My homemade taco seasoning recipe is made in minutes using simple pantry spices. Skip the store-bought seasoning packets and learn how to make taco seasoning in minutes.
It is budget-friendly, easy to customize, and perfect for busy weeknights when you need dinner on the table fast.
We use this recipe all the time for tacos, soups, and even roasted veggies—it’s a simple way to save money and still get bold, family-approved flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
I started making this taco seasoning recipe years ago when I realized how quickly those little packets added up at the store. Now we keep a jar of this in the pantry at all times. It’s one of those simple staples that makes dinner easier and more affordable.
I usually mix up a double batch during meal prep so it’s ready to go on busy nights, and my family honestly prefers the flavor over anything store-bought.
- Saves money every time you use it – made with spices you likely already have
- Quick and convenient for busy nights – mix once and use for multiple meals all week
- Easy to adjust for your family’s taste – make it mild, spicy, or low sodium
This seasoning works great in all your favorite recipes. Homemade seasoning blends simply taste better, and you can adjust them to fit your family’s preferences. If you enjoy making your own seasonings, try our Pizza Seasoning, Texas Roadhouse Steak Seasoning or Homemade Chili Seasoning Recipe for even more easy, budget-friendly options.
What is Taco Seasoning Made Of?
This homemade taco seasoning is a simple blend of pantry spices that creates bold, savory flavor without additives. Most blends include:
- Chili powder
- Ground cumin
- Onion powder
- Garlic salt (or garlic powder)
- Smoked paprika
- Black pepper
- Salt
- Cayenne or red pepper flakes
The best part is you can adjust every ingredient to fit your family’s taste and budget.
Ingredients
- Chili Powder – We use regular chili powder but you can also use ancho chili powder or chipotle chili powder
- Ground Cumin – Adds unique to the seasoning blend
- Onion Powder – For more of a onion flavor, add in minced onion
- Garlic Salt – Garlic powder can be substituted for Garlic Salt
- Smoked Paprika – You can use regular paprika
- Cayenne or Red Pepper Flakes – Adds a hint of spice
How to Make Taco Seasoning
Follow my simple numbered instructions below to see how to make taco seasoning in your own home.
Step 1 – Mix all the seasonings in a small bowl.
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.
Variations
- Salt – To reduce the sodium in the 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.
How Much to Use
Use 2 tablespoons of the seasoning per 1 pound of meat, just like a store-bought packet.
Add about ½ to 1 cup of water when cooking to help distribute the seasoning evenly.
More Ways to Use It
There are many ways to use this taco seasoning recipe. Yes, it is great when you are making pound of ground beef, 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. We have even used this taco seasoning in black beans or cauliflower rice.
- Mixed in a Dip – We love adding a tablespoon of the seasoning in our taco dip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder as a quick substitute.
About 2 tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning equals one store packet.
Store in an airtight container or mason jar in a cool, dark place. If stored properly, it will last about 6 months.
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.
Favorite Recipes to Make With it
- Easy Crock Pot Taco Meat Recipe
- Doritos Taco Salad Recipe
- Easy Taco Crescent Ring Recipe
- Taco Rice Bowl Recipe
More Homemade Seasoning to try
We love to hear from you. If you make this recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.
Taco Seasoning Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Chili powder
- 2 Tablespoon Cumin
- 2 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 4 teaspoons pepper
- 4 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon Paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne or red pepper flakes
See how we calculate recipe costs.
Instructions
- Add ¼ cup chili powder, 2 Tablespoons cumin, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 2 teaspoons garlic salt, 4 teaspoons pepper, 4 teaspoons salt, 2 teaspoons paprika, and ½ teaspoon cayenne or red pepper flakes to a small bowl. Stir until all the seasonings are evenly combined.
- Transfer to a jar and store in a cool, dark place.
- When ready to use, measure out 2 Tablespoons of the taco seasoning for 1 pound of meat or chicken.
I absolutely love this. This tasty seasoning takes me back to those days of carefree life and midnight burrito runs!! This is working so perfectly with canning burritos in a jar. Thank you!!
Kristy – You’re very welcome. I’m thrilled you enjoyed it. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.
Easy and delicious on many things! Thanks Carrie!
Kimmi – I love hearing this so much! Thank you so much for sharing!
If I wanted to make a “mild” version, should I adjust the chilli powder or cayenne?
So good with anything.
Love this homemade recipe, and saves us money too!!
Way better than those taco seasoning packets from stores. Great recipe!
I made this and was able to reduce the sodium , taste amazing
Very quick and tasty!
So good!
So much better than anything store bought!
This is the best taco seasoning!
I have been making this for years now. I never use the store bought stuff! This tastes way better and is simple to throw together in just minutes.
When making the taco seasoning, is it alright to store it in the fridge in the mason jar?
Hey Paula, I store this in a mason jar in the pantry and it keeps great. Thanks!
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
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!!
Do you add water like store bought seasoning?
Yes, you can add water when using or you can add salsa as well.
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.
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!
Love this recipe! I use it all the time!! So easy and great to be able to adjust the spice levels!!
Thank you for this recipe, you were my lifesaver when I realized I forgot to buy taco seasoning. Great recipe!!!
This is the only taco seasoning I use.
Hi, can I substitute garlic granules for the garlic salt and would it still be the same amount? Thanks
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.
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?
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!
Did you make this? How did it turn out?
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.
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! ??
This is so great to hear! I’m the same way – I’ll never buy the packets again!
Do you have a low sodium recipe for this?
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!
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.
I don’t buy the packaged stuff anymore. This is so much easier, cheaper and tastes much better than store bought! Great recipe!
I now only use this mix for our taco or other Mexican recipes. Love it.
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
Yes, it is 1/4 cup chili powder. You can definitely reduce it if it was too strong for you. Thank you
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.)
in youer taco mixs ,,I put smoked paprika in it for a little kick. love cooking on a dime.
Great idea – Thanks for sharing Brenda!
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
Thank you!
Is the nutritional information listed for the entire recipe or for just 2 Tablespoons of the recipe?
It’s for 1/6 of the entire amount that this recipe makes. Thanks!
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!
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.
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?
Yes, garlic salt is usually 1 parts garlic powder and 3 parts salt in equal amounts so I would adjust it accordingly. Thanks!
I’m going to make mine. So excited. I’ll let you know how I do.
You are going to love it!
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. ??
Did you mean chili powder for the first ingredient?
Yes – It’s chili powder. Thank you!
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.
Thank you Wanda!
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 ??
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 🙂
I can’t wait to use this recipe,,thanks
Thank you I have a large family as well there’s eight of us love your videos.
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?
I actually do often add water after I add the seasoning – it makes the taco meat nice and moist.
Hi! I found your recipe on Pinterest and love it! I wrote about it on my blog: http://t-shirtsandtulle.blogspot.com/2015/04/homemade-taco-seasoning-recipe.html
Thanks!!
Thanks for sharing Patricia!