The short answer: This homemade taco seasoning recipe mixes 9 pantry spices in about 5 minutes: chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. One batch makes about 3 tablespoons, enough to replace one store packet. Use 2 tablespoons per pound of meat with ⅔ cup of water.
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You control the heat, the salt and the fillers.
Plan taco night with the Meal Planner & Grocery List ($3.99), and keep this mix card in your Family Recipe Binder ($6.99).
I love cooking simple, real-food dinners, and a jar of homemade taco seasoning makes taco night easy any week.
Homemade taco seasoning recipe (1 packet)
| Spice | Amount |
|---|---|
| Chili powder | 1 tablespoon |
| Ground cumin | 1½ teaspoons |
| Paprika | ½ teaspoon |
| Garlic powder | ¼ teaspoon |
| Onion powder | ¼ teaspoon |
| Dried oregano | ¼ teaspoon |
| Red pepper flakes | ¼ teaspoon, optional |
| Salt | 1 teaspoon |
| Black pepper | 1 teaspoon |
Stir everything together in a small bowl or shake it in a jar.
Big-batch taco seasoning (about 8 packets)
| Spice | Amount |
|---|---|
| Chili powder | ½ cup |
| Ground cumin | ¼ cup |
| Paprika | 4 teaspoons |
| Garlic and onion powder | 2 teaspoons each |
| Dried oregano | 2 teaspoons |
| Red pepper flakes | 2 teaspoons, optional |
| Salt | 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons |
| Black pepper | 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons |
Store it in an airtight jar away from heat and light, and label it with the date.
How to make taco meat with homemade seasoning
- Brown the meat. Cook 1 pound of ground beef or turkey in a skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up.
- Check doneness. Cook ground beef to 160°F and ground turkey to 165°F, the temperatures in the FoodSafety.gov chart.
- Drain. Spoon off extra fat.
- Season. Stir in 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning and ⅔ cup of water.
- Simmer. Cook 4 to 5 minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the meat.
The USDA ground beef guide recommends a quick food thermometer check to make sure it has reached 160°F.
How much taco seasoning per pound
The recipe above uses 2 tablespoons of seasoning and ⅔ cup of water for each pound of ground meat. Scale it the same way for a crowd:
| Meat | Taco seasoning | Water | Feeds about |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 pound | 2 tablespoons | ⅔ cup | One family taco night |
| 2 pounds | ¼ cup | 1⅓ cups | A double batch or leftovers |
| 3 pounds | 6 tablespoons | 2 cups | A party or taco bar |
For shredded chicken, use the same 2 tablespoons per pound. For beans, rice or roasted vegetables, start with 1 tablespoon, taste, and add more a teaspoon at a time, since there is no meat to carry the salt. The 1-packet recipe makes a little more than 2 tablespoons, so a pinch is left over to adjust at the end.
Easy swaps
- Mild: skip the pepper flakes and use mild chili powder.
- Low sodium: halve the salt or season at the table.
- Smoky: use smoked paprika or add ¼ teaspoon chipotle powder.
- Thicker sauce: add 1 teaspoon cornstarch per packet.
Ways to use taco seasoning
- Taco night with beef, chicken, turkey or beans
- A hearty taco salad
- Seasoned roasted potatoes or sweet potatoes
- Taco rice bowls and burritos
- Sour cream taco dip for game day
- Chili, alongside our chili seasoning
How to store taco seasoning
Keep the mix in a small glass jar with a tight lid, away from the stove and sunlight. Heat, light and moisture fade ground spices faster. Always use a dry spoon so clumps don't form. If the color looks dull or the smell is faint, refresh the jar with a new batch. A double batch fits neatly in a standard 4-ounce spice jar.
