Making your own taco seasoning mix is so much healthier and cheaper than buying the packets from the store. This recipe is easy to follow and you probably already have all of the ingredients in your pantry! Give it a try tonight for your next taco night!
After the end of the holidays, I discovered I have a ridiculous amount of ground beef stocked up in the freezer. When I say I have a ridiculous amount – I mean ridiculous!
There has to be at least 10 lbs of ground beef in there. You know me… I can't resist a good sale!
Perhaps I should put a little more effort into my meal planning. lol
Considering the treasure trove of ground beef I re-discovered, we're going to have lots of tacos over the next little while. Tacos are one of my family's favorite things to eat so no complaints here! 🙂
In this post I share with you my easy recipe for homemade taco seasoning.
It's no secret that making your own seasoning mixes are a great way to save money when compared to buying the packets you can find in stores. This is especially true if you make a lot of tacos – like me!
Buying spices in bulk and preparing your own mixes is much less expensive than purchasing the packets from the store – plus homemade mixes can be made fresh when you need them.
I just love mixing up my own ingredients too. The fragrance of everything coming together is just spectacular. 🙂
To use the taco seasoning, you just need to use 3 – 4 tsps of the combined seasoning for every 1 lb of meat. You can adjust this amount depending on your preferences though.
Also for a different take on this, you could try substituting the cayenne for some chipotle powder. I've done this a couple of times and it's amazing!
If you enjoy this recipe you might also be interested in trying my homemade fajita seasoning or even my ranch dressing mix.
I hope you enjoy this recipe! ❤️ If you give it a try, please let me know how it turned out for you in the comments section at the bottom of the page or share a pic of your om noms on Instagram and tag @dishesanddustbunnies! ❤️
What is taco seasoning made of?
There's nothing quite like a good taco. But what makes a taco great is the seasoning. And there's no need to buy pre-made seasoning mixes when you can easily make your own at home. This Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix is the perfect blend of spices to give your tacos that authentic flavor.
This taco seasoning mix recipe contains a combination of chili powder, oregano, onion powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, pepper, cayenne and red pepper flakes.
Be sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of the post for full ingredients & instructions!
How to make homemade Taco Seasoning Mix – Overview
To make the taco seasoning mix, simply combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl and stir until well combined. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
To use the taco seasoning mix, add 1 ½ tbsps or more to 1 pound of ground beef. Cook over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through.
How to Store Taco Seasoning Mix
If you're making a big batch of taco seasoning mix, you can store it in an airtight container in the pantry for up to 3 months.
How Much Seasoning is in a Store Bought Taco Seasoning Packet
A store-bought taco seasoning packet usually contains about 3 tablespoons of seasoning.
How to Season Taco Meat –
How much taco seasoning do you put in a pound of ground beef?
You need about 1/2 tablespoon of taco seasoning or more for every pound of ground beef.
Do you season taco meat before or after browning?
Some people season their meat before browning, and some people season it afterwards. I usually season it after I've browned the meat about half way through cooking. Experiment and find what you like best!
Do you drain the grease before adding taco seasoning?
You don't have to drain the grease before adding taco seasoning, but it will make your tacos a bit more “sinful”. The seasoning mix will stick better to the meat if it's a little wet.
Can you use taco seasoning as a dry rub?
Yes, you can use taco seasoning as a dry rub. It will add flavor to beef, pork or chicken.
Ways to use Taco Seasoning Mix
- Add it to ground beef when you're making hamburgers.
- Add it to chicken when you're making fajitas.
- Sprinkle it on popcorn for a tasty snack.
- Mix it with sour cream for a quick dip.
- Add it to scrambled eggs for a Mexican-inspired breakfast.
- Stir it into black beans for a quick and easy side dish.
- Mix it with melted butter and spread it on toast.
- Add it to rice for a delicious burrito bowl.
- Toss it with some roasted veggies for an easy weeknight dinner.
- Use it as a rub on pork or steak before grilling.
- Add it to queso for an extra zing of flavor.
- Stir it into pasta sauce for a fun twist on classic spaghetti and meatballs.
- Mix it with yogurt to make a creamy and cooling dressing for salads.
- Use it as a seasoning in slow cooker recipes.
- Make a batch of freezer-friendly tacos or burritos for an easy weeknight meal.
- Dust off your waffle maker and make some Mexican-inspired waffles instead of regular ones!
- Whip up some south-of-the-border inspired taquitos by folding the taco mix into some prepped tortillas and frying until crispy
More Seasoning Mix Recipes You'll enjoy:
Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: About 1 cup of seasoning 1x
Ingredients
- 6 tbsps chili powder
- 2 tsp oregano
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 4 tsp paprika (sweet or smoked is fine)
- 2 tbsps + 1 tsp cumin
- 1 ½ tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 ½ tsp pepper
- ¼ tsp cayenne
- ½ – 1 tsp pepper flakes
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an air tight container.
To use: - Use 3 – 4 tsp of the seasoning mix for every 1 lb of meat. Feel free to adjust how much seasoning is used depending on how spicy you like it.
Notes
This recipe is very versatile as you can try different types of chili powder for a different taste. ex. Some stores sell mild or even super spicy chili powder.
Also for a different take on this, you could substitute the cayenne pepper for chipotle powder
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cuisine: Mexican
