This DIY taco seasoning will help to flavor your taco Tuesdays right. A super easy seasoning blend that is totally customizable and delicious.
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Made with just a few basic pantry staples, you can create a flavorful combination of spices that will work on ground beef, ground turkey, chicken, and more!
We make a lot of our own seasoning blends and sauces like Cream Cheese Alfredo Sauce and this Ragu Spaghetti Sauce Recipe, but this recipe is one we make often because there's always room for tacos.
With so much flavor and possibilities, you can turn this simple seasoning mix into tasty tacos, Taco Mac and Cheese (with Rotel), Easy Dorito Taco Salad, or even Instant Pot Taco Zucchini Boats. There are so many possibilities! I even like to sprinkle a little over my microwave nachos for added flavor- yum!
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💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It tastes better than packaged. I love making homemade taco seasoning for ground beef whenever I can because it's so much more flavorful than storebought.
- Improved ingredients. We skip the need for anticaking agents and other added chemicals, making it a healthier choice. Plus, using this method allows us to avoid MSG, which can trigger migraines for some people, like myself.
- You can make as much or as little as you want. The best part about this DIY taco seasoning mix is that it made the spice blend in bulk, so you can get several uses out of it. Perfect for always having a batch on hand!
🛒 Ingredients
Seasonings- You will need the following seasonings to make this taco seasoning blend. Each seasoning either helps to provide depth of flavor, a flavor enhancement, color, or spicy heat.
Chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, garlic powder, minced dried onion, oregano, black pepper, cayenne powder, and red pepper flakes.
See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
💰 Budget-Friendly Tips
Buy Spices in Bulk: Purchase chili powder, cumin, paprika, and garlic powder in larger containers or from bulk bins. The cost per teaspoon drops dramatically compared to small spice jars.
Choose Store Brands: Store-brand spices are usually just as flavorful but cost less. Stick to basic blends and avoid premium "gourmet" labels.
Use Pantry Staples First: Check what spices you already have before buying more. Even partial amounts can be combined to get close to a full batch.
🥄 Instructions for DIY Taco Seasoning
Step 1: Add all the spices to a mason jar or large zip-seal bag.
Step 2: Close and shake until fully combined.
Step 3: Keep stored in an airtight container or mason jar for up to a few weeks.
🌮 Uses for Taco Seasoning
Homemade taco seasoning works great in fajita taco salad, freezer chicken fajitas, and zucchini boat tacos, but it's also delicious in ground beef tacos, sheet pan chicken and veggies, stuffed bell peppers, taco pasta, and even sprinkled into scrambled eggs or breakfast burritos for a quick flavor boost.
- Fajita Taco SaladRecipe $16.91 / Serving $2.82
- Walking Taco CasseroleRecipe $9.86 / Serving $1.64
- Chicken Fajita Freezer MealRecipe $10.02 / Serving $1.67
- Instant Pot Zucchini BoatsRecipe $6.23 / Serving $1.56
❓ Recipe FAQs
You will need 2 tablespoons worth of this taco seasoning mix to flavor one pound of cooked ground beef. You can always add in a little more or less depending on what you prefer.
This blend of spices can last several weeks in an airtight container at room temperature before expiring. The older it gets the less potent the flavors will be but honestly, this blend can last almost indefinitely, just like regular spices in the pantry.
Besides flavoring your ground beef and ground turkey meats for tacos, you can enjoy enchiladas, chili, and so much more. I often use taco seasoning in place of chili seasonings when making a pot of chili like 5 Ingredient Instant Pot Chili. But you can also use it in Crockpot Chicken with Enchilada Sauce and Thanksgiving Tamales.
🍽️ More Recipes You'll Love
- Cherokee Fry Bread RecipeRecipe $0.70 / Serving $0.07
- Jiffy Jalapeno CornbreadRecipe $6.59 / Serving $0.55
- Guacamole Without CilantroRecipe $2.37
- Loaded Totchos (Tater Tot Nachos)Recipe $12.28 / Serving $1.54
🐝 If you tried this DIY Taco Seasoning, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your buzz in the 💬 comments below. I'd truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
DIY Taco Seasoning
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons chili powder - ($0.72)
- 2 tablespoons cumin - ($0.48)
- 1 tablespoon paprika - ($0.24)
- 1 tablespoon salt - ($0.02)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder - ($0.08)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano - ($0.08)
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper - ($0.08)
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper - ($0.08)
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes - ($0.08)
- 1 teaspoon dried minced onion, optional - ($0.08)
Instructions
- Combine. Add all spices to a mason jar or airtight container.
- Mix. Seal and shake well until fully combined.
- Store. Keep sealed at room temperature until ready to use.
Notes
- Yield. About 2 tablespoons equals one store-bought taco seasoning packet.
- Storage. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for several weeks.
- Freshness. Flavor strength decreases over time, but the blend remains safe to use as long as the spices are fresh.
Nutritional Information
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