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    Home » Most Recent

    Homemade Taco Seasoning

    August 23, 2017 By Patrick 30 Comments

    927 shares
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    This homemade taco seasoning recipe is designed to keep you away from the dreaded seasoning pack that most of us grew up with.

    It's also an easy way to avoid MSG and any other additives that go by the name of why-is-this-in-here?!! 

    You'll get greater control over the sodium level too and that alone is reason to come up with a version you can always default to when there are mouths to feed and tacos are on the menu.

    This homemade taco seasoning is designed to keep you away from the dreaded seasoning pack! It has great flavor and makes it easy to control the salt and heat levels. mexicanplease.com

    Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe

    Most likely you already have all the spices you need to whip up this impromptu seasoning.

    Here's what we're using:

    This homemade taco seasoning is designed to keep you away from the dreaded seasoning pack! It has great flavor and makes it easy to control the salt and heat levels. mexicanplease.com

    A few things to mention about these ingredients...

    Try to start with some pure chili powder.  Unfortunately if you look at the label on most store-bought chili powders it will look something like this:

    Most store-bought chili powders have too many additional ingredients. Here are some tips to make your chili powder authentic and delicious! mexicanplease.com

    So yes, most chili powders are already a blend and you'll get an instant upgrade in flavor if you start with pure chili powder.  I use these chili powders but you can find a good equivalent in most grocery stores these days -- just check out the ingredient list and confirm it isn't loaded with other ingredients.  You can also use some homemade chili powder if you have dried chilis on hand.

    I know some of you out there aren't big cumin fans.  As proportioned, the final mix does have a healthy burst of cumin.  Feel free to lower the amount if you want the cumin to slowly exit stage left.

    And most importantly, the salt level is designed to be on the threshold of 'just barely enough'.  Depending on the fat content of the meat you're using, you'll be well served to give a final taste for salt level.  I usually add a bit more.

    This homemade taco seasoning is designed to keep you away from the dreaded seasoning pack! It has great flavor and makes it easy to control the salt and heat levels. mexicanplease.com

    If you're taking the time to gather all the ingredients, I think it's easiest to make a big batch so you'll have plenty of leftovers for next time.  You can store it in an airtight container along with your other spices.

    So if you quadruple the above pic you'll end up with a heaping half cup of lively taco seasoning (approx. 10 tablespoons).

    This homemade taco seasoning is designed to keep you away from the dreaded seasoning pack! It has great flavor and makes it easy to control the salt and heat levels. mexicanplease.com

    That's using:

    1/4 cup pure chili powder
    4 teaspoons cumin
    2 teaspoons garlic powder
    2 teaspoons onion powder
    2 teaspoons paprika
    1/2 teaspoon cayenne
    2 teaspoons Mexican oregano
    4 teaspoons salt
    1 teaspoon black pepper

    You'll need about 3 tablespoons of this taco seasoning for a single pound of ground beef.

    I used a half pound of ground beef for this batch, so after browning the beef over medium heat and draining out the fat I added 1. 5 tablespoons of seasoning along with a healthy splash of water (approx. 1/3 cup).

    This homemade taco seasoning is designed to keep you away from the dreaded seasoning pack! It has great flavor and makes it easy to control the salt and heat levels. mexicanplease.com

    Mix well and simmer over low heat.

    Once combined, take a taste for salt level.  I added another generous pinch to this batch.

    You're left with a fiery batch of meat that you can use in all sorts of tacos and burritos.  And the best part?  You know what's in it!

    This homemade taco seasoning is designed to keep you away from the dreaded seasoning pack! It has great flavor and makes it easy to control the salt and heat levels. mexicanplease.com

    Keep in mind that this seasoning will likely develop an inferiority complex when compared to the seasoning in our chipotle bomb Ground Beef Tacos.

    That version uses fresh ingredients and it's hard for spices alone to develop a similar flavor.

    Classic Ground Beef Hardshell Tacos mexicanplease.com

    But you'll be pleasantly surprised how much flavor you can get just by combining a few key spices that are sitting around in your pantry waiting to jump to life.

    Try coming up with a version that suits your taste buds and you'll forever sever the link to those dreaded seasoning packs.  Finally!

