Homemade Taco Seasoning – a super easy homemade seasoning mix with big bold warm flavors made from pantry staple ingredients. It comes together in no time and it’s more affordable and tastier. Great with your favorite meat or stews!

I have always been a big big fan of homemade seasonings. They’re easy to make and can be easily customized depending on your preference. Although store-bought seasonings are delicious, the thing that keeps me on my toes is the amount of salt. I can barely stand too much salt in any seasoning mix as they over power the real flavor.

With homemade seasonings, I can certainly cut back the salt, adjust a few spice here and there to suit my liking. And they taste even more delicious than store-bought!

What Is In Taco Seasoning?

We also love Mexican recipes here at home, especially my son. Here in L.A., we’re simply blessed with a wider and more diverse cuisines. And since Cinco de Mayo (or May 5th; an annual celebration of Mexican-American culture in the U.S.) is just around the corner, it is just proper to honor the fusion of these cultures with a fantastic seasoning that is also just in time for the summer season.

A taco seasoning mix uses ingredients that you probably have in your pantry.

Chili Powder. Also known to some as chile, chilli (British English) powder or powdered chili. This spice is a popular one here in the U.S. particularly in the Tex-Mex cuisine. It came from the dried and pulverized fruit of one or varieties of chili pepper and comprises the biggest portion of our Homemade Taco Seasoning.

Cumin. This earthy, peppery and nutty spice is a dried seed of an herb called Cuminum cyminum, part of the parsley family.

Paprika. It’s a ground spice from the dried fruits of the larger and sweeter kind of pepper we all know as bell pepper. Paprika adds color and warmth to any dish without the heat.

Crushed Pepper Flakes. If you’ve noticed other homemade taco seasoning recipes, they contain cayenne pepper. But in our case here, I decided to use crushed pepper flakes which usually comes from different varieties of dried red chili pepper including its outer skin, veins and of course seeds for an additional pop of flavor and heat.

For an aromatic touch in this seasoning mix, we add garlic and onion powder along with dried oregano and black pepper.

I prefer my seasoning without salt, so I can easily follow any recipe without the need to adjust the amount of salt the recipe calls for. Feel free to add a bit of salt though, if preferred.

What Is The Difference Between Taco and Fajita Seasoning?

There’s a little difference between the two though. They are certainly almost alike except that Taco Seasoning contains pepper flakes, oregano and a higher portion of chili powder to give it a more punch. Fajita seasoning has a subtler flavor compared to taco seasoning.

How To Make Homemade Taco Seasoning?

Homemade seasonings are actually easier than you think it is. It is as easy as mixing all the ingredients in one bowl and pouring it over in a an airtight container for storage. Yes, as easy as that! Once you make this, you will never ever go back to store-bought taco seasoning.

How To Use Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix?

You’ll never run out of ways to use this easy Homemade Taco Seasoning. This works perfectly with any ground meat like ground beef, pork or chicken and even pork or chicken cutlets. For those who love some heat and big bold flavors in their beans, you can certainly add this seasoning mix, too. It can be added to almost anything you want! For Friday movie nights, we love snacking on some homemade taco-seasoned popcorn. 😉

More Easy Homemade Seasonings For You

Below are some simple and easy Homemade Seasoning that you can stash in your cupboard.

Creole Seasoning

Italian Seasoning

Jerk Seasoning

Steak Seasoning

Green Seasoning/ Sauce

Enjoy!

Tips and Notes:

If you prefer your taco seasoning mild, you can leave out the red pepper flakes.
If you like it on the hot side, add more red pepper flakes and/or cayenne.
Store homemade taco seasoning in a cool dry place like your kitchen spice cupboard, for up to 6 months.