The BEST Homemade Taco Seasoning with the perfect balance of flavors. So quick and easy to make with spices you probably already have in your cupboard. You'll never want to buy prepackaged taco seasoning again!
Get ready Taco Tuesday! We are taco lovers in our house, and after tweaking this recipe over the years, here it is - the BEST Homemade Taco Seasoning! It has the perfect balance of flavors, and makes your tacos taste awesome! This Homemade Taco Seasoning can be used in any of your favorite Mexican or Tex-Mex dishes: tacos, burritos, nachos, quesadillas, or tostadas. Try it in my Beefy Bean and Cheese Quesadillas!
My secret to making the best Homemade Taco Seasoning even better? Grinding your own chilies. The flavor will be so fresh and so aromatic - it really does make a difference. You can play around with the flavors and make your own signature blend. Plus you can choose how spicy or mild you want your chilies to be. If you like it mild, by grinding your own chilies, you can make a full flavored chili powder without reducing the amount of chili powder you use. I find a decent selection of dried peppers in the ethnic aisle of my supermarket. Simply grind them up in a coffee or spice grinder.
While you're at it, grind up some whole cumin seeds as well. As soon as spices are ground they start losing flavor. How long do you suppose those ground spices have sat on the shelf at the supermarket and then in your cupboard? With whole spices and a spice grinder, you will always have freshly ground. Freshly ground is definitely the way to go for the best flavor.
Homemade Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon salt, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon corn starch (optional)
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients and store in a sealed container.
Notes
*Use 2 tablespoons per pound of ground meat for tacos.
*Commercially packaged taco seasoning contains a thickening agent to thicken the sauce. I have listed cornstarch as an optional ingredient.
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Beefy Bean and Cheese Quesadillas:
Hands down better then store bought. I was looking for a taco seasoning to make during the pandemic so I didn't have to go to the store. This is sooooo good!! I lvoe that i have plenty left for our weekly taco tuesday dinner!
So happy you liked it, Ariel! Thanks so much!
My husband gives this two thumbs up so this will be my go-to seasoning from now on.
Thanks so much, Sharon! So happy you liked it!
Do you need to use any water in this recipe?
Hi Alana! For the taco seasoning itself, you don't need any water. However, when I make taco meat, I add a little water just like I was using a packet of taco seasoning, especially if I put cornstarch in the mix.
I was wondering the same thing.
I've tried several taco seasoning mix recipes, never any quite right. This one is just about perfect. I do include the cornstarch as written. Only made one change... I find 1 teaspoon of sugar rounds this out to perfection. The best compliment was from my granddaughter.... " Oma your tacos are super delicious!"
Great idea, Penny! I'll definitely try adding a spoon of sugar next time. Thanks so much!
Love this mix. No cornstarch. No sugar. Need to keep low carb and gluten free. Bought ones usually have sugar and wheat. Thank you. A hit on taco Tuesday.
Thanks so much, Cathy!
Great recipe. Gotta bit of a nice kick I leave salt out of all my seasoning mixes as it attracts moisture even when well sealed and ruins them. ( I live in the tropics) I then just add salt to taste when I’m actually using the seasoning mixes.
★★★★★
I found this a bit salty. Is it supposed to be a Tablespoon of salt not teaspoon? Other than that it’s a great recipe!
You can add salt to taste. Thanks, Patti.
I love this!
I did add a very small amount of cinnamon, dried cilantro leaves, dried basil leaves, celery seed and a pinch of sugar.
It is very good. I always double because we go through this like crazy!
Thanks for sharing!
Great additions, Joni! I'll definitely try that. So happy you liked it and thanks so much!
A tablespoon of salt...table salt or Kolsher?!?
I used table salt, however, my favorite way of making this seasoning is to make it without the salt. That way salt to taste can be added to the dish.
PERFECT just as stated in recipe! I used approx. 1/2 cup water after adding seasoning to ground meat.
So happy you liked it, LD! Thanks so much!
I am Italian and I have no problem making Italian food, but I have a husband who loves Mexican food so I am always looking for authentic recipes. This is a great seasoning, My family loves it, it’s easy to make, and I will never use anything else. Now could you just give me a recipe to make retried beans? Can’t make flavorful ones to save my life!
Thanks for the recipe.
Kathy
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Hi Kathy, So happy you liked it! Here's my recipe for refried beans. I love them! https://foodtasia.com/easy-homemade-refried-beans-recipe/
Thanks so much!
do you drain the hamburger and water with the taco seasoning?
Hi Ron, I drain the hamburger before adding the water and seasoning.
I’ve tried other recipes to no avail. This one however had the cornstarch and I was intrigued. I made it and asked my brother if he liked it. He said he liked it better than whatever we usually use. I didn’t have chili powder so I looked up what to substitute and it said Paprika, Cumin and Cayenne. He loved it. I did use 1/2 cup water with the seasoning and meat. Thank you for such a great recipe. I would highly recommend.
★★★★★
So happy you liked it, Renee! Thanks so much!
This content material is written very well. Your use of formatting when making your factors makes your observations very clear and clean to apprehend. Thank you.
Thanks, Mike
Love the recipe . Made crockpot chicken tacos and this seasoned almost 2lbs chick breasts. Added jar of salsa and had dinner in a few hours.
★★★★★
Sounds fantastic, Dawn! Thanks so much!
Very good!!
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Thanks Lori!
I add smoked paprika.
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That would be fantastic!
Easy to make. I used it t season lentil taco “MEAT”. I may use spicier chili mix next time. I like it hot. Ewcipe is definitely a KEEPER.
★★★★
Thanks Roger!
Store bought is over $1 an envelope and I made this for pennies using spices I had on hand. Tastes better, too! Thanks!
So happy you liked it! Thanks Mary!
Great seasoning
★★★★★
Thanks Rebecca!