fried onions)
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes.
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano.
  • 2 teaspoons paprika.
  • 1½ teaspoons ground cumin.
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt.
Sep 24, 2020

How do you spice up bland taco meat? ›

Ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder and dried oregano: Pretty straight-forward. Paprika: I prefer to use smoked paprika, but you could also use standard or sweet paprika if you prefer. Salt and black pepper: I used fine sea salt and finely-ground black pepper for this recipe.

How can I flavor food without seasoning? ›

All types of vinegar (cider, wine vinegar, Balsamic, rice, or flavored) can be used as marinades or to drizzle on veggies or fruit. Citrus juices and/or citrus zest (orange, lemon, grapefruit etc.) can be added to marinades and rubs or squeezed over meats, pasta, rice, and/or veggies.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Maia Crooks Jr

Last Updated:

Views: 6250

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (63 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Maia Crooks Jr

Birthday: 1997-09-21

Address: 93119 Joseph Street, Peggyfurt, NC 11582

Phone: +2983088926881

Job: Principal Design Liaison

Hobby: Web surfing, Skiing, role-playing games, Sketching, Polo, Sewing, Genealogy

Introduction: My name is Maia Crooks Jr, I am a homely, joyous, shiny, successful, hilarious, thoughtful, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.