• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Never Enough Thyme logo

  • Recipes ▼
    • Heritage Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Breads
    • Breakfast
    • Canning and Preserving
    • Condiments and Extras
    • Desserts
      • Chocolate
    • Main Dishes
      • Beef
      • Eggs and Dairy
      • Fish and Seafood
      • Lamb
      • Meatless
      • Pork
      • Pasta
      • Poultry
      • Sandwiches
      • Soups and Stews
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
    • Slow Cooker
    • Snacks
    • Vegetables
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
go to homepage
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • Travel
  • Garden&Home
  • About
×

Home » Food » Condiments and Extras » Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix

Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix

By Lana Stuart · Published: Jan 21, 2014 · Last Modified: Jan 14, 2021 · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
Glass jar filled with homemade taco seasoning mix.
A jar of homemade taco seasoning mix
Glass jar filled with homemade taco seasoning mix.

This well balanced Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix is great to keep on hand for spicing up all sorts of southwestern recipes. You'll never go back to those packets again!

Taco Tuesdays will never been quite the same once you've used this homemade blend of seasonings! Of course, you can open and dump one of those packets into your taco mix if you really want to, but it's just so easy to make your own.

Glass jar filled with homemade taco seasoning mix.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Well, it's just so easy to make and you'll always have the perfect spice blend on hand for all your tacos, burritos, and more.
  • You'll know exactly what's in it. Those packets contain things like maltodextrin, silicon dioxide, citric acid, and sugar. This recipe doesn't.
  • It's versatile. You'll find lots of uses for this mix besides taco night. I'll give you some hints later in the post.

Ingredients You'll Need

Herbs and spices for the seasoning mix measured out on a small plate.
  • Chili powder (note that this is the commonly available American style of chili powder -- which is actually a mix of spices in itself -- and not cayenne.)
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Oregano (I prefer Mexican oregano for this mix)
  • Smoked paprika (smoked paprika gives an extra depth of flavor here but you can use regular paprika for a lighter, milder taste)
  • Cumin
  • Salt and pepper

You'll find detailed measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version of the recipe at the bottom of this post.

All pretty standard spices and available at any grocery store. It's very important to use fresh spices, not those little jars that have been in the back of your pantry for two years. You know what I'm talking about :-)

How to Make Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix

Herbs and spices being funneled into a storage jar.

I simply measure my herbs and spices through a funnel directly into a storage jar or container. You can use any container that you have which can be tightly sealed.

Then simply stir or shake it all it's mixed thoroughly and store it in a cool, dry place.

Tip: It Has Lots of Uses!

This spice mixture is good for so much more than tacos and burritos! Here are some adventurous ideas:

  • This seasoning mix makes a great starting base for chili con carne; add more chili powder, oregano, and garlic to suit your taste.
  • Use it as a rub for steak
  • Sprinkle it in chicken salad
  • Thread shrimp on a skewer, rub with taco seasoning mix and grill
  • Use a little to season your pot of pinto or black beans
  • Sprinkle it on fried pork rinds or chicharrón
  • If you're feeling especially adventurous, toss it all over your popcorn!

FAQs

How much is equal to a purchase packet of taco seasoning?

Those purchased packets of taco seasoning mix contain about 2 tablespoons of mix, so you'd use an equal amount of homemade taco seasoning mix.

How do I use it for making tacos?

You'll use 2 tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning mix for every 1 pound of ground beef, steak, or chicken. Brown the protein in a skillet with a little oil if needed, then sprinkle in the seasoning mix along with about ⅓ cup of water. Stir and cook for an additional 5 to 6 minutes.

Any flavor variation suggestions?

Yes! If you're a real garlic lover, double the amount of garlic powder in the mix. For a more spicy mixture, double the red pepper flakes. You can also add in a pinch or two of cinnamon for a bit more complex seasoning.

More Recipes You'll Love ...

  • Machaca Burritos
  • Quick Pickled Jalapeños
  • Pico de Gallo
  • Carne Asada Tacos

Have you tried this recipe? I'd love for you to give it a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card and/or in the comments section further down.

You can always stay in touch on social media by following me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest and Sign Up to Get my Newsletter, too!


Glass jar filled with homemade taco seasoning mix.

Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix

A well balanced Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix to keep on hand for spicing up all sorts of southwestern recipes.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Condiments and Extras
Cuisine: Southwestern
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 32 servings
Calories: 20kcal
Author: Lana Stuart

Ingredients

  • ½ cup chili powder
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • 4 tsp paprika
  • ¼ cup ground cumin
  • 2 tbsp plus 2 tsp kosher salt
  • 2 tbsp plus 2 tsp ground black pepper
Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

  • Mix together thoroughly.
  • Store in a sealed container in a cool, dry place.

Notes

Makes about 1 cup of seasoning mix.
TO USE: You'll use 2 tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning mix for every 1 pound of ground beef, steak, or chicken. Brown the protein in a skillet with a little oil if needed, then sprinkle in the seasoning mix along with about ⅓ cup of water. Stir and cook for an additional 5 to 6 minutes.
Variations: If you're a real garlic lover, double the amount of garlic powder in the mix. For a more spicy mixture, double the red pepper flakes. You can also add in a pinch or two of cinnamon for a bit more complex seasoning.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1tablespoon | Calories: 20kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 502mg | Potassium: 119mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1180IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your health care provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.

