Our Favourite Homemade Taco Seasoning 

Taco night is a regular occurrence in our house. It’s quick, easy, and everyone’s happy! I love it when no one complains about what’s for dinner!

But here’s the thing… I stopped buying those taco seasoning packets ages ago. Once I started mixing up my own, there was just no going back. This homemade taco seasoning is so simple, way more affordable, and the best part? I can tweak it to fit our taste buds. Which, let’s be real, most of us are not built for spicy food.

I love that the savings add up too. Overall, this homemade version costs just a fraction of what you’d spend on the packaged kind.

I like to make a small jar each time and keep it in the pantry so we’re always ready when a taco craving hits (which is often). It’s perfect for ground meat, chicken, or even veggies if we’re going the meatless route. And yes, I’ve totally used it on roasted potatoes and in soups too—it’s that good.

Why I Love This Homemade Taco Seasoning:

• It’s customizable. You can control the heat, the salt, and the flavour balance.
• It saves money. Those little packets may seem cheap, but the homemade version costs pennies per use—and uses spices you probably already have.
• No mystery ingredients. Just simple, real pantry spices. No preservatives, no weird fillers.
• It’s super quick. Takes five minutes (if that!) to mix together.

If you haven’t tried making your own taco seasoning yet, this is your sign. It’s one of those little kitchen swaps that feels like a win every time you use it.

Want the recipe? Here’s the blend I use, feel free to tweak it to your liking!

4.5 from 2 votes

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Homemade Taco Seasoning

Ingredients

• 4 Tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes optional
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 6 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons salt more or less to taste
• 4 teaspoons black pepper more or less to taste

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl.

2. Add to a spice jar or small mason jar.

3. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of this mixture plus 1/2 to 3/4 cup of water to one pound of cooked meat.

Here are some other homemade seasonings you may enjoy:

• Everything Bagel Seasoning Recipe
• DIY Italian Seasoning Mix
• Homemade Greek Seasoning
• 7 Seasoning Spice Recipes You Can Make At Home