Homemade Taco Seasoning
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Published Sep 30, 2025
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Skip the packets—this homemade easy taco seasoning recipe is fresh, flavorful, and completely customizable. Most store-bought mixes are loaded with salt, fillers, and way too much cumin, but when you make your own, you get bold flavor that enhances (not overpowers) your dishes.
What is Homemade Taco Seasoning?
Taco seasoning is usually sold in convenient packets, but most of the time those mixes are filled with preservatives, starches, and artificial colors. At its core, though, taco seasoning is just a handful of simple spices that you probably already have in your pantry.
By making it yourself, you can skip the fillers and create a blend that suits your taste—mild, smoky, spicy, or somewhere in between.
For example, my Mexican Picadillo is seasoned simply with onion, garlic salt, and pepper. No packet required! It makes a delicious filling for picadillo tacos or a hearty arroz con pollo.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Superior flavor: Freshly mixed spices create a bolder, more robust flavor. Want it spicier? The cayenne in this blend adds just the right kick. Prefer it smoky? Use smoked paprika or dried ancho chile.
- No fillers: Unlike packets, this blend has no cornstarch, MSG, sugar, or preservatives—just pure flavor.
- Customizable: Don’t love cumin? Use less. Want more garlic? Add an extra pinch. You control the balance.
- Easy to make and store: Mix once and keep a jar in your spice drawer. Double or triple the batch so you’re always ready when taco cravings hit.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here’s what you’ll need to whip up a quick batch of taco seasoning:
- Garlic powder – A pantry staple for savory depth.
- Onion powder – Complements the garlic and adds sweetness.
- Ground chile (ancho or cayenne) – Instead of American chili powder blends (which are mixes, not a single chile), I recommend using pure ground ancho chile for a mild, earthy flavor or cayenne for more heat. If you have Chimayó chile or another pure ground chile from New Mexico, that’s another great choice.
- Kosher salt – Helps all the flavors pop.
- Black pepper – Adds a subtle kick.
- Cumin (optional) – Go light; it should enhance, not dominate.
- Mexican oregano (optional) – Earthy and aromatic, if you have it.
The complete ingredient list with quantities is in the printable recipe card below.
How to Make Homemade Taco Seasoning
Step 1: Measure spices. Add all spices to a small bowl or jar.
Step 2: Mix. Stir or shake until evenly combined.
Step 3: Store. Keep in an airtight container in your spice drawer for up to 6 months.
Use 1–2 tablespoons per pound of meat, or season to taste as you cook.
Serving & Usage Suggestions
This seasoning isn’t just for ground beef tacos! Try it on:
- Picadillo tacos – Spoon seasoned ground beef and potato filling into warm tortillas for an easy, authentic dinner.
- Pork carnitas – Adds the perfect garlic-and-spice kick to slow-cooked pork before crisping.
- Chicken fajitas or steak fajitas – Mix with lime juice and oil for a quick marinade.
- Carne asada – Sprinkle lightly before grilling.
- Arroz con pollo – Season chicken before searing for a cozy, flavorful one-pan meal.
- Salmon tacos – Rub the spice blend on fillets and sear until the skin is crispy and the fish is cooked through.
Homemade Taco Seasoning Expert Tips & Tricks
- Taste as you go. Mexican cooking is flexible—add a little more of what you love.
- Batch it. Make a larger batch so you always have some on hand.
- Fresh option. For an extra-authentic touch, try grinding your own dried chiles (like ancho or Chimayó). But don’t worry—store-bought ground chile works perfectly too.
- Keep it simple. Onion, garlic, salt, and pepper are really all you need for delicious tacos.
Storage Instructions
Store in a sealed jar or airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months. For the boldest flavor, make small batches and refresh as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
The simplicity—just real spices like garlic, onion, and pure ground chile, no fillers. It’s easy, fresh, and customizable.
Yes! Use cayenne or chipotle powder for extra heat, or stick with ancho chile for a mild, earthy flavor.
Use about 1–2 tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning per pound of ground beef, chicken, pork, or fish. Adjust to taste.
It’s great on picadillo, pork carnitas, chicken fajitas, steak fajitas, carne asada, arroz con pollo, and even salmon tacos.
Definitely—this easy taco seasoning recipe has no fillers, preservatives, or added sugar, just pure spices.
More Recipes
If you tried this Homemade Taco Seasoning or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below!
Homemade Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons pure ground ancho chile, (or cayenne for heat)
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin, (optional, go light)
- 1/2 teaspoon Mexican oregano, (optional)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a small bowl or jar.
- Stir or shake until evenly combined.
- Transfer to an airtight container and keep in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months.
- Season with about 1–2 tablespoons per 1 pound of meat (or adjust to taste).
Notes
- Avoid American-style chili powder blends, which contain multiple spices. Instead, use pure ground chile such as ancho, cayenne, or Chimayó.
- For smoky flavor, swap in smoked paprika.
- Great for ground beef tacos, picadillo, chicken fajitas, steak fajitas, pork carnitas, carne asada and arroz con pollo.
- You can easily double, triple, or even quadruple this recipe to make a larger batch. When ready to cook, simply use about 1–2 tablespoon of taco seasoning per 1 pound of meat (or adjust to taste).
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Making taco salad tonight and this will be perfect. Can’t wait to try it.
Skip the fillers and artificial flavors and make this easy Homemade Taco Seasoning