The Best Homemade Taco Seasoning - The Recipe Critic (2024)

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This Homemade Taco Seasoning is so flavorful and takes less than 5 minutes to make. You will never buy taco seasoning from the store again!

Want to know what to make with this seasoning? Try these Taco Stuffed Peppers, this classic Taco Soup or this Rotel Dipwith this homemadetaco seasoning.

The Best Homemade Taco Seasoning - The Recipe Critic (1)

Taco Seasoning Recipe

Isn’t it the worst when you go to cook and don’t have the seasoning that you need for the recipe. That’s where homemade seasonings come in! If you don’t have store bought taco seasoning on hand, this recipe can be made in less that 5 minutes from classic seasonings that we all have in our pantry!

Once you try out this homemade recipe, you will never buy store bought again. These flavors make any taco have more flavor and make them taste SO much better! Try it out with this easy Taco Ring. It takes even the most simple recipe to the next level.

What is Taco Seasoning Mix Made of?

Taco Seasoning is made up of simple spices that, when they are mixed together, make the best flavor. Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all of the exact measurements.

  • Chili Powder: This gives it some kick. Add more if you like your seasoning extra spicy!
  • Garlic Powder: The garlic powder complements all of the other flavors without being too overpowering.
  • Onion Powder:This is a subtle onion flavor that really stands out.
  • Dried Oregano: The oregano brings in a spicy but sweet flavoring.
  • Paprika: Paprika has a smokey flavor and helps add color to the taco seasoning.
  • Ground Cumin: This unique flavored seasoning adds lots of flavor with a little spice.
  • Salt andBlack Pepper: These enhance all of the flavors in the recipe.
The Best Homemade Taco Seasoning - The Recipe Critic (2)

How to Make Your Own Taco Seasoning

You can also change the flavor up to have more or less heat depending on your preference. That’s the beauty of homemade seasonings, you can customize them to be however you want!

  1. Mix spices together: Combine all the seasonings together in a bowl.
  2. Store:Place the mixture in an airtight container.

How much homemade taco seasoning equals one packet?

A standard store-bought packets of taco seasoning holds about 2 tablespoons of seasoning.

The Best Homemade Taco Seasoning - The Recipe Critic (3)

How much taco seasoning for 1 pound of meat?

I use about 2 tablespoons in one pound of ground turkey or ground beef. This is such a simple recipe and it all comes together quick and easy for you to make several taco dishes! The recipe can easily be doubled and use more or less to taste.

Tip:I also like to add 1/2 cup of water to the meat and seasonings to make the meat more moist.

How long does taco seasoning last?

This is the best part! When you store your seasoning, make sure to keep it in a cool, dry place in an airtight container and it will last up to 6 months.

The Best Homemade Taco Seasoning - The Recipe Critic (4)

Want more taco recipes?! Try these ones!

Who doesn’t love a good taco? I’ve gathered up a few of my favorites for you to try with this seasoning!

Dinner

Easy Shrimp Tacos

30 mins

Dinner

8 Can Chicken Taco Soup

30 mins

Dinner

Taco Stuffed Avocados

10 mins

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The Best Homemade Taco Seasoning

4.68 from 50 votes

By: Alyssa Rivers

This Homemade Taco Seasoning is so flavorful and takes less than 5 minutes to make. You will never buy taco seasoning from the store again!

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 Tablespoons

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine all of the seasonings in a bowl and stir to combine.

  • Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

  • This recipe can easily be doubled! To use the seasoning, cook 1 pound of ground beef in a skillet until no longer pink. Add 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning to the ground beef along with 1/2 cup of water.

Video

Notes

Originally Posted on August 27, 2019

Updated on March 12, 2023

Nutrition

Calories: 12kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 616mgPotassium: 70mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 731IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 19mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner, Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Mexican

Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Alyssa Rivers is the author of 'The Tried and True Cookbook', a professional food photographer and experienced recipe-developer. Having a passion for cooking, her tried and true recipes have been featured on Good Morning America, Today Food, Buzzfeed and more.

Read More About Me

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The Best Homemade Taco Seasoning - The Recipe Critic (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between Mexican seasoning and taco seasoning? ›

Mexican seasoning typically consists of a blend of traditional herbs and spices while taco seasoning is a specific blend of spices that may not be used as much in traditional Mexican dishes.

Do you brown meat before adding taco seasoning? ›

How do you make ground beef taco meat
  1. Place the ground beef in a skillet with olive oil.
  2. Brown the beef with olive oil and then drain any fat.
  3. Add the spices along with the tomato paste and water (or tomato sauce)
  4. Bring the mixture to a simmer and then cook for a few more minutes until the sauce thickens.
Mar 10, 2022

How do you make tacos taste better? ›

Salsa and guacamole are great, but look to mix it up with fresh radish, chicharrones, or pickled onion. A fresh, warm tortilla is made better by a crunchy counterpart.” One of Romero's favorite toppings is a morita pepper and peanut salsa, which lends a spicy, smoky, crunchy lift to any taco.

