The Best Homemade Taco Seasoning - The Recipe Critic (2024)

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This Homemade Taco Seasoning is so flavorful and takes less than 5 minutes to make. You will never buy taco seasoning from the store again!

Want to know what to make with this seasoning? Try these Taco Stuffed Peppers, this classic Taco Soup or this Rotel Dipwith this homemadetaco seasoning.

The Best Homemade Taco Seasoning - The Recipe Critic (1)

Taco Seasoning Recipe

Isn’t it the worst when you go to cook and don’t have the seasoning that you need for the recipe. That’s where homemade seasonings come in! If you don’t have store bought taco seasoning on hand, this recipe can be made in less that 5 minutes from classic seasonings that we all have in our pantry!

Once you try out this homemade recipe, you will never buy store bought again. These flavors make any taco have more flavor and make them taste SO much better! Try it out with this easy Taco Ring. It takes even the most simple recipe to the next level.

What is Taco Seasoning Mix Made of?

Taco Seasoning is made up of simple spices that, when they are mixed together, make the best flavor. Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for all of the exact measurements.

  • Chili Powder: This gives it some kick. Add more if you like your seasoning extra spicy!
  • Garlic Powder: The garlic powder complements all of the other flavors without being too overpowering.
  • Onion Powder:This is a subtle onion flavor that really stands out.
  • Dried Oregano: The oregano brings in a spicy but sweet flavoring.
  • Paprika: Paprika has a smokey flavor and helps add color to the taco seasoning.
  • Ground Cumin: This unique flavored seasoning adds lots of flavor with a little spice.
  • Salt andBlack Pepper: These enhance all of the flavors in the recipe.
The Best Homemade Taco Seasoning - The Recipe Critic (2)

How to Make Your Own Taco Seasoning

You can also change the flavor up to have more or less heat depending on your preference. That’s the beauty of homemade seasonings, you can customize them to be however you want!

  1. Mix spices together: Combine all the seasonings together in a bowl.
  2. Store:Place the mixture in an airtight container.

How much homemade taco seasoning equals one packet?

A standard store-bought packets of taco seasoning holds about 2 tablespoons of seasoning.

The Best Homemade Taco Seasoning - The Recipe Critic (3)

How much taco seasoning for 1 pound of meat?

I use about 2 tablespoons in one pound of ground turkey or ground beef. This is such a simple recipe and it all comes together quick and easy for you to make several taco dishes! The recipe can easily be doubled and use more or less to taste.

Tip:I also like to add 1/2 cup of water to the meat and seasonings to make the meat more moist.

How long does taco seasoning last?

This is the best part! When you store your seasoning, make sure to keep it in a cool, dry place in an airtight container and it will last up to 6 months.

The Best Homemade Taco Seasoning - The Recipe Critic (4)

Want more taco recipes?! Try these ones!

Who doesn’t love a good taco? I’ve gathered up a few of my favorites for you to try with this seasoning!

Dinner

Easy Shrimp Tacos

30 mins

Dinner

8 Can Chicken Taco Soup

30 mins

Dinner

Taco Stuffed Avocados

10 mins

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The Best Homemade Taco Seasoning

4.68 from 50 votes

By: Alyssa Rivers

This Homemade Taco Seasoning is so flavorful and takes less than 5 minutes to make. You will never buy taco seasoning from the store again!

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 Tablespoons

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine all of the seasonings in a bowl and stir to combine.

  • Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

  • This recipe can easily be doubled! To use the seasoning, cook 1 pound of ground beef in a skillet until no longer pink. Add 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning to the ground beef along with 1/2 cup of water.

Video

Notes

Originally Posted on August 27, 2019

Updated on March 12, 2023

Nutrition

Calories: 12kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 616mgPotassium: 70mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 731IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 19mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner, Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Mexican

Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Alyssa Rivers is the author of 'The Tried and True Cookbook', a professional food photographer and experienced recipe-developer. Having a passion for cooking, her tried and true recipes have been featured on Good Morning America, Today Food, Buzzfeed and more.

Read More About Me

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The Best Homemade Taco Seasoning - The Recipe Critic (2024)

FAQs

What brand of taco seasoning is authentic? ›

Old El Paso Original Taco Seasoning Mix packets are the perfect pantry staple that makes you and your family ready to celebrate taco night, every night. These great-tasting taco spices and seasonings help you get tacos on the table.

What's the difference between Mexican seasoning and taco seasoning? ›

Ultimately, the difference between these two comes down to the composition of spices. Taco seasoning is usually milder than Mexican seasoning. Mexican seasoning contains ancho powder and chipotle chile pepper, both of which give it a little more of a kick.

