The Best Homemade Taco Seasoning
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An easy homemade taco seasoning blend, ready to use in anything you can dream up! Make a batch and keep it on hand for Taco Tuesday!
Step-by-step photos and instructions are below. Jump to the recipe card if you wish!

I stopped buying store-bought taco seasoning forever ago. It’s just so easy to make my own and keep it on hand and tastes better than the taco seasoning packet versions.
My Homemade Taco Seasoning recipe has no fillers like potato starch and uses quality ingredients. That means your finished dish will be of higher quality too! Win/Win, right? It’s also gluten-free – provided you use certified gluten-free ingredients (check the label if this is a concern for you!)
Love homemade spice blends? Try my Italian seasoning, Chili Powder, Cajun seasoning, Pumpkin Pie Spice or Poultry seasoning blends!
Ways to use Taco Seasoning
I recommend Soft Tacos, Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Pasta and Mini Taco Beef & Bean Pies, Taco Salad, and Taco Soup!

Key Recipe Ingredients
Note: This highlights some ingredients. Full list is in the recipe card.
- Chili Powder. DO NOT use pure ground chilis in this. Use a prepared chili powder!
- Garlic Powder
- Cumin
- Onion Powder
- Smoked Paprika
- Oregano
- Salt & Pepper

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How to make Homemade Taco Seasoning
This is a step-by-step photo guide. Full ingredients and instructions are in the printable recipe card below.
JumpUsing a mortar and pestle, or a small bowl – combine all ingredients.
Store in an airtight jar in the pantry, and use within a few months.

How to use Taco Seasoning
TO MAKE TACO MEAT
- 1 pound meat (I use lean ground beef)
- 1-2 Tbs Taco Seasoning
- 3/4 cup water
- Brown the meat in large skillet on medium-high heat. Drain fat.
- Stir in seasoning mix and water.
- Bring to boil and reduce heat.
- Let it simmer while you prepare the toppings and taco shells.

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Homemade Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons prepared chili powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon cracked pepper
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
- Store in an airtight container until needed.
Notes
Brown the beef, sprinkle the seasoning in and add the water. Let it simmer while you prepare the toppings and taco shells.
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Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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Make sure to follow @kyleecooks on Instagram for more and tag me #kyleecooks so I can see!Update: This was originally posted in January of 2011, and has been updated to improve reader experience with new photos!

About Kylee Ayotte
I am a born and raised New Zealander (a Kiwi), now living in Phoenix, Arizona. I’m happily married to the love of my life – a hot American boy I met while traveling the world. I’m a mama to 2 awesome little boys and love red things, rugby, cheesecake, and bacon. Mmmmm. Bacon. Meet Kylee










What a great way to save some money by making this taco seasoning at home. I also like that I can customize the seasoning depending on how much heat I want or not.
Thanks I am making my Taco seasoning ready today. Easy and very flavorful for many awesome recipes.
Wow, so easy to make! I can’t believe I’m still buying the packaged stuff… Thanks for sharing this recipe, I LOVE it!
I had no idea it was so easy to make taco seasoning. I'll never buy it from the store again!
I've been wanting to make my own taco seasoning for quite a while. I will be trying this soon. We need a taco night over at my house. 🙂