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Wellness Mama » Blog » Recipes » Condiment Recipes » Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe (Secret Family Favorite)

Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe (Secret Family Favorite)

July 26, 2018 (Updated: July 30, 2019)   —  by Katie Wells

Homemade taco seasoning

Reading Time: 4 minThis post contains affiliate links. Click here to read my affiliate policy.

Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • Why Make Homemade Taco Seasoning?
  • How to Make Your Own Taco Seasoning Recipe
  • Taco-Inspired Recipes to Try+−
    • How to Substitute Homemade Taco Seasoning for Packets
    • Want to make other spices too?
  • Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe
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I can get my kids to eat almost anything with ketchup or homemade ranch dressing on top… or if I season it with taco seasoning! In fact, I know many moms who keep taco seasoning packets on hand to use in the thousands of kid-friendly ways suggested by Pinterest.

I lived in Texas for much of my life and I fell in love with the flavors of both Tex-Mex and authentic Mexican cuisine. This taco seasoning mix is a family favorite recipe we’ve carefully perfected over many years.

Ground beef, chicken, eggs, or even a veggie scramble… it’s all better with this taco seasoning on top!

Why Make Homemade Taco Seasoning?

Why go through the trouble of making your own seasoning mix when you can buy it at the store? Here are a few reasons I like doing it:

  • Perk #1: You get more for your money. If you’ve ever bought taco seasoning packets from the grocery store, this is a simple and cost-effective switch you can make right away. Store-bought taco seasoning is crazy overpriced for the two tablespoons of actual spices it contains. It also often contains things like MSG, anti-caking agents, and artificial colors or flavors. Buying spices in bulk saves money and skips the cheap fillers and harmful additives.
  • Perk #2: It’s easy. This homemade version is so easy to make with almost no prep time! The total time to make up a big batch is about 5 minutes. Store in an airtight container (I love my mason jars for this) and store away from heat and light to have it on hand for months to come. No more running to the store because you’re out of taco seasoning!
  • Perk #3: You can control the spice level. Add cayenne pepper for heat or double down on the cumin for a more smoky and savory approach. The gentle blend of flavors is great with much more than just tacos though. Add it to scrambled eggs, mayo, stir-frys, soups, and even salad dressings! Since kids usually don’t love spicy foods, I make this a mild taco seasoning and give the adults a grinder with red pepper flakes or bottle of hot sauce at the table.

How to Make Your Own Taco Seasoning Recipe

When you make taco mix yourself, you’ll find it is incredibly easy! You only need a few basic spices:

Homemade DIY Taco Seasoning Blend Recipe

  • chili powder (here’s how to make your own)
  • cumin
  • garlic powder
  • onion powder (here’s how to make your own)
  • oregano leaf
  • paprika
  • Himalayan salt or sea salt (optional)
  • black pepper

Measure in the ratios below, mix in a small bowl or mason jar, and store for use! It’s that easy. This recipe should give you a starting point but feel free to adapt it to your family’s tastes and make your own “secret” recipe.

Taco-Inspired Recipes to Try

I use the spices above in many other recipes, so it’s great to have the option of using them on their own or combining them into various homemade seasonings (see the whole list of my favorite spice mixes below).

We use our DIY taco seasoning the most in:

  • taco meat (obviously) – because we love tacos!
  • as a sub for fajita seasoning
  • sprinkled over eggs
  • with ground turkey or beef in a meat and veggie scramble
  • in an easy taco soup (taco meat + leftover veggies + broth + squeeze of lime)
  • to season chili
  • with ground chicken and veggies in a lettuce wrap
  • as a tasty addition to this Crock Pot chicken recipe
  • to season fish tacos

I’m sure the options are endless (not all of them good… I’ve seen some of the kitchen experiments my kids come up with!). If you have other ideas, please drop a comment and let me know!

How to Substitute Homemade Taco Seasoning for Packets

Use 2-3 tablespoons of this spice + ¼ cup of water per pound of meat. Add the spice and water while the meat is browning and cook on medium-high heat until the water has evaporated and the meat is fully cooked.

Homemade taco seasoning
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4.17 from 24 votes

Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe

Homemade taco seasoning is simple and cost effective to make and easily takes the place of store bought seasoning packets for quick meals.
Course Spice
Cuisine Mexican
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 3 cup
Calories 8kcal
Author Katie Wells
The ingredient links below are affiliate links. Click here to read my affiliate policy.

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup chili powder
  • ¼ cup cumin
  • 1 TBSP garlic powder
  • 2 TBSP onion powder
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 TBSP Himalayan salt (or sea salt, optional)
  • 1 tsp black pepper

Instructions

  • Combine all the spices in a jar and shake well.
  • Store in an airtight jar for up to six months.

Notes

Use 2-3 tablespoons of this spice + ¼ cup of water per pound of meat. Add the spice and water while the meat is browning and cook on medium high heat until the water has evaporated and the meat is fully cooked.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tsp | Calories: 8kcal | Carbohydrates: 1.4g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 0.3g | Sodium: 42mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 0.5g

Like this recipe? Check out my new cookbook, or get all my recipes (over 500!) in a personalized weekly meal planner here!

