Taco Seasoning Recipe | The Gracious Pantry (2024)

A good, homemade taco seasoning recipe is always a good seasoning to have on hand. It’s made with simple, easy-to-find ingredients, quickly and easily, and gives any dish amazing flavor.

This taco seasoning recipe only has real spices. It does not contain preservatives or any of the junk you’ll find in the store-bought varieties, so you can feel good about seasoning your food with this delicious spice mix.

What Is Taco Seasoning?

Taco seasoning is exactly what it sounds like. It’s seasoning you can add to meat to make taco meat for tacos. That said, it’s a very popular combination of spices that can be added to many different Latin dishes.

What’s In Taco Seasoning?

The overall predominant flavors are cumin and chili powder with some garlic and onion mixed in. However, a store-bought packet of taco seasoning is a whole different animal. Homemade seasoning is a much better choice.

Store-Bought Vs. Homemade Taco Seasoning

The sad fact is that most of the store-bought taco seasoning you can buy has either sugar, maltodextrin, or MSG in it. (Or a combination of all of those!) That’s not exactly what I want to put in my body, thank you. Making your own taco seasoning recipe at home takes a minute or two, and you can feel good about what you are eating. Plus, you can make a big batch and keep it in your pantry for many meals to come. No more small packets for single dinners!

What Can I Use If I Don’t Have Taco Seasoning?

Well, that’s what this recipe is for! But seriously, if you are low on spices, you can usually get away with using ground cumin and chili powder in a pinch. It won’t be quite the same, but it’ll be close.

What’s The Difference Between Mexican Seasoning And Taco Seasoning?

Taco seasoning is a milder seasoning compared to Mexican seasoning. Mexican seasoning has some spicier things added, such as chipotle chile pepper and ancho powder. It’s a spicier mix, even if the overall combination of spices is roughly the same.

Dietary Concerns

This homemade taco seasoning recipe is a great option for anyone who wants to use taco seasoning. It’s gluten-free, sugar-free, vegan, vegetarian, paleo, keto, etc. It fits almost any eating plan.

How Much Taco Seasoning Per Pound?

You can use these ratios with ground turkey, ground beef, or ground pork. It will also work with TVP or tofu.

How Much Homemade Taco Seasoning To Use For Other Dishes?

1 cup dry rice (or other grains) – 1 tbsp. taco seasoning
2 cups popped popcorn – 1 or 2 tsp. taco seasoning (adjust to taste)

What Else Can I Add To This DIY Taco Seasoning Recipe?

• Try using a smoked paprika for a smoky flavor.
• Red pepper flakes for extra spice
• Dried oregano
• Crushed red pepper

What Can I Put Taco Seasoning Mix In?

• Any meat mixture for tacos or burritos that use beef, chicken, pork, tofu or tvp
• Taco salads
• Mix with sour cream for taco dip
• Mix with ground meat for stuffed peppers
• Sprinkle on roasted vegetables
• Mix into bean dip for extra flavor
• Use as a dry rub for grilling meats
• Mix with olive oil for a marinade
• Season roasted potatoes
• Mix into scrambled eggs for breakfast tacos
• Use as a seasoning for chili
• Mix into rice
• Sprinkle on roasted nuts

What Is Taco Seasoning Mix Made Of?

Ground cumin

Paprika – Regular, not smoked.

Cayenne pepper – Optional.

Onion granules – Or onion powder.

Garlic granules – Or garlic powder. (Not garlic salt)

Ground black pepper

Chili powder

Salt – Optional. Sea salt or pink Himalayan salt are both good choices. If you use it, add a quarter teaspoon to start. You can always add more later or during cooking.

How To Make Taco Seasoning

Blend all the spices this taco seasoning recipe in a bowl and use to season any taco meat you are cooking. Use approximately 1 tablespoon per pound of meat.

Note: This mix has a small amount of “kick” to it. Nothing that will set your mouth on fire, but definitely noticeable. If you want something without the kick, leave out the cayenne and add an extra ½ teaspoon of paprika.

• Tacos– Mix this into the meat during cooking.
• Burritos– Mix this into the meat during cooking.
• Cheese Taco Pasta– Mix this into the meat and pasta combo during cooking.
• Salsa– Blend this into fresh salsa for an extra kick.
• Taco dip– Blend this into the meat or beans or both.
• Mexican soups and stews– Use this as seasoning in soups and stews. Simply drop it into the broth.
• Enchiladas– Give the sauce a little something extra with 1 to 2 tbsp. of this seasoning.
• Quesadillas– Sprinkle this over the cheese before cooking. Let the spices melt into the cheese.
• Black beans – Sprinkle it on while you warm them up.
• Casseroles – Any Mexican-style casserole dish will benefit from taco seasoning.
• Chicken tacos
• Taco soup

More Seasoning Mix Recipes

• Ranch Mix
• Hamburger Helper
• Onion Soup Mix
• Fajita Seasoning

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Recipe from the Gracious Pantry® archives, originally posted 8/19/10.