Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix

Homemade taco seasoning mix can be used in place of the more expensive pre-packaged taco seasoning at the store. Blend together spices out of your own kitchen to create your own spice mix.

You can save money by making your own taco seasoning and it’s just as tasty as what you get in store-bought packets.

homemade taco seasoning in a spice jar


Why Homemade is Best

It is so easy to make your own homemade mix. All you need to do is measure out a few ingredients that you already have in your pantry.

Why not save money and make your own taco seasoning mix? I have been making this mix for almost 15 years. It is easy to do and I always have these ingredients on hand.

If you like a little variety you can add or subtract ingredients. For example, sometimes I add oregano or even a little chipotle powder. Who doesn’t love it when they can save some money?

Store-bought mixes often have maltodextrin, corn starch, corn flour, wheat flour, and silicon dioxide. Maltodextrin is a highly processed powder made from corn, rice, potatoes, or wheat and it’s high on the glycemic index.

Homemade is so much better than any of the packaged ones, including McCormick, Old El Paso, Lawry’s, and Ortega. The spices in my blend are most similar to those in the McCormick packet.

Healthy Taco Seasoning

Making taco seasoning from scratch is the best way to get the healthiest mix. There are no fillers or mystery ingredients.

What I really love about this recipe is that if you are in are on a low-sodium diet this taco seasoning is perfect for you. It has no salt in the mix.

I know a lot of people are looking for low salt alternatives and this one works well. I hate having salt predetermined for you, I always would prefer to add in salt myself.

This seasoning blend is also gluten-free, low carb, keto-friendly, paleo, and sugar-free.

three beef tacos on a plate
Yummy tacos made with homemade seasoning mix.

Why Make Taco Seasoning

It’s easy to do, and I bet you already have everything you need to make this taco seasoning in your pantry.

By making spice mixes at home, you save yourself from too much salt, preservatives, and hopefully, you can save a few dollars over time as well.

If you like your mix spicier, or even smokey, you have the option to customize your personal spice blend the way you enjoy it.

homemade taco seasoning on a small spoon on top of a spice jar

Taco Seasoning Ingredients

So, just what is in taco seasoning? It usually is a mix of earthy spices with a hot and spicy flavors. Here’s what’s in this recipe:

  • Chili powder
  • Paprika
  • Cumin
  • Dehydrated onion
  • Garlic powder
  • Dried oregano
  • Cayenne Pepper
homemade taco seasoning recipe ingredients in a bowl

Ingredient Notes

Use fresh spices for the best flavor. Check the expiration dates if you’ve had any of them in your pantry for a while. Spices lose flavor over time. Some can even go rancid.

You want to make the best taco meat seasoning for your ground beef, chicken, or fish tacos. Using fresh, quality spices helps to ensure vibrant flavors in the mix.

How to Make Taco Seasoning

  1. Measure the ingredients and place them in a bowl.
  2. Stir or whisk to thoroughly combine.

That’s it! DIY taco seasoning is so simple.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much taco seasoning equals one packet?

The typical taco seasoning packet contains about 3 tablespoons to use with 1 pound of ground beef. I recommend the same amount for homemade mix.

How long does homemade taco seasoning last?

It can last up to 6 months when stored in a cool, dry place. Be sure to label or mark the container so you know when it was made.

How to store taco seasoning?

Store homemade taco seasoning in an airtight container. A spice jar or small mason jar works great for storage.

homemade taco seasoning mix in a bowl

Recipes to Use Taco Seasoning

More DIY Recipes

Check out more of my easy Mexican food recipes and the best DIY recipes here on CopyKat!

homemade taco seasoning in a spice jar

Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix

Save money and make a healthy low sodium/salt free, gluten free, low carb, and keto taco seasoning mix.
5 from 19 votes
Print Pin Rate Add to Collection
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Gluten Free, Homemade Taco Seasoning, Salt Free, Taco Seasoning Mix
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 53kcal

Ingredients

  • 6 tablespoons chili powder
  • 5 tablespoons paprika
  • 5 tablespoons cumin
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons dehydrated onion
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

  • Place all ingredients in a bowl and stir or whisk to mix them together well.
  • Use 3 tablespoons of mix with 3/4 cup of water to one pound of ground beef.

Video

Notes

This should be stored in an airtight container for up to six months.