How important is cumin in taco seasoning? ›

Ground cumin – Next to chili powder, cumin is the most important ingredient in taco seasoning. It adds an earthy flavor and aroma.

Do you brown meat before adding taco seasoning? ›

To use the seasoning mix, brown 1lb ground meat then add 2 – 2-1/2 Tablespoons seasoning with 1/3 cup broth or water, then simmer until the liquid has thickened and reduced, 1-2 minutes.

Does McCormick Taco Seasoning have cumin in it? ›

Tacos are tortillas curled into shell shape and fried. It is filled with ground meat sauce, lettuce, tomatoes, onion, and topped with cheese. McCormick Taco Seasoning Mix is a special blend of Herbs & Spices with prominent cumin flavor & aroma, intended to impart a unique flavor to meat dishes.

What is the difference between McCormick Taco Seasoning mild and original? ›

Our Original Taco Seasoning Mix is spicier than our Mild Taco Seasoning Mix.

What seasoning do Mexicans use? ›

With garlic and onions as the savory cornerstone, the most common Mexican spices and herbs are coriander, allspice, cloves, thyme, Mexican oregano, Mexican cinnamon (ceylon), cumin and cacao which showcase the breadth of Mexican food.

What is the best substitute for taco seasoning? ›

Packet Taco Seasoning replacement: if you only want to make enough taco seasoning to replace 1 packet, use the following amounts:
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder.
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder.
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder.
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper.
  • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano.
  • ½ teaspoon paprika.
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin.
  • 1 teaspoon salt.
Mar 16, 2021

What is a famous Mexican seasoning? ›

Tajin (pronounced "ta heen") is a well-known Mexican seasoning made with a combination of chili powders, lime and sea salt with a few other ingredients.

What's in Lawry's taco seasoning? ›

Ingredients. Spices (Including Paprika, Cumin, Oregano, Chili Pepper), Onion, Salt, Lactose (Milk), Sugar, Garlic, Enriched Wheat Flour (Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Cocoa Powder Processed with Alkali and Natural Flavor.

What is in Old El Paso taco seasoning? ›

Ingredients: Corn Starch, Maltodextrin, Salt, Chili Pepper, Spice, Sugar, Garlic Powder. Contains 2% or less of: Sea Salt (potassium magnesium chloride, salt), Citric Acid, Onion Powder, Vegetable Oil (canola and/or soybean oil), Silicon Dioxide (anticaking agent), Natural Flavor.

Do Mexicans use cumin in tacos? ›

You will find cumin in many Tex Mex and Southwestern dishes. It's a must have spice in my chili and I don't spare its use in my taco meat, but it's uncommon in real Mexican dishes.

How can I make my taco meat taste better? ›

Salt and Pepper: These are essential seasonings for enhancing the overall flavor of the beef. Garlic: Garlic powder or minced garlic adds a rich and savory flavor to ground beef dishes. Onion: Onion powder, diced onions, or onion flakes can provide a sweet and aromatic quality to the meat.

Why is my taco meat bland? ›

The number one reason why people end up with bland tacos is because the meat wasn't seasoned properly. Luckily, that isn't an issue with this dish. However, if you find that your tacos aren't spicy enough for your liking, feel free to adjust the seasoning as needed or add a few shakes of your favorite hot sauce.

When making taco meat do you drain the grease? ›

Cook and stir ground beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 7 to 10 minutes. Drain and discard any excess grease. Pour water and seasoning mix over beef; stir to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook until mixture thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.

What is the difference between McCormick Original Taco Seasoning and McCormick Premium Taco Seasoning? ›

The major difference between McCormick's 'Original' and their 'Premium' Taco Seasoning is that Premium also contains Smoked Paprika, Dehydrated Red and Green Bell Peppers, some Cocoa Powder and Black Pepper.

Who makes Old El Paso taco seasoning? ›

Old El Paso is a brand of Tex-Mex-style foods from American food producer General Mills. These include dinner kits, tacos and tortillas, taco seasoning, sauces, condiments, rice, and refried beans. Pet, Inc. Old El Paso products are marketed across the globe.

Does taco Bell use high quality ingredients? ›

We Use High Quality, Sustainable Ingredients.

For us, it's not enough to offer affordable, craveable, innovative choices. It also has to be food you feel good about, made with ingredients you can understand. Over the years, we've made significant improvements to our food to offer you just that.

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