This Homemade Taco Seasoning recipe is super easy to make and flavorful. It’s way better than store packages. Made with spices you probably already have in your pantry, this blend will add a little excitement to just about anything. The recipe includes step-by-step instructions and lots of tips.
Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe Highlights
I have many spice blends in my spice cabinet that I make myself. They are so easy to make. I love them because I can get as creative as I want, and they can be easily customized for my family’s taste. Plus, I am avoiding all additives, preservatives, and coloring that the store-bought mixes usually have.
This Homemade Spicy Taco Seasoning recipe is super easy and way better than store packages. Made of natural spices, this recipe creates the most delicious dishes ever! It goes on any kind of meat. I’ve used it on beef, chicken, turkey, pork, shrimp, potatoes, as a meat rub (obvi), etc. This hot and tasty blend adds a little excitement to just about anything.
I often triple or quadruple the recipe and store it in a big airtight jar, so it’s handy when I need it. It’s a great time-and-money saver.
So quit the store-bought taco seasoning packets and take your seasoning skills to the next level. It’s delish and healthier!
Benefits of Making Your Own Taco Seasoning
- It’s a great time-and-money saver.
- It does not have all additives, preservatives, and coloring that the store-bought mixes usually have.
- You can adapt it to your taste! Want it less spicy? Reduce the amount of chipotle chili pepper. Get as creative as you want – it’s your taco seasoning, after all.
- It adds an incredible amount of flavor to all kinds of dishes! I’ve used it on beef, chicken, turkey, pork, shrimp, potatoes, as a meat rub, and the list goes on.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Please check the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact quantities and detailed instructions (scroll down).
Ingredients Notes & Substitutions
- Ground Chipotle Chili Pepper: These are dried and smoked jalapeños. They have a rich, charred flavor and intense heat. If you want your mix to be very mild, I recommend reducing this to half and adding more ancho chile powder instead. This is the one I use, Chipotle Powder.
- Ancho Chile Powder: It’s fruity, earthy, and relatively mild. It’s very tasty and not too spicy! This is the one I use, Ancho Chile Pepper Powder.
- Chili Powder: This is American-style chili powder, which is a blend of a few different varieties of dried chiles. This can be found in most American groceries stores, and the flavor can vary between brands. I know this is difficult to find outside the USA, so if not available, substitute for more and ancho chile powder.
- Ground Coriander: Add citrus flavor to the mix.
- Ground Cumin: This spice is very common in Latin-American kitchens. It adds a warm and earthy flavor.
- Garlic Powder: Gives it a fragrant garlic aroma.
- Onion Powder: This is a subtle onion flavor you will not want to skip even if you are not a fan of onions. The taste is subtle but adds another layer of flavor.
- Paprika: Adds a smokey flavor without being too overpowering. You can also use smoked paprika if you want.
- Dried Oregano: A nice balance between sweet and spicy. I use regular dried oregano, but you can also use Mexican oregano.
- Salt & Black Pepper: These two ingredients help round out the seasoning and bring all of the flavors together.
How to Make Taco Seasoning at Home
- Combine all spices in a bowl.
- Mix the spices together until fully combined.
- Store in an airtight container.
PRO-TIP: I like to use a kitchen funnel to transfer my taco seasoning to the storage jar without spilling it.
How Much Homemade Taco Seasoning Should I Use
I recommend using 1 tablespoon of seasoning per pound of meat for a mild kick. However, you can use more to increase the flavor and spiciness or less for a mild flavor.
Storing Instructions
To store, simply place it in an airtight container or jar covered with a lid. My favorite way to store it is in mason jars. I often quadruple this recipe to have it on hand for use all year long. Yes…I said a year! Ground and dried herbs have a long shelf life, and since this recipe is made of both – it does too!
Frequently Asked Questions
My homemade season blend is made with all-natural pantry spices that you probably already have in your kitchen at this very moment, such as chipotle chile, ancho chile, garlic, onion, etc. if you don’t have any of them, they are easy to find at most grocery stores.
The flavor of this blend is not the spicy, fiery kind. It’s more like mild. A little goes a long way when it comes to this Homemade Spicy Taco Seasoning. So if you want just a little “kick” of heat, I recommend using a tablespoon per pound of meat. Feel free to use more or less to tone down the heat or kick it up to your liking.
Store your homemade taco seasoning in an airtight container and keep it in a cool, dark place. It should last for at least six months.
This taco seasoning is super versatile! My favorite way to use it is to flavor meat for tacos. But it is also a great addition to soups, stews, dips, as a meat rub, and so much more.
It makes about 1 cup = 16 tablespoons.
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Recipe Card 📖
Flavorful Homemade Taco Seasoning (Spicy)
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Ground Chipotle Chili Pepper
- 1/4 cup Ancho Chile Powder
- 2 tablespoons Chili Powder
- 3 tablespoons Ground Coriander
- 2 tablespoons Ground Cumin
- 1 tablespoon Garlic Powder
- 1 tablespoon Onion Powder
- 1 tablespoon Paprika
- 1 tablespoon Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Dried Oregano
Important
Don’t forget to check out the step-by-step photos above in the post—they’ll guide you through the process and make everything super clear!
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a bowl and whisk to combine well. Transfer to a jar with lid and use as need it.
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Originally posted in March 2021, the post content was edited to add more helpful information, with no change to the recipe in September 2022.
I’d love to make this but can’t find some of the ingredients. Where do you find chipolte and ancho chilii powder? I can’t find them in any grocery nor in the Mexican grocery. Amazon charges outrageous prices for things like this…usually more than twice the cost in a store.
Hello Sara! I usually get my Mexican chiles in my local Latin store or at Amazon. I guess it will depend on where you are located. I hope you can find them soon. Thanks for your interest in my recipe.
This is definitely the ULTIMATE taco seasoning.
Hello Dorothea! So glad you enjoyed this recipe. Thanks so much for trying my recipe and taking the time to come back and let me know!
Love this blend, always have it on hand, thanks so much!
Hello Adriene! I love it too, and use it a lot. Thanks so much for your feedback and for trying my recipe =)
This spice blend we crave in our home and miss it if I go too long without including in one of our dishes.
So glad you like this recipe. I always have it handy. Thanks so much for trying my recipe and taking the time to come back and let me know!