You could buy those tiny packets of taco seasoning but with this easy homemade taco seasoning recipe you won’t have to. Plus, no flour in this recipe so it’s gluten-free and keto friendly too.
It’s the perfect combination of spices to flavor your tacos, try it and see if you’ll ever go back to the store-bought packets again.
Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe
Taco seasoning packets are so easy to use. All you need to do is rip open the package and sprinkle them. But have your read the ingredients?
Why in the world do they put flour or cornstarch in them? Is it to make it look like you are getting more for your money?
And the additives like anti-caking agents and sometimes even sugar.
It seems like odd ingredients to add to a spice mix that could be made with well, spices.
And that’s what this taco seasoning from scratch recipe is just spices and that’s it.
No added flour or cornstarch. No additives you don’t need. Just spices to make the ground beef or turkey or even tofu taste great in your tacos.
And that’s what you’re looking for right?!
Once you see just how super simple this homemade taco seasoning is to make, you’ll never need to buy those seasoning packets again, unless you want to.
Plus, you’ll know exactly what’s in your taco seasoning from scratch because you made it yourself.
And you can adjust the spice to fit your family perfectly. More on that below.
Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe Video
If you have a small jar with a lid, you don’t even have to have a spoon. Here’s how easy it is to make….
Variations on this Homemade Taco Seasoning
What’s great about making your own seasoning mixes is you can customize them to fit your family. To get you started here are a few ideas and how to save money when making them too.
Paprika…
You can use regular paprika which I love. But I recently tried a smoked paprika in this recipe and it will add a slight hint of smokey flavor. It was so good, made the tacos taste like they were grilled. Yum!
Chili Powder…
If you like spicy tacos you can use hot chili powder instead of regular chili powder. I’m a wimp with spicy foods but maybe you like to really spice up your tacos. This would be a good variation to try if that suits you.
Onion Powder…
My son can spot onions easily in dishes so we opt to use onion powder. But if you don’t have a picky onion person, you might like to use dried diced onions instead.
Save With Bulk Spices…
Now you might think those spice packages aren’t that expensive and buying spices in those bottles will cost me a fortune. Well, that might be right.
But when you purchase spices in the bulk, you can really save.
Locally here we have three options for buying spices in bulk. Our WinCo Foods stores have bulk spices in the bulk food section. We also have other stores with bulk spices like Fred Meyer a Kroger affiliate and Whole Food has a bulk food section too.
If you don’t have any of those stores near you, try looking for large bottles of spices at Costco or a local restaurant supply store. Both have good prices on spices over the small bottles at the grocery store.
Doing a little research can help you save not only on this recipe but on spices you use every day.
Get the Printable Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe…
Grab the printable recipe below. It’s enough for one pound of meat but you can double or triple it if you want to have it ready and waiting in the cupboard.
Homemade Taco Seasoning
Shelly
Why buy those small packages of taco seasoning when it’s so easy to make at home. And this recipe doesn’t have any cornstarch or flour so it’s low carb, gluten-free, and keto friendly too.
Print Recipe Save Pin Recipe
Course Baking Mixes
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 1
Calories 29 kcal
Instructions
Measure the spices into a small jar with a lid.
Once all spices are added, shake well.
Use 1-2 Tablespoons for 1 pound of meat.
Notes
Enough for 1 batch double or triple for extra to store.
Nutrition
Serving: 2tablespoonsCalories: 29kcalCarbohydrates: 5.4gProtein: 1.2gFat: 1.1gSodium: 913mgFiber: 2.1g
Tried this recipe?Click here to tell us how it was!
That’s how simple and easy it is to make your own homemade taco seasoning recipe, so you’ll never have to buy those tiny overprice packets of spice again.
And if you need to eat gluten-free or keto, this recipe is friendly for both.
Print the recipe or pin it for later so you can find it when you need to make your own taco seasoning at home.
More Homemade Seasoning Mixes…
Pizza Seasoning Mix
Garlic and Herb Seasoning Mix
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FAQs
Packet Taco Seasoning replacement: if you only want to make enough taco seasoning to replace 1 packet, use the following amounts:
- 1 tablespoon chili powder.
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder.
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder.
- Pinch of cayenne pepper.