What are the ingredients in McCormick taco seasoning? ›

SPICES (INCLUDING CHILI PEPPER, PAPRIKA, OREGANO), ONION, SALT, POTATO STARCH, SUGAR, GARLIC & NATURAL FLAVOR.

What kind of seasoning do Mexican restaurants use? ›

Some of the most common spice blends used in Mexican cuisine include chili powder, which typically includes cumin, garlic powder, and paprika, and achiote paste, which is made from annatto seeds and gives dishes a vibrant red color.

What do Mexicans use for seasoning? ›

With garlic and onions as the savory cornerstone, the most common Mexican spices and herbs are coriander, allspice, cloves, thyme, Mexican oregano, Mexican cinnamon (ceylon), cumin and cacao which showcase the breadth of Mexican food.

How do Mexican restaurants get their taco meat so fine? ›

Making Restaurant Style Mexican Ground Beef:

The secret to many of those simple ground beef dishes is to slowly cook the ground beef with a little water; the fat renders out and the beef, when finished, will be just right. And that works with this taco/burrito beef, too.

Why does my taco meat taste bland? ›

The number one reason why people end up with bland tacos is because the meat wasn't seasoned properly. Luckily, that isn't an issue with this dish. However, if you find that your tacos aren't spicy enough for your liking, feel free to adjust the seasoning as needed or add a few shakes of your favorite hot sauce.

Why add water to taco seasoning? ›

Turns out it's essential for giving the proper consistency to the taco meat because those seasoning mixes contain cornstarch, which requires water and heat to create a sauce.

What gives the taco taste? ›

Mexican Tacos: For authentic Mexican flavor, use a blend of spices that includes cumin, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder and/or onion powder. These spices will give your tacos a warm, earthy flavor and just a touch of heat.

What makes great tacos? ›

Authentic Tacos and Tex-Mex Food
  1. The tortilla. Authentic tacos are typically made with corn tortillas, which are made from masa (corn dough) that has been cooked and pressed into thin rounds.
  2. The filling. ...
  3. Fresh Ingredients. ...
  4. The toppings. ...
  5. The salsa. ...
  6. The cooking method. ...
  7. Consistency. ...
  8. Warmth and Hospitality.
May 1, 2023

What makes tacos so good? ›

The key to a great taco is a homemade tortilla. Once you've mastered the art of making tortillas, tacos will be a breeze. A freshly made tortilla tastes so much better than a store-bought one, and it's really not that hard to make. You can add more taste to it my using le beurre bordier singapore butter.

What can I use if I don't have any taco seasoning? ›

Packet Taco Seasoning replacement: if you only want to make enough taco seasoning to replace 1 packet, use the following amounts:
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder.
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder.
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder.
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper.
  • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano.
  • ½ teaspoon paprika.
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin.
  • 1 teaspoon salt.
Mar 16, 2021

What does Old El Paso taco seasoning have in it? ›

Ingredients: Corn Starch, Maltodextrin, Salt, Chili Pepper, Spice, Sugar, Garlic Powder. Contains 2% or less of: Sea Salt (potassium magnesium chloride, salt), Citric Acid, Onion Powder, Vegetable Oil (canola and/or soybean oil), Silicon Dioxide (anticaking agent), Natural Flavor.

What is El Pastor taco seasoning? ›

Ingredients. Spices (paprika, chipotle pepper*, chili pepper, and other spice), Onion Powder, Sugar, Salt, Garlic*, Corn Starch, Malic Acid. Contains 2% or less of: Vegetable Oil (canola and/or soybean oil), Silicon Dioxide (anticaking agent), Annatto Extract (color), Vinegar*.

Is Mexican seasoning the same as fajita seasoning? ›

Fajita seasoning and taco seasoning are very similar, but they are not the same. Taco seasoning typically has more oregano and chili powder than fajita seasoning.

What is the same as taco seasoning? ›

Chili powder and cumin: This is a simple but effective substitute for taco seasoning. Simply combine equal parts chili powder and cumin in a bowl.

What is the difference between authentic Mexican taco and American taco? ›

American tacos use flour tortillas or crispy, hard-shelled corn tortillas. You'll find that authentic Mexican tacos use soft corn tortillas as the wrapper. Next comes the toppings. Tex-Mex tacos are filled with shredded cheese, lettuce, diced tomatoes and sour cream.

What is the difference between Tex-Mex and Mexican seasoning? ›

The Tex-Mex meaning can be most simply summed up by the different types of ingredients used. Tex-Mex recipes feature the use of chili powder, a savory mix of ground chile peppers with spices including cumin, oregano, and black pepper. Alternatively, Mexican recipes call for chile peppers, not the chili seasoning blend.

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