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This is the best homemade taco seasoning recipe. I’ve been using it for years in tex-mex dips, casseroles, soups, and all kinds of tacos, and it never lets me down.
I discovered that I could make my own homemade taco seasoning at home rather than using those little packets a couple of years ago, and I’ve never looked back. It’s actually what started my interest in homemade seasonings and dry mixes, and I’ve discovered so many good recipes that have been so helpful in the kitchen. I love that I get to know exactly what’s in this taco seasoning, and I can adjust it to what my family likes. I’ve been playing around with different formulations for the last couple of years, and this is what I’ve come up with that seems absolutely perfect to me. I like that this recipe has just a bit of a thickening agent in it, like a lot of store-bought packets do, so it seems to make my tacos (or whatever I use it in) work out perfectly every time. It makes the absolute best zesty homemade chili seasoning. Here how to make a batch of your own.
More aromatic spice blends to try: Homemade Seasoning Blends and Dry Mixes to Stock Your Pantry
Ingredients Needed for Homemade Taco Seasoning
You’ll need:
- Chili powder
- Paprika (or smoked paprika for a tasty chipotle variation)
- Ground cumin
- Granulated garlic
- Onion powder or dried minced onion
- Dried oregano
- Red pepper flakes
- Black pepper
- Salt
- Cornstarch
Chances are that you have a lot of these herbs and spices hanging around in the back of your spice cabinet already. I love when I can make something new out of ingredients I already have. It’s more economical, less wasteful, and it just makes you feel good to know you’re cutting out all the unnecessary fillers and preservatives. The cornstarch in the ingredient list is the thickening agent for this recipe, so feel free to leave it out if you’d prefer to have just the seasonings on their own. If you plan to use this spice mix as a gourmet rub for grilling, you can definitely omit the cornstarch.
Making your own pantry staples: Pinterest’s Favorite Homemade Italian Seasoning Recipe
How to Prepare Taco Seasoning Mix
I like to make this up in a big batch of this spicy seasoning so that I can just scoop a little out by the teaspoon whenever I need it. I store it in a lidded, air-tight container, and it lasts for months. You can store it in a cute glass jar with a swing top or a reused plastic food container like a yogurt tub and it will keep nicely either way.
Combine all the ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and mix them together with a large tablespoon or whisk. Continue stirring until you have an even mixture and all the cornstarch lumps have been broken up. It should look very similar to what you see when you open a packet of commercial taco mix.
Transfer the seasoning blend to an airtight container and store it in a cool, dark place, such as a spice cupboard or pantry.
Try this recipe next: Homemade Smoky Barbecue Seasoning Blend
Cooking With the Homemade Seasoning Blend
To make basic tacos using your homemade taco seasoning, brown ground beef, chicken, or veggies in a frying pan or skillet until fully cooked, then add about two tablespoons of the powdered seasoning mix by sprinkling it over the cooked taco filling. Pour in about 1/2 cup of water and stir gently until everything is nicely coated in the seasoning mixture.
Simmer gently for a minute or two, allowing some of the water to evaporate. Serve the seasoned filling hot in tortillas or taco shells with your favorite toppings like grated cheese, cilantro, salsa, chopped tomatoes, and avocado.
This flavorful blend of spices can also be used to season and thicken soups, stews, chili, enchilada casseroles, taco salad, or taco dip.
It’s so fun to me that I can whip up something with such a great, vibrant flavor using just things that can be found in any standard spice rack. It really does taste so much fresher than the packaged stuff even though it’s all just dried spices and herbs.
Try this seasoning blend in my Magical Disappearing Taco Dip or my Plant-Based Cowboy Casserole.
Don’t forget to save this recipe to your Pinterest boards for later!
Here’s the full printable recipe.
This is the best homemade taco seasoning recipe. I've been using it for years in tex-mex dips, casseroles, soups, and all kinds of tacos, and it never lets me down.
- 6 tbsp Chili powder
- 2 tbsp Cumin
- 2 tbsp Paprika
- 2 tbsp Oregano
- 2 tbsp Garlic powder
- 3 tbsp Onion powder
- 1 tsp Ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp Salt
- pinch Crushed red pepper flakes
- 3 tbsp Cornstarch
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Combine all the ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and mix together. Continue stirring until the blend comes together into an even mixture and the clumps of cornstarch are broken up and well distributed.
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Transfer the seasoning blend to an airtight container and store in a cool, dry place.
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To make tacos, add two tablespoons of seasoning to cooked meat or veggie filling, along with 1/2 cup of water. Stir to coat everything evenly in seasoning and simmer for a few minutes until some of the water has evaporated and the mixture has thickened.
Courtenay Hartford is the author of creeklinehouse.com, a blog based on her adventures renovating a 120-year-old farmhouse in rural Ontario, Canada. On her blog, Courtenay shares interior design tips based on her own farmhouse and her work as founder and stylist of the interior photography firm Art & Spaces. She also writes about her farmhouse garden, plant-based recipes, family travel, and homekeeping best practices. Courtenay is the author of the book The Cleaning Ninja and has been featured in numerous magazines including Country Sampler Farmhouse Style, Better Homes and Gardens, Parents Magazine, Real Simple, and Our Homes.