Homemade Taco Seasoning

Those flimsy packets of store-bought taco seasoning are convenient, but when you get down to it, they're not a really great deal. The packs are often heavy on the salt, weak on flavor, and far more expensive than making your own.

So make your own homemade taco seasoning and save money—and you can be just as quick when cooking by making the mix in advance and keeping it stored tightly for freshness.

This homemade taco seasoning mix is great for more than seasoning a pound of ground beef for homemade tacos. You can use this in place of the store-bought variety in these Beef Enchiladas, Walking Tacos, or Taco Casserole.

How Much Taco Seasoning Is in a Packet?

Most of the store-bought taco seasoning packets contain 1 ounce of seasoning, which is about 4 tablespoons. However, homemade taco seasoning is more potent in flavor and has fewer fillers (like cornstarch), so you can cut the amount you use to 3 tablespoons if you're using homemade mix in place of a packet.

What Does Homemade Taco Seasoning Taste Like?

Each recipe is a little different, but we made this recipe heavy on the flavor of chili powder, which is warm and invigorating but not necessarily hot. Cayenne pepper does give the mix a bit of heat, so scale it back if your family has sensitive palates. Garlic and onion powders give some aromatics and depth.

How To Store Homemade Taco Seasoning

Make a batch of this taco seasoning in advance of when you plan to cook with it, and it'll be just as easy to use for any recipe.

Once combined, transfer the seasoning mix to an air-tight container like a glass jar. Keep sealed. For the best flavor, use within two months.