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 taco seasoning.
- EASY & CONVENIENT – 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.
- NO PRESERVATIVES – You’ll know exactly what’s in it. Those packets contain things like maltodextrin, silicon dioxide, citric acid, and sugar. This recipe doesn’t.
- VERSATILE – You’ll find lots of uses for this mix besides taco night. I’ll give you some hints later in the post.
About the Ingredients
- 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 pepper.)
- 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 Black Pepper
These are all fairly 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 :-)
You’ll find detailed measurements for all ingredients in the printable version of the recipe at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix
I simply measure my herbs and spices through a funnel directly into a storage jar or container. You can use anything you have which can be tightly sealed. Mason jars work very well.
Then just stir or shake until it’s mixed thoroughly and store it in a cool, dry place. Now you have your very own homemade taco seasoning recipe in your pantry.
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
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.
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 1/3 cup of water. Stir and cook for an additional 5 to 6 minutes.
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.
There are no real, set in stone recipes for either fajita mix or taco mix. Each region of Mexico has distinct differences in recipes and spice companies have different spice blends. However, in general, taco mixes have more chili powder and oregano than fajita mixes do.
HAVE YOU TRIED THIS RECIPE?
I’d LOVE to know what you thought!
Leave a rating below in the comments and let me know how you liked it!
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Recipe
Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix
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
Instructions
- Mix together thoroughly.
- Store in a sealed container in a cool, dry place.
Notes
Nutrition Information
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.
— This post was originally published on January 21, 2014.
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.
If you are shy about investing in the different spices, find a buddy and split the cost and the finished product!
Miss P
Great idea!
Such a wonderful blend to keep on hand!
Thanks, Shaina. Having it on hand makes a quick taco or burrito dinner even quicker!
Love this Lana! Thanks so much for including our Homemade Italian Seasoning Mix xoxo
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.
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.
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/
Lana, thank you so much!
You’re so welcome, Peg!
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!
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.