    Buen Provecho.

    Homemade Taco Seasoning

    This homemade taco seasoning is designed to keep you away from the dreaded seasoning pack! It has great flavor and makes it easy to control the salt and heat levels.
    4.41 from 15 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 16
    Calories: 12kcal
    Author: Mexican Please

    Ingredients

    • 1/4 cup pure chili powder
    • 4 teaspoons cumin
    • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
    • 2 teaspoons onion powder
    • 2 teaspoons paprika
    • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
    • 2 teaspoons Mexican oregano
    • 4 teaspoons salt
    • 1 teaspoon black pepper

    Instructions

    • Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl and combine well.
    • Use immediately and store leftovers in an airtight container.
    • For one pound of ground beef, you'll need 3 tablespoons of the seasoning mix.  After browning the ground beef, drain the fat.  Add 3 tablespoons seasoning along with a heaping half cup of water.  Mix well and simmer over low heat.  Taste for salt level, adding another pinch if necessary. 

    Notes

    Try to use chili powder that’s as close to pure as possible. I use 1/4 cup of these chili powders and you can usually find something similar in grocery stores these days. Sometimes they’ll be labeled as “pure” or “not a blend” or “New Mexican red chile”, and if they do not have any additional ingredients then it should be a good starting point.  You can also use homemade chili powder if you have dried chilis on hand. 
    I used Mexican Oregano for this recipe but regular oregano works fine too. 
    You can omit the cayenne pepper if you want a milder version. 
    You'll need about 3 tablespoons of seasoning per pound of ground beef.  Taste for salt level after combining and add another pinch if necessary.
    Like this recipe?Click the stars above to rate it or leave a comment down below! @mexplease

    You could also use this recipe for some Ground Beef Nachos.

    These Spicy Ground Beef Nachos have the potential to save your day. Chipotles in adobo give the beef real kick and when loaded on cheese covered tortilla chips they quickly become a go-to meal. Served with a homemade Avocado Salsa Verde and your choice of fixings. So good! mexicanplease.com

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Maggie

      August 26, 2022 at 11:06 am

      5 stars
      This taco seasoning has changed my life! I couldn’t love it more and I can believe I’ve been making tacos with a packet of ‘stuff’ for all these years. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Patrick

        August 26, 2022 at 3:56 pm

        Ahh good to hear, thanks for your note Maggie! Cheers.

        Reply
        • Maggie

          October 13, 2022 at 3:25 pm

          A couple of pinches in my beans have made them next level yummy!

          Reply
          • Patrick

            October 14, 2022 at 3:48 pm

            🙂

            Reply
    2. Ray Marley

      June 18, 2022 at 7:16 pm

      5 stars
      I've used this recipe many times. Never use taco packets any more because they can't compare. Damn near perfect taco meat, delicious flavor, but watch the heat, reducing cayenne to 1/4 tsp.

      Reply
      • Patrick

        June 23, 2022 at 2:45 am

        Thanks Ray!

        Reply
    3. Lisa de Kramer

      September 25, 2021 at 8:57 am

      Glad to see someone who uses Mexican Oregano. I never buy store bought chili powder. I grow and dry my chilies. Today I will try Guajillo chilies that I bought dried. I have Chimayo chilies I will use instead of cayenne. Should be good.

      Reply
      • Patrick

        September 30, 2021 at 12:34 pm

        Yeah that sounds great Lisa, hope it turns out well for you. Cheers.

        Reply
    4. philip

      July 08, 2021 at 9:47 pm

      this seasoning is great I've made it about 5 times already!

      Reply
    5. Laurie Winkles

      May 20, 2021 at 1:28 pm

      this is one of the worst taco seasoning I have ever tried way to much cumin and drowning in cayenne. Makes it taste like musky mud.

      Reply
    6. Beverley Reilly

      February 07, 2021 at 5:18 pm

      I have used this Taco seasoning mix and love it but I have also experimented a bit and I have added some cinnamon as well. Yum.

      Thanks
      Bev

      Reply
      • Patrick

        February 08, 2021 at 2:26 pm

        Hey thanks for mentioning your adjustments Beverley. Cheers.

        Reply
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