This Homemade Taco Seasoning comes together fast with measurements for one pound of meat or for a whole container to keep in your pantry! Make it extra spicy or keep it mild. We use this recipe weekly!
WHY THIS IS THE PERFECT HOMEMADE TACO SEASONING FOR YOU
This Taco Seasoning recipe has become an absolute staple in my house. I love this homemade taco seasoning recipe so much because you can see that there are two versions for it, a small batch and a big batch. Make the small batch for one recipe at dinner time, or make the big batch version and always have it on hand.
Additionally, because you are making it at home, you can control the ingredients. I have instructions for controlling the spice level and the amount of salt.
ONE RECIPE, TWO SIZES
Looking to make dinner right now? Make the small batch version.
Want to always have this on hand? Make the big batch version.
- The small batch version amounts to 1 ounce or 3 tablespoons, the same as the taco seasoning packet from the grocery store.
- The big batch version amounts to 1 1/2 cups or 8 small packets. Pull out 3 tablespoons at a time to equal one pound of meat.
HOW TO MAKE TACO SEASONING
Taco seasoning is incredibly simple to make, since it is just measuring out the spices and whisking them together. If you want to hear me talk far too long on it, check out the video below.
You need:
- chili powder
- paprika
- kosher salt
- onion powder
- garlic powder
- ground cumin
- cayenne pepper (vary the amount depending on the level of heat you want)
Whisk the ingredients together and store in an airtight container.
SPICY VS. MILD
The big bonus of this recipe is that you can make this recipe mild, medium or hot! We tend to keep it mild for the kids, but love it medium for us.
- For mild: take out the cayenne pepper completely
- For medium: leave the cayenne pepper as is
- For hot: double the cayenne pepper
CAN I MAKE THIS LOW SODIUM?
Yes! Depending on your dietary restrictions, you can cut the salt in this recipe. I would start with cutting the salt in half. If your diet requires very strict sodium restrictions, cut the salt entirely and then allow your family to salt their meal to taste.
DOES THIS TACO SEASONING GO BAD?
If you store your taco seasoning in an air tight container, it should stay good for 1 to 2 years. That said, I think you will use it a lot faster than that.
VIRAL RECIPES MADE WITH THIS TACO SEASONING
I’ve had a number of viral recipes that started with this homemade taco seasoning!
- TACO BRAID – This recipe has a viral Facebook video that has been shared over 300k times!
- TACO SOUP – I’ve been loving this soup for YEARS and it has been pinned over 40k times
- TACO PASTA SALAD – The video for this post broke the internet. It was shared 1 MILLION times!
My number one most common way to use this taco seasoning recipe is with these Instant Pot Chicken Tacos. We make them all the time and never tire of them.
OTHER GREAT HOMEMADE SEASONINGS
If you make this great taco seasoning or any of my other recipes leave me a comment and let me know what you think!
Homemade Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
To Replace One Store Bought Packet (1 ounce or 3 tablespoons)
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Large Batch (The equivalent of 8 store bought packets)
- 1/2 cup chili powder
- 1/3 cup paprika
- 2 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 2 1/2 tablespoons onion powder
- 2 1/2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 2 1/2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Mix together all the spices. 3 tablespoons is equivalent to what you would buy at the store.
amy says
How much water do you add if you are making ground beef tacos with this seasoning?
I would follow the same directions on the packet, which I think 1/4 a cup.
Julie says
2/3 cup water
Julie says
I love this recipe!!! ???? The amount of water stated on packets is 2/3 cup
Jerri Brewer says
Searched Taco seasoning recipes and chose this one. It’s awesome. I leave out the salt. Started with small recipe for the first batch. Doing the large batch now.
I’m so happy you like it, Jerry! It is probably the most used recipe in my house, and I love hearing that you still love it without salt. Great for people on low sodium diets.
Daryl Tresler says
Thank you for this I have tried a home made season and it turened out to bland. Now I can try again and it will taste very good.
Betty Ann says
Hi, Is chili powder the same as chili seasoning?
thanks
Nope, chili seasoning is a spice mix. Chili Powder comes from dried chili peppers.
D. Tracy says
I love this taco seasoning. I like that I can adjust the spice level. I always have it on hand in my pantry. And I can trust 100% that it’s gluten free!
This makes me so happy! We always have it on hand in our house too!
Melanie Rowe says
Everything sounds great! I’m making the taco seasoning in a few minutes!
I hope you like it!
Diana Geen says
Thanks appreciate it
Christoval Sanchez says
This has replaced any and all pouch seasonings, I funnel this into an empty spice container and now I have it on hand whenever taco night happens. Great recipe.
I’m so happy to hear this!
MEG says
I was in the mood for my zucchini nachos…as everything was cooking, I discovered I was out of taxo seasoning! Enter my search for small batch taco seasoning and this recipe.
Soooo good! Will never buy the packets again!
Yay! I’m so glad to hear that! This is one of my VERY favorite recipes, we use it in my house so often.