Homemade Taco Seasoning
This homemade taco seasoning is a savory blend of spices featuring all your Tex-Mex favorites like chili powder, garlic and onion powders, and many more! It works great on your favorite tacos, nachos, and even casseroles, for extra flavor.
I’m a big fan of making seasoning blends at home whenever possible. John and I already have a cabinet full of spices, so it makes sense for us to make blends from scratch. That way they’ll be there whenever we need one.
This taco seasoning is one that we use all the time. It’s full of common spices found in lots of Tex-Mex foods like chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, and a few more. Don’t get me wrong, I love the taco seasoning packets, too. They definitely have their place in the kitchen.
Our homemade version is great if you’re watching salt content or just forgot to grab a packet at the grocery store. It takes me about 5 minutes to mix up a batch, and I keep the jar in the pantry next to the chili seasoning and fajita seasoning. We are always prepared, y’all!
Things to Know About This Homemade Spice Blend
- It might clump. Homemade seasoning blends don’t have anti-caking agents like packets you buy at the store. Over time, the spices may clump together. It doesn’t hurt anything, but you might need to shake the jar to break up the clumps before using.
- It doesn’t cling to the meat. This is something that the packet seasonings do really well. The seasonings coat the meat and spread the flavor pretty evenly. Homemade versions don’t contain starch, which is the vehicle that actually allows the coating to happen. It may take a little more stirring to incorporate homemade taco seasoning. Again, this is more of a visual thing, not a taste issue.
- You control the sodium. The great thing about our taco seasoning is that you get to control how much salt goes in. Packets have loads of sodium, which isn’t great if you’re watching salt. When making the homemade version, you want to add enough so it doesn’t taste flat but not so much that it’s salty.
- This is great for folks with lots of spices. We recognize that individual spices can get expensive quick. This recipe is perfect for anyone who already has a cabinet full of spices. Make sure they’re fresh so the taco seasoning tastes its best.
Ingredients
For a Large Batch
- ½ cup chili powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon chipotle powder
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- pinch of black pepper
For a Single Serving
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon onion powder
- ¾ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- pinch of chipotle powder
- pinch of cayenne pepper
- pinch of black pepper
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Instructions
To Make a Large Batch
- Add the chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, chipotle powder, cayenne pepper, and black pepper to an airtight container.½ cup chili powder1 tablespoon garlic powder1 tablespoon onion powder1 tablespoon ground cumin2 teaspoons paprika1 teaspoon dried oregano1 teaspoon salt¼ teaspoon chipotle powder⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepperpinch of black pepper
- Secure the lid and shake well until the spices are evenly mixed. If using a bowl, whisk everything together, then transfer the seasoning to a jar or airtight container.
- Use right away, or store in a cool, dry pantry for up to 6 months.
To Make a Single Serving
- Stir the spices together in a small bowl.
- Brown and drain 1 pound of meat, then add the seasoning with ¼ to ⅓ cup water. Stir well and simmer for a few minutes until the seasoning coats the meat.2 tablespoons chili powder¾ teaspoon garlic powder¾ teaspoon onion powder¾ teaspoon ground cumin½ teaspoon paprika¼ teaspoon dried oregano¼ teaspoon saltpinch of chipotle powderpinch of cayenne pepperpinch of black pepper
Notes
Nutrition
How to Make Homemade Taco Seasoning
Place the chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, chipotle, cayenne, and pepper in an airtight container or jar and make sure to tighten the lid. Shake to mix!
If you don’t have a jar, use a small bowl with a spoon or whisk to mix the ingredients. Store it in an airtight container.
This recipe makes about ¾ cup of seasoning, enough for several meals. That’s all there is to making it at home.
