Swapping homemade taco seasoning for the store-bought packets is one of the many small, simple ways I’ve improved how our family eats over the years…. In just 5 minutes, you can whip up a big batch of homemade seasoning, just the way your family likes it!
Over the past 20 years, as I’ve learned to cook for myself and my family, I’ve slowly implemented dozens of healthier swaps in our food, our kitchen, and our lives.
I’ve documented some of it over the years… and I’ve been criticized on many occasions for making such “small”, seemingly insignificant changes. After all, switching from margarine to butter isn’t flashy or fun — certainly not something that needs to be documented on the internet… right?
However, the simplicity of that one change was (and is) important for me to share… because that’s the point I’m trying to make.
The changes I’ve made are small, simple, and usually even easy… so the likelihood that I’ll stick with the change is very high. And you know what, I haven’t even thought about buying or using margarine, Crisco, vegetable oil, or any other seed oils in many, many years.
I made the switch. I changed how I bake and cook, and it has become a habit I never even think about anymore. In fact, my kids don’t know what margarine or Crisco are (I asked them earlier this week!)
The point I’m trying to make is not about what fats you cook with… but rather, the positive difference a few small, non-overwhelming changes can make over the trajectory of your life.
I speak from personal experience, hundreds of reader testimonials, and scientific evidence. (source, source, source)
You’ll Love Homemade Taco Seasoning
Today’s recipe for Homemade Taco Seasoning is one of those small healthier changes I made over a decade ago, after realizing how much junk was in the store-bought packets… and how easy it was to make my own taco seasoning exactly how my family likes it.
Truthfully, it wasn’t an easy swap for me… because it required an extra step. It was easier to grab the $0.99 packet of taco seasoning at the store versus measuring out all the individual ingredients. I caved a few times and used store-bought, but then one day, I simply decided I wasn’t going to buy a store-bought packet ever again.
And I haven’t.
The recipe itself is extremely simple, using fairly common spices you likely already have in the house.
It’s also very easy to make an extra-large batch and store it in your pantry, so you won’t need to think about it again for many months.
If you’d like to make one healthier swap this week, this month, or even this year, give homemade taco seasoning a try. It might just lead you down a rabbit trail to make more homemade seasonings!
Ingredients for Mild Taco Seasoning
The list below is my family’s favorite (I do not add the Cayenne pepper). However, there are endless ways you can mix it up, based on your taste preferences or what you have in the house.
Also, keep in mind that the recipe below makes a large batch — you’ll only use 2 Tablespoons of the finished mixture in place of 1 store-bought seasoning packet.
- 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. Cayenne pepper (if you want a little spice)
How to Make Your Own Taco Seasoning
The instructions are so simple, it’s almost not even worthy of being called a “recipe”… but here you go!
1. Mix all ingredients in a small bowl.
2. Pour mixed spices into a glass spice jar or small canning jar with a tight-fitting lid.
3. Label and store in your pantry until needed.
How to Use Homemade Taco Seasoning
1. Use 2 Tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning mixture for every 1 pound of meat or beans (or for every 1 packet of store-bought seasoning called for in your favorite recipes.
2. Add 1/2 cup liquid (water, broth, lime juice, tomato juice, etc.) for every 2 Tablespoons of seasoning — just to help it stir into the meat mixture.
3. Stir until thoroughly combined.
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.
- Pour mixed spices into a glass spice jar or small canning jar with a tight-fitting lid.
- Label and store in your pantry until needed.
- Use 2 T. per pound of meat/veggies, along with 1/2 cup liquid (broth, water, lime juice, etc.)
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.)
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Easy Recipe Ideas with Homemade Taco Seasoning
Keep in mind that many of the recipes linked below may still call for a packet of taco seasoning (that’s what I previously used, and I haven’t updated all my recipes).
Just remember, you can substitute 2 Tbls. of homemade seasoning for every pound of meat/beans or for every packet of store-bought seasoning called for in the recipe.
- Sweet Potato Black Bean Tacos
- One Skillet Mexican Rice Casserole
- Taco Soup
- Burritos
- Wet Burritos
- Chicken Enchiladas
- Fiesta Chicken Salad
- Taco Salad
Use this recipe as a starting point!
Tweak or change it to fit your tastes and preferences… and maybe as a springboard for other healthier food swaps down the road!
And remember to visit my virtual recipe box for more simple, delicious, family-friendly recipes!
Carrie says
I have made a similar taco seasoning mix for many many years with one difference. My recipe is salt free. My theory is that there is salt in other ingredients and toppings so the salt in the meat mixture is not even missed.
I have given this mix away multiple times for gifts and everyone loves it. You will have to try omitting the salt and see if you can notice a difference.
Andrea says
yes, you can definitely make this without salt. I use really good salt, so I’m not worried about getting “too much”, but if salt is a concern for you (or others) feel free to omit.
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.