Simple Homemade Taco Seasoning for Perfect Tacos

Taco Tuesday just got a lot more exciting with this Simple Homemade Taco Seasoning Blend! Taco seasoning at home is easy to make using spices you probably already have in your cabinet; Chili Powder, Cumin, Paprika, Salt, Black Pepper, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, and Oregano. 

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Taco Seasoning Simple

Tacos are a pretty basic weeknight family meal right? And it just got a whole lot simpler if you are still buying seasoning packets from the store. In two minutes you can have perfect homemade taco seasoning ready to go without all the additives that come in a store bought packet. Plus chances are you probably already have all the spices you need. 

Taco Seasoning Blend 

To make this blend you probably have all of the seasonings you need. If you don’t these seasonings are what most would consider a staple item so that are probably worth investing in. In my own kitchen these are all the spices that I buy in the extra large bulk bottles because they are used so often. 

The spices you need are chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and oregano. 

The base of the seasoning is chili powder followed by large amounts or cumin and paprika and then smaller even amounts of salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and oregano. 

Now I wouldn’t consider this mix of seasonings spicy by any means, but spices especially chili powder can vary by brand, so make sure to give your seasoning a little taste test before use. 

Taco Seasoning Instructions

The actual making of the taco seasoning is simple enough. You measure out the spices and then mix them together. Store extras in an airtight container, pretty easy right?

Now the part that might be a bit more confusing is what to do with it once it is made. Well no fear this is what you do…

To start, 2 tablespoons of this taco seasoning blend is equivalent to 1 store bought packet. So in order to make 1 pound of ground beef tacos (or whatever kind of meat) you will use about 2 tablespoons. 

*Side note, even though 2 tablespoons will make you delicious tacos I usually find myself adding a tad more for a stronger flavor but that is the way I prefer it and not everyone will, so don’t be afraid to play around with the amounts you use. 

To make your taco meat, brown the meat over medium-high heat on a large skillet, about 6-8 minutes or until no more pink is showing and meat is crumbly.

Add 2 tablespoons of your homemade taco seasoning and 1/2 cup water. Stir to coat, reduce heat to medium, stir occasionally until water is reduced to a saucy coat on the meat. Serve immediately.

Simple right!?

That is how you use homemade taco seasoning to make basic taco meat but you can use it tons of other ways. You can dry rub it on chicken for a flavorful dinner, make it into nachos like my Black Bean Nachos Recipe, coat it on Oven Baked Shrimp for tacos, use it on my Skillet Taco Chicken Recipe, or my Easy Chicken Tacos, sprinkle it over some roasted potatoes or fries for a yummy side dish!

But if you are making some delicious tacos here are some great side dish ideas to serve with them:

• Slow Cooker Refried Beans

• Mexican Rice

• Slow Cooker Black Bean Tortilla Soup 

• Baby Roasted Potatoes

And make sure you are following me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for all the latest recipes!

Peace & Love

Lauren, The Schmidty Wife

P.S. Looking for more seasoning recipes? Check out my Gingerbread Seasoning or my Fajitas Seasoning.