Best Taco Seasoning Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen (2024)

This taco seasoning recipe makes the best tacos, taco soup, and more! It takes just minutes to make, using spices that you likely have in your kitchen.

Best Taco Seasoning Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen (1)

Once you start making your own taco seasoning, you’ll never go back to store bought! This taco seasoning recipe is incredibly easy, made from just a handful of spices and seasonings. You will love the flavor that it brings to taco night!

Store-bought packets of taco seasoning often contain a few questionable ingredients. When you make your own seasoning blends at home, you’ll know exactly what’s going into your meals. You can also adjust the ingredient amounts, salt and spiciness to your tastes.

You can make this taco seasoning recipe ahead of time and store it in your spice drawer to use in quick meals later on. Once you mix together the spices, the taco seasoning will stay fresh for months. Below you’ll find a list of my favorite ways to use homemade taco seasoning.

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Why you’ll love this Taco Seasoning Recipe:

  • Quick & Easy: This recipe takes less than 5 minutes to make, using ingredients that you likely keep on hand in your kitchen.
  • Simple Ingredients: It’s healthier than many of the store bought seasoning packets, and tastes better, too.
  • Flavor: This taco seasoning has the best flavor! You can customize the recipe to suit your tastes, such as making it more or less spicy by adjusting the amounts of chili powder and cayenne pepper.
  • Versatile: You can use this taco seasoning in so many healthy meals, such as burrito bowls, tacos, ground turkey tacos and taco salad. You can even use it to season veggies such as roasted sweet potatoes.

Taco Seasoning Recipe Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need for this taco seasoning recipe. Find the full recipe with ingredient amounts in the recipe card below.

  • Chili Powder: I use mild chili powder because my kids don’t like too much spice; you can use a spicier chili powder if you wish. Try adding a little chipotle chili powder for lots of smoky spice, but not too much, since it can be very spicy.
  • Ground Cumin: Cumin is a common, earthy spice that is often used in Mexican cuisine.
  • Paprika: You can use sweet paprika or smoked paprika, depending on your preference.
  • Onion Powder & Garlic Powder: Onion powder and garlic powder are often used in spice mixes and add mild onion and garlic flavor.
  • Dried Oregano: Dried oregano adds another layer of flavor. While it’s often used in Italian cuisine, oregano is also commonly used in chili and Mexican dishes.
  • Cayenne Pepper: This recipe uses just a small amount since cayenne is spicy.

Ingredient Notes

  • I usually wait and add salt when cooking, rather than adding it to this seasoning mix. This way, you can season to taste with salt and adjust the amount depending on how much salt is called for in the recipe you’re using. This taco seasoning recipe has plenty of flavor from herbs and spices, so you won’t miss the extra salt found in the little packets from the store.
  • The freshness of your spices will determine the freshness of your taco seasoning, so check the expiration dates before you mix the ingredients together.
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How to Make Taco Seasoning

This taco seasoning couldn’t be easier to make!

  1. Combine the taco seasoning ingredients in a small bowl.
  2. Use a small whisk or spoon to mix the spices together until everything is well combined.
  3. Use right away or store in an airtight container.

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How Much Taco Seasoning Per Pound of Meat

Use 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning per pound of ground beef or ground turkey. To make taco meat, first brown the ground meat in a large skillet. Then add the taco seasoning and 1/2 cup of water. I also like to add 1/2 cup of canned tomato sauce for added moisture and flavor, but this is optional. Cook at a low simmer until most of the liquid has evaporated, stirring occasionally. After cooking, season with salt and pepper to taste. I usually add about 1/4 teaspoon of salt per pound of meat.

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Storage Instructions

Store homemade taco seasoning in a labeled zip-top bag or other sealed container. I like to use a small glass Weck jar to store my spice mixes. Keep it in a cool, dry place, at room temperature. I keep mine in a spice rack with the rest of my spices. Stored this way, taco seasoning will stay fresh for about 6 months, or for as long as the individual spices would be fresh.

Recipes that Use Taco Seasoning

  • Taco Recipe
  • Crockpot Chicken Tacos
  • Instant Pot Taco Meat
  • Turkey Taco Soup
  • Crockpot Taco Soup
  • Slow Cooker Taco Pasta
  • Instant Pot Taco Pasta
  • Taco Salad
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More Homemade Seasonings

Once you start making your own spice blends, you won’t want to go back to store bought! Here are a few more favorite homemade spice blends:

  • Chicken Seasoning
  • Pork Rub
  • Salmon Seasoning
  • Cajun Seasoning
  • Pumpkin Pie Spice

5 from 5 ratings

Best Taco Seasoning Recipe

Servings: 24 servings (makes about 1/2 cup)

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Total Time: 5 minutes mins

This taco seasoning recipe makes the best tacos, taco soup, taco salad and more! It takes just minutes to make, using spices that you likely have in your kitchen. You won't want to go back to store-bought!

