Who doesn’t love a good taco? Skip those nasty little packets and make your own homemade taco seasoning!
Why make it homemade?
Check out the ingredients on the spice mix packets from the grocery store. They have ingredients like: corn or potato starch, maltodextrin, potassium magnesium chloride, silicon dioxide, and sugar.
Non of those nasty ingredients in this recipe! It’s free from artificial ingredients & preservatives, sugar-free, and gluten free.
Not only is homemade healthier, but it is also cheaper. A packet of taco seasoning costs over $1 at the grocery store. You can make it homemade for a few cents with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
Plus it’s less wasteful to make your spice mixes homemade. No single-use packets or containers to toss in the trash.
Affiliates Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my full disclosure for further information.
How to make homemade taco seasoning
It’s really very simple. No special ingredients to purchase for this recipe! Gather some basic spices from your pantry:
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 crushed red pepper flakes (optional or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 3/4 tsp black pepper
Mix them together. Then store the mix in an air tight container.
This recipe is great for making up a big batch. Keep a jarful in the pantry for all your favorite Mexican recipes.
If your family has a spice aversion like mine does, go easy on the crushed red pepper flakes. Maybe even leave them out.
Now what do you do with your homemade taco seasoning?
Obviously you make tacos!! Use it just like those little packets. (2 1/2 tbsp = 1 packet)
- Brown 1 pound of meat and drain the grease
- Add 2 1/2 tablespoons of mix and 1/3 cup of water
- Bring to a simmer
- cook a few minutes until sauce thickens
But there are a ton of other creative uses for this taco seasoning mix too:
- Use in Mexican casseroles or pasta dishes like this One-Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta
- Season a pot of Taco Soup
- Add some flavor to popcorn or other snacks
- Make a marinade or taco salad dressing
- Season a Mexican-inspired dip like this Ultimate Bean Dip
- Toss french fries in taco seasoning
Now that you know how easy, cheap, and healthy it is to make your own homemade taco seasoning, you have no excuse not to!
Homemade Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 3/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients
- Store in an air tight container for up to a year
Notes
What other creative ways do you use taco seasoning? Leave me a comment below.
