Homemade Taco Seasoning
Homemade taco seasoning for your family’s particular taste is ready in just minutes. Make it mild or spicy, with salt or without, this recipe is flexible to suit your needs. Use to make tacos or use as a general seasoning blend for grilling meats. These spices are the right blend to elevate all your Mexican-inspired dishes.
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Why make homemade taco seasoning?
Full disclosure, I do on occasion purchase taco seasoning packets. Because, life happens. So, you will not hear any judgement from me if that is your path.
That said, though, there is more to love about taco seasoning than just making tacos. Flavors like chili powder, paprika, smoky cumin, oregano – these flavors belong all over my kitchen. Hence, making homemade taco seasoning.
There are 2 types of taco seasoning on the market: packets, which contain predominantly corn starch, and seasoning mixes that contain a lot of sodium. Not that I need to avoid salt, but I want to control the salt level in my food. So, by making our own taco seasoning, we accomplish 3 things:
- We get a versatile spice blend to use creatively in all sorts of dishes.
- We get to control the level of spicy heat.
- We get to control the salt.
The added bonus is that we get a rich and delicious seasoning mix with tons more flavor. Like my Grill Rubs for Pork and Chicken, I keep a small tub of this in the fridge.
About the ingredients
All we need are pantry staples. I love this recipe to use up a bunch of spices too.
I specifically call out kosher salt. I do not recommend using table salt. Fine sea salt is an alternative, but I recommend reducing to 1 teaspoon.
Simply combine and store in the refrigerator. Spices are generally good for up to 6 months, so if you are starting with relatively fresh ingredients you can plan on it staying good for that long.
Check out my recipe for the Best Ever Ground Beef Tacos and see this seasoning in action.
Homemade Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
- 4 Tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ to 1 tsp cayenne pepper 1/2 tsp for mild, 1 tsp for medium heat
- 1 Tbsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 Tbsp cumin
- ½ Tbsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp fresh cracked pepper
Instructions
- Combine. Store refrigerated in a resealable container or bag.
- Use 2-3 Tbsp per pound ground meat to make tacos.
