Home » DIY Recipes » Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix
by Stephanie Manley, Last Updated 35 Comments
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Homemade taco seasoning mix can be used in place of the more expensive pre-packaged taco seasoning at the store. Blend together spices out of your own kitchen to create your own spice mix.
You can save money by making your own taco seasoning and it’s just as tasty as what you get in store-bought packets.
Table of Contents
Why Homemade is Best
It is so easy to make your own homemade mix. All you need to do is measure out a few ingredients that you already have in your pantry.
Why not save money and make your own taco seasoning mix? I have been making this mix for almost 15 years. It is easy to do and I always have these ingredients on hand.
If you like a little variety you can add or subtract ingredients. For example, sometimes I add oregano or even a little chipotle powder. Who doesn’t love it when they can save some money?
Store-bought mixes often have maltodextrin, corn starch, corn flour, wheat flour, and silicon dioxide. Maltodextrin is a highly processed powder made from corn, rice, potatoes, or wheat and it’s high on the glycemic index.
Homemade is so much better than any of the packaged ones, including McCormick, Old El Paso, Lawry’s, and Ortega. The spices in my blend are most similar to those in the McCormick packet.
Healthy Taco Seasoning
Making taco seasoning from scratch is the best way to get the healthiest mix. There are no fillers or mystery ingredients.
What I really love about this recipe is that if you are in are on a low-sodium diet this taco seasoning is perfect for you. It has no salt in the mix.
I know a lot of people are looking for low salt alternatives and this one works well. I hate having salt predetermined for you, I always would prefer to add in salt myself.
This seasoning blend is also gluten-free, low carb, keto-friendly, paleo, and sugar-free.
Why Make Taco Seasoning
It’s easy to do, and I bet you already have everything you need to make this taco seasoning in your pantry.
By making spice mixes at home, you save yourself from too much salt, preservatives, and hopefully, you can save a few dollars over time as well.
If you like your mix spicier, or even smokey, you have the option to customize your personal spice blend the way you enjoy it.
Taco Seasoning Ingredients
So, just what is in taco seasoning? It usually is a mix of earthy spices with a hot and spicy flavors. Here’s what’s in this recipe:
- Chili powder
- Paprika
- Cumin
- Dehydrated onion
- Garlic powder
- Dried oregano
- Cayenne Pepper
Ingredient Notes
Use fresh spices for the best flavor. Check the expiration dates if you’ve had any of them in your pantry for a while. Spices lose flavor over time. Some can even go rancid.
You want to make the best taco meat seasoning for your ground beef, chicken, or fish tacos. Using fresh, quality spices helps to ensure vibrant flavors in the mix.
How to Make Taco Seasoning
- Measure the ingredients and place them in a bowl.
- Stir or whisk to thoroughly combine.
That’s it! DIY taco seasoning is so simple.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much taco seasoning equals one packet?
The typical taco seasoning packet contains about 3 tablespoons to use with 1 pound of ground beef. I recommend the same amount for homemade mix.
How long does homemade taco seasoning last?
It can last up to 6 months when stored in a cool, dry place. Be sure to label or mark the container so you know when it was made.
How to store taco seasoning?
Store homemade taco seasoning in an airtight container. A spice jar or small mason jar works great for storage.
Recipes to Use Taco Seasoning
- Easy Taco Soup
- Ground Beef Tacos
- Taco Bowl Recipe
- Taco Casserole with Tortillas
- Taco Cornbread Casserole
- Taco Ring Recipe
- Taco Spaghetti Casserole
More DIY Recipes
- 2 Alarm Chili
- Cajun Spice Mix
- Homemade Bisquick
- Pumpkin Pie Spice
- Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa
- Steak Seasoning
- Vanilla Sugar
Check out more of my easy Mexican food recipes and the best DIY recipes here on CopyKat!
Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix
Save money and make a healthy low sodium/salt free, gluten free, low carb, and keto taco seasoning mix.
5 from 18 votes
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Gluten Free, Homemade Taco Seasoning, Salt Free, Taco Seasoning Mix
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 53kcal
Author: Stephanie Manley
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons chili powder
- 5 tablespoons paprika
- 5 tablespoons cumin
- 2 1/2 tablespoons dehydrated onion
- 2 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
Place all ingredients in a bowl and stir or whisk to mix them together well.
Use 3 tablespoons of mix with 3/4 cup of water to one pound of ground beef.
Video
Notes
This should be stored in an airtight container for up to six months.
Equipment
Nutrition
Calories: 53kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 109mg | Potassium: 326mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 4038IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 74mg | Iron: 5mg
About Stephanie Manley
I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.
Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.
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Reader Interactions
Comments
Dave Cuthbert
Excellent! I have looked and looked for a low sodium recipe and this is it. Thank you.Reply
Judy Shea
My favorite taco seasoning mix by far ❤❤❤Reply
Shayna
I would LOVE a copykat recipe for a CHEESY taco seasoning, like the one Mccormick makes. It’s amazing, but not always in stock. Maybe I’ll throw in some powdered cheese and milk in this recipe and see if that’s close enough.
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Stephanie
Thank you for your suggestion.
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Ray
How will this work for ground turkey? Trying to find turkey alternatives to beef
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Stephanie
I think this would work just fine.
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From Scratch
Is this hot? Used another at home recipe and it was too spicy hot for my children.
