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Never buy overpriced store bought packets of taco seasoning again. Learn how to make Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe that is easy and budget friendly.

Taco Seasoning in a jar with a teaspoon
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Easy Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe:

We are so excited for you to try this DIY Taco Seasoning recipe. Once you see how easy it is, you will stop buying it at the grocery store. We love making this and it is super easy. The flavor is amazing and we all love it.

All of the recipes turn out great using this homemade taco seasoning mix. You won’t find any crazy ingredients you cannot pronounce. I love being able to give my family homemade seasoning and it really only takes minutes to make. It is a win all around.

Homemade seasoning blends just taste better. I can easily use more or less of a seasoning and I know exactly what I am adding to the blend. Making this Taco seasoning blend is easy to make and simple to store.

If you like homemade seasoning as much as we do, make this Homemade Blackened Seasoning.

Ingredients needed - chili powder, ground cumin, onion powder, garlic salt, pepper, salt, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper

Ingredients:

  • Chili powder
  • Ground Cumin
  • Onion Powder
  • Garlic Salt
  • Pepper
  • Salt
  • Smoked Paprika
  • Cayenne or Red Pepper Flakes

I love knowing exactly what is in the taco seasoning mix. You won’t find any extra ingredients or additives since you are making this at home.

Taco Seasoning in a jar with a teaspoon

How to Make Taco Seasoning:

This is so easy. All you do is mix all the ingredients including the garlic powder and onion powder up in a jar. It is that easy to make homemade taco seasoning.

  • Step 1 – Mix all the seasonings in a small bowl.
Close up image of all the ingredients for the taco seasoning sprinkled on a board.
  • Step 2 – Transfer to a jar and store in a cool, dark place.
  • Step 3 – When you need taco seasoning, use 2 Tablespoons for a pound of meat or chicken.

You are going to love having taco seasoning to use for all your recipes. It is so handy having this at home and you will save a ton of time and money.

Taco Seasoning in a jar

How Much Taco Seasoning to Use:

Simply use 2 tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning instead of a seasoning packet in a pound of ground beef or chicken. When add it to our ground beef, I like to add in a cup of water to combine with the seasoning.

It is that easy – one quick step and you have it ready to use it in any of your favorite recipes.

Taco Seasoning in a jar with a teaspoon

How Long Should a Dry Rub Sit on Chicken:

When applying the taco seasoning as a dry rub on the chicken, allow time for it to marinate on the chicken. We recommend for at least an hour and up to 12 hours. While the chicken is marinating keep it in the refrigerator.

Dry rub is the perfect option to allow chicken to marinate overnight or all day to add so much flavor.

Variations:

  • Salt – To reduce the sodium in the taco seasoning, you can omit the salt or use less of it. You can also use sea salt or pink salt instead of regular salt.
  • Mild Taco Seasoning – We like to add in cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes but if you prefer a mild seasoning, you can easily omit this seasoning.
  • Extra Heat – If you like a more spicier taco seasoning, increase the cayenne pepper.
  • Dried Oregano – Oregano is another great option to add to this seasoning blend.
Taco Seasoning in a jar with a teaspoon

What is Taco Seasoning Made of?

This taco seasoning blend is made up of easy to find spices at the store. This Mexican blend of spices usually combines the following flavors:

  • Chili powder
  • Ground Cumin
  • Onion Powder
  • Garlic Salt
  • Pepper
  • Salt
  • Smoked Paprika
  • Cayenne or Red Pepper Flakes

My favorite part of this recipe is that I know exactly what is in this taco seasoning. 

You won’t find any extra ingredients or additives since you are making this at home. Also this spice blend tastes amazing together. If you are trying to watch you salt intake, you can easily use garlic powder instead.

If you are sensitive to spice, reduce the cayenne pepper or leave it out all together.

More Ways to Use Taco Seasoning Mix:

There are many ways to use this Homemade Taco Seasoning. Yes, it is great when you are making steak fajita’s or chicken fajita’s. But I have used it in many other ways and it came out so amazing.

