Homemade taco seasoning takes just minutes to make with ingredients you probably already have on hand! Save money by making your own copycat taco seasoning.
This DIY taco seasoning works great as a seasoning on everything from tacos to veggies, meat, seafood, rice, beans, soups, salads and more. Use it in this Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken, Quinoa Taco Bowls, Cheesy Southwestern Lentils & Brown Rice or Taco Lettuce Wraps with Turkey & Quinoa.
Aside from Wine Wednesday, Taco Tuesday is my favorite night of the week and I love whipping up a batch of chicken or beef taco meat. We’ll use it in our tacos that night, but then, since it’s just the two of us, I’m left with the yummy leftovers to be nibbling on all week. For a quick and easy lunch, I love topping a bowl of Instant Pot Rice or Instant Pot Quinoa with it. Or, if I’m wanting to eat a bit healthier, I’ll serve it up on a salad, or make Taco Lettuce Wraps with it.
And because taco night is on regular rotation at our house, I love having a batch of this homemade taco seasoning on hand.
My recipe below makes a big batch, that will keep for up to six months. As written, this recipe makes enough to season 3 pounds of meat. But if you’d like to make just enough seasoning for one meal, simply adjust the recipe card below to make “1 serving.”
What is Taco Seasoning Made of?
- Chili Powder – smoky and delicious
- Cumin – adds bright, citrusy notes
- Paprika – smoked paprika adds great flavor, but regular paprika is fine too
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Oregano
- Salt & Pepper
How Do you Make Taco Seasoning from Scratch?
- Combine the ingredients. Combine all spices in a small jar, seal and shake until well combined.
- Store. Homemade taco seasoning will last 6 months stored tightly sealed.
How Much Taco Seasoning Do I Need for 1 Pound of Meat?
- 2 Tablespoons of DIY taco seasoning equivalent to 1 packet of store-bought seasoning (like McCormick or Old El Paso). Use 2 tablespoons of this homemade version for every packet you’re replacing in a recipe, or for every 1 pound of protein, such as ground beef, chicken or tofu.
Is Taco Seasoning Keto?
- Yes! This DIY Taco Seasoning recipe is keto-friendly.
Uses for Homemade Taco Seasoning
- Season chicken, beef, tofu or pork in your favorite taco recipe.
- Add it to some rice for a Mexican rice.
- Season refried beans with it.
- Rub chicken or steak with it before throwing it on a hot grill.
- Season some homemade baked tortilla chips with it.
- Sprinkle it on popcorn with some parmesan cheese.
Taco Recipes:
- Salmon Tacos with Blackberry Corn Relish
- Korean Tacos with Bulgogi Beef
- Taco Zucchini Boats {Grilled or Baked}
- Fish Taco Bowls with Avocado Crema
- Mexican Street Corn Chicken Tacos
- Fish Taco Bowls with Avocado Crema
Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe // Quick + Easy
Ingredients
- 4 Tablespoons chili powder
- 2 Tablespoons cumin
- 1 Tablespoon paprika (smoked paprika preferred)
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a small jar and stir (or shake) until well combined.
- Store tightly sealed for up to 6 months.
Notes
Nutrition