Make tonight's taco night with this very simple Old el Paso Taco Seasoning! It uses the right spice blend (with no preservatives), and a fresh batch will keep in the pantry for months!
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Taco Seasoning Ingredients
Feel free to adjust the quantities of each of these components to your family's preferences.
- Chili powder
- Cumin
- Paprika
- Dried Oregano
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Kosher (or pink salt)
- Freshly cracked pepper
How to Make Taco seasoning
- Put everything in a big mason jar or bowl. Stir or shake until thoroughly mixed. For up to three months, keep it in the cabinet in an airtight container.
- Make my simple taco meat recipe with it!
Tips
- I can make three batches of my homemade taco meat recipe with this recipe. One ounce of store-bought Old El Paso taco seasoning can be swapped out for three tablespoons of this seasoning.
- Keep this seasoning in the pantry for taco Tuesday and double or treble it! The fact that spice mixes like this one are so simple to prepare and keep for months is one of my favorite things about them. To ensure you have a nice supply in the pantry, feel free to double or quadruple this recipe. I like to keep some on hand in case we're hungry burritos made with leftover chicken fajitas, copycat Taco Bell crunch-wrap supreme, walking taco casserole, cheesy taco spaghetti, 20-minute crisp chicken tacos, or regular tacos.
Frequently Asked Questions
A blend of herbs and spices is used to make taco seasoning. We use chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, and pepper in our simple homemade taco seasoning recipe.
Create your own! You probably already have the ingredients on hand, and it's very simple. To ensure you always have some on hand for an unexpected taco night, browse through your spice cupboard or rack and prepare a double batch! Don't forget to use it with my really simple taco meat recipe.
I usually add three teaspoons or more to taste for every pound of ground beef. Check out my favorite taco filling to make the tastiest tacos if you're searching for a truly mouthwatering taco night staple.
Use Taco Seasoning With
With this homemade taco spice, the possibilities are unlimited. These are a few of the favorites in our family:
- Smoked cream cheese
- walking taco casserole
- Cheesy tiny chicken tacos
- Doritos casserole
- Pasta with cheese
- Instant pot taco soup
- handmade crunch-wrap supreme
- baked fish tacos with slaw
- blackened salmon tacos
- shredded chicken tacos
- Cheese chicken tacos in a slow cooker
Make-Ahead, Storage, and Freezing
- Make-Ahead: Just combine the spices as instructed, then store in a wide-mouth mason jar or an airtight container.
- Storage: Keep for up to three months in a cool, dry location (such as a pantry, cabinet, or spice drawer).
- Freezing: This spice blend can actually be frozen! You can put it in a freezer-safe container and keep it in the freezer for up to six months, but it's not really required because it will keep well in the pantry. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or for a few hours on the counter before using.
If you tried this Better Than Old El Paso Taco Seasoning Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please feel free to leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. And remember to tag me on Instagram!
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Recipe
The Best Taco Seasoning (Copycat)
INGREDIENTS
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon sweet or smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
- Sift all spices in the same small bowl, and stir to combine!
- Brown taco meat (ground beef, chicken, or turkey) over medium heat in a skillet.
- Mix in the seasoning mixture with a splash of water, give it a good stir and let it fuse with the meat. Scoop into tacos, burritos or whatever Tex-Mex you fancy!
NOTES
- Customize to Your Liking — This seasoning blend is quite well balanced, but you can always tweak it with a little cayenne for heat (or sweetness with a bit of sugar, if you like it store-bought levels of sweet).
- Healthy & Natural – This homemade mix is made with nothing but spices; no filler, no preservatives, no cornstarch or artificial ingredients like their store-bought packet counterpart.
Harper Evans says
What a fantastic way to elevate taco night! I love that you can prepare this in bulk and store it. It makes weeknight dinners so much easier when you have your go-to seasonings ready to go!
Alyssa Morgan says
This homemade taco seasoning sounds fantastic! I’m all about keeping things simple and delicious. Can't wait to whip up a big batch and have it ready for those spontaneous taco cravings during the week.
Ella Morris says
Taco night just got an upgrade! I love how you can customize the spice blend. It's perfect for a family dinner or even a fun gathering with friends, and it keeps well for future meals, too!
Cora James says
'Make-Ahead' is music to my ears! This will save me so much time during busy evenings. Plus, tacos are always crowd-pleasers—can’t wait to impress my family with this homemade touch.
Allison Cooper says
I’m excited to try this recipe! Homemade seasoning feels so much fresher than store-bought, and I appreciate that there are no preservatives involved. I can already picture all the delicious tacos we'll be making!
Kaitlyn Butler says
This homemade taco seasoning is just what I need in my life! The flavor combinations sound amazing, and it's nice knowing that everything is fresh and customizable. Looking forward to taco night at home!
Jane Morgan says
I can't believe how easy this seasoning mix sounds! It’s such a great way to spice up dinner without needing tons of different jars cluttering up my pantry. Can’t wait for Taco Tuesday now!
Josephine Bailey says
This is such a great idea for anyone who loves tacos like I do! Having a homemade spice mix on hand means I can throw together a tasty meal any night of the week without much fuss.
Chelsea Stewart says
I absolutely love the idea of making my own taco seasoning! It’s so satisfying to know exactly what’s in it. Plus, being able to adjust the spices to my taste is a game changer for taco night.
Adeline Fisher says
'Better Than Old El Paso' sounds like a bold claim, but I'm here for it! I'm definitely going to try this out, especially since taco nights are a staple at our house. Thanks for sharing such an easy recipe!