Homemade Taco Seasoning
Homemade Taco Seasoning is an easy, homemade taco seasoning that’s perfect with ground beef, chicken, turkey or veggies!
Last week was a pretty big week. It was my birthday, but it wasn’t a big birthday like last year so it was nice and mellow. The biggest deal about last week was that my 16-year old son got his driver’s license the day before my birthday!
I’m super proud of my son but I’m also scared, sad and excited all at once. I know he’s a good driver, but here in California there are so many people on the road and half of them are looking at their phones.
The other day there was a twenty-something year old girl taking pictures of a rainbow while she was driving on the freeway. I love rainbows too, but really?
All of this is enough to make me feel old without having a birthday on top of it!
All driving talk aside, it’s time to switch gears (pun intended!) and discuss this Homemade Taco Seasoning. This taco seasoning is something that you’ll use time and time again, especially if you make Mexican food as much as I do.
Mexican inspired meals are a favorite around here, and I love knowing that I can utilize anything that I have on hand whether it be fish, ground turkey, chicken and an array of fresh veggies.
It’s about time I pooled together all of the spices that I use time and time again and made my own homemade taco seasoning to make things even easier!
How to make this recipe
This DIY Homemade Taco Seasoning couldn’t be easier to make, and I’ll bet that you have all of the ingredients in your spice cabinet already.
You’ll need:
- chili powder
- ground cumin
- smoked paprika (or regular)
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- dried oregano
- cayenne pepper
- kosher salt
Toss all the spices in a small bowl and stir to combine. Store in an air tight container in a cool dark place for about 3 months (I’ve personally never had mine that long).
Customize your seasoning
The main reason why I don’t buy pre-made marinades and spice mixes is because they’re too salty. I like to add just enough salt to accent the flavors, but I don’t want my meals to taste salty.
I only add 1 teaspoon of kosher salt to the spice blend because I like more control over the amount of salt in each dish. Salt is such a personal preference, so use your own discretion when adding salt to your taco seasoning.
The level of heat is another way that you can customize your taco seasoning to your liking. Use less or more cayenne pepper depending on the level of spiciness that you desire.
How much seasoning should I use?
I use roughly 2 tablespoons per every pound or pound and a half of meat or veggies. Feel free to add more or less depending on your taste!
Is Homemade Taco Seasoning just for tacos?
The great thing about this Homemade Taco Seasoning recipe is that it’s for so much more than tacos! Use it in your enchiladas, fajitas, burritos and so much more!
Use this seasoning in the recipes below:
Homemade Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika or regular paprika
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (use less or more according to the level of spice that you desire
- 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt or to taste
Instructions
- Place all spices in a small bowl and mix well to combine.
- Place the taco seasoning in a small air tight container and store in a cool, dry area for up to 3 months.
Notes
- I normally use 2 tablespoons of the spice blend for every 1 – 1 1/2 lbs. of meat or veggies.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
17 Comments on “Homemade Taco Seasoning”
I’m glad to hear that you had a good birthday and that your son got his driver’s license! I can imagine how scary that must be for you. There are so many crazy drivers on the road and I always cringe when I see someone texting and driving. This homemade seasoning looks perfect, Marcie! I’ve always wanted to make my own but have never gotten around to it. I’ve got to try this! Perfect for so many recipes and I love how easy it is, too!
Thanks Gayle — it’s bad enough worrying about my son driving without worrying about all the distracted drivers on the road! 🙂
I completely understand why you would be worried about your son. Every time I drive on a two-lane road, I hug the shoulder because I’m terrified someone isn’t going to be paying attention and then swerve into my lane and hit me head on. It sounds irrational but it’s actually not considering the number of people that are distracted while driving!
On a lighter note, you are a genius to think of posting a taco spice recipe for Cinco de Mayo. It’s one of those things that people usually buy but it’s so much cheaper and more delicious to make your own! 🙂
It’s not irrational at all…people are driving crazy all the time! Thanks Sarah — I can’t stand all the sodium in those packets so this is the way to go!
Well….happy belated birthday 🙂 yeah there is nothing better than making your own spice blend, so much better than store-bought and like you said, you control the salt intake, this is awesome!
Thank you Albert!
Mexican recipes are a favorite around my household too! In fact, I just got done eating a veggie quesadilla + rice dinner.
Hope that you enjoyed your birthday! And I can imagine that it’s tough when your kid first gets their license… it can be scary out on the road! But I’m sure he’ll be fine and you’ll get more comfortable with it as time goes on.
Thanks so much Nicole! I know I’ll get more used to the idea of my son driving as time goes by — he’ll be very experienced in no time!
Oh Marcie, my heart goes out to you. I will be terrified when my boys start hitting the road on their own! What a milestone you are going through! This taco seasoning though, this is some great stuff. I am always googling a new recipe every time it seems, so now I know exactly where to go!! Will be trying it soon. (AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY)!!! XO
It’s scary but I have to block it out or I’ll be a basket case. 🙂 I’m so glad I finally buckled down and wrote down a “recipe” for this instead of a few shakes of this and that. haha Thanks Katherine! 🙂
Happy birthday Marcie!! I freaking LOVE making my own taco seasoning and I’ve got to try your version! Looks a million times better than the packets!
Thank you Sarah! 🙂
Happy belated birthday Marcie!!! And congrats to you and your son! When my daughter started driving I was freaked out! It’s been almost 4 years and I still freak out because here in Athens GA (a college town) it feels like 80% of people are on their phones! GAH!
But – bac to this taco seasoning – thanks to it, I won’t be buying those store bought packages of taco seasoning that always seem to have a bit of a chemically taste! Thanks and happy birthday again!
Thank you so much Shashi! I’m glad you understand what I’m going through and I can imagine being worried sick about your daughter driving in a college town…that phone thing is scary! 🙁
Thanks Puja and making homemade masalas sounds wonderful!
Yes to making seasonings at home! I’m with you – pretty much anything from the store is WAY too salty for me!
I can’t stand it when I see people on their phones while driving. Like is checking your phone really worth getting into an accident and hurting someone??? Ugh. End rant. haha
I get so worked up when I see people on their phones while driving…the fines need to be WAY higher! 🙂