Note: This recipe has been updated with much better pictures and quantities for making a whole jar of seasoning as opposed to just a couple of tbsps. You can view the new recipe here: Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe.
We love tacos.
Love. Them.
Beef tacos, chicken tacos, steak tacos, you name it.
But as much as it makes tacos taste great, I loathe buying pre-packaged taco seasoning mix
So I have spent the summer trying different taco seasoning recipes that I found on the web, and finally, FINALLY I found one that will forever be “our” taco seasoning recipe.
It was SO GOOD in both the beef tacos and chicken tacos I made last night.
Make sure you have some empty (washed) old spice jars handy or you can pick up some of these cute spice jars with chalkboard labels to make it easy to store your taco seasoning.
Without further ado:
The best taco seasoning recipe ever
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt and pepper. Store in an airtight container. Season to taste.
Notes
You can get taco seasoning ingredients
Nate says
October 15, 2015 at 9:43 pmHow much water do you add to 1 pound of meat and this mixture?
Anna says
July 27, 2015 at 5:27 pmThank you for this recipe! I am eating this right now, and it is hands down the best taco seasoning I have ever tasted. Finally one that is zero carb for my diet, and tasted far better than anything store bought.
Jennifer says
January 3, 2015 at 4:15 pmHow much water do you add with this recipe??
Katie says
May 6, 2014 at 1:02 pmI love this taco seasoning recipe a lot, but I also add ½ Tbs of Cocoa Powder and it makes it even more delicious!
Sherry says
April 2, 2014 at 6:50 pmWe have been using your recipe for a few months now and absolutely love it! It is so simple to make and has so much more flavor than the packets of seasoning! Thanks for sharing!
Billie says
September 16, 2013 at 12:55 pmI really should make my own seasoning as well, we love tacos here.
Kimberly Grabinski says
September 22, 2013 at 5:24 pmWe love tacos too. It’s tied with pizza as a household favorite!
Shana D says
September 16, 2013 at 12:03 pmIt’s been so long since I’ve made taco seasoning, I should change that. My recipe is pretty similar but I use cayenne in place of pepper flakes.
Kimberly Grabinski says
September 22, 2013 at 5:24 pmIt’s sooo easy to make and no fake preservatives!
Ashley B. says
September 27, 2014 at 11:43 amHow much cayenne pepper do you think it would take to replace the red pepper flakes as an alternative so I can just use what I already have?
Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Kimberly Grabinski says
September 27, 2014 at 2:11 pmI think you can, just use maybe half as much cayenne as red pepper flakes?
catcatsmom says
May 19, 2013 at 9:28 amI’ve made this many times. It is the best. I’ve used it in beef & chicken tacos, Mexican rice, & Mexican corn. So glad I found it.
[email protected] says
February 7, 2013 at 8:08 pmI bought all the ingredients that I didn’t already have in the cabinet to make my own taco seasoning the other day. I think I’ll try your’s first since you say this is THE BEST. : )
Jenny @ MyLittleMe says
January 15, 2013 at 4:37 pmGoing to try this next time we have tacos. 🙂
Kara says
January 3, 2013 at 5:14 pmThis seriously is delicious! I will never go back to pre-packaged! It smells better when cooking and so much healthier for my family! Also just as quick when you have it pre-made! Love it! Thanks for sharing!!!!
Kim says
January 4, 2013 at 9:32 amThanks for the feedback!!!!
kelly says
September 20, 2012 at 10:10 amI made this and it was delicious!!! My friends loved it and now I would never buy then prepackaged crap filled with so many chemicals/processed stuff. I would highly recommend anyone who reads this to try it!
Kim says
September 20, 2012 at 10:27 amThanks for sharing, I really appreciate you letting everyone know that you tried it and liked it!
