Homemade Taco Seasoning

4.88 from 8 votes
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Making your own homemade taco seasoning is so simple and inexpensive! You likely already have most of the ingredients in your pantry and can whip up a batch in just minutes, then enjoy it for months. 

Taco seasoning in a glass jar next to tacos and taco meat in a pan

Homemade Taco Seasoning

My family loves tacos. It’s not a stretch to say we celebrate Taco Tuesday weekly, and usually enjoy some sort of Mexican dish at least once other time during the week. Making awesome tacos is both more delicious and easier than ever now, thanks to this homemade taco seasoning recipe! I like to whip up a batch and use it in absolutely everything I can. Tacos, casseroles, dips, soups, veggies, fajitas…you name it. It’s hands-down my favorite spice blend.

Homemade taco seasoning in a jar surrounded by all the ingredients to make taco seasoning


Save Money by Making Your Own Taco Seasoning

I know it might not seem like the taco seasoning packets you buy in stores are very expensive, but with the number of tacos our family consumes, it really adds up. I can make an entire batch of this homemade taco seasoning for pennies on the dollar when compared with the store packets.

Not only is this mix less expensive than buying a packet of taco seasoning at the grocery store, it tastes better too. Plus, since you are the one making it, you know exactly what the ingredients in it are.

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 desire.

Ingredients to make homemade taco seasoning in a white bowl including chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper

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.

A jar of homemade taco seasoning on a black table top

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.

More Homemade Seasoning Recipes:

Taco Recipes to Try:

Ready to try out your homemade taco seasoning? Here are some of our favorite recipes that use taco seasoning:

How to Make Homemade Taco Seasoning

Taco seasoning in a jar with chilies and other ingredients on the table around it

Homemade Taco Seasoning

4.88 from 8 votes
The blend of spices in this Homemade Taco Seasoning makes a flavorful taco meat. Kick it up a notch by adding some crushed red pepper if you like it hot.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Seasoning
Cuisine Mexican/Spanish
Servings 4

Video

Ingredients

Instructions

Seasoning:

  • Mix all ingredients together until well combined.
    Ingredients to make homemade taco seasoning in a white bowl including chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper
  • Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
    A jar of homemade taco seasoning on a black table top
  • This recipe makes approximately ½ cup of mix. Add 3 tablespoons of mix per 1 pound of ground beef.
    Homemade taco seasoning being spooned into a pan of taco meat

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!
    Taco seasoning in a glass jar next to tacos and taco meat in a pan

Nutrition Information

Calories: 84kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 3gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 2003mgPotassium: 416mgFiber: 7gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 5014IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 98mgIron: 5mg

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About the author

Echo Blickenstaff

Echo lives in Spanish Fork, Utah with her husband, Todd, who works in advertising. She has four kids: two girls and two boys. She deploys her accounting degree as the blog’s resident problem solver. In her time outside the kitchen, Echo loves to get away from the phones and busy schedules and spend quality time with the family. Anywhere’s great – but getting out into nature in the mountains or on the beach – is the best kind of getaway.

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4.88 from 8 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    We made this taco seasoning and used it in our tacos for lunch today. I love the flavor it provided to our taco meat

  2. 4 stars
    It was a very good recipe, I will use it again. But it was a little bit too hot so maybe not so much definitely not to much of what it says. My family likes ther food a little bit hot so it worked but if you’r family does not like hot things then I would not recommend this

    1. Thanks for your suggestion! We recommend using a mild chili powder for this recipe. Also be sure you aren’t using cayenne pepper!