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You are here: Home / Tacos / Taco Seasoning

Taco Seasoning

Douglas Cullen, This blog generates income via ads and affiliate links which earn us a small commission.

Sazonador para Tacos

Never use taco seasoning packets again. Blend your own taco seasoning. It’s super easy and you can adjust it to your exact taste.

Mild to Spicy – Your Choice

You start with a mild base of paprika, powdered onion, powdered garlic, lemon pepper, tablespoon black pepper, ground cumin, dried parsley, and dried oregano. Then, you add or subtract spices as desired. Perfect for preparing ground beef or shredded chicken taco fillings.

Homemade Taco Seasoning in Mixing Bowl

In Mexico, we don’t actually use a lot of pre-made spice mixes but this is a great one to have on hand. It’s versatile and you can use it for more than just seasoning taco meat.

Ingredient List

Here is the spice blend you will need. All are common pantry items.

  • 3 tablespoons paprika
  • 2 tablespoons onion powder
  • 2 tablespoons garlic powder
  • ½ tablespoon lemon pepper
  • 1/ tablespoon black pepper
  • ½ tablespoon ground cumin
  • ½ tablespoon dried parsley
  • ½ tablespoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes or Cayenne pepper (optional if you want a hotter mix)

Salt is Important

The recipe intentionally doesn’t include salt which allows you to salt your dishes exactly to your preferences. When you are salting your dish we recommend adding ½ tsp. of salt at time then tasting it. Continue adding ½ tsp. at a time and tasting until the flavor pops and the level of saltiness is just right for you.

Plate of ingredients to make homemade Mexican taco seasoning

How to Make

The seasoning is super easy to put together. First, rub the oregano and parsley between the palms of your hands until it is nearly a powder.

Then put all of the ingredients in a small mixing bowl and stir until the ingredients are equally dispersed. That’s it. Easy peasy.

Mixing Bowl with Homemade Taco Seasoning

Your seasoning mix is ready to use. We like to use 1 tablespoon of seasoning per 1 pound of meat. You can use more or less depending on how you like your food seasoned.

Small Bowl of Homemade Taco Seasoning

Store in a tightly sealed container for up to 3 months. Small Mason jars are great for storing your mix.

Many Uses for Your DIY Taco Seasoning

You can use this taco seasoning mix for more than just taco meat. Try it for the following dishes:

  • Beef tacos.
  • Chicken tacos.
  • Fajitas.
  • Seasoning meatloaf. This will give your meatloaf a big flavor boost.
  • As a rub for baked chicken.
  • Seasoning for shrimp. Great for making shrimp tacos.
  • Seasoning roasted vegetables. It’s particularly good on roasted red potatoes.
  • Seasoning lentils.
  • Seasoning beans.
  • To replace chili powder when making chili.
  • Making soups.
  • Use it just about on any dish when you need a flavor boost.

You’ll never use a store-bought packet of taco seasoning again. This blend is too easy and too delicious.

Makes a Great Gift

A batch of your homemade mix in a pretty glass jar makes a great gift for someone in your life who loves to cook.

What else will you use it for? Let us know!

Bowl of Homemade Taco Seasoning
Print
4.22 from 37 votes

Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe

Easy to make, mild, homemade, taco seasoning prepared with paprika, powdered onion, powdered garlic, lemon pepper, tablespoon black pepper, ground cumin, dried parsley, and dried oregano.
Course Condiment
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword Homemade Taco Seasoning, How to Make Taco Seasoning, Taco Seasoning Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 minute
Servings 8 prepared dishes
Calories 26kcal
Author Douglas Cullen

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoon paprika
  • 2 tablespoon onion powder
  • 2 tablespoon garlic powder
  • ½ tablespoon lemon pepper
  • ½ tablespoon black pepper
  • ½ tablespoon ground cumin
  • ½ tablespoon dried parsley
  • ½ tablespoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional if you want a hotter seasoning)

Instructions

  • First, rub the oregano and parsley between the palms of your hands until it is nearly a powder.
  • Then put all of the ingredients in a small mixing bowl and stir until the ingredients are equally dispersed.

