Homemade Taco Seasoning

Skip the store-bought packets. This homemade taco seasoning is bold, smoky, and totally customizable.

Even better, it’s made with spices you probably already have in your pantry. Homemade taco seasoning is the perfect way to add serious flavor to tacos, but that’s not all.

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Use it to zsuzh up your chili, roasted veggies, or even scrambled eggs. Bonus: No mystery ingredients or weird preservatives, just real flavor.

Why Make Your Own Taco Seasoning?

• Customizable: Adjust the heat, salt, or smokiness to your liking.

• Cost-effective: This taco spice mix is cheaper than buying pre-made packets, and it’s always on hand

• No fillers: Just pure spice—no anti-caking agents or cornstarch.

• Tastes better: Fresher and more flavorful than store-bought.

Greta Brinkley

Homemade Taco Seasoning

Ditch the packet. This homemade taco seasoning is rich, smoky, and way more flavorful. Easy to make and perfect for tacos, beans, and more.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Course: Seasoning

Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• 2 T. chili powder
• 1 T. ground cumin
• 1 t. ground coriander
• 2 t. garlic powder
• 1 t. smoked paprika
• 1 ½ t. fine sea salt
• 1 t. ground black pepper
• ½ t. ground white pepper
• ¼ - ½ t. cayenne pepper* to taste

Method

 

1. Stir or whisk ingredients together until well combined. Can be stored in an airtight jar for several months.
2. Use about 2–3 tablespoons of seasoning per pound of ground or diced meat, or sprinkle to taste on veggies, beans, or anything you want to taco-fy.

Storage Tips

Store your homemade taco seasoning in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid. It’ll keep for up to 6 months, but chances are you’ll use it up faster. A small glass jar or spice tin works great.

Pro Tip

This also makes a great DIY gift. Stash it in a cute jar with a label, and boom: handmade taco magic.

Shop This Recipe

• Hobnail Glass Spice Jars — pretty enough to leave out on the counter but still practical for everyday seasoning blends. The textured glass gives them a little vintage charm, and the clear design makes it easy to see when you’re running low.
• Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons — sturdy, easy to clean, and great for spice-heavy recipes because they don’t hold onto odors or stains the way some plastic sets can.
• Mini Whisk — small enough for mixing seasoning blends thoroughly without sending cumin and chili powder all over the counter.
• Small Funnel — one of those inexpensive little tools that seems unnecessary until you try pouring homemade taco seasoning into a narrow jar without one.
• Spice Jar Labels — handy if you make several homemade blends and want to keep the spice cabinet organized without having to sniff-test everything first.
• Small Glass Prep Bowl — perfect for measuring and mixing all the spices before transferring the finished seasoning to a jar, and useful for sauces, garnishes, and everyday prep too.

Use It In

• Easy Beef Taco Skillet — seasoned ground beef, fire-roasted tomatoes, and melty cheese come together in one pan for an easy 30-minute dinner or nacho-style appetizer.
• Street-Style Steak Tacos with Cilantro Lime Crema — this seasoning does double duty on the steak and in the creamy taco sauce for a quick, flavorful taco-night dinner.
• Sheet Pan Mexican Street Corn (pictured) — stir a spoonful into the crema for smoky, savory elote without needing a separate seasoning blend.
• Hash Brown Crusted Frittata — swap the Italian seasoning for taco seasoning, add pepper jack and jalapeños, and turn the basic frittata into a Southwestern-style brunch.