Homemade Taco Seasoning without artificial ingredients and much less sodium! Easy to make and store. Saves money over packaged seasoning too!
Why make your own taco seasoning mix? Homemade taco seasoning is infinitely healthier since whole ingredients are being used. You can also customize it to your taste and control the freshness!
Sabrina’s Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe
Homemade Taco Seasoning was one of the first homemade seasoning mixes I learned to make, replacing the old faithful, McCormick’s Taco Seasoning Packets, and the one we had most when I was a kid, Lawry’s Taco Seasoning Packets. There are no added preservatives or artificial ingredients when you make this yourself, and you can make the mix in advance to keep and use for several months. PLUS, it is significantly less expensive. We buy spices in bulk, so mixing up these seasoning mixes is a breeze.
Recipe Card
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 3 tablespoons ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons coarse ground black pepper
Instructions
- Add the ingredients to a small coffee grinder or food processor and grind until all blended and the oregano isn’t in small bits anymore.
- Store in a small jar.
- Use 3 tablespoons to equal 1 (1.25 ounce) seasoning packet.
Nutrition
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Table of Contents
Chef’s Note: Taste
This taco seasoning recipe is meant to taste like your favorite homemade tacos but I also have a Taco Bell Seasoning Mix copycat for you to enjoy! This seasoning mix is flavorful but is only mildly spicy. If you do find it is a little bit too much for your taste, you can simply cut back on how much you use in each recipe.
What to Pair with this Seasoning
- Cheesy Taco Pasta is a delicious pasta recipe that uses this taco blend. It’s fun to use the seasoning in something less expected, like a pasta dish.
- Taco Chili is a cozy, warm and delicious dinner recipe that you can season with this spice blend
- Taco Stuffed Shells are a great twist on Italian stuffed shells. Add this to your dinner rotation in place of tacos one night!
- If you want my AWARD-WINNING enchilada sauce recipe (this is one of my most popular recipes on the site!): 10 Minute Enchilada Sauce. Use the seasoning to build your own custom homemade enchilada filling.
Frequently Asked Questions
To add to your recipe, include 3 tablespoons of taco seasoning mix with 2/3 cup of water and stir until well combined.
The question you’re asking is how many tablespoons are in 1.25 ounces, which is about 2.5 tablespoons. Just a bit under 3 tablespoons of taco seasoning mix is included in a 1 ¼ ounce packet of taco seasoning mix.
Store it in your spice cupboard in a small glass jar; it can keep fresh for up to 6 months, assuming your spices are fresh to begin with.
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These photos were used in a previous version of this post
I am also looking forward to your Taco Bell Seasoning Mix copycat / Thanks in advance!
Stay tuned!
Everything is so much better homemade! Love your recipes! Anyways, I was almost positive I saw an onion soup mix recipe on your blog. Maybe with another recipe?
I’m so glad you are loving the recipes. I actually don’t have an onion soup mix recipe yet but I’ll add it to my to-do list because I definitely should have one. Thanks for the suggestion.
Yes please so as so many crockpot recipes add a package of onion soup and those packages are soooo loaded with chemicals
SO much better than packaged!!
Thanks Cathy! Totally agree!
Homemade is always best! I am going to have to keep this stocked up in my pantry!
Yes, always good to have on hand!
Homemade taco seasoning is way better!
I love homemade taco seasoning!! Definitely trying your recipe!
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it!!
We avoid the packaged mixes due to the high sodium and other stuff, so this is perfect!
Yes, I love knowing exactly what’s in it!
I love making things like this at home. I can control every ingredient!
Definitely!
Homemade is the best and doesn’t have all the junk ingredients!
Hi Sabrina,
What is the heat level of this Taco Seasoning? I am wanting to find a mild version that is child friendly. My grandson loves Mexican and Tex-Mex food but has a bit of a sensitive tummy and spicy foods don’t seem to settle well. He seems to do all right with the mild versions of well known brands. I would prefer to make my own, but of the 6 different homemade recipes I have tried, all have been spicier than one or both of us could handle. I am hoping you might be able to help by either creating a mild version or by making suggestions on what spices give good flavor without the heat, and which spices I should avoid, use with caution or in small amounts to help in keeping the spiciness temperature low, but still have good flavor.
I noticed you stated you buy your seasonings in bulk and I was wondering if you could recommend some online sellers.
Hey Janyne, the only thing I’d suggest is omitting the cayenne. In terms of the chili powder, use half the chili powder. Hope that helps!