Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix

Ditch the grocery store taco seasoning packets and make your own homemade taco seasoning mix exactly the way you like it!

Looking for more ground beef ideas? See our collection of 90 best ground beef recipes here.

Why this recipe works

I’ve been using this homemade taco seasoning mix for close to 20 years now, it’s really that good. It’s surprising how much more flavor you get out of this mix compared to a store-bought packet. I appreciate the fresher taste and the ability to customize homemade seasoning mixes. This and my chili seasoning blend are two recipes I’ll probably never stop making. Plus, it’s actually cheaper this way in the long run if you already have the ingredients on hand, and you can control the sodium levels yourself.

While sure, it may take extra time to measure out the ingredients as opposed to ripping open a packet and dumping it in, you can very easily batch prep this seasoning and store it in a jar or in individual packets to grab and go whenever. Trust me when I say it’s entirely worth the extra 2 minutes you’ll spend measuring out the spices.

Ingredients you will need

Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions

The instructions and ingredients in the recipe card below are for one pound of ground beef, which will feed 3-4 adults. Easily double or triple the recipe to make extra to store for later, or if you have more mouths to feed.

MINCED ONION – We use instant minced onion. This is essentially chopped dehydrated onion that rehydrates once it’s mixed into the taco meat. You may have also seen it called minced onion in stores. You can substitute with onion powder, though I would reduce the amount by half (1 teaspoon instead of 2) if you are substituting.

CHILI POWDER – The holy grail of taco seasoning. It’s a must!

RED PEPPER FLAKES – Don’t worry, this won’t make your blend spicy, but it will give it a subtle kick. Feel free to up the amount to 1 teaspoon if you prefer more heat.

MINCED GARLIC – This is the same as instant minced onion, whereas it’s chopped dehydrated garlic. You’ll typically see it in stores named granulated garlic or minced garlic (in the seasoning section). You can easily substitute with garlic powder.

OTHER – Salt, oregano, and cumin are also mixed in for additional flavor. I used to incorporate 1/2 teaspoon of cornstarch into my mix, but it’s not entirely necessary. Feel free to add it for extra thickening if desired.

How to Make Homemade Taco Seasoning

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.

1. To make the taco seasoning, mix all ingredients together. Makes enough for ONE pound of ground beef.

To Make Tacos

1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet. Add 1/2 cup of the water to the taco seasoning mix and mix together.
2. Drain off the fat from the cooked meat, wipe pan with paper towel and return browned beef to pan.
3. Add the wet taco seasoning mixture to the meat and stir to combine. If meat mixture seems too dry, add the remaining water. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat and simmer on low for 20-30 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips

This blend is awesome for ground beef, venison, chicken, or turkey, but it can also be added to any dish that calls for taco seasoning, like taco soup or taco dip.

The recipe below provides enough for 1 pound of ground beef (or other meat), but it can be doubled or tripled easily depending on how much you need. As is, the recipe yields a total of 2 Tablespoons.

Absolutely, you can create your own bulk stash of taco seasoning to keep in your pantry. It’s easy to do, just multiply all of the ingredients below by 10 (or 20 if you like, depends on how much you want!). Store it in a jar or other container with a tight-fitting lid. When ready to make tacos, measure out 2 tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning for one pound of ground meat.

If stored properly, this mix should stay fresh for up to 1 year. Homemade seasonings will do just fine even longer than that, though the freshness may degrade the longer it sits.

Store the seasoning in an airtight container such as a jar fitted with a lid or a sealed ziptop bag. Keep it in a cool, dark place away from moisture.

Serving Suggestions

Taco seasoning isn’t limited to JUST tacos. Use it in any recipe that calls for taco seasoning! You can blitz it in a food processor or blender for a finer crumb, if needed.

If you make a large batch of the seasoning, you can place 1 pound of beef portions (2 Tablespoons) inside small zipper bags so it’s easy to grab and dump. I also think it makes a nice housewarming or edible gift for the holidays placed in a jar!

This recipe is perfect for my homemade crunchwrap supremes!

More Homemade Seasoning Recipes

• Mexican Seasoning
• All Purpose Seasoning
• French Fry Seasoning
• Homemade Montreal Steak Seasoning

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This post was originally published on September 23, 2008