Taco Seasoning Recipe

Making homemade tacos is a lot more fun and even tastier than you could ever imagine when you put together your own Taco Seasoning!

When I was a teenager, homemade tacos were one of the first meals I remember being able to make on my own. It was so easy! Simply brown the meat, stir in the taco seasoning, and add the meat and fixings to your shells.

I used to think homemade tacos couldn’t get any more enjoyable, but then I discovered this recipe for homemade taco seasoning. Rather than relying on the store-bought kind, which tends to contain preservatives and who knows what else, homemade seasoning is assembled in a few minutes with spices most people already have in their kitchens. Not only is this seasoning easy to combine, it also somehow makes homemade tacos taste even better.

This recipe blends nine different seasonings in perfect harmony. You can taste subtle notes of every spice and herb for a bold, rich, and complex flavor profile. That’s not going to happen with a store-bought taco seasoning. I promise that with this taco seasoning recipe, your homemade tacos will never be the same again. And if you like making tacos as often as I do, you can adjust the seasoning recipe a little bit each time to accentuate the flavors you like the most.

Is Taco Seasoning Healthy?

Since this taco seasoning is mostly a mixture of different spices and herbs, it’s not going to provide a lot of nutritional value. However, a homemade seasoning like this one will help you avoid some of the additives and preservatives often found in store-bought seasonings, which might contain extra sugar and be higher in sodium. With this homemade taco seasoning, you’ll be able to control all the ingredients, which ensures it’s healthier than most store-bought options.

Taste And Adjust

After you make this taco seasoning the first time, you can then make little adjustments to the recipe based on your personal tastes. Since I enjoy a little kick to my tacos, I make sure to add extra cayenne pepper and chili powder. On the other hand, you can always reduce the amount of chili powder and leave out the cayenne for a milder flavor.

You might also consider using sweet paprika instead of smoked paprika if you want less smokiness and more sweetness. There are plenty of other adjustments you can make with this recipe based on your preferences and dietary needs, such as reducing the amount of sea salt or choosing between Mexican and Italian oregano. You may not want to alter the recipe too much, but a little customization is always welcome.

FAQs & Tips

How Do I Store Leftovers?

This seasoning recipe will provide the ideal amount of seasoning for 1 pound of taco meat. However, if there are leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container. If kept in a cool, dry place—like a spice cabinet—this seasoning can stay good for up to 2 years.

Can I Prep This Ahead?

Yes! If you store it in an airtight container and keep it in a cool, dry place, you don’t have to wait until taco night to make this seasoning. In fact, you can multiply the ingredients to make several servings so that it’s ready to use for your next few taco nights.

Can I Toast The Taco Seasoning?

One option with this seasoning is to cook it with a small amount of olive oil. This can enhance the flavor and is especially good when mixing the seasoning with ground meat.

Serving Suggestions

This taco seasoning is good to use with virtually any type of taco. I’m particularly fond of using it to make Healthy Tacos using ground turkey meat, or Ground Chicken Tacos. However, you don’t have to wait until taco night to use it. You can also spice up a Healthy Chicken Quesadilla or Chicken Enchilada Casserole. You might even use this seasoning to add extra flavor to a dish completely unrelated to tacos, like Air-Fryer Grilled Chicken or Oven-Roasted Vegetables. The possibilities with taco seasoning are endless and extend far beyond taco night.