Hello, homemaker!
One of the seasoning mixes I always keep on hand in my kitchen is homemade taco seasoning. We love tacos at home, so having a jar of this already mixed makes taco night just a little bit easier.
Instead of taking out chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and several other spices every single time I make tacos, I can simply grab one jar, scoop out what I need, and put it back in the pantry.
It is such a small thing, but these little homemade shortcuts make cooking from scratch so much more manageable.
I have also been trying to avoid store-bought seasoning packets as much as possible. My husband is sensitive to quite a few processed foods and ingredients, so making our seasonings at home gives me more control over exactly what goes into our food.
And really, taco seasoning is one of the easiest pantry staples you can make yourself.
If you're just beginning to make your own seasoning blends, this is definitely one I would put near the top of your list.
Why Make Taco Seasoning at Home?
For me, the biggest reason is simply knowing what is inside the jar.
When I make taco seasoning myself, it is just herbs and spices I already use in my kitchen. There are no mystery ingredients, and I can adjust everything depending on what my family likes.
Making your own also means:
- You can control the amount of salt.
- You can make it mild or spicy.
- You don't have to buy individual seasoning packets every time you make tacos.
- You can prepare enough for several meals at once.
- You can reuse the same glass jar again and again instead of bringing more little plastic or foil packets into your home.
- It makes weeknight cooking a little faster.
And once you realize how easy homemade seasoning mixes are, you may find yourself making more of them.
Homemade Taco Seasoning Ingredients
You only need a handful of basic pantry spices.
2 tablespoons chili powder
This gives taco seasoning most of its classic flavor. Keep in mind that chili powders can vary quite a bit in heat, so use one that your family enjoys.
2 tablespoon ground cumin
Cumin adds that warm, earthy flavor that I immediately associate with tacos.
1 tablespoon paprika
Paprika adds color and a mild, slightly sweet flavor. You can also use smoked paprika if you enjoy a smokier taco seasoning.
1 tablespoon garlic powder
Garlic powder adds plenty of savory flavor without having to chop fresh garlic.
1 tablespoon onion powder
Another pantry staple that adds a nice savory base to the seasoning.
1 tablespoon dried oregano
Oregano brings a little herbal flavor that works so well with cumin and chili powder.
1 tablespoon salt
You can adjust this depending on your family's preference or leave it out entirely and salt your food while cooking.
½ teaspoon black pepper
For a little extra warmth and flavor.
Optional: ¼ to ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Add this if your family likes spicy tacos. I usually recommend starting with a small amount because you can always add more heat later.
Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon salt
- ½ tablespoon ground black pepper
- ¼ tablespoon cayenne powder ( optional)
Instructions
Add all of the spices to a small bowl or directly into a clean, dry jar.
Stir or shake everything together until evenly combined.
Transfer the seasoning to an airtight container or spice jar and keep it in your pantry with your other seasonings.
That's it!
You now have homemade taco seasoning ready whenever taco night comes around.
How Much Homemade Taco Seasoning Should You Use?
I usually start with about 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning for every pound of meat.
Brown your beef, chicken, turkey, or other protein, drain any excess grease if necessary, and sprinkle the seasoning over the meat.
Add around ⅓ to ½ cup of water, stir everything together, and let it simmer for a few minutes until the meat is coated and flavorful.
You can always add a little more seasoning depending on how strong you like your tacos.
And taco seasoning isn't only for ground beef. I also like using it for shredded chicken, beans, roasted vegetables, quesadillas, and even seasoned potatoes.
Make a Bigger Batch
If your family eats tacos often, I highly recommend doubling or tripling the recipe.
That's really the whole reason I like keeping homemade dry mixes in the pantry. I do the work once and then have enough seasoning ready for several meals.
Just pour everything into a mason jar, shake it well, label it, and keep it with your spices.
When dinner gets busy, you only have to reach for one jar instead of measuring eight different ingredients.
How to Store Homemade Taco Seasoning
Keep your seasoning in a clean, completely dry airtight jar or spice container in a cool, dark pantry.
Since this recipe is made entirely from dried herbs and spices, it stores very well. For the best flavor, I like to make an amount we can use within about six months, although the exact shelf life will depend on how fresh your individual spices were when you started.
Always use a clean, dry spoon when scooping seasoning from the jar so moisture doesn't get inside. I also recommend adding a pack of food-grade moisture absorber in your jar to help keep the mix dry.
Adjust the Recipe to Your Family
Another thing I love about homemade seasoning blends is that the recipe doesn't have to stay exactly the same forever.
Once you've made it a few times, you can adjust it to your family's taste.
If you want it smokier, add more smoked paprika.
If you like stronger cumin flavor, add a little more cumin.
If your children prefer mild tacos, leave out the cayenne.
And if you're watching your sodium intake, reduce the salt or leave it out completely.
That's one of the nicest things about making pantry staples yourself—you get to decide what goes into them.
A Simple Pantry Staple Worth Making
Homemade taco seasoning is one of those little things that takes only a few minutes to make but makes cooking at home so much easier.
I love being able to grab one jar whenever we're making tacos instead of buying another seasoning packet or measuring several different spices every time.
If you're trying to make more of your everyday kitchen staples from scratch, this is such an easy place to start.
Make a jar, keep it in your pantry, and taco night just got a little simpler.
