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You are here: Home / Food / Homemade Taco Seasoning (DIY, From Scratch)

Homemade Taco Seasoning (DIY, From Scratch)

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Homemade Taco Seasoning Pin
Homemade Taco Seasoning Pin

Homemade taco seasoning is such a versatile seasoning, perfect for tacos, nachos and so much more! Plus, it’s easy to make from scratch with a few pantry staples.

Homemade taco seasoning is such a versatile seasoning, perfect for tacos, nachos and so much more! Plus, it's easy to make from scratch with a few pantry staples. | APinchOfHealthy.com

This is such a handy trick to have up your sleeve! Whether you want to avoid sketchy mystery ingredients, or if you forgot to get a taco seasoning pack from the store, this is the DIY taco mix for you!

We use this to make taco meat for our ground beef tacos. One serving of this homemade taco seasoning is perfect to season a pound of ground beef (or any meat used for tacos, nachos, fajitas). You can use it in any recipe that calls for a packet of taco seasoning.

I love that it is made with five simple spices that I always keep on hand anyway, plus some salt and pepper.

Homemade taco seasoning is such a versatile seasoning, perfect for tacos, nachos and so much more! Plus, it's easy to make from scratch with a few pantry staples. | APinchOfHealthy.com

Just mix everything together, right there in the bowl.

Homemade taco seasoning is such a versatile seasoning, perfect for tacos, nachos and so much more! Plus, it's easy to make from scratch with a few pantry staples. | APinchOfHealthy.com

If you want to make a big batch, I recommend bumping up the serving size to 4 on the recipe card below. This will make 1 cup of seasoning, and you just measure out 1/4 cup when you are ready to use it. I don’t recommend making much more than that, unless you plan to use it pretty quickly (since there are no preservatives or anti-clumping additives, like the store brand mixes may contain).

Did you know you could do that? Yep, it’s a handy little trick on my site. I always publish in suggested batch size/ serving size, but you can move the needle to right-size the recipe just for you.🙌🏻

Homemade taco seasoning is such a versatile seasoning, perfect for tacos, nachos and so much more! Plus, it's easy to make from scratch with a few pantry staples. | APinchOfHealthy.com

Homemade taco seasoning is such a versatile seasoning, perfect for tacos, nachos and so much more! Plus, it's easy to make from scratch with a few pantry staples. | APinchOfHealthy.com
Homemade taco seasoning is such a versatile seasoning, perfect for tacos, nachos and so much more! Plus, it's easy to make from scratch with a few pantry staples. | APinchOfHealthy.com
Homemade taco seasoning is such a versatile seasoning, perfect for tacos, nachos and so much more! Plus, it's easy to make from scratch with a few pantry staples. | APinchOfHealthy.com
Homemade taco seasoning is such a versatile seasoning, perfect for tacos, nachos and so much more! Plus, it's easy to make from scratch with a few pantry staples. | APinchOfHealthy.com

When I get ready to use it in meat, I brown the meat and drain it first. Then I add water plus the seasoning blend, and stir to combine. Then I simmer it until most of the liquid evaporates. It is SO delicious and easy. I hope you enjoy this recipe!

Side note: stay tuned for an epic beef nacho supreme recipe later in the week. I used this seasoning blend to make it too.✅

Tools Used to make this recipe

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  • Measuring spoons – I have these magnetized ones, and they are fantastic!
  • Mason jar with lid or other storage container
  • Small bowl and spoon or whisk
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Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe (DIY, From Scratch)

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Homemade taco seasoning is such a versatile seasoning, perfect for tacos, nachos and so much more! Plus, it's easy to make from scratch with a few pantry staples. | APinchOfHealthy.com
4.8 from 5 votes
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Homemade Taco Seasoning (DIY, Made from Scratch)

Homemade taco seasoning is such a versatile seasoning, perfect for tacos, nachos and so much more! Plus, it's easy to make from scratch with a few pantry staples. Cumin, chili powder, garlic, oregano, paprika, salt and pepper.

Course Basics
Cuisine Mexican, Tex Mex
Keyword Homemade taco seasoning, Taco seasoning
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 7 kcal
Author Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy

Ingredients

Single Serving (used on pound of beef/ meat)

  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

To make the seasoning blend

  1. Measure out all ingredients into a bowl, and stir together until well-combined.

Instructions for Taco Ground Beef

  1. Brown the meat, and drain.

  2. Return the meat to the pan, and sprinkle the seasoning on top, along with 3/4 cup water.

  3. Stir to combine, and bring to a simmer.

  4. Reduce heat, and simmer on low until the liquid evaporates, about 7 minutes.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

If you want to make a big batch, I recommend bumping up the serving size to 4 on the recipe card under "servings." This will make 1 cup of seasoning, and you just measure out 1/4 cup when you are ready to use it. I don't recommend making much more than that, unless you plan to use it pretty quickly (since there are no preservatives or anti-clumping additives, like the store brand mixes may contain).