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Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons cumin
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¾ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

  • Place all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk or stir until well combined. Use immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 6 months.

  • To make taco meat, use 2 tablespoons taco seasoning per pound of ground beef or turkey. Brown the meat, then add in 2 tablespoons taco seasoning, 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste), 1/2 cup of water and an optional 1/2 cup of canned tomato sauce. Simmer until most of the liquid has evaporated, stirring occasionally. Serve taco meat in warmed tortillas or as desired.

Notes

  • I usually make this taco seasoning without salt and then add salt to taste when cooking. If you prefer to add salt to the seasoning mix, I recommend adding 1 teaspoon.

Serving: 1teaspoon, Calories: 6kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Sodium: 17mg, Potassium: 35mg, Vitamin A: 395IU, Vitamin C: 0.1mg, Calcium: 10mg, Iron: 0.6mg

Nutrition information is an estimate.

Cuisine: Mexican

Course: DIY, How To, Seasoning

Tried this recipe?Mention @kristines_kitchen on Instagram or tag #kristineskitchenblog.

This site contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Kristine's Kitchen!

Best Taco Seasoning Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

Do you brown meat before adding taco seasoning? ›

I, personally, just add the seasoning once the meat starts browning and just let the water cook out. You will end up with that crumbly texture that I just love about that certain, unnamed taco place. This works with those little packets too.

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.

Is Mrs Dash taco seasoning good? ›

I made taco meat using this salt free product. The taste was great and didn't miss the salt. Going to try a taco dip with this. Can use it for casseroles and tacos.

Why does my taco meat taste 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.

Do you drain ground beef before or after seasoning? ›

When it comes to seasoning your ground beef, wait until after it has been browned and drained. Adding salt to raw ground beef pulls out moisture, drying the meat out and creating steam while it cooks, which prevents it from browning properly.

What is El Pastor taco seasoning? ›

For me, the perfect spice blend is black pepper, cumin, Mexican oregano, salt, all spice, and achiote paste or powder. The achiote is very important- it gives the al pastor its signature color & flavor.

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.

What is al pastor taco seasoning? ›

Spices (paprika, chipotle pepper*, chili pepper, and other spice), Onion Powder, Sugar, Salt, Garlic*, Corn Starch, Malic Acid.

Do Mexicans use cumin in tacos? ›

It offers a strong flavor described by many chefs as pungent, earthy, warm, hearty, bitter, and toasty. Cumin is a popular seasoning for tacos, sweet vegetables, and mild bread. The bitter flavor is hard to replace with any other spice, making cumin a quintessential spice for Mexicans.

What if I don't have cumin for taco seasoning? ›

Cumin is an earthy, aromatic spice that brings citrusy notes to a dish. If you're in a pinch, there are many great alternatives you might already have in your pantry. Caraway seeds and ground coriander most closely mimic cumin's flavor, while curry and chili powders contain cumin.

Do Mexicans cook with cumin? ›

Often thought of as a mainstay of Indian cooking, cumin is much used in Mexican recipes, too, It's paired with coriander or cinnamon for complex, flavorful classics like mole sauce.

Why is accent seasoning so good? ›

Glutamate is a product that's found in our bodies and in many foods including beets, tomatoes and cheese. The glutamate in Ac'cent is made from corn. Ac'cent's glutamate combines with foods to bring out the flavors. Look for Ac'cent at your favorite supermarket!

Do you sear meat before seasoning? ›

However, you do NOT need to add other seasonings before searing. You're going to be cooking the exterior of your meat at very high temperatures, and the other seasonings will simply burn on the surface.

Do I add taco seasoning before or after cooking meat? ›

Once the beef is cooked, you want to cook it with the seasoning and liquid on medium low and just until the sauce starts to thicken. Keep an eye on it so it doesn't dry out. Heat up the tortillas before adding the ground beef on top. You can heat them up in the microwave, oven or on a skillet for 1-2 minutes per side.

When to add taco seasoning to ground meat? ›

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. 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.

Can you put taco seasoning on raw meat? ›

Use a spatula to break the meat into smaller chunks. Sprinkle all of the taco seasoning over the meat. Continue breaking up the meat and stirring until well combined, but don't cook the beef all the way through just yet.

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