Homemade Taco Seasoning (2024)

JB — May 3, 2021 @ 6:35 pm Reply

Thank you for the recipe.

As an aside, it was necessary to print the entire web page because the “Print” feature doesn’t seem to be working. (The feature has worked for other recipes on this website.

Teresa Deakins — May 1, 2019 @ 6:58 pm Reply

So glad to find this recipe but this was just a tad spicy for my taste. What adjustment would you to suggest? (I used cayenne pepper instead of the red pepper flakes)

Sandy — April 5, 2019 @ 9:57 am Reply

This was amazing. We used it on ground turkey. It turned out very flavorful and tender. The added cornstarch allowed the seasonings to cling to the meat. Fantastic recipe, my family loved it.

Debb Vincent — March 26, 2018 @ 7:07 pm Reply

I made your taco seasoning mix tonight because the hubby had the jones for tacos. Since I’m a huge fan of your molasses cookies I jumped into this one with both feet. Sort of. I backed off the sea salt thinking it might be too salty, but I ended up adding the whole amount. Thanks. This saved the day for taco night.

Sophie Wildrick — February 11, 2018 @ 1:20 pm Reply

If all you people would MAKE THE RECIPE FIRST, it would be nice to know how you liked it not that your going to make it!

Suzanne Randall — November 30, 2017 @ 2:25 am Reply

I’m severely allergic to corn, do you have a suggestion for suggest for replacement? I usually use tapioca flour, but I tjink the sor is s large part of the flavor.

Joe — September 11, 2017 @ 6:08 pm Reply

Delicious! We all loved it!

Mechelle049 — August 24, 2017 @ 12:06 pm Reply

I ran to the store last night to buy the ingredients for tacos. Upon my arrival at home, I realized I forgot the taco seasoning. I looked on the internet and found this recipe. We loved it! I had all the ingredients in my cabinet except the paprika. We didn’t miss that. Even my husband noticed the difference in the taste and commented that it was really good and less salty. Again, we loved it!

Judy R — July 30, 2017 @ 12:52 pm Reply

This taco seasoning is easy to make, with seasonings I usually have on hand, including non-gmo cornstarch. It’s delicious in my taco salad, and I don’t have to worry about toxic artificial additives.

Amy G-C — July 11, 2017 @ 6:57 pm Reply

I like this better than store brands! Of course, I adjusted it just a smidge for my taste (a little less cayenne). Thanks for sharing!

Jay — June 28, 2017 @ 1:47 pm Reply

Why would you make a taco seasoning from scratch (in order to omit additives) only to use a store-bought chili powder? Isn’t chili powder just a blend of seasonings that require additives to stabilize it (just like the taco seasoning would have been)? Also, chili powder contains cumin, which seems redundant since your recipe already contains cumin. Why not just list out whatever ingredients are actually needed from the chili powder so as not to use a product with its own additives? Otherwise you might as well use a store-bought taco seasoning pack as well.

Nick O, — June 10, 2017 @ 8:15 pm Reply

Made slight improvisations due to missing a few ingredients, but my family and I really loved it. Now we have a salt shaker filled with it for taco nights.

I have all these ingredients in my pantry so that means I’m good to go!!!
I’m a big taco lover too but I’m thinking it’s because I’m Mexican and it’s basically a requirement ????
Love this post and definitely agree with making your own taco mix instead of using the store bought pouches ☺️

Stephanie — May 4, 2017 @ 2:29 pm Reply

Just in the knick of time! I’ve been using a packaged mix and I noticed a change in it a couple months ago. It’s just awful and I wanted to start making my own! Thank you.

Danni — May 4, 2017 @ 1:50 pm Reply

How much meat will the 2 tablespoons flavor? One pound?

Patricia — May 4, 2017 @ 10:10 am Reply

This is great! I worked at Taco Bell in the late 80’s. The way we made the taco meat (about 10 pounds at a time!) was to put the meat in a pan, add the seasoning mix, and then start breaking up the meat with a special meat “rake” to keep it from “meatballing”. We didn’t drain the meat or add water. Just used the juices from the meat. Taco Bell was somuch better back then.

Pam Ulness — May 4, 2017 @ 10:00 am Reply

I have been making taco seasoning for a while. Recently, I started to wonder if there are any preservatives in the Penzey’s seasonings I use. I guess I better find that out.

Vicki — May 4, 2017 @ 7:04 am Reply

On my list of things to do for my day off tomorrow was “make taco seasoning”. I will be using your recipe now. Thanks for sharing!

Cate — May 4, 2017 @ 12:35 am Reply

I’ve been using your version of taco seasoning for a while now and it’s the bomb. I’ll never buy the packaged stuff again. Coincidentally, we had it tonight. All three of my kids love it too. Thank you for sharing!

Minnie — January 12, 2015 @ 7:14 pm Reply

Question: can I use all purpose flour instead of corn starch? And why did you need the corn starch in there to begin with?

Hi, I’ve also been making the original recipe for quite a while and was disappointed to see that it’s not longer available. I liked the flavor and the simplicity of the ingredients. Do you still have the recipe? I wish I had written it down!

