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Taco Seasoning

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close up overhead shot of a jar full of Taco Seasoning
Make your own homemade taco seasoning with a handful of pantry staples and add an extra rich flavor to your next taco night.
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Table of Contents
  1. TACO SEASONING INGREDIENTS
  2. HOW TO MAKE THIS TACO SEASONING RECIPE
  3. HOW TO SERVE
  4. STORAGE
  5. MORE RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE
  6. JUMP TO RECIPE

Taco Tuesday is a staple in many homes and this taco seasoning recipe will add extra rich flavor to your night. A variety of spices are mixed together to season your meat of choice before you add all those tasty and fun toppings to your tacos.

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Our taco pasta salad and taco pie are two great ways to use this homemade taco seasoning.

close up shot of a mason jar filled with Taco Seasoning with a wooden spoon

TACO SEASONING INGREDIENTS

Taco Seasoning raw ingredients that are labeled

You will need:

  • 4 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons ground cumin
  • 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons oregano
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADDITIONS

HEAT: Cayenne pepper adds a spicy kick to recipes. If you are looking for a milder flavor, you could omit the cayenne pepper in this easy homemade taco seasoning recipe. If you like spicy foods and are looking for something even spicier, add a dash of red pepper flakes to your mix.

CORNSTARCH: If you do not wish to put the cornstarch in your taco meat seasoning, that is fine. The cornstarch is what gives the “packet” effect of making your ground beef for tacos have a slight sauce to it. It will taste delicious either way. 

MEAT: This great seasoning would work well for any ground meat you wish to use for taco meat. Try it with a pound of ground beef, ground chicken, ground turkey or ground pork.

HOW TO MAKE THIS TACO SEASONING RECIPE

PRO TIP:

You can use 3 tablespoons of seasoning blend in any recipe that calls for a packet of taco seasoning mix.

The great thing about this DIY taco seasoning is that it keeps for up to a year. If you are a lover of tacos and make them frequently, you could make up a larger batch of this mix and store it.

STEP ONE: In a small bowl or a ½ pint mason jar, combine all the above ground spices. Stir well to combine.

PRO TIP:

Mason jars make great spice containers for your homemade spice blends. They are easy to stack in your pantry, and you can buy them in bulk for a reasonable price.

Taco Seasoning process shot of seasoning ingredients on a plate and ingredients mixed together in a mason jar

HOW TO SERVE

Use this spicy taco blend to flavor your ground meat on taco night. Serve up your tacos in hard or soft taco shells with a variety of toppings including tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, sour cream, salsa and guacamole.

STORAGE

IN THE SPICE CABINET: This taco seasoning spice blend can be stored in a sealed airtight container in your spice cupboard for up to 1 year.

close up shot of a mason jar filled with Taco Seasoning

Leave the taco seasoning packet at the grocery store and make your own taco seasoning right in your own kitchen. Spicy and full of flavor, this taco seasoning mix recipe is the perfect way to season your ground beef or chicken for tacos.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How long can I store taco seasoning mix?

You can store your own seasoning for up to a year in a sealed container in your pantry.

Do I need to add water to this seasoning like the packet seasoning calls for?

Usually packets of taco seasoning call for ⅓ cup water when adding to the meat. You should follow whatever recipe you are using this for but if it is for a regular taco recipe, you should add water to the seasoning and meat when you sprinkle it into the frying pan. 

Can I make a milder version of this taco seasoning?

You can reduce or leave out the cayenne pepper for a milder flavor.

MORE RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE

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close up overhead shot of a jar full of Taco Seasoning

Taco Seasoning

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Make your own homemade taco seasoning with a handful of pantry staples and add an extra rich flavor to your next taco night.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons ground cumin
  • 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons oregano
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl or a ½ pint mason jar, combine all the above spices. Stir well to combine.
  • This taco seasoning spice blend can be stored in a sealed container for up to 1 year in the pantry.

Notes

Tips:
You can use 3 tablespoons (1 ounce) of this spice blend in any recipe that calls for a ‘packet’ of taco seasoning mix.
If you do not wish to put the cornstarch in your spice blend, that is fine. The cornstarch is what gives the “packet” effect of making your ground beef for tacos have a slight sauce to it. It will taste delicious either way.
If you like more or less, heat to your tacos, you can adjust the amount of cayenne pepper accordingly.
Mason jars make great spice containers for your homemade spice blends. They are easy to stack in your pantry, and you can buy them in bulk for a reasonable price.

Nutrition

Calories: 288kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 7541mg | Potassium: 1368mg | Fiber: 21g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 17031IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 348mg | Iron: 19mg
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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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