Taco Seasoning (2024)

Skip the store-bought stuff and make your own taco seasoning. This top-rated taco seasoning recipe, which has a near-perfect rating and more than 7,500 rave reviews, is incredibly popular among Allrecipes community members – and for good reason! It's easy-to-follow, easy-to-use, and versatile.

Learn how to make taco seasoning at home, why you should go the DIY route, and how to substitute it for a store-bought packet:

What Is Taco Seasoning?

Taco seasoning is a savory spice blend that's used to add warm, spicy, and smoky flavor to all kinds of dishes, from tacos to soups and casseroles. You can buy taco seasoning at the store or make it at home with ingredients you probably already have on hand.

Homemade vs. Store-Bought Taco Seasoning

Why make DIY taco seasoning when you could just buy a packet at the grocery store? Here are just a few of the reasons why homemade beats store-bought:

1. You'll know exactly what's going into your spice blend when you make it at home because you're assembling it yourself. You can also control ingredient amounts, which is especially helpful if you're watching your sodium intake.
2. Making your own taco seasoning is actually much cheaper in the long-run, even if you don't already have all the ingredients on your spice rack. You get a lot more bang for your buck when you're using your own ingredients.
3. DIY taco seasoning allows you to adjust the recipe to suit your taste. Don't like paprika? Leave it out! Like things extra spicy? Add more chili powder. Get as creative as you want – it's your taco seasoning, after all.

What's In Taco Seasoning?

Most taco seasoning mixes contain salt, warming spices (such as paprika, oregano, and chili), onion powder, and garlic powder. This top-rated recipe is made with chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, sea salt, black pepper, ground paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and crushed red pepper flakes.

How Much Taco Seasoning Is In a Packet?

If your recipe calls for one packet of taco seasoning, how much DIY mix should you use? Different commercial brands package their taco seasonings in different amounts, but most packets contain about 1 ounce or 3 tablespoons of product.

Use 3 tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning for every packet your recipe calls for.

How to Use DIY Taco Seasoning

Of course, this top-rated seasoning is perfect for adding tons of flavor to ground meat for tacos. But that's not the only way to put it to good use! It's also a delicious addition to soups, stews, casseroles, dips, and so much more.

How to Store Taco Seasoning

Store your homemade taco seasoning in an airtight container and keep it in a cool, dark place. It should remain at peak freshness for about six months.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"Just the right blend of everything," raves Suzanne Allen. "Now I don't have to skip over a recipe because I don't have the seasoning 'envelope' on hand."

"This was better than I had ever expected," according to MF135GAS. " I use it all the time. Love the ability to be able to make some fine adjustments. Adding a bit of cornstarch thickens the taco meat a bit.

"Excellent taco seasoning," says SLJ6. "I used this recipe to make Beth's Tex Mex Dip. The mix of seasonings was perfect … just like the package mix you buy at the store.

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon chili powder

• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin

• 1 teaspoon sea salt

• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

• ½ teaspoon ground paprika

• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

• ¼ teaspoon onion powder

• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

• ¼ teaspoon dried oregano

1. Gather all ingredients.

   

2. Mix chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, and oregano together in a small bowl until combined.

   

   

3. Store in an airtight container.

   

Nutrition Facts (per serving)