Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe

Make Taco Tuesdays easier, healthier, and more affordable by making your own taco seasoning at home! This easy DIY taco seasoning recipe is kid-approved and adds the perfect Mexican flavor for a delicious weeknight meal.

This seasoning will easily replace those chemical-filled packets sold at the store…and it will take less than 5 minutes to make.

It’s incredibly versatile too. We use this to season ground beef tacos, my slow cooker chicken tacos and this easy enchilada casserole too.

I make a big batch of this seasoning every few months so we never run out of taco seasoning. It’s super easy to do, will save you a lot of money, and even your pickiest eaters will like it too!

Why You’ll Love This Taco Seasoning Recipe

• Ready in 5 minutes – all you have to do is measure, mix, and store!
• No weird ingredients – you control exactly what’s inside with no harmful ingredients needed.
• Budget-friendly – it’s way cheaper to buy all the spices required vs buying those $2-3 packets!
• Naturally gluten free – no need to check labels.
• Easy to customize – you can adjust the salt or easily make this spicy or mild depending on your family’s needs.
• Great for meal prep – it’s super easy to make a big batch of this seasoning, and it will keep for months.

By the way, if you love Mexican food as much as we do, make sure you also try my Easy 5-Minute Taco Sauce Recipe.

Ingredients for taco seasoning

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious blend. For the full recipe details, please see the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

• Chili powder
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Dried oregano
• Ground cumin
• Crushed red pepper flakes
• Paprika
• Sea salt
• Black pepper

Note: I recommend making the recipe as directed the first time. Then later, you can change the quantities if you’d like to adjust them slightly. For example, you may want it spicier (or less spicy), with less salt, etc.

How to make homemade taco seasoning

Are you ready to start taking control of your seasonings? It’s so easy—just two steps and you’ve got delicious homemade taco seasoning!

First of all, measure all the spices and seasonings, and dump them together in a small bowl.

Then, mix them well using a whisk or a fork. Just stir until they are combined completely.

When you’re ready to use your taco seasoning in a recipe, I recommend using 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning for each pound of ground beef (or the protein of your choice) that you cook. Season your protein like this:

• Cook your protein.
• Add 1 cup of water plus 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning.
• Let the protein and seasoning simmer in the water until the water has mostly evaporated.
• Serve immediately.

Note: If you’re cooking something like shrimp that can reach a point of being overcooked quickly, I recommend adding the seasoning to the pan right away instead of cooking or browning the protein first.

Storage

One of the best parts about this recipe? It stores beautifully.

• Pantry: Keep your taco seasoning in an airtight container or mason jar in a cool, dry cupboard — no fridge or freezer needed.
• Shelf life: It’ll stay fresh and flavorful for up to 6 months stored this way.
• Tip: Label your jar with the date you made it, especially if you’re keeping multiple spice blends in similar containers.

Tips & Tricks for the Best Taco Seasoning

Make It in Bulk

If you make tacos as often as we do, double or triple this recipe right from the start. I like filling a larger container so I always have seasoning ready to go — no need to pull out nine different spice jars every single time.

Taste As You Go

The first time you make this, follow the recipe as written. After that, feel free to nudge the salt, heat, or garlic up or down until it’s exactly how your family likes it.

Use the Right Ratio

A good rule of thumb: 2 tablespoons of this homemade mix replaces one store-bought seasoning packet. That makes it easy to swap into any recipe that calls for a packet.

Variations

• Mild version: Leave out the crushed red pepper flakes for a kid-friendly blend with all the flavor and none of the heat.
• Extra spicy: Add a bit more crushed red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne if your family likes it hot.
• Lower sodium: Cut the salt back or leave it out entirely, then salt to taste once it’s cooked into your dish.
• Beyond beef: This works wonderfully with ground turkey, shredded chicken, or even black beans and veggies for a meatless taco night.

FAQs

Here are some questions that I frequently see from readers about making this homemade seasoning blend. If you don’t see your question answered below, please leave it in the comments!

Is t​​​​​his homemade taco seasoning recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Unlike when you buy seasoning packets and have to double-check that the company didn’t add any gluten, this recipe is naturally gluten-free.

What types of protein can I use with this seasoning?

It will work with any protein you want to use for your Mexican recipes! We’ve used it with chicken, ground chicken, beef, and ground turkey. I think it would also taste amazing on shrimp, veggies, and even black beans!

What can I substitute for crushed red pepper flakes?

You could easily use cayenne pepper in place of the crushed red pepper flakes. I recommend starting with a 1/2 teaspoon and increasing in small increments from there based on your personal preferences.

Easy peasy!

Final Thoughts

Once you make your own taco seasoning at home, it’s hard to go back to the packets. It’s quick, affordable, and lets you control exactly what your family is eating — which, as a busy mom, feels like a small but meaningful win.

If you’re building out a full taco night, don’t miss my Easy 5-Minute Taco Sauce Recipe to go along with it!

Recipes to Use This Taco Seasoning With

Ready to get cooking? Try these!

• Easy Beef and Bean Enchiladas
• One-Pot Turkey Enchilada Casserole
• Easy Southwestern Casserole
• The Best Easy Taco Pizza Recipes

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