Debbie says
July 23, 2012 at 8:32 amWe liked this better than any other taco seasoning mix that I have tried. I did not add any water to the meat mixture when I used this recipe. It was pretty good and not soggy! I make only enough for whatever meat I am cooking at the time. It’s easy to make and I don’t need any more mixes sitting around! I just sprinkle each ingredient directly to the drained meat, then mix, heat, and eat!
oreganol says
May 12, 2012 at 11:15 amThis is one that I want to try when I get the chance to fry up some ground beef again. My mom likes to make tacos, but she does not take the time to find all of these spices and mix them together first, which means that the seasoning usually winds up being rather bland, usually consisting of little more than salt and maybe some chili powder. However, I like to experiment with spicier foods, so I will make this version for the next time that we have tacos and see if Mom likes this one better.
mrspickens says
April 16, 2012 at 7:30 pmThis recipe is delicious. I am no longer a slave to the pre-packaged mixes!
lisatu says
April 5, 2012 at 3:45 pmIm just wondering if these measurements make up one package or do I need to make more. Ive never used taco seasoning before but have a recipe I want to try that calls for it.
Thanks
Markosoupial says
April 1, 2012 at 5:22 amI also add 1/2 of a large ground bay leaf and simmer the seasoning with the meat in a 50/50 slurry of water and tomato sauce. Also, add this mix to cooked rice for a quick and delicious Mexican Rice.
Christy says
July 16, 2012 at 1:23 amHow much of this would you add to the cooked rice? Sounds good!
Brenda says
March 11, 2012 at 11:14 amWe fix tacos almost every week and go through lots of taco seasoning packets. Thanks so much for this. I can’t wait to try it!!
Josh says
February 26, 2012 at 4:46 pmSeriously? This is the best taco seasoning ever? This is the most basic recipe ever, but it certainly isn’t the best. Next time, try being a little creative.
Kasandra says
March 7, 2012 at 5:10 pmrude much? sheesh
Abbey Strine says
February 25, 2012 at 6:52 amThanks for this recipe. I am going to print it right now!
Martha Escabar says
February 24, 2012 at 6:07 pmI always use the Old El Paso stuff that comes in a package for less than a dollar at the grocery store, but this is legit, and I’m going to try it!
JulieD says
February 22, 2012 at 12:29 amI use this same recipe! I love it too! 🙂 Hope you’re doing well, Kim!
Di Locke-Carmichael says
February 21, 2012 at 1:46 pmGreat recipe! I had to leave out the oregano however, little known fact; cooked oregano releases an oil that can cause extreme intestinal distress to some people–severe stomach pain and cramping.
Heather Languis says
February 2, 2012 at 6:03 pmSo this is probably a stupid question for you, but I’m not good at measurements, never have been. Can you post what the recipe would be if is was 4 times as much?? Thanks so much 🙂
Dyz says
February 17, 2012 at 11:54 pmdo not think of them as measurements, think of them as BASIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MATH
Math Teacher says
February 19, 2012 at 5:35 amHeather Languis,
There is a basic fundamental math skill called “multiplication” which my 4th grade son understands. We generally would use this in a situation just like this.
i.e. 1X4=4
1/4X4=1
Have a lovely day.
ZombieGirl says
February 21, 2012 at 12:21 amSo condescending I can taste it! Must…replace…with tacos.
Alexis says
February 22, 2012 at 2:30 pm1. As if the person asking needed a new one ripped. Was that even necessary? Hopefully, your 4th grade son has more capacity for compassion and manners than his parent.
1. That attitude is why a lot of people can’t stand math or math teachers. Most math teachers assume that everyone knows basic so-called fundamentals like multiplying fractions and teaspoons and such and such. For some, those are difficult concepts. We don’t necessarily use math everyday, but just about everyone communicates/speaks/writes daily…sometimes hourly. If this is how you speak/communicate to other people, it’s no wonder you’re a math teacher.
