Want a taco mix free of ingredients like MSG, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, and silicon dioxide? Make this homemade taco seasoning mix for a preservative-free spice mix. Bonus: it’s super versatile and tastes amazing!
A taco just isn’t a taco without the perfect blend of spicy flavor.
I’m a firm believer in tasty taco seasoning and love to add it to tons of recipes. But you know how I feel about store-bought stuff and packaged foods.
Like packaged taco seasoning.
That’s why I’ve come up with this DIY homemade taco seasoning mix that adds just the right amount of kick to Mexican dishes. Homemade Chili is a big hit here in Texas, you know, so of course, we make it often and it’s a favorite when we go to a potluck.
Healthy Taco Salad is another dish where this spice works really well. And have you made my slow cooker chicken tortilla soup in your slow cooker? It’s another recipe where this seasoning mix adds the perfect touch.
For another tasty seasoning recipe, check out my Homemade Seasoning Salt.
This homemade taco seasoning mix is easy to make in minutes and you’ll most likely have all of the spices in your pantry. Let’s try it!
What Can I Use If I Don’t Have Taco Seasoning?
If I don’t have taco seasoning (a rare occurrence!) I use a mixture of chili powder and cumin. If I really want to add a little extra heat, I add some cayenne pepper. For a bit of smokiness, you can add chipotle chili powder. Mmm.
The great thing about making your own spice mixes is that you can go heavier on the specific spice that you like best. Don’t forget a dash of salt and pepper.
How Many Tablespoons Are In A Packet Of Taco Seasoning?
A typical package of store-bought taco seasoning is the equivalence of 2 tablespoons of the mix. If you have a recipe that calls for one packet of taco seasoning, go ahead and substitute it with 2 tablespoons of this much healthier homemade taco seasoning!
What Is In Store Bought Taco Seasoning?
Store bought taco seasoning has a lot of stuff you want to avoid. Seriously, homemade taco seasoning is just SO much better for you! When you make your own you don’t have ingredients like tons of salt, sugar (hidden sugars you don’t need!) and silicon dioxide, which is used as an anticaking agent.
The dangers aren’t clearly outlined but studies do show that there may be risks with eating a lot of food containing this ingredient.
What else is in packaged taco mix? MSG as a flavor enhancer is one, and we all know many people have adverse reactions to it such as headaches. Partially hydrogenated soybean oil is another ingredient I choose to avoid, along with Ethoxyquin, a controversial preservative often used in pet foods, too.
What Is In This Homemade Taco Seasoning?
This homemade taco seasoning has delicious and aromatic ingredients that you’ll find in your spice cupboard. The blend is amazing! Here are the ingredients:
- Kosher salt
- Ground cumin
- Ground black pepper
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Chili powder
- Dried oregano
- Cayenne pepper
- Ground ginger.
How To Make This Homemade Taco Seasoning
This homemade taco seasoning mix is just so simple! Want to know how easy it is to make a spice blend that you’ll use over and over? To make it, you combine all of the ingredients and mix them well, storing the mixture in an airtight container in the pantry.
An airtight container is essential to keeping those flavors aromatic and fresh. Store no longer than 6 months. That is it – ready to go!
What Can You Substitute For Cumin In Taco Seasoning?
As a substitute for cumin in taco seasoning, I would swap one of these in:
- Garam masala - this blend often has cumin in it, so if you don’t want cumin, don’t choose this as a substitute
- Ground coriander - milder than cumin with an earthy, lemony taste
- Fennel seeds - they have a licorice-like taste, so keep this in mind
- Caraway seeds - milder than cumin also but with a similar taste
- Curry powder - curry powder has cumin in it, and turmeric too (read about the benefits!)
- Paprika - gives an earthy and smoky taste
Ways To Use Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix
You are going to love this spice mix so much that you’ll find tons of ways to use it. Like these!
- As a spice rub for beef, chicken and fish
- In soup (like chicken enchilada soup!)
- Sprinkle on your perfect avocado toast
- As a flavor boost to a pan of roasting veggies
- Use it to flavor a homemade caramelized onion dip
- To add a kick to healthy homemade popcorn
- Season your quinoa taco stackers
More Homemade Seasoning Blends
Now that you know how much healthier homemade seasoning blends are for you, you’ll want to keep making them! Try these:
This post contains affiliate links to products I use regularly and highly recommend.
Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix
Equipment
*This post may contain affiliate links for products I use often and highly recommend.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in small mixing bowl and mix well.
- Store in an airtight container if not using right away.
Talitha Kuttler
I am looking for a copycat Trader Joes Taco Seasoning mix and I saw yours i hashtagged #traderjoes. So is this your substitute for a Trader Joes or a copy cat? Just asking because my sister loves their seasoning but lives in SCOTLAND and therefore needs to try and recreate it!