Want to make other spices too?

Check out my full list of spices you can make at home with basic ingredients to overhaul your spice cabinet today! You’ll love it because the flavor of fresh, homemade spice blends is incredible and you’ll save money too!

What are your favorite seasonings?

This amazing homemade taco seasoning recipe with herbs and spices is inexpensive to make and takes the place of store bought seasoning packets with MSG.

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Category: Condiment Recipes, Recipes

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About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder and CEO of Wellness Mama and Co-Founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a wife and mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

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Reader Interactions

Discussion (45 Comments)

  1. Monica

    January 15, 2015 at 9:38 AM

    5 stars
    This was delicious and easy. I used half the recommended salt and cooked it with beef. Thank you!

    Reply
  2. Lisa Marie

    December 30, 2014 at 11:11 AM

    I made this today. Way too much salt. I’m having to brown two more pounds of ground beef to dilute what I have already made. Then I’ll make the mix without salt. (I used organic sea salt.)

    Reply
  3. Jamie

    October 1, 2014 at 2:09 PM

    I make my own achiote paste. The paste is marinated or rubbed directly on meat or seafood before grilling.

    2 tablespoons annatto seeds
    1 teaspoon cumin seeds
    1 teaspoon oregano
    6 allspice berries
    1 teaspoon sea salt
    4 garlic cloves, pressed
    4 tablespoons lime juice

    Combine the annatto seeds, cumin seeds, oregano, allspice berries, and salt in a spice mill or coffee grinder. Grind to a powderlike consistency. In a small bowl, mix the powder with the garlic and lime juice. Store in an airtight container, in the refrigerator.

    Reply
  4. Grace

    September 26, 2014 at 12:57 PM

    Do you have suggestions for when you are following an AIP meal plan?

    Reply
    • Katie - Wellness Mama

      September 29, 2014 at 9:55 PM

      Yes, working on finishing these up!

      Reply
  5. Brenda

    September 22, 2014 at 6:21 AM

    Any suggested seasoning when nightshade are not able to be consumed. Ex.peppers

    Reply
    • Becky

      September 8, 2016 at 12:44 AM

      4 stars
      Because I hadnt salted much, I, reluctantly, used 1 Tbsp. Certainly didnt need any more. I did add some cayenne, just a tsp or so. Nice!

      I’ll take a quart to my grown sons tomorrow. Homegrown tomatoes and a rich homemade bone broth gave some depth of flavor. So yummy!

      Reply
  6. Michele

    September 21, 2014 at 9:50 AM

    Do you try to stay away from night shade vegetables and ingredients? Has affected your hashimotos? I’m just wandering if it’s worth a try. I haven’t been diagnosed but have all the symptoms. But the idea of not being able to enjoy Mexican flavor is a bit much.

    Reply
  7. JoAn

    September 21, 2014 at 7:15 AM

    Is the salt amount correct … 1/4 cup?

    Reply
    • Cecilia

      February 20, 2016 at 11:26 PM

      4 stars
      I used sea salt, and 1/4 cup salt is WAY too much! I go light on the salt so only used 1/2 table spoon and it was great.

      Reply
      • Hélène

        October 9, 2016 at 10:30 AM

        I use 1tsp salt for every pound of hamburger I fry up. Of course, use a quality salt, not the blue canister of death in the groceries.
        For this, I just omitted the salt, we like stuff very flavored so it was still good. Then I added my usual tsp of salt and some fresh pepper. We still all use redhot with it, I put my hotpepper vinegar on it too. I put that on most everything lol

        Reply
    • Melissa

      May 31, 2016 at 11:20 AM

      3 stars
      I also followed the recipe and used 1/4 cup salt. WAY TOO MUCH! I am sure the author has made a typo?! Please correct ASAP:) Otherwise, fabulous recipe.

      Reply
    • Julia Bolden

      May 12, 2017 at 2:36 PM

      It doesn’t say 1/4 cup salt! You only need very little or non at all

      Reply
  8. Sylvia

    September 20, 2014 at 1:47 PM

    5 stars
    And I was just wondering how to make taco seasoning…. Another timely post!
    Thanks so much. Your blog is what got me started on my journey to better health!

    Reply
  9. Kay

    September 20, 2014 at 10:15 AM

    When you add this recipe to your hamburger do you add water too? If you do how much water?

    Reply
    • D. Evans

      March 17, 2017 at 9:55 PM

      3 stars
      See above… in the recipe.

      Reply
  10. Judy C

    September 17, 2014 at 5:42 PM

    I love adding ground Coriander (Cilantro). It definitely boosts the flavour. I also use ground cumin, ground paprika and salt & pepper. Hadn’t thought to add garlic powder & onion powder. Lucky me – burritos are on the menu tonight! Will have to give it a go.

    Reply
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