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Katie Serbinski, M.S., R.D., is a registered dietitian and millennial mom, blogging about healthy recipes, child and mom nutrition, and motherhood.

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Home » Food & Recipes » Kitchen Tips » Homemade Taco Seasoning

Homemade Taco Seasoning

Jan 21, 2015 29 Comments

Homemade Taco Seasoning

When asked to create a smoky or spicy recipe for this month’s Recipe Redux challenge, there was no doubt in my mind I would be creating a spicy recipe. I put hot sauce [Tapatio to be exact] on everything from cottage cheese to eggs to spaghetti! Weird, I know. Instead of recreating my favorite hot sauce [why change the BEST condiment?!], I decided to adapt a recipe that Tapatio compliments oh so well: homemade taco seasoning. Now I know there are a million and one taco seasoning recipes out there, including those you can buy in the store. But mine has a secret ingredient. And yes, it brings the HEAT!

Why Make Your Own Homemade Taco Seasoning

Homemade taco seasoning is one of the easiest, most versatile seasoning mixtures you can make at home. And it’s not just for tacos! I’ve used this mixture for meat used in quesadillas, grilled salmon with avocado salsa, flank steak fajitas, etc. I’ve even used it as an extra seasoning for my chicken when making Chicken Tortilla Soup. And yes, the registered dietitian in me should also point out that homemade taco seasoning usually has less sodium than the packaged kind you find in stores.

Taco Salad made with Homemade Taco Seasoning
This is THE seasoning for any taco salad…
Homemade Taco Seasoning for vegetables
Or fajita vegetable base…

5.0 from 1 reviews
Homemade Taco Seasoning
 
Print
Prep time
5 mins
Total time
5 mins
 
Author: Katie Serbinski
Serves: 4 tablespoons
Ingredients
  • 2 tsp. Chili Powder
  • 1.5 tsp. Cumin
  • 1.5 tsp. Cayenne Pepper
  • 1 tsp. Garlic Powder
  • 1 tsp. Onion Powder
  • 1 tsp. Oregano
  • 1 tsp. Paprika
  • ¼ tsp. sugar
  • ½ tsp. Black Pepper
  • ½ tsp. Salt
Instructions
  1. Measure the appropriate amount of spices and stir to combine.
  2. Store in an airtight container, away from moisture, for up to 6 months.
3.2.2925

After you’ve mixed your homemade taco seasoning, it’s best to store it in an airtight container and use within 6 months. When it’s time to make tacos, brown your meat as you normally would, drain the excess fat, measure about 2 tablespoons of seasoning per pound of meat and add it to the pan. If you want more of a sauce, add a ¼ cup of water and a tablespoon of flour to the cooked, seasoned meat. Cook a little longer and you’re ready to go!

Did you catch the secret ingredient? Momma always wants a little sweetness with that spice!

Click the InLinkz widget below to see how other Recipe Redux members have kicked their January recipes up a notch!

Homemade taco seasoning is an economical and healthy way to spice up any Mexican-inspired meal, such as tacos, fajitas, or quesadillas.

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Comments

  1. Meme @ Living Well Kitchen says

    January 21, 2015 at 10:00 am

    Love it Katie! I always put a pinch of sugar in mine too!! It definitely helps bring out that spiciness. I feel like it’s similar to putting a pinch of salt in a cookie recipe 🙂
    And I’m with you — homemade taco seasoning has endless possibilities and it’s just too easy to make to use those packets with all that junk {plus, those packets end up getting expensive!}

    Reply
    • Katie says

      January 21, 2015 at 6:43 pm

      I thought about addng cocoa too but decided why change up a good thing?! Glad I’m not the only one who does the sugar! It’s a recipe changer!

  2. Liz - Meal Makeover Mom says

    January 21, 2015 at 10:40 am

    What a useful recipe. Lower in sodium than store-bought and always at the ready!

    Reply
    • Katie says

      January 22, 2015 at 6:58 am

      And it can be easily tweaked depending on how spicy your family wants it!

  3. Sam @ PancakeWarriors says

    January 21, 2015 at 11:12 am

    Oh I just love this! I hate buying the packaged stuff from the store, this is perfect. PInning!

    Reply
    • Katie says

      January 22, 2015 at 6:58 am

      Thanks Sam!!

  4. Anne|Craving Something Healthy says

    January 21, 2015 at 12:57 pm

    Thanks for sharing this! I always want to make a jar of this stuff, but never know the right spice combo! Pinned 🙂

    Reply
    • Katie says

      January 22, 2015 at 6:59 am

      Ditto! It took some trial and error but thankfully I buy spices in bulk lol!

  5. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

    January 21, 2015 at 1:24 pm

    Always make my own seasonings! You can add as much or as little and totally customize!

