This is the best homemade taco seasoning mix recipe you can make at home with your own herbs, spices and blends. You'll never want to use store bought packets again. It's loaded with chili powder, paprika, cumin, garlic, onion and more. Perfect for tacos, but also for burritos, chicken, burgers, nachos and so much more!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
It's time to throw away that packet of taco seasoning. My Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix is going to bring your tacos to a whole new flavor level.
Whether it's Taco Tuesday, a super quick meal at the end of a long day, or simply your favorite dish, tacos are something the whole family can enjoy.
This is my favorite taco seasoning mix, and it's easy to customize for your family!
Let me show you how to make it.
Key Ingredients
- Chili Powder. You can use an American blend, but I am using equal parts ancho powder, guajillo powder, and New Mexican chili powder blend.
- Paprika.
- Ground Cumin.
- Garlic Powder.
- Onion Powder.
- Mexican Oregano. You can sub in more common dried oregano if needed.
- Sea Salt or Kosher Salt and Black Pepper.
- Red Chili Flakes.
- Cornmeal. Optional, as a thickener.
How to Make Taco Seasoning
- In a small bowl, add all ingredients and mix well.
- Use as you would use any store bought brand of taco seasoning.
- Enjoy!
Personalize Your Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix
I like to make my own blends for different meals, especially tacos, and this is one of my go-to mixes. It’s simple but flavorful, built on chili powder with cumin, salt, garlic, and basil, plus cornmeal to thicken the taco meat so it’s saucy, not watery. From there, it’s easy to tweak the ingredients to match the flavor profile you like best.
Smoky & Earthy
Love that deep, smoky taco flavor?
- Add: 1 teaspoon smoked paprika and 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder per batch
- Reduce: Chili powder by 1 1/2 teaspoons
- Optional: Add 1/4 teaspoon cocoa powder for extra depth
Extra Garlicky
If you’re a garlic lover:
- Add: 1-2 extra teaspoons garlic powder
- Reduce: Chili powder by 1 teaspoon to keep the balance
- Optional: Add 1/2 teaspoon onion powder for more savory punch
Superhot (For Chiliheads)
Wait until you try my superhot version.
- Add: 1/4-1/2 teaspoon ghost pepper powder per batch (start small)
- Optional: Add 1/2 teaspoon cayenne for a more rounded, lingering heat
- Tip: Keep the cumin and garlic the same so the heat doesn’t overpower all the flavor
Mild & Family-Friendly
Need something the whole family can enjoy?
- Add: 1-2 teaspoons sweet paprika
- Reduce: Chili powder by 1-2 teaspoons
- Skip: Cayenne or any superhot powders
- Optional: A tiny pinch of sugar (1/4 teaspoon) to soften the edges
Bright & Herby
For a fresher, more aromatic blend:
- Add: 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano and 1/2 teaspoon dried basil or cilantro
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander for a citrusy note
- Reduce: Chili powder by 1 teaspoon if you don’t want it too bold
Lower Sodium
Want to cut back on salt without losing flavor?
- Reduce or remove: Salt to your preference
- Add: 1 teaspoon onion powder and a bit more Mexican oregano
- Optional: Finish your cooked taco meat with a squeeze of lime instead of extra salt
Store in their own spice jars. You can also work in other dried chili powders to make the blend uniquely yours:
- Ancho powder
- Jalapeño powder
- Chipotle powder
- Smoked or sweet paprika
- Spicy chili flakes / red pepper flakes
So many wonderful options. Got a special ingredient you like to use? Do tell, if you feel like spilling a secret.
You can even dehydrate your own chili peppers, then grind them into powders to add your own truly one-of-a-kind elements to the mix.
What to Make with My Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe?
Make anything you'd normally make with your old store bought taco seasoning or old packaged taco seasoning, including tacos (fish tacos, ground beef tacos, chicken tacos, you name it!), fajitas, nachos, taco bowls, burritos and burrito bowls, taco salad, so much more.
Try it on this Homemade Crunchwrap Supreme Recipe. Yum!
Consider is as a seasoning for making burgers or spicing up grilled meats. It will feel like you're eating a Mexican style burger. I personally love it as a rub for making grilled chicken.
You can use this taco seasoning with ground turkey, ground beef, ground chicken, ground pork, or any chopped meats, and even shrimp and seafood. It will season up just about any type of meat.
How Much Homemade Taco Seasoning Equals 1 Packet?
When making tacos with ground meats, use a ratio of 2 tablespoons taco seasoning mix to 1/2 cup water to 1 pound of ground beef or other meat.
