Easy Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.This is the best homemade taco seasoning recipe around! Use it for perfectly flavored tacos, beans and even sauces. There’s a secret ingredient that adds unreal flavor!
You can use this for just about anything, sub it for other seasonings in my homemade black beans, add it to cilantro lime rice or into fajita veggies for an amazing easy meal!
This homemade taco seasoning is great to make ahead and keep on hand in your spice cabinet. It’s super flavorful and there is a secret ingredient you’ll never guess! While adding it to taco filling is my go to, I also use it when roasting veggies or sautéing!
How to Make Homemade Taco Seasoning
Tacos are a staple in our house, and up until now, taco seasoning was either from a packet or a “throw in a little of this and little of that” kind of creation. The problem with this is it never turned out the same.
I also prefer the fresh spices only list of ingredients without the preservatives so homemade is where it’s at.
Ingredients
This recipe has a classic taco seasoning combination, plus a little extra secret to really bring out the flavor, cocoa powder!
Cocoa powder does not give your savory foods a chocolate flavor when used in small amounts. All it really does is bring some depth into the flavor profile and gives that extra oomph of deliciousness.
- Chili powder
- Onion powder
- Smoked paprika
- Cumin
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Oregano
- Garlic powder
- Crushed red pepper
Step by Step Instructions
- Mix all spices together.
- Store in an airtight container.
- Enjoy in all the things!
Some recipes for homemade taco seasoning call for toasting whole spices, then grinding them down. While this will definitely up the flavor a bit, I’m well…lazy. So I tend to take the easy road when I feel the flavor is still amazing. Which in this case, it is!
But if you want to toast, go for it! Get yourself some amazing whole seeds and toast away. Then use a spice grinder to grind them down.
Preparation Tips
- Dutch processed cocoa is not too bitter, but any kind works as long as it is unsweetened.
- I love the flavor of crushed red pepper but I also tried this with chipotle seasoning and cayenne pepper, which turned out great as well. Add between 1 and 3 teaspoons depending on how spicy you want it.
- Regular paprika can be used instead of smoked.
- If you don’t have cumin, or don’t care for the taste, you can use more paprika or chili powder, or swap it for ground coriander, caraway seeds, or even curry powder.
How to Use Taco Seasoning
This seasoning is perfect for so many things! From just adding it to taco filling to using it in sauces and dips.
Below are some of my favorite recipes that you can use this in. Keep in mind that in most of these, you are subbing this seasoning for the seasoning in the recipe already or adding it in on top of the flavor already there.
If you are making a recipe that calls for one packet of taco seasoning and want to use this instead, you simply use 2 tablespoons of this since one packet of taco seasoning equates to 2 tablespoons.
This recipe makes about half a cup of taco seasoning, so you essentially get 4 packets here. A much more economical choice!!
Storing tips
- Store it in an airtight container. Air will not only reduce the flavor but will also allow in moisture and therefore clumps. Pint Sized Mason Jars, Tulip Jelly Jars, or Glass Jars with a Hinged Lid are all good options.
- Keep the jar in a cool and dry location. Avoid storing over your stove or other heat sources.
- I do not use any flour or cornstarch because we use it up pretty fast, however if you do plan on keeping it a while, adding either of those two will help it so it doesn’t clump.
- This spice blend will stay fresh for up to 2 years if stored properly.
Where to buy spices
There are many options when it comes to buying spices. Because freshness makes a difference in the end flavor, I recommend knowing the source. Buying at a grocery store tends to be safer with expired spices.
But one of the best places to buy spices is actually at your local spice shop. You can also buy them online but depending on where you buy them, you may not know how long they have been sitting around.
Common Questions
What are the ingredients in taco seasoning?
Taco seasoning tends to have similar ingredients across the board when it comes to recipes. Both store bought and homemade have a similar flavor base. The most common are: chili powder, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, some kind of spicy seasoning.
What are the ingredients in Old El Paso taco seasoning?
Old El Paso is the OG of taco seasoning brands. It’s super common, but like other store bought brands, while convenient, it includes a lot of things you don’t need or use when making it fresh at home. The ingredients in Old El Paso are Chili Pepper, Maltodextrin, Salt, Onion Powder, Spice, Corn Starch, Sea Salt. Contains 2% Or Less Of: Vegetable Oil, Corn Flour, Silicon Dioxide , Citric Acid, Sugar, Natural Flavor.
What can I use if I don’t have taco seasoning?
If you’re looking to keep it simple and don’t want to invest in a bunch of spices quite yet, then it’s actually pretty easy to simply use chili powder in place of taco seasoning. Chili powder is actually mainly ground chilis mixed with some of the ingredients in taco seasoning, such as cumin, onion and garlic powder.
What can you substitute for cumin in taco seasoning?
You can add in some extra smoked paprika or chili powder, or mix in ground coriander, caraway seeds, or curry powder.
Easy Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe
Use this amazing homemade taco seasoning for perfectly flavored tacos and so much more. You'll never guess the secret ingredient that adds unreal flavor!
Servings: 8
Calories: 19kcal
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika (you can use regular if you don’t have smoked)
- 2 ½ teaspoons cumin
- 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder (see note)
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1-3 teaspoons crushed red pepper (see note)
Instructions
- Mix everything together and store in an airtight container. You can also mix it by shaking the container well after you put the lid on.
- Note that if you plan to store it for a long period of time, you may want to add a tablespoon of cornstarch to prevent clumping. I did not add anything but typically use my stash up within a month, then make more.
- Use as needed!
Notes
- This recipe makes about 1/2 cup, serving size for nutrition is 1 tablespoon.
- I used dutch processed cocoa as it is a touch less bitter, but either kind works as long as it is unsweetened.
- I love the flavor of crushed red pepper but I also tried this with chipotle seasoning and cayenne pepper, which turned out great as well. Add between 1 and 3 teaspoons depending on how spicy you want it.
Nutrition
Calories: 19kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Potassium: 107mg | Fiber: 1g | Vitamin A: 1405IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 1.3mg