Thanks!Reply
Joie
Can you please let us know what the nutritional information is for the Taco Seasoning Mix—-especially—is there any sodium content in it? Thank you very much.
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Stephanie
This recipe contains no salt.
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Charline Bridgeman
There is no table salt added, but, it is not sodium free. When I searched for each ingredient, I was surprised, except for oregano, by the amount of sodium in each one with chili powder being the highest.
Melanie
It’s 3/4 cup of water, not one. Otherwise good spices.
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I added MSG to this mix. We use a lot of it at home in lieu of salt because it contains 1/3 less sodium. A healthy alternative for the majority of folks that have no medical issues with MSG.
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Stephanie Manley
A lot of people don’t like to use MSG. I know it makes things taste a lot better though.
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I have found, as you must have, that if something is repeated enough times, it then becomes gospel but with no basis. I saw it on the internet, so it must be true kind of thing. That is what has happened to MSG over these many years. For whatever reason MSG became an underground, not to be spoken of in mixed company item. There are a small majority of people that do get headaches from it. I have never met them but I do know that they are out there. Their complaint is genuine and they never order take-out from China Garden etc. It is a food enhancer of which there are few equals and it is healthier than using straight salt. Maybe some of your many followers will respond to their reasons for not using MSG, other than medical reasons. I would be very interested in the other side of the coin on this issue. We love MSG and use it almost daily.
Elgog Partynipple
MSG, or monosodium glutamate is a natural product originally extracted from seaweed. Its primary component is glutamate, sodium (salt) was added as a preservative shortly after its discovery in the early 20th century in Japan. Today it is made from yeast. Glutamate is a taste often called Umami and is found mostly in meat. Today package ingredients call it Yeast Extract or Autolyzed Yeast Extract so they don’t have to use MSG in their packaging. It’s not some chemical mixture from a secret lab with mad scientists. I think this “Ingredients you can pronounce” trend is damaging the food industry, although I agree manufacturers have gone overboard with some of the stuff they put in food.
lisa cowgill
Thanks so much! I just made this and it was fabulous. It will save money and it’s healthier too. I hate buying processed mixes. Yummy and convenient. Didn’t have the ceyanne pepper but threw in some hot sauce and it was great. Thanks again!Reply
stephaniemanley
Thank you Lisa. This is one of my favorite ways to make taco seasoning, its quick, easy, and chances are you already have what you need in the pantry.
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Grace A. Romo
I’m so happy to have joined this group I love making Taco meat and using taco mix in my dips with sour cream my family goes nuts over it. So with that being said, I have purchased dozens and dozens of taco packages. This will save money.Thank you
Grace A. RomoReply
Anonymous
I love that it is salt free!!!
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Stephanie
Thanks for your comment. I know a lot of us are watching our salt intake.
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stephaniemanley
Me too! I think that is one of the biggest benefits of making your own taco seasoning mix. No salt.
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Charline Bridgeman
It is not salt-free. Personally, I’d leave out the chili powder. That ingredient has 131mg of sodium. But, it isn’t fair to judge if I have not tried it yet and I haven’t. If one is really watching their salt intake closely though, it is worth a try to leave that one ingredient out.
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Stephanie
Great point that some chili powder may have salt in it, I don’t think that all do. I buy mine from Penzey’s. Here is their ingredient list. https://www.penzeys.com/online-catalog/regular-chili-powder/c-24/p-55/pd-s
Great videos! I will be making these for dinner tonight, No more packets for us thanks for the ratios on ingridients.
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Kim
Why is it refrigerated? The spices don’t need refrigeration do they?
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Stephanie
I have no idea why I said that 😉 I’ll try to edit that out of my vocal if possible.
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I have been wanting the recipe but have been to lazy to look it up! 🙂 THANK YOU!
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Stephanie Manley
Glad to help out!
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Judy Nutzmann
Thanks for the recipe, because I am allergic to MSG, there are very few packaged items I can use so I always appreciate someone sharing recipies for MSG free, the label has to actually say NO MSG.
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stephaniemanley
That is one of the things I like most about making mixes from scratch it is easy to edit out ingredients you don’t want to put in. I can understand how you feel about MSG.Reply
Thanks for this! These are spices I have in my pantry and I can’t believe I haven’t made my own blend!
-Ms B
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Rita
Thanks for this! I like it because we are a low sodium family and do as much as I can, homemade. Check out the sodium levels in that prepackaged stuff!
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Sylvia
This looks great, however “expensive” isn’t probaby the words I would use to describe taco seasoning mix.. You can get it for like. 60 cents to free with coupons and deals. I would like to try my own however.. thanks for the ideas!
-Sylvia
Maybe the word should have used is to be frugal, make your own. I really, really, hate to buy a mix, when I have everything on hand. I don’t always have coupons, and I like the way I can flavor up my own seasoning mix, I love cumin, so I always double up on the cumin. I have a tiny spice cabinet, and any additional package or bottle is about 3 too many in that cabinet 😉 – StephanieReply
Thanks, that’s a very interesting idea, I honestly never thought of trying to make my own. I always just buy the packets. I look forward to tweaking it for more and less spice.
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And that taco seasoning mix recipe is THE BEST! I’ve wondered for so many years about the spices and the ratios and this recipe answers the question 100%
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