Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix Recipe from Lana's Cooking

Name: Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: ½ cup chili powder; 2 teaspoons garlic powder; 2 teaspoons onion powder; 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes; 2 teaspoons dried oregano; 4 teaspoons paprika; ¼ cup ground cumin; 2 tablespoons plus 2 tsp kosher salt; 2 tablespoons plus 2 tsp ground black pepper

5 from 1 vote

A well balanced Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix to keep on hand for spicing up all sorts of southwestern recipes.

Total Time 5 minutes

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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 be 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.

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 :-)

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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You'll Need
How to Make Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix
Tip: It Has Lots of Uses!
FAQs
📖 Recipe

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 May Like

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

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