Nutrition Facts
Homemade Taco Seasoning (DIY, Made from Scratch)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 7
% Daily Value*
Sodium 400mg17%
Potassium 30mg1%
Carbohydrates 1g0%
Vitamin A 290IU6%
Calcium 8mg1%
Iron 0.6mg3%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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2295shares
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  • Yummly 18

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jennifer says

    February 7, 2021 at 12:02 pm

    Hi,
    Quick question:
    So…
    2 teaspoons chili powder
    2 teaspoons cumin
    1 teaspoon garlic powder
    1/2 teaspoon paprika
    1/4 teaspoon oregano
    1 teaspoon salt
    1 teaspoon black pepper
    … are the ingredients for six servings?

    I’ve made this before and loved it, but now I don’t remember how much I made. I was looking to make a big batch and read to bump it up to 4, but the default setting is at 6. Decreasing it to 4 seems too little for a big batch, no? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says

      February 8, 2021 at 9:49 am

      Hi Jennifer! The measurements are for (around) 1 pound of beef, give or take a few ounces.

      Reply
  2. Victor says

    September 26, 2020 at 4:24 pm

    4 stars
    We get nachos bell grande every Thursday night. And I’ve kinda gotten on a cooking thing recently so Ive been looking at recipes. I made nachos using rotel and Velveta mixed for the cheese and ground beef mixed with Mrs dash Taco packets. Ok and mild sauce packets from the fridge.
    This recipe sounds perfect but is vary similar to the Mrs Dash packet. On my next attempt, I’m gonna try Mrs Dask Southwest seasoning and add a thicker (corn starch) oddly enough it would not let me put in over 4 stars

    Reply
  3. Robert Williamson says

    February 16, 2020 at 10:58 am

    You may be interested to know that you are essentially making chili powder with cumin, oregano and salt. The chili powder in your recipe is (almost) redundant, because it is really just a brand-specific variation of garlic, onion, black pepper and paprika!

    So, I suggest making a large batch of homemade chili powder instead. I use granulated garlic and onion rather than powder (anti clumping as an alternative to silicon dioxide – which is utterly harmless microscopic quartz, found naturally in most vegetables, but hard to buy outside of a mass-market spice mix).

    Paprika is a variable because…it varies. My ratio is 1 part each of granulated garlic, onion, and a fairly coarse ground black pepper (“restaurant grind”), and 2 parts paprika, but tune it to your preference and your supply of paprika. Once you find “your” mix, go big. I buy bulk spices and mix it a quart at a time. It disappears in a few weeks!

    When you want tex-mex, add cumin and oregano just like you did above (and maybe a little cayenne ;). Greek? Oregano. Italian? Basil and oregano. Salt separately if you want (I usually skip it entirely). A spice rub? Try adding sage and chipotle powder. The chili powder mix works as a base for a surprising number of store-bought spice mixes, avoiding _all_ mix mystery and unremovable salt, and cutting cost by up to a factor of 4. In my recipe app, I call it “Don’t Ever Buy Chili Powder!”

    Reply
    • Steve says

      April 17, 2021 at 5:55 am

      How does garlic, onion, black pepper and paprika in any way represent chilli powder? I live in Thailand and can definitely assure you that real chilli powder is ground dried red chillies and nothing else.

      Reply
  4. Jessica says

    January 4, 2020 at 7:16 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you so much for sharing this recipe! Was absolutely delicious!! Very easy to make, and was so great!!! If anyone is reading this wondering if they should try it out, stop reading This and make it now!

    Reply
    • Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says

      January 6, 2020 at 2:26 pm

      That is such great feedback, Jessica. Thank you!💖

      Reply
  5. Hilary says

    August 22, 2019 at 4:20 pm

    5 stars
    We are a big Texmex family and we haven’t bought a seasoning pack since trying this recipe. I absolutely love it.

    We do half the salt and double the cumin (because I’m obsessed with the taste lol)

    If anyone is feeling on the fence about switching out their packet for this – don’t be! You won’t regret it.

    Reply
    • Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says

      August 24, 2019 at 10:21 am

      That is so great to hear! Thank you for letting me know, and for taking the time to leave a rating.💖🙌🏻

      Reply
  6. Blockchain ideas says

    January 25, 2019 at 12:08 am

    5 stars
    Looks so yummy!

    Reply
    • Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says

      January 25, 2019 at 8:17 am

      Thank you! I cannot remember the last time I bought a taco seasoning packet. Enjoy!

      Reply
  7. Christy says

    October 22, 2018 at 10:40 am

    5 stars
    I will never buy a taco packet again. This is so delicious! And we use it for so many different Tex Mex dishes – tacos, nachos, fajitas, etc. Thanks for the great recipe!

    Reply

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I am a home cook, recipe developer, coffee drinker, wife and mom of two. My recipes are simple and tasty. I enjoy lots of fresh, healthy food, plus full treats without guilt. Thanks so much for stopping by! Read more here.

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