  • Soup – If you are making a taco soup or a enchilada soup, add this seasoning. It gives it so much flavor. We love using it in all our taco soup recipes.
  • Marinate – Add a dry rub to your chicken breast, shrimp, steak and use this taco seasoning. This is a great dry rub when grilling, baking or sauteing meat. It adds so much flavor and can easily be customized.
  • Roast Vegetables – Spice up your vegetables and sprinkle a tablespoon or two on your vegetables before putting in the oven.
  • Mixed in a tip – We love taco seasoning in our Taco Dip.
Taco Seasoning in a jar with a teaspoon

How to Store Homemade Taco Seasoning:

I like to use mason jars to store the taco seasoning mix in. The jars keep everything nice and fresh and they are inexpensive to purchase. Plus, you can reuse them for other things once you are finished. We love mason jars.

Generally I double or triple this recipe so I don’t have to make it very often.  You can use a container you already have or a mason jar and be set for the next taco night!

How Long does Homemade Taco Seasoning Last:

If stored properly the taco seasoning will last about 6 months. Making homemade seasoning blend is part of my meal prep. It saves me time and money when I prepare the seasoning blend ahead of time.

Make sure to always use fresh spices when preparing your Taco Seasoning blend. I like to smell the seasoning before adding to make sure there is an aroma. If there is not an aroma, then you will need to replace that spice.

More Homemade Seasoning to try:

Here are some of our favorite seasonings to make at home.

Favorite Recipes to use Taco Seasoning:

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Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe

4.95 from 105 votes
This delicious Homemade Taco Seasoning recipe is so easy to make. You will save a ton of money by making your own. Try out this Homemade Taco Seasoning.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Cuisine Mexican
Course Mixes and Seasonings
Calories 16

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Mix all the seasonings in a small bowl.
  • Transfer to a jar and store in a cool, dark place.
  • When you need taco seasoning, use 2 Tablespoons for a pound of meat or chicken.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

Make sure to label your jar so you can identify and find your seasoning easy. 

Nutrition Facts

Calories 16kcal, Carbohydrates 3g, Protein 1g, Fat 1g, Saturated Fat 1g, Sodium 2330mg, Potassium 75mg, Fiber 1g, Sugar 1g, Vitamin A 425IU, Vitamin C 0.3mg, Calcium 27mg, Iron 1.6mg

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More Taco Recipes:

Homemade Taco Seasoning recipe is so easy to make. How to make Taco seasoning easily at home. Simple easy ingredients. We are so excited for you to try this DIY Taco Seasoning recipe. Once you see how easy it is, you will stop buying it at the grocery store. We love making this and it is super easy. The flavor is amazing and we all love it. #eatingonadime #tacoseasoning #homemadetacoseasoning

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

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Comments

  1. Just wanted to let you know that I make your Taco seasoning, Chili seasoning and have your recipe for Seasoning Salt. I love these recipes and make them for myself and made them at Christmas as gifts to my daughter and grandsons. My husband is on a restrictive diet but I love every recipe of yours that I have tried.
    Thank you so much!
    Sharon

  2. I made this and the 1/4 c chili pepper was way too hot. Will reduce the Chili powder to 2 tbsp, next batch. thanks for the recipe though!!

  3. This was such a hit I mixed up a big jar and stuck it in the cabinet. Nice not to have to remember to buy seasoning packs.

  4. This taco seasoning is amazing! It tastes so good, is not salty & my fiance does not get heartburn from this seasoning like he does from store-bough taco seasoning. This is such a bonus for us since we love anything taco-related!

  5. 5 stars
    Love this recipe! I use it all the time!! So easy and great to be able to adjust the spice levels!!

  6. 4 stars
    Thank you for this recipe, you were my lifesaver when I realized I forgot to buy taco seasoning. Great recipe!!!

  7. Yes, you can. I would do 1/4 of the entire amount, so I would use 1/2 tsp of garlic granules instead of salt for this recipe.

  8. 5 stars
    Hi, can I substitute garlic granules for the garlic salt and would it still be the same amount? Thanks

  9. Larry – I have not tried that before so I’m not really sure if the flavor would remain similar or not. If you try it, I recommend trying it in a small batch and cooking with it to make sure that you’re satisfied with the taste before making a large batch. Thank you!