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano.
- ½ teaspoon paprika.
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin.
- 1 teaspoon salt.
Most taco seasoning mixes contain salt, warming spices (such as paprika, oregano, and chili), onion powder, and garlic powder. This top-rated recipe is made with chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, sea salt, black pepper, ground paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and crushed red pepper flakes.
What are the ingredients in taco Time taco seasoning? ›
ingredients
- 1 tablespoon minced onion.
- 1 1⁄2 teaspoons instant beef bouillon.
- 1 teaspoon chili powder.
- 1⁄4 teaspoon salt.
- 1⁄8 teaspoon minced garlic (1 clove)
- 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cumin.
Change it up to tweak the flavor or intensity of the heat.
- Sub chipotle chili powder, ancho chili powder or New Mexican chili powder.
- Add more or less salt, and use Maldon, Himalayan or kosher salt.
- Increase the cayenne or eliminate if you have spice-averse eaters.
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.
What are the ingredients in Old El Paso taco seasoning? ›
Ingredients: Corn Starch, Maltodextrin, Salt, Chili Pepper, Spice, Sugar, Garlic Powder. Contains 2% or less of: Sea Salt (potassium magnesium chloride, salt), Citric Acid, Onion Powder, Vegetable Oil (canola and/or soybean oil), Silicon Dioxide (anticaking agent), Natural Flavor.
What is McCormick Taco seasoning made of? ›
SPICES (INCLUDING CHILI PEPPER, PAPRIKA, OREGANO), ONION, SALT, POTATO STARCH, SUGAR, GARLIC & NATURAL FLAVOR.
What are the most popular taco ingredients? ›
The most common toppings that you will find for crispy tacos are shredded lettuce (romaine or iceberg lettuce), finely shredded cabbage, sliced or chopped tomatoes, and onions (white onion is more popular than red onion). This list can go on for ages, but I will only mention the most popular fried tacos. Shredded Beef.
Does taco seasoning have tomatoes in it? ›
What is Taco Seasoning? Taco Seasoning has masa harina, salt, chiles, tomato powder, garlic, cumin, California paprika, onion, white sugar, Mexican oregano, allspice. All of the spices are pretty finely ground with no large chunks.
What's the difference between Mexican seasoning and taco seasoning? ›
Mexican seasoning typically consists of a blend of traditional herbs and spices while taco seasoning is a specific blend of spices that may not be used as much in traditional Mexican dishes.
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.
How much taco seasoning for 1 pound of meat? ›
To use: Use about 2 tablespoons of the taco seasoning for every 1 pound of meat. Use more or less depending on your preference. Brown meat and drain the fat. Add your taco seasoning along with about 1/2 cup of water.
What makes tacos taste better? ›
Acidity and fresh toppings provide a refreshing counterpoint to the richness of taco meat, cheese, and sour cream, and a bit of fresh lime juice squeezed over the top goes a long way.
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.
What gives the taco taste? ›
Mexican Tacos: For authentic Mexican flavor, use a blend of spices that includes cumin, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder and/or onion powder. These spices will give your tacos a warm, earthy flavor and just a touch of heat.
What can you replace taco meat with? ›
Meatless Tacos: 10 Options to Consider Instead of Meat
- Black beans.
- Chickpeas.
- Mushrooms.
- Butternut squash.
- Quinoa.
- Tofu.
- Lentils.
- Cauliflower.
Acids act a little like salt in that they help bring out the natural brightness of foods and work to meld flavors together. Try making a quick salad dressing with lemon juice and zest or red wine vinegar with a smidge of oil—or toss veggies and grains with citrus or vinegar to brighten them up.
Can you use chili seasoning mix instead of taco seasoning mix? ›
If you're sitting at home staring at your packet of taco seasoning and wondering if it can be used for the chili recipe you're preparing tonight, then save yourself a trip to the grocery store. That taco seasoning will work out just fine. Vice versa is true as well. Go ahead and use chili seasoning on your taco beef.
Can you cook ground beef without seasoning? ›
I actually recommend boiling ground beef without seasoning (especially if you're cooking it for meal prep), and mixing it in after draining, or as you cook it with other recipes.
Shelly
