Are you tired of having to remember if you need to pick up packets of taco seasoning? Then make your own! This easy homemade taco seasoning recipe is made from spices you likely already have in your cabinet. Plus, you can customize it to match your flavor preferences.
There are some circumstances where doing it yourself is actually easier than done for you. This homemade taco seasoning may be one of those things.
If you are like me, sometimes it is a struggle to remember what you already have at home when you are at the grocery store. So, when you decide at the last minute to add tacos to the menu for the week, knowing whether or not you have packets of seasoning at home is a bit of a crapshoot.
Inevitably, if I pick some up, there are already 5 in the cabinet. But, if I skip them, we don’t have any.
Luckily, all of that back and forth is mute if you know how to make your own. So you can save yourself the grocery store struggle!
Make it Your Own
The heat in this seasoning mix will depend greatly on the chili powder that you use. You can make it spicier by adding some cayenne or more mild by making sure you use a nice mild chili powder.
You could also add a pinch of crushed red pepper if you want a little more kick.
This recipe uses just a bit of salt, so it is already on the lower sodium side. I usually season my ground beef with salt when I brown it.
If you don’t want to season twice, you can increase the salt in the spice mix a bit.
Make sure to smell your spices before you use them. If they start losing their aroma, it is time to replace them.
I sometimes stir a teaspoon of cornstarch into the mix. It helps everything to stick to the meat a little bit better.
Using Your Taco Seasoning
To replace a packet of taco seasoning, use about 2 Tablespoons of your spice mix.
For a pound of ground beef, stir in 2 Tablespoons of your homemade taco seasoning and ½ cup of water. You can add more or less according to your flavor preferences. That is the beauty of making your own!
Once you have made it once or twice, you will have a system down and will know how much you like.
Shelf-life: Homemade seasonings keep really well. If you use fresh spices, a mix like this can last up to 6 months in the cabinet.
I recommend making a small batch the first time to make sure you like the flavor profile as is. Then, make scale the recipe up once you have it dialed in.
Then you can have homemade tacos whenever you want without any extra effort!
How to Store: Keep the taco seasoning in a jar with an airtight lid. Like other spices, it should be stored in a cool, dry, dark place, like your pantry or spice cabinet.
Recipes That Use Taco Seasoning
Of course, you can use your spice mix to make homemade tacos. But, there are so many other fun ways to enjoy it.
Taco Chex mix is a perfect example of something different and fun. It is crunchy and munchy and is a great way to use your mix.
Or whip up some one pan taco pasta. It is a perfect weeknight meal that everyone loves.
Sheet pan quesadillas are another fun option. You can make tasty quesadillas for the whole family without having to stand at the stove flipping them.
Homemade Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch optional
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl or jar and mix well.
- Use immediately, or store in and airtight container for 6 months.