Share on Facebook Pin Recipe
Tried this recipe? Share it on Instagram!Mention @NevrEnoughThyme or tag #NevrEnoughThyme!

-- This post was originally published on January 21, 2014.

About Lana Stuart

Lana Stuart is the cook and occasional traveler here at Never Enough Thyme. Lana has been cooking since she was tall enough to reach the stove and started this blog in 2009 to share her delicious home cooking recipes. You'll find about 700 recipes here so there's sure to be something your family will like!
More About Lana →

Previous Post: « Spanish Rice and Chicken Soup
Next Post: Southwest Pulled Pork Sliders from the Slow Cooker »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Drick says

    January 23, 2014 at 5:00 pm

    Yup, I too like to make my own mixes... and I like the chili flakes in yours, might have to steal that idea.. I do not use it in my recipe.
    It was good to hear from you, take care.

    Reply
  2. Miss P says

    January 22, 2014 at 9:56 am

    If you are shy about investing in the different spices, find a buddy and split the cost and the finished product!

    Miss P

    Reply
    • Lana Stuart says

      January 22, 2014 at 10:52 am

      Great idea!

      Reply
  3. Shaina says

    January 21, 2014 at 7:54 pm

    Such a wonderful blend to keep on hand!

    Reply
    • Lana Stuart says

      January 21, 2014 at 8:33 pm

      Thanks, Shaina. Having it on hand makes a quick taco or burrito dinner even quicker!

      Reply
  4. Paula - bell'alimento says

    January 21, 2014 at 7:26 pm

    Love this Lana! Thanks so much for including our Homemade Italian Seasoning Mix xoxo

    Reply
    • Lana Stuart says

      January 21, 2014 at 7:43 pm

      You're welcome, Paula. You know I buy the bottled Italian seasoning all the time. Well, no more! I'll be using yours from now on.

      Reply
  5. Karo says

    January 21, 2014 at 3:47 pm

    Thank you so much for this wonderful recipe. Now..make one for chili so I can have a homemade one one for that also. Making a mix with ingredients you know is so important and usually a lot tastier. Again thank you.

    Reply
    • Lana Stuart says

      January 21, 2014 at 4:23 pm

      Karo, I use this same seasoning mix for chili. Maybe add just a bit of extra chili powder to the pot. I also sometimes add a little more oregano, but this mix is always my starting base for chili. You can see how I used it in my recipe for Not Texas Chili http://www.lanascooking.com/2013/03/19/not-texas-chili/

      Reply
  6. Peg H says

    January 21, 2014 at 2:39 pm

    Lana, thank you so much!

    Reply
    • Lana Stuart says

      January 21, 2014 at 4:24 pm

      You're so welcome, Peg!

      Reply
  7. Aly ~ Cooking In Stilettos says

    January 21, 2014 at 2:04 pm

    I swear - the more I learn about how easy it is to make my own seasoning mixes, the less I'm inclined to buy the packets. Thankfully I have the Italian Market and Penzeys locally if I want to buy a larger quantity of spices. Plus - they make fabulous gifts for the holidays. :) Love the layering of the spices in your photo Lana!

    Reply
    • Lana Stuart says

      January 21, 2014 at 4:24 pm

      It really is so easy, isn't it Aly? I'm anxious to try some of the other recipes for seasoning mixes that I found on the internet.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

WELCOME Y'ALL!

Lana Stuart, author of Never Enough Thyme

Hi! I'm Lana Stuart, the cook and occasional traveler here at Never Enough Thyme. I've been cooking since I was tall enough to reach the stove and started this blog in 2009 so I could share my delicious home cooking recipes with all of you. You'll find almost 700 recipes here so there's sure to be something your family will like!
More About Me →

Start the Day with a Great Breakfast!

  • New Orleans Beignets
  • Easy Peach Turnovers
  • Cheesy Tomato Grits with Chiles and Bacon
  • Steak and Eggs
  • Banana Nut Bread
  • Easy Sausage Muffins

Slow Cooker Favorites

  • Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings
  • Spiced Slow Cooker Applesauce
  • Slow Cooker Chicken Stew
  • Slow Cooker Bread Pudding
  • Slow Cooker Southwestern Pork Stew
  • Slow Cooker Cheesy Potatoes and Ham
Never Enough Thyme Featured On Collage

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • About
  • Privacy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Contact
  • Media
Graphic collage showing many sites where Never Enough Thyme has been featured.

Also Check Out

  • Condiments & Extras
  • Great Breakfasts
  • Tasty Beverages
  • Canning and Preserving

Never Enough Thyme is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

This blog generates income via ads.

All images and text on Never Enough Thyme are protected by U. S. Copyright Law. If you'd like to feature a post from Never Enough Thyme, you may use one photo credited and linked back to the original recipe post.

Copyright © Never Enough Thyme 2021. All rights reserved.