This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Learn how to make a big batch of homemade taco seasoning with pantry ingredients! There’s no need to buy those store-bought packets that are loaded with excess sodium and fillers anymore! Make a large batch at home and use it for all your taco recipes!
Can I get a WHOOP WHOOP for homemade taco seasoning?
Nothing makes a pound of ground beef taste as good as a diy taco seasoning.
Use it in my homemade taco soup (or chili), use it in my potluck taco salad, crunchy ground beef tacos, sprinkle over seafood, and just about anywhere else that store-bought taco seasoning is called for!
I know I’m kinda stating the obvious here but not all taco seasonings are created equal.
Some are super spicy while others have way too much salt. And some seasonings even contain completely unnecessary mystery ingredients! You need just a few simple ingredients to make your own taco seasoning, and if you cook on the regular, I’m willing to bet you already have most of these little spice jars (see what I did there?) in your spice cabinet!
I love knowing exactly what goes into my food, don’t you?
This is my second time making this recipe. The first time I only made a single batch. I was leery about using expensive spices on a dud. Boy was I wrong! This time I made a triple batch. It was that good!!
Making homemade taco seasoning in large batches isn’t difficult.
You just grab a small bowl and 7 staple spices along with salt and pepper. That’s it!
Also, this seasoning will last you forever and it’s customizable to your taste preference! Watching your sodium intake? Go easy on the salt or you can even leave it out completely. Need to make it less spicy for the kiddos? Use mild chili powder. Do you have someone in the fam that hates cumin? Add a dash and skip the rest.
I like to make a big batch of this seasoning (sometimes 2 or 3x bigger) and share it with my younger sister. It’s such an easy seasoning blend to share with family and friends.
This homemade taco seasoning is ready to become taco lettuce cups, taco salad, sprinkled over fajita veggies, and sometimes a big sprinkle of seasoning finds its way into creamy chicken pasta for a more southwestern flair.
Ingredients for Homemade seasoning blend
- chili powder (swap some of this with cayenne pepper for more heat)
- ground cumin
- smoked paprika (sweet paprika works too)
- dried oregano leaves
- red pepper flakes
- garlic powder
- dried minced onions (or use onion powder)
- kosher or sea salt and black pepper
Pantry staples right?
FAQs about this recipe
This makes enough to season about 8 pounds of meat. You can use 2-3 tablespoons of taco seasoning per pound or even more if you like it spicier. The batch can even be made larger by simply doubling or tripling the recipe!
To keep the flavor fresh, I suggest storing the homemade seasoning in an airtight container or sealed jar. Use within 6 months for the best flavor.
If you like this recipe, you might also like:
- Spiced Up Refried Black Beans (Instant Pot)
- 5-Minute Blender Salsa
- The Best Guacamole Recipe
- Mexican Street Corn (Elotes)
- Garlic Butter Steak and Shrimp
Big Batch Homemade Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
- ½ cup chili powder use mild, medium, or hot
- 3 tablespoons cumin powder
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon dried onion flakes or minced onion
- 1½ tablespoons smoked paprika
- 1½ tablespoons garlic powder
- 1½ tablespoons red pepper flakes use more or less to taste
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a bowl or ziplock bag. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
Notes
- If you can’t find dried onion flakes or minced onion, you can substitute it with 2 teaspoons of onion powder. This makes enough to season about 8 pounds of meat. You can use 2-3 tablespoons per pound or even more if you like it spicier. The batch can even be made larger by simply doubling or tripling the recipe!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like This? Leave a comment & rating below!
Curious if anyone has used the “Spanish” paprika?
I plan to make this. I will probably substitute ground Mexican oregano for the oregano. I like the flavor of it better in Mexican style recipes. Thanks for sharing this. I hate using the packets of seasoning.
I have made this a few times in slight variations depending on if I have enough of this or that kinda thing. It’s been a huge hit though with my whole family. When I do have all the ingredients together it’s just like the box stuff in my opinion.
Looking forward to making a batch of this. Can I substitute onion powder for the dried minced onion (and if so what amount of powder would replace the minced/flaked onion)?
Thanks in advance
This sounds great but the store bought ones you have to add water to it so do you just put this in your meat with out any water?
Add more fat….butter, tallow etc.
Perfect combo! Worked great on my beef tonight!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for taking the time to comment!
This is my second time making this recipe. The first time I only made a single batch. I was leery about using expensive spices on a dud. Boy was I wrong! This time I made a triple batch. It was that good!! I used the first batch up in no time. Do yourself a big favor and make this. You won´t regret it. The nice part is that you know what you like and don´t like and can add or cut down on what you like or don´t like. Make and enjoy!
Hi There! Just a quick recipe clarification… do we need 1T of salt and 1T of pepper? Or 1/2T of each to make 1T total? Thanks!
Hi Lauren! Yes that’s correct — 1 tablespoon of each. I’ll also clarify that in the recipe card. Thanks!