Shannon — September 9, 2014 @ 5:43 pm Reply

I mixed this up tonight because I was out (have been making it for about a year now so one might think I would have it committed to memory!) & it sure seems salty. I have been adding 1 tbsp salt to my mix all along though. Are the other ingredients in the same quantity as before? Looks like the updated version added salt, cornstarch, & oregano. But did anything else change? Maybe I normally really double or triple the mix & use 1 tbsp salt to that?! Although I didn’t make any notes on my pin to that nature! I don’t know! The whole updated pictures & recipe has just thrown me! I would greatly appreciate the original recipe! Love it! Obviously if I’ve been making it for this long! Thanks!

Ryan W — September 8, 2014 @ 6:25 pm Reply

Daily subscriber for a couple years now and saw the 09/04/14 entry for the Spicy Beef Queso Dip where you hyper-linked to this recipe here. THANK YOU!! This is soooo delicious and has just the right amount of kick to it!

Larissa — June 27, 2014 @ 5:42 pm Reply

Just the right blend of spices, but next time I’ll add some salt when cooking the meat.

Danielle — December 16, 2013 @ 8:08 pm Reply

Thank you so much for posting this recipe. Trying to make healthier choices for myself and family which include less salt and processed junk. No complaints crom the family for dinner and NO ONE asked for extra salt!! This recipe rrockkkss!

Elizabeth — January 10, 2013 @ 2:10 pm Reply

Thanks so much for this recipe! I love to make taco salad, with taco meat served over shredded lettuce, with chopped tomatoes, shredded cheese, and sour cream, and chips on the side. For the taco meat, I use tomato sauce instead of water to make it more moist, and your homemade seasoning mix will make it even better!

Felicia — November 27, 2012 @ 7:30 pm Reply

This is great, just because taco seasoning usually has ridiculous amounts of sodium. and this cuts that out completely! Thanks for the healthy alternative!

Jennifer — May 4, 2012 @ 12:42 pm Reply

Sorry, please disregard my last comment. Next time I’ll read the entire recipe before asking a question! :-)

Jennifer — May 4, 2012 @ 12:40 pm Reply

I very anxious to try this recipe, but I have a question first. How much of this seasoning mix would I use per pound of meat? Thanks for the great recipes!

Kelly — January 13, 2012 @ 2:14 pm Reply

I was the same way as a kid. I always wanted tacos, and it was “my turn” to cook once a week and of course, it was always tacos! I like this version better than the one I currently follow, which has arrowroot powder in it..I of course don’t have that on hand! But I make it with a touch of brown sugar…you should try it, its delicious!

michael george — January 2, 2012 @ 5:26 pm Reply

I just tried your taco seasoning mix….it is terrible! You might be able to open a bakery, your mocha cupcakes were great….but if I would you I wouldn’t open a “Taco Truck”.

Deborah Underwood — May 17, 2011 @ 10:55 pm Reply

I using better taste homemade taco seasoning mix better then buy from store it taste different it add too much gulten , sugar, salt , other . not good
it better made it my own spices free gulten, sugar, salt and other
than ks

Jennifer — May 2, 2011 @ 9:34 am Reply

I, too, am obsessed with Mexican food…my mother swears I must have been Mexican in a former life! Tacos, taco salad, burritos, etc. are all quick & easy dinner options at our house, and I’m glad to have come across your recipe, even if I am a year late seeing it. Thanks for re-posting!

Gracesmom — October 26, 2010 @ 1:48 pm Reply

Thank you so much! I never buy packaged taco mix anymore. This is great on its own but sometimes I add chipotle powder to it for an extra kick. Thanks again!

I finally made it! It was delicious! Thank you.

I also shared it with my mom who is Gluten Free! Since most store bought seasonings have Gluten in them!

Joan — May 21, 2010 @ 6:39 pm Reply

Excellent recipe and a keeper!!!! I will never buy taco seasoning at the store again. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for an alternative to the packaged junk. I plan on making a huge batch of this ASAP.

I do the same thing! It is so easy to make it homemade!
Shamrocks and Shenanigans

We just had tacos the other night. What a great mix recipe. I’ll have to use it the next time we have Taco Tuesday!

I am making this tonight! Can’t wait!

Hazel — May 11, 2010 @ 12:12 pm Reply

I am so excited to use this! I HATE buying storebought products with ingredients I can’t pronnounce – always better when you make it yourself anyway :) Can’t wait to test it out!

great post and great points! there’s no need for those processed bags of chemicals when so many fabulous spices are available.

Thanks for sharing. I’m looking forward to trying this out

Love this! I, too, have become more and more aware of what is in my food and have started making my own homemade versions of many of the convenience items that I used to purchase and cook with when I was first married. Love your version of taco seasoning. I will definitely be giving it a try! I am a taco fanatic!

I love making my own seasonings – and heaven knows we eat enough tacos around our house. It’s just such an easy meal to throw together!

Melina — May 6, 2010 @ 4:06 pm Reply

Thanks so much for posting this! I love love love tacos, but salt, especially in the warmer months, is my enemy.