    Reply
    • Katie says

      January 22, 2015 at 6:59 am

      Exactly Rebecca!

  6. Elizabeth @ Enjoy Every Bite says

    January 21, 2015 at 1:27 pm

    Love this!! I’m always looking for a homemade taco seasoning because we do Mexican dishes all the time! Can’t wait to try this one!

    Reply
    • Katie says

      January 22, 2015 at 7:00 am

      Same here. I thought to myself if we do Mexicn once a week this would save me a few extra $’s here and there…

  7. [email protected] athletic avocado says

    January 21, 2015 at 3:20 pm

    awesome recipe! I need to make my own, I can’t stand all of the MSG and chemicals in the storebought stuff!

    Reply
    • Katie says

      January 22, 2015 at 7:01 am

      The sodium is what shocks me!

  8. Jennifer @NourishedSimply says

    January 21, 2015 at 9:36 pm

    Always looking for different ways to make homemade taco seasoning. The hotter the better!

    Reply
    • Katie says

      January 22, 2015 at 7:01 am

      Agreed Jennifer!

  9. Sonali- The Foodie Physician says

    January 21, 2015 at 11:49 pm

    Thanks for sharing such a wonderful recipe! It looks perfect and it’s such a useful recipe to have on hand!

    Reply
    • Katie says

      January 22, 2015 at 7:01 am

      Thanks Sonali!!

  10. Amanda @ The Wholesome Dish says

    January 22, 2015 at 8:22 am

    This sounds so much better than the store bought stuff. Great recipe!

    Reply
    • Katie says

      January 22, 2015 at 10:19 am

      Thanks Amanda!

Trackbacks

  1. Bean Bytes 125 says:
    January 26, 2015 at 12:02 am

    […] Cheese & Roasted Garlic Pull-Apart Bread Citrus Poppyseed Muffins Homemade Taco Seasoning 9 High-Energy Plant Based Snacks For Athletes Paleo Mocha Muffin Bread Pudding Spicy Thai Coconut […]

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  2. Healthy Kitchen Hacks says:
    February 18, 2015 at 12:02 am

    […] uses spices I always have on hand to make a lower-sodium version of packaged taco seasoning. Bonus: This recipe has just enough kick of spice for adults – but isn’t too spicy for kids. And it’s […]

    Reply
  3. Ground Beef Skillet Nachos - Mom to Mom Nutrition says:
    March 31, 2015 at 10:38 pm

    […] The case of characters for my recipe included oven baked chips and my FAVORITE store bought salsa, Garden Fresh. It’s a Michigan-made product that only uses FRESH ingredients. Hence the brand name! I opted for store bought salsa and used a homemade taco seasoning. […]

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  4. Easy Taco Pie - Mom to Mom Nutrition says:
    July 29, 2015 at 6:53 pm

    […] No taco seasoning on hand? Fear NOT! Make your own! […]

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  5. Oven Baked Tacos - Mom to Mom Nutrition says:
    September 23, 2015 at 1:21 am

    […] 2 tablespoons taco seasoning [I halved this recipe] […]

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  6. Tips for Heart-Healthy Grocery Shopping [+ Free Grocery List] - Mom to Mom Nutrition says:
    February 29, 2016 at 10:37 pm

    […] and Salt- instead use herbs and spices to flavor foods [give this homemade taco seasoning a […]

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  7. Taco Seasoned Veggies - Mom to Mom Nutrition says:
    October 12, 2017 at 1:46 am

    […] seasoned veggies. You could roast or sauté the veggies with the seasoning, and use store-bought or homemade taco seasoning. The options are endless! And short and sweet. Exactly the kind of recipes I look for online! Taco […]

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  8. 5 Tips for Using Dried Herbs in Cooking | Produce for Kids says:
    July 20, 2018 at 11:50 am

    […] Make your own spice mixes. Many pre-packaged mixes are high in sodium and other preservatives. So I like making my own to control ingredients and most importantly, heat. Because some taco seasonings are spicy for my kiddos taste buds! Here’s our kid-approved homemade taco seasoning. […]

    Reply
  9. Registered Dietitian-Approved Heart-Healthy Eating Tips for Your Family | Produce for Kids says:
    August 4, 2018 at 1:30 pm

    […] and Salt – instead, use herbs and spices to flavor foods (give this homemade taco seasoning a […]

    Reply

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Katie Serbinski at Mom to Mom Nutrition

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Hi, I’m Katie! Registered Dietitian, Mom, and Mealtime Negotiator. I’m on a mission to make mealtime happier, healthier, and easier with small children, despite what my 4 picky eaters have me believing. From family-friendly recipes to confessions about my unfiltered motherhood moments, I hope you grab a seat at my kitchen table!
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