Notes

  • Use 1 tablespoon of seasoning per 1 pound of meat. You can use more or less depending on how you like your food seasoned.
  • Seasoning will keep for 3 months in a tightly sealed container.
  • The recipe intentionally doesn’t include salt which allows you to salt your dishes exactly to your preferences. When you are salting your dish we recommend adding ½ tsp. of salt at time then tasting it. Continue adding ½ tsp. at a time and tasting until the flavor pops and the level of saltiness is just right for you.

Nutrition

Calories: 26kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 121mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1295IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1.2mg

Taco Fillings

  • Chicken Tinga
  • Rajas con Queso
  • Shredded Beef

More Mexican Seasoning Mixes

  • Fajita Seasoning

 

More Tacos

  • Crispy Ribeye Tacos
  • Queso Fresco Tacos
  • Rice and Hard-Boiled Egg Tacos
  • Chicken Tacos with Avocado Salsa

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Krista Smith says

    October 12, 2020 at 12:32 pm

    to make simple shredded chicken for salads, tacos, etc., would you just rub this on chicken; cook on stove in oil and shred?

    Reply
  2. Karen M says

    December 23, 2020 at 8:03 pm

    4 stars
    Easy and very flavorful. We love cumin so I added more of that and salted to taste. Did not have lemon pepper, so I’ll make it again after I get some more. I had been looking for an authentic mexican taco seasoning that didn’t include chili powder or a tomato base. Thank you for a really tasty recipe.

    Reply
  3. Hutch says

    June 15, 2021 at 6:03 pm

    I have a Beef Taco Seasoning recipe that I have been using for years. I’ve been looking for something different for chicken tacos. Thank you. I’m not a fan of Lemon Pepper, so I substituted for Tajin seasoning, I don’t care for it either as it is basically lemon pepper, but with lime. But maybe it will be better on chicken than as it’s normally used on fruit. I also have Orange Pepper from Texas that is amazing on pork chops, but I have the Tajin and thought I would use it up for this. Lets see how it goes tonight.

    Reply
  4. Bob says

    August 22, 2021 at 5:06 pm

    I always wanted to learn this type of cooking. Do you have a book with your recipes. Would love to get it. I like trying new recipes.

    Reply
  5. slot machine online says

    October 04, 2021 at 11:34 pm

    A participant usually thinks that their outs will give them the best hand but then this is not always the case. General, much more traffic in one space, the much better. Fun is waiting around for you following all.

    Reply
  6. Sandy P says

    February 02, 2022 at 10:44 am

    3 stars
    Have not tried your Taco Seasoning, but I see no Chili Powder in it. Is this on purpose?

    Reply
    • Douglas Cullen says

      February 06, 2022 at 2:48 pm

      The recipe lists “1/2 tsp red pepper flakes or Cayenne pepper” or to taste as optional for those that want to add heat to their taco meat.

      Reply
  7. Porfirio Ryburn says

    May 03, 2022 at 9:45 pm

    Not Even Aliens Can Explain this Bullshit

    Reply

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D. Cullen Profile Picture

Hola, I am Douglas. Let me share my love of Mexican Cuisine with you that developed over 20+ years of living in Mexico.

More about me →


Most Popular Recipes

  • Classic Salsa Verde
  • Restaurant Style Salsa
  • Traditional Sopa de Fideo
  • Red Pork Pozole
  • Chicken Tinga
  • Agua de Jamaica
  • Tres Leches Cake
  • Beet Salad with Feta Cheese and Citrus Balsamic Viniagrette
  • Red Enchilada Sauce
  • Mole Poblano
D. Cullen Profile Picture

Hola, I am Douglas. Let me share my love of Mexican Cuisine with you that developed over 20+ years of living in Mexico.

More about me →


Most Popular Recipes

  • Classic Salsa Verde
  • Restaurant Style Salsa
  • Traditional Sopa de Fideo
  • Red Pork Pozole
  • Chicken Tinga
  • Agua de Jamaica
  • Tres Leches Cake
  • Beet Salad with Feta Cheese and Citrus Balsamic Viniagrette
  • Red Enchilada Sauce
  • Mole Poblano

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