Oh, perfect! I am so with you about buying taco seasoning with ingredients I cannot pronounce – looks wonderful!

Thanks so much for the recipe. I make a lot of Mexican food and I always seem to be out of taco seasoning.

Ugh, no thanks is right! Thanks for this healthy and unpronounceable-free ingredient taco seasoning!

Heidi — May 5, 2010 @ 9:31 pm Reply

I’m so grateful for this recipe. I recently became obsessed with making my own salad dressings and now I’m ready to move onto seasoning packets. Going to try to recreate Ranch this weekend.

I love this idea! I can’t wait to try it! Alison

BTW, I love your 100 list, and it inspired me a few months ago to have my own hand-written list. It has really motivated me – it got over my fear of yeast breads, and now I make sandwich bread all the time – we don’t buy any bread anymore! It’s so satisfying to check one off the list :) Thanks for that!

:O! Thanks for this recipe. I’ll never have to buy pre-packaged taco seasoning ever again!

I’ve also been wanting to try this since I saw it on annies eats. But, to be honest, we haven’t had tacos in the meantime! Sheesh! And I looove tacos – and it is terribly entertaining to watch my 3 (almost 4) year old try to eat them. But he does, and with a vengeance – I really don’t think I’ve seen him eat anything with such delight :) Okay, so tacos and homemade chicken fingers are a tie on that one.
Thanks for reminding me to give this a try! (especially after you go and slap me in the face with a picture of the “ingredients”! Hah!)

Thank you! After I took a look at the ingredients on that package a year ago, I’ve been trying to figure out how to make my own and nothing I’ve tried has turned out quite right yet.

Sounds great and much healthier for sure

THANK YOU! Those ingredient lists scare me! This mix looks fabulous!

Jamie — May 5, 2010 @ 4:11 pm Reply

Gotta love MSG added to packaged stuff – gross! It’s in so many things we don’t think about! Thanks for this recipe, can’t wait to try it!

Love it! This mixture would be a breeze to put together and SO much better for you (and I’d imagine better tasting) than the packaged stuff.

Kim — May 5, 2010 @ 2:45 pm Reply

Super!! You post just one great thing after another. Muchas gracias.

Tracy — May 5, 2010 @ 11:17 am Reply

I love making my own taco seasoning! Yours looks yummy!

i’m so excited you posted this…I’m going to make a huge batch and use it up in, oh i don’t know, a WEEK!

Great taco seasoning mix! Must make this! So much better than buying the packet kind!

Do you add any salt? I must have salt but was wondering how much to put into the mix. Thank you for sharing this recipe–this will save a lot of money in the long run–I use a lot of taco seasoning mixes!

I’m with ya on this one for sure! The store bought taco seasoning has way too much sodium for me. I either make my own or I buy Penzey’s, which is much lower in sodium and is a fabulous seasoning. I’ll try your recipe next time I make my own!!

And, I think I ate at Taco Bell almost every day for lunch when I was in high school…and now my son loves it as much as I did!

Great idea Michelle! Much better than the store bought pack with who knows what inside!!

My son also loves tacos and will always choose them if I ask him what I should cook for dinner. That being said, he will never ever turn down a Happy Meal!! I’m excited to try this seasoning, it sounds so good and so easy!!

jane — May 5, 2010 @ 10:22 am Reply

Thanks, I look forward to trying this. One of the first things we ever made in 6th grade home ec (cooking – 7th was sewing) was tacos and the seasoning was not from a packet. I kept and used the recipe for years until it became tattered. Somewhere between undergrad and grad school, the recipe became lost (you’d think I’d have memorize it by then, no?) and I have been trying unsuccessfully ever since to find a recipe I like as well. Looking forward to trying yours!

mere... — May 5, 2010 @ 9:50 am Reply

thanks for posting this! my fella & i LOVE our nacho/taco nights, but have always sighed a little when we use the store bought more chemical/less food taco seasoning. i’m so excited to try this!

So easy to make at home. Love it!

I made my own Mexican spice blend a few months ago for the same reason! (http://arteats.blogspot.com/2010/02/mexican-spice-blend.html) It kind of creeped me out to read the label of the packets you could buy at the store. Your version looks fun – I may have to try that next. :)

I’ve wanted to try this ever since Annie posted it, but your including the label of the premade taco seasoning has convinced me! I have no excuse not to make up a batch of this now! :)

Great idea! I should make a big batch of this and keep it in the pantry to have on-hand…we make tacos A LOT! Thanks for doing the leg work ;)

Aww yeah. I LOVED tacos as a kid as well, and still do!

I never had taco bell until I was way older, it must have been the commercials, which were never as enticing as the ones from MacDonald’s..haha. I find the prepackaged stuff has a weird aftertaste. Homemade is way better.

Amy — May 5, 2010 @ 6:20 am Reply

Indeed!!! I’ve been making my own seasoning (the same recipe as yours) for a few months now.
Happy Cinco de Mayo to you!

Thanks so much for sharing this! I agree – the pre-packaged stuff is WAY too salty!