To double this, use 4 tablespoons taco seasoning mix to 1 cup water to 2 pounds of meat.
Such a great recipe. Great for any spicy food lover. Naturally gluten free.
It's taco time!
If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you'll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don't forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I'll be sure to share! Thanks! -- Mike H.
Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons chili powder (Use an American chili powder blend - I use equal parts ancho, guajillo, and New Mexican chili powders)
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon cornmeal (optional, as a thickener)
Instructions
- Get Mixing. Simply mix together all of your ingredients, including red chili powder, paprika, cumin, cornmeal, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, pepper and chili flakes (if using) in a medium sized bowl. Use a fork to blend the mixture as evenly as possible.
- Get Cooking or Store It. It's time to get cooking! Go make some tacos or burritos, or store it in an airtight container until you're ready to use it.
- Easily Double or Triple the Recipe. You can also double or triple this recipe very easily to make yourself a big batch. Make it family size and use it all month long.
Video
Notes
Storing Homemade Taco Seasoning
Store in an airtight container like a mason jar and keep it a cool, dark place, like a spice cabinet or pantry.How Long Does Taco Seasoning Last?
Homemade taco seasoning will last 6 months or longer, but is best used within 3 months, as it will start to lose freshness.Nutrition Information
Try it Out on these Taco Recipes
Check Out Some of My Other Homemade Seasoning Blends
This post was updated on 12/4/25 to include new video, photos and information. It was originally published on 2/25/15.
Kari says
Just tried this and I think it turned out awesome! Great flavour for my Mexican Surprise Casserole. I did add some chipotle pepper powder to it. I would use this again for sure.
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks so much, Kari! Very happy you enjoyed it! Nice touch with the chipotle.
Skip Crough says
Thanks for the reply. That's interesting. I'll give it a try.
Mike Hultquist says
Sure thing, enjoy!!
Skip Crough says
Hello,
You listed as the "optional, as a thickener", corn meal. Could you have meant corn starch? That is the ingredient McCormick uses as their thickener.
Mike Hultquist says
Skip, I actually do use corn "meal", though you can use corn flour as well. They are different, but will work similarly for this. Enjoy.
Ckip Crough says
Thanks for the reply. That's interesting. I'll give it a try.
Mike Hultquist says
Absolutely!
Alison Stukkie says
How much taco seasoning do I use per lb of meat?
Mike Hultquist says
This is discussed in the post, Alison: "When making tacos with ground meats, use a ratio of 2 tablespoons taco seasoning mix to 1/2 cup water to 1 pound of ground beef or other meat.". Enjoy!
LORIE J SOUTHERLAND says
Love this!! and I can make it my own 🙂
Mike Hultquist says
Yes! Thanks!
Andrew says
This was the perfect seasoning! Trying to cut out salt, so no more store bought stuff. Added some cayenne powder for some extra spice and that did the trick. I don't have any ghost pepper around, but I might have to change that.
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, Andrew! Glad you enjoyed it! Yes, a great mix here. Definitely my favorite way to make it.
Natalie S Johnson says
This seasoning is wonderful!! Thank you!
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, Natalie!
Kathy says
This was wonderful, full of flavor, and very flexible, we added some home dried pepper flakes for a bit more heat. Also, really liked the cornmeal for a thickener. Keep up the great recipes. We appreciate you very much. :^
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks, Kathy!
Charles Pascual says
Just made tacos with this seasoning and they were terrific. Followed your recipe with the substitutio of masa for corn meal as Rusty Zimmerman recommended. This is good stuff and is now my go-to seasoning mix.
Rusty Zimmerman says
Very good recipe, I have been using masa as a thickener it seems to work better than the corn meal Thanks for sharing
Dianne says
This is my go to taco seasoning. I always triple the batch so I always have some on hand. Thanks for sharing Mike
Mike Hultquist says
Thanks so much, Dianne! I really appreciate it. =)
Natalie says
Where do you get your Mexican oregano from and what brand do you recommend? (I apologize if the was already asked/answered)
Mike Hultquist says
Natalie, I found some at a local Mexican market, but you can order online as well. No particular brand.
Natalie says
Thank you! I can't wait to make this so I can make your Taco Soup!!
Joe says
Is guajillo chili powder the second spice you mention in taco seasoning video? If yes, is it a blend or straight chil powder.
Mike Hultquist says
Joe, yes, it is guajillo powder. It's a straight chili powder from ground guajillo peppers.