Homemade taco seasoning is quick and easy to make, and you probably have all the ingredients you need in your kitchen pantry right now. It’s a perfectly balanced seasoning that is delicious on tacos, burritos, chicken, rice, and more.
Store-bought taco seasoning might taste good, but it’s often loaded with additives and hard-to-pronounce ingredients. That’s one of the main reasons I like to make my own.
The other reason is just as important: it tastes better. Fresh spices bring so much more flavor, and since I don’t add salt to the mix, I can season each recipe exactly the way I like it. This blend uses six pantry-staple spices to create that classic Tex-Mex flavor—and as a bonus, making it yourself is way less expensive than buying the packets.
For a different variation, try my fajita seasoning next !
How to use taco seasoning
Use this taco seasoning to add a bit of Tex-Mex flavor to all your favorite dishes.
Use 2-3 tablespoons per pound of meat.
(It is typically recommended to use 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning per pound of meat. But we like our food extra flavorful, so we often add three tablespoons.)
If you’re worried that you won’t use a whole batch of homemade taco seasoning, have no fear. There are lots of ways to use this tasty seasoning mix!
- To season baked fries.
- On hashbrowns.
- In a Tex-Mex casserole.
- Add it to your favorite chili recipe .
- To season enchiladas.
- In chicken taco soup .
- On baked chicken .
Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe
- Pin
Ingredients
- ▢ 2 tablespoons chili powder
- ▢ 2 tablespoons sweet or smoked paprika (see notes)
- ▢ 1 tablespoon onion powder
- ▢ 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- ▢ 1 tablespoon cumin
- ▢ 1 tablespoon oregano
- ▢ Optional: 1 teaspoon cayenne (if you like it spicy)
Instructions
- Mix the ingredients in a small bowl. 2 tablespoons chili powder, 2 tablespoons sweet or smoked paprika, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon cumin, 1 tablespoon oregano, Optional: 1 teaspoon cayenne
- Store in a jar in your pantry.
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here .
Did you make this?
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Popular seasoning mix recipes
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Fajita Seasoning (made with pantry staple spices)
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Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 tablespoons sweet or smoked paprika , see notes
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon oregano
- Optional: 1 teaspoon cayenne , if you like it spicy
Instructions
- Mix the ingredients in a small bowl. 2 tablespoons chili powder, 2 tablespoons sweet or smoked paprika, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon cumin, 1 tablespoon oregano, Optional: 1 teaspoon cayenne
- Store in a jar in your pantry.
