How to Make Homemade Taco Seasoning | The Best Recipe

With this simple taco seasoning mix from scratch, you can make the equivalent of 6 taco seasoning packets using items you probably already have in your spice drawer.   It’s more delicious and better for you than the packets you buy at the grocery store!

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It’s Taco Tuesday!  We love taco night at our house!  It’s a meal that I know my family will gobble up without hesitation or complaints.   Hooray!   Our go-to, homemade taco seasoning recipe that we have been making for years is made with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. When it comes to making tacos at home, nothing beats making your own spice blend.

Why make your own seasoning for tacos?

It’s easy and will save you money.  Who doesn’t love both of those reasons?  Oh, and it’s healthier with fresh spices and less salt.  Those packaged seasoning mixes often have unpronounceable ingredients.  Skip the fillers and try this spice blend!  This recipe uses a few spices that are probably already in your cabinet and because of that, you don’t have to run out to the store.   Your next taco night just got way better!

HOMEMADE TACO SEASONING MIX INGREDIENTS:

To make your own batch of this recipe, you will need the following handful of spices from your pantry:

• onion powder
• sweet paprika
• chili powder
• salt (If you want it to be low-sodium just omit this ingredient)
• garlic powder
• cumin
• oregano
• cornstarch
• cayenne pepper if you like it spicy!

Store your homemade taco seasoning in a small mason jar or a small sealed storage container until you are ready to cook.  Use this seasoning in any recipe you have that calls for a packet of the store-bought stuff.  A scant 1/4 cup equals one packet of seasoning.  It will last for up to a year in a sealed container.

How to use homemade taco seasoning

Use in any recipe you have that calls for a packet of the store-bought stuff.  A scant 1/4 cup equals one of the store-bought packets of seasoning which is enough seasoning for one pound of ground meat.

Add a few tablespoons to grilled chicken, steak or pork.

Mix in with refried beans to give them more flavor.

For tacos:

• Brown 1 pound of ground beef or ground turkey in a skillet until cooked through.  Drain if necessary.
• Add 1/2 cup of water and a scant 1/4 cup of taco seasoning.
• Let it cook until thickened.
• Serve and enjoy!

This recipe can be made in minutes. It’s preservative-free, gluten-free, and can easily be customized to your taste!  

How to Store Our Easy Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe

For the best flavor, homemade seasoning is best stored for up to 6 months, but can be stored for up to 1 to 2 years if it’s kept in a cool, dry place and in a tightly sealed container or mason jar.  This homemade seasoning mix makes a big batch which is the equivalent of 6 packets of taco seasoning from the grocery store.  Once you mix it up you have taco seasoning ready to go whenever you want to use it. 

Ideas for Using Your Own Taco Seasoning Mix

• Add a couple of tablespoons of seasoning to the sour cream to make a topping for tacos or a dip for chips
• Use the seasoned ground meat on taco salad
• Add a little bit of taco seasoning to black beans for some extra flavor
• Use it instead of fajita seasoning, the next time you make fajitas
• Use it to season your favorite taco soup recipe
• Try it on shrimp as the base for shrimp tacos
• Use it to season your favorite queso dip
• Add it to ground beef, mix it with rice, and use it to make stuffed peppers
• Mix a few tablespoons in with refried beans for extra flavor
• Mix a little with some ranch dressing for a taco-flavored ranch dressing to top your salads
• Add a tablespoon or two into your favorite mac and cheese sauce to make a taco pasta
• Sprinkle onto chicken breasts to season them before grilling
• Add to your favorite chili recipe for a little extra flavor
• Toss on to these oven fries with the oil before you bake them, it adds an extra punch of flavor.

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How to Make Homemade Taco Seasoning | The Best Recipe

Makes about the equivalent of 6 taco seasoning packets

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup onion powder
• 1/4 cup sweet paprika
• 1/4 cup chili powder
• 2 tbs salt
• 2 tbs garlic powder
• 1 tbs cumin
• 1 tbs dried oregano
• 1/4 cup cornstartch

Instructions

To Make the Taco Seasoning Mix

• Place all ingredients in a bowl and stir together with a fork

  OR

  Place all ingredients in a container with a tight fitting lid and shake to combine.
• Store in an air tight container with a tight fitting lid or a jar.

How to Use the Taco Seasoning

• Brown 1 lb of ground beef or ground turkey in a skillet until cooked through. Drain if necessary. You can also add 1/4 cup of diced onion in this step if you’d like.
• Add 1/2 cup of water and a scant 1/4 cup of homemade taco seasoning.
• Let it cook until thickened.
• Serve and enjoy!

Check out some of my other recent posts below:

• Easy No Knead Bread Made With Olive Oil in a Dutch Oven
• Crispy Parmesan Potato Wedges in the Oven
• Tortellini with Chicken Sausage and Roasted Broccoli
• Bourbon Aperol Smash | A Whiskey Smash Cocktail Recipe
• Easy Sandwich Recipes with Leftover Ham

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