Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe

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posted by Christy Denneyon Aug 30, 2022 (updated Nov 2, 2022) 135 comments »

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Homemade Taco Seasoning is quick and easy to make. You can adjust your seasonings to your taste and have fresh seasoning on hand at all times for your Mexican recipes.

What I’ve learned since I’ve had this blog is that are a couple of things that are considered taboo with the serious foodies: condensed cream of anything soups, food colorings, and taco seasoning packets. These things also tend to bring on a slew of strongly worded emails and comments. I never knew that food could bring out such anger.

I totally get the condensed soup thing. They’re not healthy and full of sodium – but sometimes throwing some chicken in a crockpot with a can of something is what I have to do to have dinner done when I’ll be gone all day. The couple of recipes I have on this blog with condensed soups in them are actually some of the most popular.

The food coloring I think should be taken in stride. I don’t think Rainbow Cupcakes once a year will kill you. I just don’t.

And everytime I post a recipe with taco seasoning in it for taco meat I get a lot of comments like “ew“, “yuck“, and “so much unnecessary sodium“.

Phew. This food blogging thing isn’t for the thin skinned.

So what I’m saying is that I hear ya; I get it. Every one is entitled to an opinion and I appreciate all of your comments (but the nice ones I appreciate more).

Does that mean that I won’t ever post a recipe with the above contraband in it ever again? Ummm, no. The reason I have this blog is because I love food.

And food comes in all shapes, tastes, and sizes. And hello, my name is The Girl Who Ate Everything so it’s my duty to not exclude anything.

But I thought I’d give homemade taco seasoning a try. Sometimes I don’t have a seasoning packet and who knew I could make my own taco seasoning with what I have on hand.

HOMEMADE TACO SEASONING MIX

Remember I’m all about more convenient so making my own is WAY more convenient than running to the grocery store with four kids to buy store-bought packets for taco night.

Here’s are the basic spices in the seasoning blend. This way you can control the sodium and control the spiciness by adding more or less red pepper. You can totally adjust it to your personal tastes and make sure there’s not too much salt.

WHAT IS IN TACO SEASONING?

chili powder
garlic powder
onion powder
red pepper flakes
oregano
paprika
cumin
sea salt
pepper

This homemade version has a rich flavor that you can’t get with a store-bought taco seasoning packet. You can make it in bulk in a big batch and use it whenever you want or for every Taco Tuesday. Just store it in a dry place in your spice cabinet.

A good rule of thumb is that you use 2 tablespoons of seasoning for any type of meat.

HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE TACO SEASONING

Mix all the seasonings together and store in an airtight container.
Use 2 Tablespoons of taco seasoning for every pound of ground beef. Add the spices to browned meat with 1/2 cup of water.

HOW TO ADD THICKNESS

Store bought taco seasoning usually has a thickening agent in it. If you want the same sauciness that a store bought mixture have two options:

Add 1/2 teaspoon of cornstarch to the spice mixture and follow directions.
Add 2 tablespoons of flour with the water when simmering.

IS THIS TACO SEASONING SPICY?

Yes. I would compare it to a spicy version of a store bought kind. To make a mild version reduce the chili powder to 2 teaspoons and eliminate the red pepper flakes. To make it more spicy add some cayenne pepper.

TACO RECIPES:

You can use this taco seasoning in all of these recipes:

Mini Taco Stuffed Peppers
Easy Beef Burrito Skillet
Chicken Taco Soup
Taco Tater Casserole
Taco Pizza Rolls
Nacho Pot Pie
Taco Grilled Cheese