Equipment

Nutrition

Calories: 53kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 109mg | Potassium: 326mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 4038IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 74mg | Iron: 5mg

About Stephanie Manley

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Shayna

    I would LOVE a copykat recipe for a CHEESY taco seasoning, like the one Mccormick makes. It’s amazing, but not always in stock. Maybe I’ll throw in some powdered cheese and milk in this recipe and see if that’s close enough.

  2. Joie

    Can you please let us know what the nutritional information is for the Taco Seasoning Mix—-especially—is there any sodium content in it? Thank you very much.

      • Charline Bridgeman

        There is no table salt added, but, it is not sodium free. When I searched for each ingredient, I was surprised, except for oregano, by the amount of sodium in each one with chili powder being the highest.

  3. bastisraul

    I added MSG to this mix. We use a lot of it at home in lieu of salt because it contains 1/3 less sodium. A healthy alternative for the majority of folks that have no medical issues with MSG.

      • bastisraul

        I have found, as you must have, that if something is repeated enough times, it then becomes gospel but with no basis. I saw it on the internet, so it must be true kind of thing. That is what has happened to MSG over these many years. For whatever reason MSG became an underground, not to be spoken of in mixed company item. There are a small majority of people that do get headaches from it. I have never met them but I do know that they are out there. Their complaint is genuine and they never order take-out from China Garden etc. It is a food enhancer of which there are few equals and it is healthier than using straight salt. Maybe some of your many followers will respond to their reasons for not using MSG, other than medical reasons. I would be very interested in the other side of the coin on this issue. We love MSG and use it almost daily.

      • Elgog Partynipple

        MSG, or monosodium glutamate is a natural product originally extracted from seaweed. Its primary component is glutamate, sodium (salt) was added as a preservative shortly after its discovery in the early 20th century in Japan. Today it is made from yeast. Glutamate is a taste often called Umami and is found mostly in meat. Today package ingredients call it Yeast Extract or Autolyzed Yeast Extract so they don’t have to use MSG in their packaging. It’s not some chemical mixture from a secret lab with mad scientists. I think this “Ingredients you can pronounce” trend is damaging the food industry, although I agree manufacturers have gone overboard with some of the stuff they put in food.

    • Stephanie

      5 stars
      Thank you, Stephanie, for another great recipe!
      I love making my own taco seasoning because of controlling the salt.

      I like to triple the recipe and store it in the freezer. Very convenient when I make tacos, taco soup, etc.

      Keep up the good work!!

  4. lisa cowgill

    5 stars
    Thanks so much! I just made this and it was fabulous. It will save money and it’s healthier too. I hate buying processed mixes. Yummy and convenient. Didn’t have the ceyanne pepper but threw in some hot sauce and it was great. Thanks again!

    • stephaniemanley

      Thank you Lisa. This is one of my favorite ways to make taco seasoning, its quick, easy, and chances are you already have what you need in the pantry.

    • Grace A. Romo

      5 stars
      I’m so happy to have joined this group I love making Taco meat and using taco mix in my dips with sour cream my family goes nuts over it. So with that being said, I have purchased dozens and dozens of taco packages. This will save money.

      Thank you
      Grace A. Romo

  5. Judy Nutzmann

    Thanks for the recipe, because I am allergic to MSG, there are very few packaged items I can use so I always appreciate someone sharing recipies for MSG free, the label has to actually say NO MSG.

    • stephaniemanley

      5 stars
      That is one of the things I like most about making mixes from scratch it is easy to edit out ingredients you don’t want to put in. I can understand how you feel about MSG.

  6. Rita

    Thanks for this! I like it because we are a low sodium family and do as much as I can, homemade. Check out the sodium levels in that prepackaged stuff!

  7. Sylvia

    This looks great, however “expensive” isn’t probaby the words I would use to describe taco seasoning mix.. You can get it for like. 60 cents to free with coupons and deals. I would like to try my own however.. thanks for the ideas!
    -Sylvia
    Maybe the word should have used is to be frugal, make your own. I really, really, hate to buy a mix, when I have everything on hand. I don’t always have coupons, and I like the way I can flavor up my own seasoning mix, I love cumin, so I always double up on the cumin. I have a tiny spice cabinet, and any additional package or bottle is about 3 too many in that cabinet 😉 – Stephanie

  8. Sure Recipe

    Thanks, that’s a very interesting idea, I honestly never thought of trying to make my own. I always just buy the packets. I look forward to tweaking it for more and less spice.

  9. Fran

    And that taco seasoning mix recipe is THE BEST! I’ve wondered for so many years about the spices and the ratios and this recipe answers the question 100%

5 from 19 votes (13 ratings without comment)

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