Homemade taco seasoning vs. store packets
| Homemade | Store packet | |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients | Only spices you choose | Often adds starch, sugar or anti-caking agents |
| Salt | You set the amount | Fixed |
| Heat level | Mild to spicy, your call | One flavor per packet |
| Batch size | One packet or a full jar | One packet |
| Prep time | 5 minutes | None |
Taco night toppings checklist
| Group | Ideas |
|---|---|
| Shells | Hard shells, soft flour or corn tortillas, lettuce cups |
| Protein | Seasoned beef, chicken, turkey, black or pinto beans |
| Fresh toppings | Shredded lettuce, diced tomato, onion, cilantro, lime |
| Creamy toppings | Sour cream, guacamole, shredded cheese, queso |
| Sauces | Salsa, hot sauce, pickled jalapeños |
| Sides | Rice, refried beans, corn, chips |
Tips for the best homemade taco seasoning
- Check your chili powder. American chili powder is a blend, while pure ground chiles are much hotter.
- Toast the cumin. Warming the spices in the pan for 30 seconds before adding water deepens the flavor.
- Label the jar. Write the date and "2 tablespoons per pound" on the lid so anyone can use it.
- Mind allergies. Single spices rarely carry allergens, but blends can, so read labels when you cook for guests.
Plan taco night
- Meal Planner & Grocery List ($3.99): make taco night a weekly anchor and keep toppings on your list.
- Family Recipe Binder ($6.99): save your seasoning ratio and family favorites.
- Budget Planner Printable ($5.99): see how pantry-staple dinners help you hit your grocery budget.
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Use this seasoning in the copycat Crunchwrap filling, then layer beef, cheese and a tostada before folding.
More easy dinner ideas
Use a batch of this seasoning in our easy taco soup, made with ground beef, beans, corn and tomatoes. The same spice blend works in our taco casserole recipe for a layered dinner.
This blend works just as well with poultry. Use it in our easy ground turkey recipes, starting with quick turkey tacos. It also works in our chicken fajita recipe. The same blend seasons a weeknight burrito recipe with beans and rice.
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Frequently asked questions
What is taco seasoning made of? Taco seasoning is made of chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt and black pepper. Chili powder and cumin give it the classic taco flavor.
How much homemade taco seasoning equals one packet? About 2 to 3 tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning equals one store packet. Use 2 tablespoons per pound of meat and taste before adding more.
How much taco seasoning do I use per pound of meat? Use about 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning per pound of ground beef, turkey or chicken. Add ⅔ cup of water and simmer until the sauce thickens.
How long does homemade taco seasoning last? Homemade taco seasoning keeps its best flavor for about 6 months in an airtight jar. It stays usable longer, but the spices slowly lose their aroma.
Is homemade taco seasoning gluten free? Homemade taco seasoning is naturally gluten free when your spices are pure. Some store packets add flour or starch as a thickener, so check labels if you avoid gluten.
How do I make taco seasoning less spicy? Leave out the red pepper flakes and use a mild chili powder. Swap some of the chili powder for sweet paprika to keep the color without the heat.
Can I make low-sodium taco seasoning? Yes, cut the salt in half or leave it out completely. Season the finished meat to taste, so you control the sodium in each meal.
Why does taco meat need water? Water turns taco seasoning into a light sauce that clings to the meat. A pinch of cornstarch or flour in the mix helps it thicken faster.
What is the difference between taco seasoning and chili seasoning? Taco seasoning leans on cumin, garlic and oregano for a bright flavor. Chili seasoning usually has more chili powder and sometimes cocoa or cinnamon for a deeper, slow-simmered taste.
What else can I use taco seasoning on? Taco seasoning works on roasted potatoes, chicken, popcorn, taco soup, rice and taco salad. Mix it into sour cream for a quick dip.
Is homemade taco seasoning cheaper than packets? Homemade taco seasoning is usually cheaper per batch because you buy the spices once and use them many times. It's also easy to make in bulk for taco nights all month.
How can I plan taco night every week? Taco night is easy to repeat because the seasoning is already in your pantry. The Meal Planner & Grocery List ($3.99) from HomeBase Paper Co. helps you plan taco night and restock tortillas and toppings on one list.
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Sources
- FoodSafety.gov: Safe minimum internal temperatures foodsafety.gov
- USDA FSIS: Ground beef and food safety fsis.usda.gov