This homemade taco seasoning is so quick and easy to make! Smoky and flavourful, it contains the perfect blend of spices from your pantry and can be ready in minutes. Add it to classic tacos or use it as a seasoning on veggies, meat, soups and more. You’ll never want to use store-bought taco seasoning again!
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Quick and easy to make – made using easy pantry staples, it is so easy to throw together. Simply whisk everything together, store in a spice jar and use as required!
- Customisable – balance the flavours to your liking. Reduce the salt or add extra chilli to increase the heat.
- No nasties – this spice blend contains no MSG, anti-caking agents, additives, thickeners or sugar. Making your own taco seasoning at home means you know exactly what’s going into it. And you can control the ingredients by buying quality spices.
- Stores well – make a double batch and keep it in the pantry for up to 6 months.
- Easily multiplied – the recipe can be easily doubled, tripled or multiplied further, depending on your needs.
Ingredients you will need
** This post contains tips and instructions to achieve the best possible results. This photo is a great guide for when you are in the supermarket, but for full ingredient quantities and methods, please scroll down to the detailed recipe card below!
- Chilli powder – heat levels vary between brand to brand and between store-bought and homemade chilli powders, so be sure to add this ingredient to taste. Reduce the chilli powder for a mild taco seasoning, or increase it to your liking. You can swap for red chilli flakes or cayenne pepper, if preferred.
- Ground cumin – cumin is the ingredient that gives taco seasoning its signature flavour and aroma. Use ground cumin powder and adjust the quantities, to taste.
- Ground paprika – I prefer to use Sweet Hungarian paprika (not hot or smoked). For a smokier flavour, use a mix of Sweet Hungarian paprika with a small amount of smoked paprika. Too much smoky paprika (in Australia anyway) can overpower the other flavours.
- Salt and pepper – to season. Regular table salt is fine. Adjust the salt levels to suit your personal taste or requirements.
- Garlic powder – dried garlic powder adds warmth and garlic flavour.
- Onion powder – adds a very mild onion flavour and depth. I don’t recommend skipping this ingredient.
- Dried oregano – for an earthy flavour and aroma.
Step by step instructions
Full ingredient notes and quantities can be found in the detailed recipe card below. But here is a brief overview of what you can expect;
Step 1 – Measure the ingredients;
Measure the spices and place them into a mixing bowl.
Step 2 – Mix;
Whisk everything together until combined. Alternatively, add the ingredients to a jar with a lid and shake until combined.
The taco seasoning is ready for use immediately, or can be stored until required.
How to make taco meat;
To make beef taco meat with your homemade seasoning, use 1 brown onion, 500 grams beef mince, 2 tablespoons of tomato paste and 1-2 tablespoons of chipotle sauce (optional, but recommended!) along with 2-3 tablespoons of the taco seasoning.
Brown the diced onion and beef mince together, then add the tomato paste, chipotle sauce and taco seasoning. Stir to combine and add 2-3 tablespoons of water, if needed, to bring everything together.
Simmer together for 1-2 minutes, stirring. Adjust the seasoning, to taste.
Expert tips
- For a low sodium version, use less or no salt or a low-sodium salt.
- Gluten-free – all of the ingredients should be gluten-free, but check the labels of the individual ingredients to double check, if required.
- Homemade taco seasoning stores really well. If you use freshly opened spices, it should last at least 6 months when stored correctly.
- Adjust the spices, to suit your taste. You can reduce or increase the amount of cumin and control the salt and heat levels by increasing or reducing the amount of salt and chilli used.
- Check the labels and use the best quality spices you can find, to ensure best flavour and quality with no additives.
FAQs
Keep the seasoning in a jar, sealed with an airtight lid. Keep it in your pantry, spice drawer or a cool, dark place.
For 500 grams of beef mince, you will need about 2-3 tablespoons of taco seasoning. However, you can adjust to suit. Alternatively, sprinkle your desired amount over roasted vegetables, grilled meats or into soups to taste.
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Homemade Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 2 tablespoon ground paprika sweet Hungarian (or a mix of sweet Hungarian with a little smoked paprika)
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 ½ tablespoons onion powder or dried onions
- 2 tablespoons dried oregano
- ½ – 1 teaspoon chilli powder (or to taste). Can swap for red chilli flakes or cayenne powder.
- 1 teaspoon salt or use less, to taste.
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Place all of the ingredients together in a bowl and whisk to combine.Alternatively, use a jar with an airtight lid, add the ingredients, cover and shake until combined.
- The taco seasoning is ready for use, or can be stored in an airtight spice jar for up to 6 months.
Notes
- For a low sodium version, use less salt.
- Gluten-free – all of the ingredients should be gluten-free, but check the labels of the individual ingredients to double check, if required.
- Homemade taco seasoning stores really well. If you use freshly opened spices, it should last at least 6 months when stored correctly.
- Adjust the spices, to suit your taste. You can reduce or increase the amount of cumin and control the salt and heat levels by increasing or reducing the amount of salt and chilli used.
- Check the labels and use the best quality spices you can find, to ensure best flavour and quality with no additives.
- Storage; Keep the seasoning in a jar, sealed with an airtight lid. Keep it in your pantry, spice drawer or a cool, dark place.
- How much do I use? For 500 grams of beef mince, you will need about 2-3 tablespoons of taco seasoning. You’ll need; 1 brown onion, 500 grams beef mince, 2 tablespoons of tomato paste and 1-2 tablespoons of chipotle sauce (optional) along with 2-3 tablespoons of the taco seasoning. Brown the diced onion and beef mince together, then add the tomato paste, chipotle sauce and taco seasoning. Stir to combine and add 2-3 tablespoons of water, if needed, to bring everything together. You can adjust the amount of seasoning to suit. Alternatively, sprinkle your desired amount over roasted vegetables, grilled meats or into soups to taste.
- Please note that the nutrition information is based on the seasoning being divided into 3 serves. The nutritional information is an estimate only and does not take into account any additional toppings, sides or dishes made with the seasoning.
- This recipe is made using Australian cups and spoon measurements. Any reference to cups or spoons in this recipe is in Australian metric. Due to cup sizes varying from country to country, I advise adjusting if necessary.
Nutrition
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Update Notes: This recipe was originally published in May 2019, but was re-published with new information and photos in May 2023.
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