Homemade Taco Seasoning for ground beef. Easy to make. Easy to store in the pantry. And with a perfect blend of spices, this DIY version is much more flavorful than store bought. Use this homemade taco seasoning mix for beef, chicken, rice, and even soups. Let’s take a look.

Homemade Taco Seasoning with smoked paprika

How To Make Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix

Getting ready to make Mexican recipe and don’t have a packet of taco seasoning? Make you own, and better yet, keep a stash of this taco seasoning in the pantry – you’ll be glad you did.

Making homemade taco seasoning mix is such a breeze. Almost as easy as standing in front of the Mexican seasoning section at the store and trying to figure out which brand to buy, or which brand offers the best flavor.

Skip that and make your own stash for the pantry. It will last about a year if stored correctly.

And speaking of the pantry, you probably already have all the ingredients you need to make this recipe.

Just mix all of the ingredients together and store in an air-tight container = done!

You’ll find the full recipe below, but I want to address some of the key ingredients that will make a difference in the flavor.

One of the secrets that makes this a great homemade taco seasoning mix is Mexican Oregano. Mexican oregano has a stronger flavor that Mediterranean Oregano, which is more readily available for purchase. It has a more earthy flavor which is better suited for Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisines.
A good quality Hot Smoked Paprika. Ever since I discovered smoked paprika a few years ago, I’ve gone crazy using it. And sprinkling some in taco seasoning is no exception. If you don’t have a good quality spice shop available to you, Simply Organic brand is a good choice. If you want less heat, use regular smoked paprika.
And of course, my favorite ingredient, New Mexico Red Chile Powder. What’s so special about chile powder from New Mexico? It reliably delivers medium heat with earthy fruity undertones. That one you may not have on your shelf, so just substitute cayenne pepper or Ancho Chile Powder. I’d advise against Chipotle Chile powder due to it’s smoky flavor. The smoked paprika is already taking care of that.

Is there gluten in taco seasoning? Possibly in the packets you buy in the store, but this is a gluten free taco seasoning mix recipe. Store in a Mason Jar or a good sealing baggie.

How Long Does Taco Seasoning Last?

Here’s the good news. If stored in an air-tight container, I prefer a glass mason jar over a baggie, it will last 6 months to a year. Just store it in a dark dry place. Your pantry cabinet is perfect.

How to use homemade taco seasoning

Substitute this homemade taco seasoning for a packet from the store for any Mexican recipe. How much taco seasoning is in a packet? Usually about 2 – 3 tablespoons, depending on the brand.

Use about 3 tablespoons instead of a store purchased packet.

Homemade taco seasoning brings a whole new level of earthy depth to any Mexican dish. And just look at that bold color.

When using homemade taco seasoning for 1 lb. ground beef, just add 3 tablespoons of seasoning and 1 cup of water and simmer for about 20 minutes. Taste and add more seasoning if desired.

But don’t stop with beef. Use this taco seasoning for ground chicken tacos, ground pork tacos, or use it as a rub for roasted chicken, or even seafood.