Chad says
February 20, 2012 at 12:41 amsince most of the measurements are in teaspoons (There are three teaspoons per tablespoon, so break everything down into teaspoons.) you can substitute these for “parts”. Your “part” can be anything, a cup, a gallon, a pound, doesnt matter. If you use the same measurment for each part, you can make whatever size you want when breaking it down into parts. Hope this helps.
lizzza says
February 20, 2012 at 5:08 pmI’ll make this easier than the previous two replies…
4 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 teaspoon paprika
6 teaspoons ground cumin
4 teaspoon sea salt
4 teaspoon black pepper
Hope that makes it easier for you! 🙂
Sandra Matray says
January 15, 2012 at 9:43 pmUsed this recipe tonight! My taco salad would not have been the same without this “must have” recipe! Thanks so much!
Brandolyn says
January 14, 2012 at 5:50 pmI’ve made this twice now and love it. I find I need to add a bit more salt and more cumin for my taste, but this is really, really good. My 14-year-old son said, “Those tacos were awesome!” Thanks!!
Ashley says
January 12, 2012 at 10:55 amThis sounds great! I do have a silly question though…do you mix your 2 TBSP of taco seasoning mix with the ground beef and add water like a typical taco seasoning packet says to do? Thanks for posting this!
Kim says
January 12, 2012 at 1:28 pmI usually do add a bit of water so it can simmer and the seasonings can work into the meat.
Ingrid says
January 21, 2012 at 7:57 pmIt is better when you use tomato sauce instead of water. It gives the meat a nice flavor.
Brenda says
March 11, 2012 at 11:10 amGreat idea Ingrid!!
Chad says
February 20, 2012 at 12:44 amIf you add a little bit of cornstarch into the recipe it will thicken the liquid when you add water to your meat, just like the packet. It doesnt effect the flavor at all…
Brenda says
March 11, 2012 at 11:12 amAnother great idea! Def going to try that. Thanks!
lovato says
January 9, 2012 at 3:30 pmI have to admit I always buy those little packets of seasoning. Then I get mad at myself because it always winds up having a weird “packet” taste. I’m so going to try this and happily pocket my extra $1! 😀
Becca @ Sweet Swan Songs says
January 8, 2012 at 10:52 amWow, I usually make my own taco seasoning as well, with most of the ingredients you use but it always seems to be “missing” something. I never thought of putting a little oregano in there, I’ll have to try it!
Sarah P. / Julia's Child says
January 8, 2012 at 7:18 amI season my own, too! I don’t use the garlic powder & onion–I just use fresh garlic and onion whenever I make tacos. But it takes longer. Also, I use some coriander in mine, probably 1/3 as much coriander as cumin. And I skip the red pepper flakes, because I didn’t want to overdo it. But the ratio here is so tiny that I bet it would be fine. I should be less of a wimp.
Eileen says
December 2, 2011 at 10:23 amI have been making tacos for about 30 years and never thought of putting together my own spices. I bet fresh instead of pouch tastes SO much better. Thanks for sharing. Am gonna try it and see if family notices!
Angela W. says
November 28, 2011 at 5:45 pmI LOVE this recipe. I found it on Allrecipes.com a couple of years ago and have never purchased packaged taco seasoning since!
Jenny Ham says
October 15, 2011 at 7:12 amNow I wonder what my taco seasoning has in it that I buy from the store. I am going to have to compare and the try this instead. Thanks [email protected]
Janet W. says
October 13, 2011 at 6:15 amWe LOVE tacos, too. We have it every week. It’s my grandson’s favorite meal now. We always just buy the packets, but this would be wonderful to try and see how it compares!
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
September 12, 2011 at 9:38 amI can not believe I never thought to make it myself, like it NEVER crossed my mind. I buy those packets all the time. What was I thinking? Thank you!
trisha says
September 11, 2011 at 4:09 pmyum yum!
Laura @ GotChocolate says
September 11, 2011 at 11:08 amOH YUM!!! I’ve been looking for a good taco seasoning. ALl I use is cumin and chili pepper… LOTS of it! This sounds A LOT better! Thanks! 😀
Kim says
September 11, 2011 at 11:17 amIt is really really good, and I’ve tried so many different variations. It actually had more flavor in the chicken than in the beef (it was a bit hotter too) but I think that’s because the beef retained some grease that neutralized some of the kick.