Better Than Old el Paso Taco Seasoning Recipe

Make tonight taco night with this super easy homemade taco seasoning mix! It uses the perfect blend of spices (with no preservatives) and a fresh batch will last in the cupboard for months!

Taco Seasoning Ingredients

Feel free to add more or less of each of these ingredients to suit your family’s taste.

• Chili Powder
• Cumin
• Paprika
• Dried Oregano
• Garlic Powder
• Onion Powder
• Kosher salt (or sea salt)
• Fresh cracked pepper

How to Make Taco seasoning

Add all ingredients to a bowl or large mason jar. Shake or stir until well combined. Store in an airtight container in the cupboard for up to 3 months. 

Use it to make my easy taco meat recipe!

Tips

• This recipe makes enough for 3 batches of my homemade taco meat recipe. 3 tablespoons of this taco seasoning will replace a 1 oz packet of Old el Paso taco seasoning from the store.
• Double or triple this seasoning and keep it in the pantry for taco Tuesday! One of my favorite things about spice blends like this one is that they are so easy to make and they can be stored for months. Feel free to double or triple this recipe so you’ve got a nice surplus in the pantry. I like to have some on hand for whenever we are craving classic tacos, 20-minute crisp chicken tacos, walking taco casserole, cheesy taco pasta, copycat Taco Bell crunchwrap supreme, creamy chicken enchiladas, or burritos made with leftover chicken fajitas.

What is taco seasoning made of?

Taco seasoning is made from a mix of spices and herbs. In this easy homemade taco seasoning recipe we use chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.

What can I use if I don’t have taco seasoning?

Make your own! It’s super easy and you most likely already have the ingredients on hand. Scour your spice rack or cabinet and then make a double batch so you’ve always got some waiting in the pantry for an impromptu taco night! Be sure to use it with my super easy taco meat recipe.

How much taco seasoning should you use per pound of ground beef?

For every 1 pound of ground beef, I typically add about 3 tablespoons or more to taste. If you’re looking for a really delicious taco night classic, check out my favorite taco filling to make the most flavorful tacos.

Use Taco Seasoning With

There are endless options when it comes to using this homemade taco seasoning. Here are some of our family’s favorites:

• walking taco casserole
• smoked cream cheese
• cheesy Doritos casserole
• baked mini chicken tacos
• cheesy taco pasta
• slow cooker shredded chicken tacos
• baked fish tacos with slaw
• homemade crunchwrap supreme
• instant pot taco soup
• blackened salmon tacos

Make-Ahead, Storage, and Freezing

• Make-Ahead: Simply mix the spices together as directed and then store in an airtight container or wide-mouth mason jar.
• Storage: Store in a cool, dry place (like a cupboard, pantry, or spice drawer) for up to 3 months.
• Freezing: Believe it or not, you can freeze this spice blend! Though it’s not really necessary (it will last a long time in the pantry), you can put it in a freezer-safe container and place it in the freezer for up to 6 months. When ready to use, thaw overnight in the fridge or leave it out on the counter for a few hours.

Easy Taco Recipes