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I created this homemade taco seasoning recipe as a special blend of spices that is just perfect for making tacos, casseroles, or any Mexican-inspired dish. It comes together in minutes and takes the flavor of any dish to the next level.
5-Star Reviews
“I made it last night and used it for tacos. It was very delicious. Much better than store bought. Thank you.” -Linda
Easy Taco Seasoning Recipe
This homemade taco seasoning is an easy way to add a burst of flavor to tacos, fajitas, casseroles, and more. I like to add it along with the other spices in my recipes to help the Mexican-inspired flavor shine through. It helps enhance the flavor of meat, chicken, fish, beans, and I even add it to my eggs!
I’m sure you all know by now that I LOVE tacos, and any kind of Tex-Mex dish. I’ve made tons of taco recipes, queso recipes, and enchilada recipes, and none of them would be complete without this taco seasoning. It’s that special ingredient that adds an extra kick to every dish.
I like to keep a jar on hand and use it not just for Mexican dishes but anywhere I want to add a burst of flavor. Believe me, once you make homemade taco seasoning, you’ll never buy it at the store again.
Tips and Variations for Beginners
- This recipe makes about ½ cup of seasoning. You can make more as you need it, or make a larger batch at once. If you’re as big a Mexican food fan as I am, you may want to double the recipe, as you’ll use it up pretty quickly.
- Make a no-salt option. If you are avoiding salt, then omit it from the recipe.
- Modify the spice. Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to suit your taste or leave it out completely.
- An ounce per pound. I follow the rule of thumb and add one ounce of seasoning, 2 tablespoons, for one pound of meat, chicken, fish, or pork.
- Substitute for taco seasoning in recipes. If your recipe calls for 1 oz. taco seasoning, use this blend instead of store bought on a one-to-one basis.
Taco Seasoning Recipe (Homemade)
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp ancho chili powder
- 2 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Video
Instructions
- Whisk all ingredients in a medium bowl. Place in an airtight container and store in a cool, dry location.3 tbsp ancho chili powder, 2 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, 1 tbsp dried oregano, 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp crushed red pepper, 1 tsp kosher salt, 1 tsp black pepper
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
How to Make Homemade Taco Seasoning Step by Step
Combine all the ingredients: Whisk 3 tbsp ancho chili powder, 2 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, 1 tbsp dried oregano, 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp crushed red pepper, 1 tsp kosher salt, and 1 tsp black pepper in a bowl.
Transfer to a container: Transfer the spice mix to an airtight container and store until ready to use.
How to Store
I like to keep my homemade taco seasoning for up to 6 months. Any longer than that and the flavor will fade. I keep it with all my other spices in a drawer in the kitchen.
Serving Suggestions
There aren’t many dishes I won’t add this homemade taco seasoning to, but I’ll most definitely use it to up the flavor of these chicken tacos, and this seasoning adds loads of flavor to homemade crockpot taco meat. My Mexican stuffed peppers wouldn’t taste the same without this taco seasoning.
Taco Recipes To Try
- Perfect for DIY taco night, in these Street Tacos, I use any kind of meat for the filling.
- These melt-in-your-mouth Birria Tacos are rich in Mexican flavors, mingle with melted cheese, and are wrapped in a crunchy tortilla.
- Chicken Smash Tacos feature ground chicken smashed directly onto the tortilla and cooked meat-side down to form a crispy, flavorful base for your favorite toppings.
I made the Taco Seasoning without the salt, because of my husbands kidney disease, without the red pepper flakes because I am a wuss, and had to substitute ancho chili peppers for the powder because that is what I had. I added chicken stock for moisture to the left over pulled roast chicken, some onion and green pepper, canned queso cheese, and cilantro on a flour tortillo. Delicious.
Actually I made it last night and used it for tacos. It was very delicious. Much better than store bought. Thank you.
I am using this for already cooked and shredded chicken…….how do I get it liquid?
I’d add a little broth or water while you heat up the chicken and add the seasoning.
Just looking at recipe haven’t tried yet
When making this taco seasoning, how much to use per recipe re:backed chicken tacos?
Use it as you would the packaged kind! 1 ounce is approx. 2 tablespoons!
The flavor was good, but I feel like the meat soaked up the seasoning and became dry. With store bought seasoning you’re supposed to add water and it thickens up a bit. Did I miss a step here?
Hi Kristal, this taco seasoning is meant to be used how you would use store-bought. Hope this helps!
I like the sauce with it too. I add roughly a quarter cup of slurry with my whole pan while cooking. Then turn it super low or it’ll get too thick.
Just made this tonight. I omitted the nutmeg and added garlic powder and season salt and it was perfection. I also added a little more chilli pepper.
How MUCH do u use to pound of meat..?
An ounce per pound!
What is the measurement? Ex. Tablespoon, teaspoon, etc.?
About 2 tablespoons!
This is so good! And TBH I felt kind of cool making my own taco seasoning to use!
LOL I’m glad I could help!! So happy you liked it!
So sweet.
Hi,
Is Ancho chili powder the same as Ancho chili pepper? Thank you!
You could use either or!