Taco Seasoning (2024)

Prep Time:

5 mins

Total Time:

5 mins

Servings:

10

Yield:

1 ounce

Jump to Nutrition Facts

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.

Taco Seasoning (1)

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

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.

    Taco Seasoning (2)

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

    Taco Seasoning (3)

    Taco Seasoning (4)

  3. Store in an airtight container.

    Taco Seasoning (5)

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

5Calories
0g Fat
1g Carbs
0g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe10
Calories5
% Daily Value *
Total Fat0g0%
Saturated Fat0g0%
Cholesterol0mg0%
Sodium235mg10%
Total Carbohydrate1g0%
Dietary Fiber0g2%
Total Sugars0g
Protein0g0%
Vitamin C0mg0%
Calcium8mg1%
Iron0mg2%
Potassium29mg1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

Powered by the ESHA Research Database © 2018, ESHA Research, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Taco Seasoning (2024)

FAQs

What is Taco Seasoning mix made of? ›

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.

What can I use if I don't have Taco Seasoning? ›

Packet Taco Seasoning replacement: if you only want to make enough taco seasoning to replace 1 packet, use the following amounts:
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder.
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder.
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder.
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper.
  • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano.
  • ½ teaspoon paprika.
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin.
  • 1 teaspoon salt.
Mar 16, 2021

How much Taco Seasoning for 1 pound of meat? ›

To use: Use about 2 tablespoons of the taco seasoning for every 1 pound of meat. Use more or less depending on your preference. Brown meat and drain the fat. Add your taco seasoning along with about 1/2 cup of water.

Do you add water before Taco Seasoning? ›

1/2 cup water: After you've browned your meat, add in 1/2 cup water with 3 tablespoons of the taco seasoning mix. Stir to combine and mix all together. Slowly add in another 1/2 cup water as some will begin to absorb – you want it with a little sauce, just not too watery!

What is McCormick Taco seasoning made of? ›

McCormick Taco Seasoning is crafted with a premium blend of zesty herbs and spices including chili pepper, paprika, oregano and garlic. Blended especially for chefs, McCormick Taco Seasoning gives chefs an all-in-one, ready-to-use mix to deliver intense, concentrated flavor to Mexican-inspired dishes and beyond.

What is the same as taco seasoning? ›

When it comes to tacos and chili, two of the most common Mexican dishes among American households, it's easy to see the similarities. In fact, these recipes are almost identical. Both use a winning combination of garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, crushed red pepper, cumin, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper.

What are the ingredients in Old El Paso taco seasoning? ›

Ingredients: Corn Starch, Maltodextrin, Salt, Chili Pepper, Spice, Sugar, Garlic Powder. Contains 2% or less of: Sea Salt (potassium magnesium chloride, salt), Citric Acid, Onion Powder, Vegetable Oil (canola and/or soybean oil), Silicon Dioxide (anticaking agent), Natural Flavor.

Is fajita seasoning the same as taco seasoning? ›

Fajita seasoning and taco seasoning are very similar, but not identical. The ratios of each individual spice tend to differ. Fajita seasoning often contains more cumin, while taco seasoning contains more chili powder. Our taco seasoning recipe includes coriander and does not contain paprika or chipotle.

How many tacos will 2 lbs of meat make? ›

How much ground beef per taco? Each taco shell or small soft taco-size tortilla fits about 2 ounces or 1/4 cup of meat. If you add diced onions, you could stretch a pound of ground beef to make about a dozen tacos. With just the meat and spices, you can make about 8 tacos from a pound of meat.

Do you cook meat before adding taco seasoning? ›

Once the beef is cooked, you want to cook it with the seasoning and liquid on medium low and just until the sauce starts to thicken. Keep an eye on it so it doesn't dry out. Heat up the tortillas before adding the ground beef on top. You can heat them up in the microwave, oven or on a skillet for 1-2 minutes per side.

When making taco meat do you drain the grease? ›

Crumble the ground chuck into a large skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until browned. Remove from heat, rinse meat with hot water, and drain water and grease from beef. Return meat to skillet, and pour in seasoning.

What is the basic rule of adding seasoning? ›

Don't Let the Flavor Disappear - It's best to add ground or cut spices and herbs around the midway point or towards the end of the cooking process, so that their flavors won't disappear. This allows the spices enough time to marry with the food.

Does taco Bell use powdered beef? ›

We use 100 percent USDA premium beef in our seasoned beef. We prepare it much the same way you prepare taco meat at home: after simmering, it is drained of excess fat and pre-seasoned with our signature blend of 7 authentic seasonings and spices.

What is in mixed seasoning? ›

What is Mixed Spice? Unlike allspice, mixed spice is a blend of several spices. These include cinnamon, coriander, caraway, nutmeg, ground ginger and cloves. The majority of the mix should be made from the cinnamon and coriander, and the remaining 10% made from the other spices.

Why does taco seasoning have gluten? ›

Is Taco Seasoning Gluten-Free? It depends. Not all taco seasoning is gluten-free, since some brands add wheat flour or other gluten-containing ingredients. It's best to read the ingredients list and look for a “gluten-free” label on the package.

What is in Ortega taco seasoning? ›

Ingredients : Yellow Corn Flour, Salt, Maltodextrin, Paprika, Spices, Modified Corn Starch, Sugar, Citric Acid, Yeast Extract, Natural Flavors, Silicon Dioxide.

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