Homemade Taco Seasoning

By Rena Awada | Updated On November 2, 2022

Homemade taco seasoning is so simple and easy to make in just 3 minutes with 8 ingredients! It’s a healthier and cheaper option than store-bought. Use this DIY taco seasoning for your soups, taquitos, casseroles, tacos–you name it!

one jar of taco seasoning with spoon


There is just something so delicious and comforting about taco seasoning. It’s perfect to sprinkle over all types of foods like veggies, marinara sauce, quesadillas, and enchiladas whenever you need an extra kick of flavor.

The ingredients for this DIY homemade taco seasoning are so easy to find in your local grocery store. All you need to do is grab your list of spices and put each bottle in your cart so you can create the tastiest Mexican spice blend you’ve ever had.

spoon resting atop jar filled with homemade taco seasoning

Why You Should Make This Homemade Taco Seasoning

This is the best taco seasoning you’ll ever have! It’s so simple to make, plus you’ll have homemade taco seasoning ready at your fingertips when it comes to taco or burrito nights.

  • Quick and easy: The longest step in this DIY taco seasoning is measuring all of your spices. Once you’ve measured everything, all you have to do is stir and store! Ready to be added to your favorite dishes in no time.
  • Delicious with flavor: The cozy spices including chili powder, warm cumin, zesty smoked paprika, garlic, and oregano come together to create the ultimate flavor profile. The tiny amount of chili flakes give this taco mix a bit of a spicy kick that creates the perfect balance.
  • Versatile: Use this homemade taco seasoning for all your favorite foods that need extra flavor. You can use this DIY seasoning in your favorite soups, ground beef, or atop chicken breasts.
  • Cost-effective: Buy your list of seasonings, and you’ll be set for a while. Just place your DIY taco mix in a jar and use it until you need to refill it again. Say goodbye to all those extra plastic containers.
paprika, cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper, chili flakes, oregano in bowls

Ingredients for DIY Taco Mix

Here is a list of herbs and spices you need for this homemade taco seasoning. Full of bold warm flavors and so delicious!

Chili powder: Chili powder is a blend of different chili peppers and spices. You can use it for a richer flavor, but if you don’t have it on hand, use the ground chili pepper of your choice.
Ground cumin: Ground cumin adds a lot of flavors and is part of the traditional taco seasoning but can be omitted if you don’t want it.
Smoked paprika
: Smoked paprika gives it a bit of a smoky flavor, but if you don’t have smoked paprika, then you can use regular ground paprika.
Garlic powder: The robust flavors of garlic powder give the taco seasoning extra flavor. You can omit the garlic powder if you do not have it.
Dried oregano: Oregano gives the DIY taco blend an herbal twist. Can be omitted if you don’t have it on hand.
Black pepper: Substitute black pepper with white or red pepper or omit it altogether.
Sea salt: A little bit of salt rounds all the additional spices out and gives the blend an extra boost of flavor. Be careful not to use too much salt in your taco seasoning.
Chili flakes: Chili flakes are used for additional spice. If you aren’t a fan of spicy things or need to give this DIY taco mix to kids, then you can skip this ingredient.

How to Make This Easy Taco Seasoning

First, grab all of your spice jars and put them together in one spot so they are easy to get to. Grab your measuring spoons so you can measure each ingredient.

Next, once you’ve measured your spices and herbs, add them to a small jar, shallow bowl, or plate. You can also use any type of bowl for this.

Shake the container to combine all of the spices. Alternatively, you can mix the ingredients together with a spoon if you’re combining the ingredients on a plate.

Transfer the homemade taco seasoning blend to a closed jar or container. Store the DIY seasoning away from direct sunlight for up to six months.

Enjoy your favorite Mexican + taco dishes with this super easy DIY taco mix.

Notes and Tips

Be sure to keep this information in mind while making this easy, homemade taco seasoning!

  • Any of the spices or herbs can be omitted or substituted with your choice of ingredients.
  • Store in an air-tight jar or container away from direct sunlight. Use within 6 months. The sun will dry the taco seasoning out and affect the flavor profile.
  • Easily double this taco seasoning recipe for your recipe needs or use as little of the mix as you would like.
  • For mild taco seasoning, omit the chili flakes.
  • This recipe contains more taco seasoning than your typical taco seasoning packet. Depending on what you’re making, you will need more or less of this blend.
one bowl of homemade taco seasoning

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I use if I don’t have a packet of taco seasoning?

Just mix all of these spices and herbs together to create your very own homemade taco seasoning at home.

How much seasoning is in a packet?

Roughly, each seasoning packet contains about one ounce of seasoning.

Is there a difference between taco and fajita seasoning?

The two are very similar, but fajita seasoning typically contains more oregano and chili powder than your typical taco seasoning mix.

one jar of homemade DIY Taco seasoning mix

More Easy Mexican Recipes You’ll Love

chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, chili flakes, pepper in bowl

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top view taco seasoning in a jar with a spoonful over the jar

Easy Homemade Taco Seasoning

Homemade taco seasoning is so simple and easy to make in just 3 minutes with 8 ingredients! It's a healthier and cheaper option than store-bought. Use this DIY taco seasoning for your soups, taquitos, casseroles, tacos–you name it!
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Diet: Gluten Free
Prep Time: 1 minute
Measuring and Grabbing Ingredients: 2 minutes
Total Time: 3 minutes
Servings: 4 tablespoons
Calories: 18kcal
Author: Rena

Equipment

  • measuring spoons
  • 1 jar or container with lid

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ tablespoons chili powder
  • ½ tablespoon ground cumin
  • ½ tablespoon ground smoked paprika
  • ½ tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon chili flakes

Instructions

  • Add all the ingredients to a small jar // or to a shallow bowl or a plate.
  • Shake the jar to combine the spices // or mix to combine all the ingredients if using a bowl/plate and transfer to a closed jar/container.
  • Store away from direct sunlight for up to 6 months.

Notes

NOTES & SUBSTITUTIONS:
Chili powder is a blend of different chili peppers and spices. You can use it for a richer flavor, but if you don’t have it on hand, use the ground chili pepper of your choice.
Ground cumin – adds a lot of flavors and it’s part of the traditional taco seasoning, but it can be omitted if you don’t like it
Ground smoked paprika – regular ground paprika can be used instead of the smoked paprika
Garlic powder – use for additional flavor, or omit if you don’t like it or don’t have it on hand
Oregano – use for additional flavor, or omit if you don’t like it or don’t have it on hand
Ground black pepper – it can be substituted with white/red pepper or omitted
Sea salt – you can choose if you want to add it or omit
Chili flakes – optional, for additional spice

Nutrition

Calories: 18kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Sodium: 346mg | Potassium: 102mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 984IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg
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