Homemade Taco Seasoning

Ditch the packet, and try making Homemade Taco Seasoning! This basic recipe — perfect for tacos, fajitas, dips, and more — will become a well-used staple in your spice cupboard.

A jar of homemade Taco Seasoning with a hand-made label.

By making your own Taco Seasoning, you will know exactly what’s in it — no mystery ingredients, hidden sugar or salt, or preservatives. If you’re on a restrictive diet, you can easily customize the blend to leave out ingredients you don’t want.

Ingredients to make Homemade Taco Seasoning are arranged on a slate.

How do you use Taco Seasoning?

Obviously, tacos! Adding this homemade Taco Seasoning to ground beef, with a bit of water and onions, and you get a basic taco meat mix.

I use this taco seasoning all the time in fajitas and dips. Try it in a Mexican-inspired pasta dish!

A jar of homemade Taco Seasoning.

How long does Homemade Taco Seasoning take to make?

It takes only minutes to mix the spices together, and transfer to a container with a tight-fitting lid.

Can I Make Substitutions?

If you’re concerned about allergens, you should check with each manufacturer of the spices you’re using.

That being said, the only substitution I would make for this blend is to leave out the salt, if you’re trying to cut back on your sodium intake.

The recipe below makes ¼ cup, and I’ve also included instructions to make 1 tablespoon of the seasoning blend.

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Homemade Taco Seasoning

Ditch the packet, and try making Homemade Taco Seasoning! This basic recipe — perfect for tacos, fajitas, dips, and more — will become a well-used staple in your spice cupboard.
Prep Time5 minutes
Total Time5 minutes
Course: Ingredient
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Seasoning, Spices, Taco
Servings: 1 serving

Equipment

  • bowl
  • Whisk
  • 125ml Jar with lid

Ingredients

To make approx. ¼ cup:

  • 1.5 Tablespoons paprika
  • 1 Tablespoon cumin
  • 1 Tablespoon oregano
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper or Kashmiri chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt optional

To make approx. 1 Tablespoon:

  • 3/8 teaspoon paprika
  • ¾ teaspoon cumin
  • ¾ teaspoon oregano
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper or Kashmiri chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt optional

Instructions

To make about a 1/4 cup of Taco Seasoning:

  • Measure and add all ingredients in the ¼ cup section into a small bowl. Stir with a whisk until completely blended. Store in a container with a tight-fitting lid. See article above about how to use Taco Seasoning.

To make about 1 Tablespoon of Taco Seasoning:

  • Measure and add all ingredients in the 1 Tablespoon section into a small bowl. Stir with a whisk until completely blended. Store in a container with a tight-fitting lid, or use immediately in your recipe.

Notes

Did you make Homemade Taco Seasoning? Post a photo on Instagram, and tag me @dinneratlulus and use the hashtag #dinneratlulus.