If you’re striving for a more self-sufficient kitchen, this homemade taco seasoning mix is a small but mighty step in the right direction. Forget the store-bought taco seasoning packets with their preservatives, too much added salt, and mystery food colorings. This simple DIY taco seasoning puts you in control of the ingredients, flavor, and freshness.
At Hobby Homestead, we believe the best meals start with what you already have on hand. With a well-stocked spice cabinet and a few minutes, you can create a homemade seasoning blend that brings bold flavor to your favorite taco recipes, without relying on store shelves.
Whether you’re feeding a hungry crew on Taco Tuesday, preserving herbs from your garden, or simply avoiding unnecessary packaging waste, this spice mixture is a handy staple for your homestead pantry.
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Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons Chili Powder
- 1 Tablespoon Ground Cumin
- 1 Tablespoon Smoked Paprika
- 1½ Teaspoons Garlic Powder
- 1½ Teaspoons Onion Powder
- 1 Teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1½ Teaspoons Salt
- ½ Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper adjust to taste
- ½ Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes optional
- 1½ Teaspoons Mexican Oregano
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, cayenne pepper, and optionally red pepper flakes.3 Tablespoons Chili Powder, 1 Tablespoon Ground Cumin, 1 Tablespoon Smoked Paprika, 1½ Teaspoons Garlic Powder, 1½ Teaspoons Onion Powder, 1 Teaspoon Black Pepper, 1½ Teaspoons Salt, ½ Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper, ½ Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes, 1½ Teaspoons Mexican Oregano
- Stir well with a wooden spoon until thoroughly mixed.
- Pour into a clean, dry mason jar, spice jar, or other airtight container.
Notes
Storing
Store in a dry place, like your spice drawer, away from direct sunlight at room temperature. This recipe keeps well for up to 6 months, though for the best flavor, we recommend using fresh spices and checking the aroma before each use.Nutrition
Why You’ll Love This Taco Seasoning Mix
Around here, tacos are on heavy rotation birria tacos, pulled pork tacos, and shrimp tacos. And when we’re skipping the shells, we go for a hearty taco salad or steaming bowl of taco soup. Safe to say, we go through a lot of taco seasoning. And once you try making your own homemade taco seasoning mix, you’ll understand why we never go back to the store-bought packets.
Here’s why this homemade version wins every time:
- Flavor You Can Taste. Using fresh spices gives you a depth of flavor no packet can match. You can adjust the heat to your liking. Add a more or a little cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for that extra kick, or tone it down for a mild taco seasoning the whole family will enjoy.
- Nothing Unnecessary. When you make your own taco seasoning, you skip the fillers and preservatives found in many commercial blends. Just a clean, wholesome spice blend straight from your spice drawer.
- Make Once, Use Often. This recipe is simple to scale up. I usually mix a larger batch and store it in a mason jar or airtight container tucked away in a dry place.
From saving money to reducing waste and dialing in your favorite flavors, this mix is another great way to take one more step toward a more intentional kitchen.
🌮 How to Use DIY Taco Seasoning
This seasoning mix isn’t just for tacos—though it certainly makes the best taco meat around! Try it in all your go-to homestead recipes that need a flavor boost.
For Taco Meat:
- Brown 1 pound of ground beef or ground turkey in a large skillet.
- Add 2 tablespoons of seasoning and ½ cup of water.
- Let simmer for 5–7 minutes to allow the mixture to thicken and soak into the meat.
More Ways to Use:
- Taco Soup. Stir into your broth for extra depth.
- Taco Salad. Mix with black beans, meat, or homemade dressing.
- Mexican Rice. A spoonful of this spice blend adds warm, earthy flavor.
- Sour Cream Dip. Mix a teaspoon into sour cream for a fast veggie dip.
- Pico de Gallo. Sprinkle in a pinch for a flavor twist.
- Spice Rub. Coat meats before grilling or roasting.
Whether you’re seasoning a pound of meat or flavoring a pot of beans, this mix recipe is flexible and dependable. You can even double or triple it for a larger batch to keep in your pantry for future use.
🧂 How Much Taco Seasoning Is in a Packet?
A single store-bought packet of taco seasoning usually contains about 2 tablespoons. Just enough for one pound of ground meat. With this homemade version, you get the same amount without any of the questionable extras, and you can easily adjust the salt content and spice levels to suit your needs.
❓ Is Taco Seasoning Gluten-Free?
Yes, this homemade taco seasoning mix is naturally gluten-free, provided your individual spices don’t contain added thickeners or preservatives. Be sure to double-check spice labels if you’re cooking for someone with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
🏡 Why Make Your Own?
- Avoid unnecessary trips to the grocery store
- Reduce waste from plastic packets and food packaging
- Customize flavor and heat to suit your family’s personal preferences
- Make in bulk and store in a lidded jar for convenience
- Another step toward a zero-waste kitchen
Making your own homemade taco seasoning is a great way to build your homestead kitchen with real, wholesome ingredients. You’ll never want to go back to the store-bought stuff again.
easy recipe for a homemade spice blend for our pantry