  10. Question on substituting for a low sodium diet (bad kidneys). Could I substitute garlic powder for garlic salt and Mrs. Dash for regular salt in this recipe?

  11. 5 stars
    This taco seasoning is the BEST! So much better than the packets at the store. The great thing is that I already had all the ingredients to make it. I use garlic powder instead of garlic salt to cut down on the sodium. I’ve shared this recipe with several people.

  12. 5 stars
    This taco seasoning is great! It doesn’t take long to make, and I had most of the ingredients in my spice rack and my cupboard. You can actually make it hotter or milder according to your taste by adding or taking away the ingredients listed in the recipe. For example I don’t care for very spicy food so I left out the cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes. And this makes a good amount so you don’t have to make it often. That reminds me, I have to make some more, mine is almost done ( I made it awhile ago)! It only takes 2 tablespoons each time you make tacos so it does last awhile! Thanks for this great recipe, Carrie! I’ll never have to buy taco seasoning again! ??

  13. No, I don’t at this time. You can reduce the salt amount in this recipe and the other ingredients would remain the same to make a lower sodium option. Thanks!

  14. 5 stars
    I discovered Eating on a Dime a while ago when searching for a homemade taco seasoning recipe – this is the gold mine that stopped my search! I store it in a 1/4 cup mason jar.

  15. 5 stars
    I don’t buy the packaged stuff anymore. This is so much easier, cheaper and tastes much better than store bought! Great recipe!

  16. Yes, it is 1/4 cup chili powder. You can definitely reduce it if it was too strong for you. Thank you

  17. Is its a 1/4 cup chili powder?
    Used seasoning for crockpot chicken tacos and it was very spicy. All u can taste is the chili

  18. If I use 3 tablespoon of the homemade taco seasonal per pound of hamburger, then how much water do I add. (store bought adds 1/3 cups of water with their packet.)

  19. in youer taco mixs ,,I put smoked paprika in it for a little kick. love cooking on a dime.

  20. 5 stars
    Thank you, the article really helped me when making tacos because it was easy to understand and followed at home. I waited for other food articles

  21. Is the nutritional information listed for the entire recipe or for just 2 Tablespoons of the recipe?

  22. Sharon – I would try a salt substitute. I like pink himalayan salt and have heard it’s lower sodium, you might discuss that with this doctor. Thanks for commenting.

  23. Hi Carrie, You make cooking look so fun. My husband is a cardiac patient now. No salt. I see you said you could use the garlic powder instead of the garlic salt….what about the regular salt? Can I just leave it out without it tasting weird, or should I try a salt substitute. Thank you for your recipes!

  24. Yes, garlic salt is usually 1 parts garlic powder and 3 parts salt in equal amounts so I would adjust it accordingly. Thanks!

  25. Hi Carrie! Love your videos! I don’t buy garlic salt. Is there a way to figure it with garlic powder and adjust the salt?

  26. 5 stars
    Normally, I would quickly make a batch that calls for taco seasoning, but placing them in a Mason jar is a wonderful idea!!! How long is the shelf life if you don’t mind my asking?
    I no longer buy taco seasoning anymore since I have everything in my cabinet to make it. ??

  27. Kathee – I generally double or triple the recipe when I make mine and add it to a large mason jar. Thanks for watching the videos 🙂

  28. 5 stars
    I honestly can’t remember how I found you but I’m so glad I did! I have been mixing my own taco seasoning mix also for about the last year after my daughter wanted tacos & we had everything but the seasoning mix. It turned out she liked mine better! An added bonus I control the salt in it. I always feel like there is a tomato flavor missing though. Maybe store brands use dehydrated tomatoes? Sometimes I’ll add in tomato paste but I never thought of using salsa. You amazed me again ??? Thank you a million times over.

  29. If making the taco seasoning per say a jar full like you have on your videos what would then be the measurements? Love watching your videos ??

  30. I actually do often add water after I add the seasoning – it makes the taco meat nice and moist.

  31. With most store bought seasoning packets it’s recommended to add water after mixing with the meat. Do you suggest adding any water when preparing tacos?