How to Make Taco Seasoning

5 from 11 votes

Add some flavor to your favorite Mexican recipes with this homemade taco seasoning. Quick and easy to make with a few basic herbs and spices.

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Here’s how to make taco seasoning with a few common herbs and spices. The best thing: taco seasoning is super-flexible. Omit some spices or add others in depending on what you like and what’s on hand in your kitchen.

Homemade taco seasoning in a glass jar with a spoon on the side
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Tinker with your homemade blend to get the exact taste your family craves.

Ingredients for the seasoning

  • Chili Powder, any type, any brand
  • Ground Cumin
  • Paprika, regular, sweet, or smoked
  • Garlic powder (or use fresh, minced garlic in your recipe)
  • Onion powder or onion granules
  • Dried oregano; Mexican oregano prerrably
  • Salt & pepper
6 spices for making taco seasoning plus salt and pepper

How to make taco seasoning

  1. Mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl until well combined.
  2. Store for up to 6 months in a cool dry place.
Taco seasoning in a bowl before and after mixing

Tips for making homemade taco seasoning

  1. Switch out the paprika for a more distinctive taco seasoning. You can substitute smoked paprika or hot paprika. If you’re using either of these alternates, reduce the paprika amount from two teaspoons to one since they have more distinctive flavors.
  2. Add ground cayenne pepper to bring the heat. Start with a scant ¼ teaspoon and increase to taste.
  3. Experiment with ground coriander. It is another common seasoning in Mexican cuisine. Try three teaspoons in this mix to add depth.
  4. Try substituting specific types of chili powder for the generic kind. This includes ground chipotle or ground ancho powder. It’s not commonly known, but the spice labeled “Chili Powder” is actually a mix of spices, including a specific powdered chili, like chipotle or ancho and other herbs like cumin, oregano, and garlic.

recipes with taco seasoning:

Frequently asked questions

Can I use fewer spices? I don’t have all the ingredients listed here.

Definitely. Chili powder and cumin are probably the two must-have flavors. But if you had to leave the cumin out, you would still get some good flavor. Especially if you have coriander. Experiment!

How can I tell if my spices are too old?

Consult best-by dates on the jar and keep in mind that fresh spices should be nice and fragrant and have good color. If your oregano has faded from green to gray, pitch it. Old spices do not do their job in a recipe.

Besides seasoning taco meat, where else can I use my taco mix?

It is great to sprinkle on guacamole, over nachos, or use in marinades and dry rubs.

Top down view of the seasoning with spoon inside

With homemade taco seasoning, there is no reason to have a kit to make delicious tacos at home.

FOR MORE KITCHEN TUTORIALS, CHECK OUT:

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How to Make Taco Seasoning

Add some flavor to your favorite Mexican recipes with this homemade taco seasoning. Quick and easy to make with a few basic herbs and spices.
5 from 11 votes
Servings 6 servings
Course Condiments
Calories 18
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
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Ingredients
  

Instructions

  • Mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl until well combined.
  • Store for up to 6 months in a cool dry place.

Notes

Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months in a dry place out of direct sunlight.
Photo Credit: Erin Jensen

Nutrition

Calories: 18kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 628mg, Potassium: 108mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 1141IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 30mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.

Cuisine Mexican
Course: Condiments
5 from 11 votes (9 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Matty says:

    too many annoying pop-up ads!

    1. Yumna Jawad says:

      Thank you for your feedback! I am always working to make the user experience as easy as possible, so I will take that into consideration.

  2. Jackie says:

    L❤️VE this recipe!!! Why didn’t anyone do this before?

  3. Zeina says:

    Best taco seasoning!!!!

    1. Yumna J. says:

      Homemade for the win! Thank you!