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Making your own ground beef taco seasoning is so easy (and cheap)! You likely already have most of the ingredients in your pantry. Whip up a batch in a few short minutes then enjoy it for months!
Are You Still Buying Taco Seasoning at the Store?
After trying this recipe, you won’t want to! My family loves tacos. It’s not a stretch to say we celebrate Taco Tuesday every week, and we usually have some other kind of Mexican dinner at least one more night too. Because we go through so much taco seasoning, those little store-bought packets really start to add up. Instead, I make a big batch of this homemade taco seasoning for about the same price (or less) than a single packet when I buy my spices in bulk. It tastes so much better, I know exactly what’s in it, and I use it in just about everything. Tacos, casseroles, dips, soups, veggies, fajitas…you name it. Try it with the recipe below or our copycat Taco Bell Meat recipe! It’s hands-down my favorite spice blend.
🩷Echo
Table of Contents
- Are You Still Buying Taco Seasoning at the Store?
- Ingredients In Ground Beef Taco Seasoning
- Cornstarch or No Cornstarch?
- How Long Does Homemade Taco Seasoning Last?
- How To Store Taco Seasoning
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Homemade Seasoning Recipes:
- Mexican-Style Ground Beef Recipes
- Ground Beef Taco Seasoning Recipe
Ingredients In Ground Beef Taco Seasoning
- Chili powder – Most chili powders are naturally mild. Chili powder is most commonly made with ancho chili peppers, which are dried poblano peppers, and are not spicy at all. However, if you are getting into fancy labels and blends, you might find some to be a little more spicy.
- Cumin – Every taco seasoning I have ever had has cumin. Just plain ol’ cumin. This is the ingredient that makes it taste like… taco seasoning. I don’t recommend leaving it out.
- Cornstarch – This is to help thicken the taco meat with the juices and helps it all stay together. I like using it because otherwise I feel like the ground beef gets too dry and crumbly. No one likes dry, crumbly ground beef tacos.
- Salt and pepper – I really don’t get too technical here. I usually have fine sea salt on hand so that’s what I use but you won’t really notice a huge difference if you use Kosher salt or even table salt. For the pepper, use fresh ground or pre-ground. Whatever is easiest.
- Paprika – I like using smoked paprika because it has a more, well, smoky flavor to it. However regular paprika will also work great if that’s what you have on hand.
- Onion and garlic powder – When I am making my tacos fresh and don’t have the combined seasoning on hand, I will just use fresh garlic and onion to taste. I usually just use the dried when I am combining all the seasonings to store for quick access later. Either way it will still be great.
- Dried oregano – If you want to get all technical you can use Mexican oregano but I just use regular, dried oregano.
- Crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne – These are both totally optional, only if you want to add some heat.
PRO TIP: Fresh is always best. If your spices have been sitting in the pantry for years, your seasoning won’t have nearly as much flavor. Fresh spices make all the difference. Always use fresh seasonings when combing to make a new seasoning mix!
Cornstarch or No Cornstarch?
We use cornstarch in this recipe because it really helps the seasoning stick to the meat. When you add the water to the meat mixture it will thicken up and create a flavorful sauce that coats the meat. It also keeps it from drying out. The cornstarch, itself, doesn’t add any flavor, it just helps the flavors stay there. However, you can leave it out if you are avoiding starches. You will still get wonderful flavor, you just may need to allow it to reduce longer on the stove top to get the thickness you want.
How Long Does Homemade Taco Seasoning Last?
One batch of this seasoning makes enough mix for 4 taco nights. However, I like to triple the recipe (or more!) to make a big batch and bulk make enough homemade taco seasoning to last me a month or two. The essential thing to remember when making this mix is to use fresh spices. If the ingredients you are using have been sitting in your pantry for years they have lost their potency and flavor. As a general rule, store-bought spices are good for 1-2 years on the shelf as long as they are stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
How To Store Taco Seasoning
So, just like the rest of your spices, keep this homemade taco seasoning fresh and flavorful by storing it properly. This means it should be kept in an airtight container, such as a mason jar, stored in a cool, dark place. When properly stored, a batch of this seasoning will be good for an entire year.
Frequently Asked Questions
I use about 2 to 3 tablespoons per pound of ground beef, chicken, or turkey. If you like a stronger flavor, don’t be afraid to add a little extra.
Yes, I always do! I usually add about 2/3 to ¾ cup of water (or beef broth) per pound of meat. The cornstarch in the seasoning thickens everything up into a nice, flavorful sauce instead of letting the meat dry out.
Yes, as long as all of your individual spices are certified gluten-free. Most are naturally gluten-free, but it’s always worth checking the labels if you’re cooking for someone with celiac disease.
About 2 to 3 tablespoons of this mix replaces one 1-ounce packet of taco seasoning, which is perfect for seasoning one pound of meat. You can always weight out 1 ounce if you are using it in a detailed recipe that calls for a 1-ounce packet.
More Homemade Seasoning Recipes:
Mexican-Style Ground Beef Recipes
Ready to use your seasoning in some more recipes? Here are some of our favorite recipes that use ground beef taco seasoning:
Have you tried this homemade Ground Beef Taco Seasoning? I would love to hear how you liked it! Take a picture and show us the recipes you have used it in and tag us on Instagram! @favoritefamilyrecipes 📸🌮
Ground Beef Taco Seasoning
Video
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup chili powder, (MILD chili powder, NOT cayenne)
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1/2 tablespoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, (Optional if you like it hot)
Instructions
Seasoning:
- Mix all ingredients together until well combined.
- Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
- This recipe makes approximately ½ cup of mix. Add 3 tablespoons of mix per 1 pound of ground beef.
For Homemade Taco Meat:
- Brown 1 pound ground beef in a skillet. Drain excess fat. Stir in 3 tablespoons of Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix and 2/3 cup water to beef. Simmer for 5 minutes. Serve in a taco shell and top with lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, and any other of your favorite taco toppings!
Notes
- Packet equivalent: One batch of this seasoning equals about 4-6 (1-ounce) packets of store-bought taco seasoning.
- Make a double or triple batch: This seasoning keeps well, so I like to make a big batch (like 4x the recipe) and keep it in a jar for quick weeknight dinners.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry pantry for up to 6 months for the best flavor.
- Fresh is best: If your spices have been sitting in the pantry for years, your seasoning won’t have nearly as much flavor. Fresh spices make all the difference. Always use fresh seasonings when combing to make a seasoning mix!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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I have been searching for a good taco seasoning and this is the one! Thank you so much.
Yay! So glad this one was your favorite!
This is so easy to make and add so much flavor. It is my go to now on alot of recipes.
We made this taco seasoning and used it in our tacos for lunch today. I love the flavor it provided to our taco meat
We love tacos! Thank you,l will try this <3
Yum!! I love none prepackaged seasonings and this one sounds amazing!!
I can’t wait to try this recipe at home, it looks very tasty!
It’s very easy to make and good I will always use it ????????????
Thank you! I’m so glad you like the recipe!
It was a very good recipe, I will use it again.
Thanks for your suggestion! We recommend using a mild chili powder for this recipe. Also be sure you aren’t using cayenne pepper!