Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe (A Secret Family Favorite)

I can make my kids eat almost anything with ketchup or homemade ranch dressing…or if I season it with taco seasoning! I know many moms who keep taco seasoning packets on hand to use in the thousands of kid-friendly ways Pinterest suggests.

I have lived in Texas most of my life and fell in love with the flavors of authentic Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine. This taco seasoning blend is a family favorite recipe that we’ve carefully perfected over many years.

Ground beef, chicken, eggs, or even scrambled veggies…everything is better with a taco seasoning blend on top!

Why make taco seasoning at home?

Why go through the trouble of making your own seasoning blend when you can buy a packet of taco seasoning at the store? Here are some reasons why I love doing this:

• Feature No. 1: You get more for your money. If you’ve purchased bundles in-store, this is a simple, cost-effective switch you can make right away. Store-bought taco seasoning is insanely expensive for the 2 tablespoons of actual seasoning it contains. It also often contains things like MSG, anti-caking agents, preservatives, and artificial colors or flavors. For those with food allergies, you can also avoid added cornstarch as it is gluten-free. Buying spices in bulk saves money and skips cheap fillers and harmful additives.
• Advantage No. 2: it’s easy. This homemade version is so easy to make with almost no preparation time! The total time to make a large batch is about 5 minutes. Store in an airtight container (I like my glass jars for this) and store away from heat and light to have on hand for months to come. No more running to the store because you ran out of taco seasoning!
• Feature No. 3: You can control the spice level. Add cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes for heat. Double the cumin for a smokier, more flavorful approach. The subtle combination of flavors is great with so much more than just tacos. Add it to scrambled eggs, mayonnaise, stir-fries, soups, and even salad dressings! Since kids usually don’t like spicy foods, I make these light tacos and give the adults a grinder with red pepper flakes or a bottle of hot sauce at the table.

How to make your own taco seasoning recipe

When you make your own taco mixture, you’ll find it’s super easy! You only need a few basic spices:

• Chili powder (here’s how to make your own)
• Ground cumin
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder (here’s how to make your own)
• Dried oregano
• Paprika (or smoked paprika)
• Himalayan salt or sea salt (optional)
• black pepper

Measure the proportions below, mix in a small bowl or mason jar, and store for use! It’s easy. This recipe should give you a starting point but feel free to adapt it to your family’s tastes and create your own “secret” recipe.

Taco-inspired recipes to try

I use the above spices in many other recipes, so it’s great to have the option to use them on their own or incorporate them into different homemade seasonings. See the full list of my favorite spice blends below.

We use our DIY taco seasoning the most in:

There are so many options (not all of them good…I’ve seen some kitchen experiments my kids have done!). So try some of these seasonings for your tacos next Tuesday.

How to Substitute Homemade Taco Seasoning for Packets

Use 2-3 tablespoons of this seasoning + ¼ cup of water per pound of ground meat. Add the spices and water while the meat is cooking and leave it over medium to high heat until the water evaporates and the meat is completely cooked. You can use a pound of ground beef, turkey, or even shredded chicken.

Want to make other spices too?

Check out my complete list of spices you can make at home with basic ingredients to overhaul your spice cabinet. The flavor of our fresh homemade spice blends is incredible and you’ll save money too!

What are your favorite ways to use taco seasoning? Leave a comment and tell us!