Over the past 2 years I’ve started making many more foods completely from scratch… not necessarily because I’m so worried about “bad” things lurking in more processed foods, but rather because I simply like having the knowledge and skill to make things from scratch. Plus, I like saving money by cooking at home, and I like being able to find specific flavor combinations that most appeal to my family’s taste buds.
I do NOT think it’s necessary or “better” to make everything from scratch. However, for this period of life when I’m at home with little kids, it’s one of the hobbies I can devote a lot of time and attention to (and it’s something I really enjoy)!
Today’s recipe for homemade taco seasoning is one I stumbled upon about 8 months ago when I unknowingly ran out of the little store-bought packets I always kept in the house.
Instead of running to the store to buy more, I decided I was DONE with store-bought seasoning and would FINALLY put together some sort of recipe for a seasoning our whole family liked.
Since we eat Mexican(ish) food at least once per week, I already had a good idea of the general flavor combinations we liked — and the fact that my kids will not eat anything with too much spice.
This MILD taco seasoning is still very flavorful — and I do offer an option to add a little bit of Cayenne Pepper if you’d like more of a kick in your spice!
One thing I love about this recipe is that it makes a big batch — of course, if you’d like to make a smaller batch, I have measurement conversions listed below as well! 🙂
Even if you’re not big on “from scratch cooking”, I’d encourage you to give this homemade taco seasoning a try. It should only take you 5 minutes (or less) to mix up and the flavor is fantastic!
Homemade Taco Seasoning (mild)
This MILD taco seasoning is very flavorful and only takes a few minutes to mix up a BIG batch!
Ingredients
- 1 T. Onion powder
- 1 T. Garlic powder
- 1 T. Oregano
- 1 T. Salt
- 3 T. Chili powder
- 3 T. Paprika
- 3 T. Black pepper
- 5 T. Cumin
- 1/2 t. Cyanne pepper (if you want a little spice)
Instructions
In a small bowl, mix all ingredients until combined.
Use 2 T. per pound of meat/veggies, along with 1/2 cup liquid (broth, water, lime juice, etc.)
Store leftover seasoning in a zip-top bag, food storage container, or glass jar.
Notes
If you want to make a smaller batch, simply measure everything with a teaspoon instead of a tablespoon (1 t. onion powder, 3 t. chili powder, etc.)
In my opinion, this seasoning mix is fairly versatile. You can use it for beef, chicken, fish, and even for these delicious sweet potato black bean tacos.
Of course, as with most of my recipes, feel free to play around with it — tweak it based on the ingredients you have in your kitchen or your family’s preferences.
Use this recipe as a starting point to develop your own delicious homemade taco seasoning!
Feel free to share whatever you come up with in the comments below!
And remember to visit my virtual recipe box for more simple, delicious, family-friendly recipes!
Rhonda says
This is great! I like the taste better than store bought, and sometimes I like to use 1/2 lb of meat, so it’s better than trying to use half a packet.
Andrea says
YES! I had the same “issue” — using less than a full packet at a time and trying to repackage the leftovers up. This homemade seasoning is SO much easier 🙂
Jane says
I got my recipe from a co-worker.
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon cumin
use in place of 1 packet of store bought with 1/4 cup water and meat
Andrea says
thanks Jane!
Jenny says
I’m curious if you (or anyone) has done a price comparison. Of course I try to buy the packets on sale or at Aldi, and I know it would depend on buying herbs and spices on sale, etc. What do you think?
Andrea says
I have not — the cost is not my primary factor for making my own spices so it was never really anything I took into considerations before making it.
Jill says
I started making my own too when I saw I had no packets left in the cupboard, and have never gone back to store bought! 🙂 My recipe is from Pioneer Woman, and both my husband and myself like it way better than store bought! Looking forward to trying your version!
Andrea says
I’ll have to look up her recipe — I’m sure it’s delicious!
Lynn says
Thanks for this recipe Andrea! I’ve made some taco seasoning before but never felt like it tasted as good as the little packets, so I’m looking forward to trying this!
Andrea says
hope you like it!!
Sarah says
I also make my own taco seasoning. I also do my own italian and chili seasoning as well! I do it mostly for the convenience because I always forget to buy the packets.
Andrea says
yes, same here — for the convenience because I forget to buy packets at the store!
Jane says
I would love to know the chili seasoning!
Sarah says
CHILI POWDER SEASONING
1 TB chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
red pepper flakes, to taste
I use this in place of 1 packet of chili seasoning, enough for one batch of chili that serves about 4-6
Andrea says
Thanks for sharing Sarah!
Annette Silveira says
I make all my seasoning mixes from scratch. It’s so much cheaper and I do like the fact that I avoid whatever additives usually end up in the store bought ones. A quick online search always gives me what I’m looking for and then I tweak the recipe to our tastes.
Andrea says
sounds like a good approach — I’m always searching online and then tweaking as well 🙂
Liane says
Annette, me too. Who needs maltodextrin, modified food starch and natural flavors added. Started doing my own nut milks too. I’ve saved the nut meal from making almond milk and used it in conjunction with seasoning mixes to coat veggie fries and chicken pieces.
Linda Genaw who was a huge contributing factor in the low carb and Atkins community has a website (her name) with loads of mixes. The only thing I omit is xanthan gum. Who needs bacterial exudate? Arrowroot works fine in its place.
I tried toasting onions and gave up and bought some from Penzeys. They have a great selection of herbs but their shipping prices are outrageous. I’ve copycatted a lot of their mixes using their website as a “recipe”.
Cherry says
Thanks for sharing this blend! I like to reuse Parmesan cheese containers for my spice blends since we have a large family. Lately I have just been getting all of these Mexican seasonings out by hand and adding as I feel, but this will be good to have ready ahead of time!
Andrea says
I save parmesan cheese containers too — but I use them for sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, etc. 🙂
Did you know that those lids fit on regular mouth mason jars?
Cherry says
No, I didn’t! Thanks for the tip…that might be handy.