Easy Taco Seasoning Mix Recipe
Whipping up your own batch of Taco Tuesday magic with this Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix is a breeze! You’ll be tempted to declare it a Taco Fiesta every day of the week. Not only is it a healthier alternative to store-bought options, but it’s less expensive, and the flavor? Oh, it’s on a whole new level without any of those sneaky cheap fillers!
I feel like I’ve made something more difficult than it should be for way too long! There was a time when I would have shelved vegan taco night when I realized I didn’t have a taco seasoning packet in the pantry. No more! I’ve found that making homemade taco seasoning is super simple, inexpensive, a healthier option, and it tastes so much better than store-bought!
There are so many recipes that could use some of this homemade seasoning like our potato tacos, my vegan nachos, and this vegan taco meat filling.
Reasons you will love this seasoning
- Customizable Flavor: This taco seasoning mix recipe allows you to adjust the spices to suit your taste, ensuring a perfect blend of flavors for your tacos, burritos, or nachos.
- Quick and Easy to Prepare: Whip up this homemade taco seasoning in just minutes with pantry staples, making it a convenient choice for busy weeknight dinners.
- Healthier Alternative: Made without preservatives or artificial additives, this homemade taco seasoning mix is a healthier option compared to store-bought varieties, providing peace of mind for you and your family.
- Versatile Usage: Beyond tacos, this seasoning mix can be used to enhance a variety of dishes, including chili, soups, roasted vegetables, and even popcorn, adding a burst of flavor wherever you use it!
Ingredients you will need
This recipe uses traditional taco seasoning ingredients and for those of you who enjoy a little ‘taco-lime’ twist, we’ve added a Tajin seasoning spice that we think takes it to the next level and triggers a tastebud FIESTA! Tajin can be found in most grocery stores or online.
- Chili powder- A key ingredient in homemade taco seasoning mix because it provides a rich, smoky heat that enhances the overall flavor profile of your tacos. Its blend of spices adds depth and complexity, making it essential for achieving that authentic taco taste in your favorite dishes.
- Cumin- Its distinctive aroma complements the heat of chili powder, creating a well-rounded and authentic taste that elevates your tacos and other Mexican-inspired dishes.
- Paprika- Introduces a deep, smoky flavor to homemade taco seasoning mix, giving your dishes a unique richness and complexity.
- Garlic powder- It’s a convenient way to incorporate garlic’s essence without the hassle of peeling and chopping fresh garlic, making your taco preparation quicker and easier.
- Onion powder- Contributes a sweet, savory flavor, enhancing the overall taste and aroma of your dishes.
- Tajin- Combines tangy lime and mild chili powder for a unique and zesty kick.
- Oregano- Its slightly bitter undertones balance the richness of other ingredients, enhancing the overall taste of your tacos and nachos.
- Cayenne- Optional, but cayenne adds a fiery heat to this homemade taco seasoning mix, allowing you to customize the spice level of your tacos to suit your taste preferences.
Tips & Suggestions
Fresh Spices: Spices give food flavor and aroma. They don’t necessarily go bad, but they do lose their potency over time. To tell if your spices are fresh, just open them up and give them a sniff. If they don’t have much aroma, they won’t have much flavor, and it’s time to replace them.
Customize: Making taco mix at home also gives you the flexibility of being able to adjust the seasonings to suit your tastes and dietary needs. If you don’t care for chili-lime seasoning, omit the Tajin; and if you like it when it bites back, add more cayenne pepper!
How to make taco seasoning mix
STEP #1: Gather all spice ingredients. Mix chili powder, cumin, sea salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Tajin, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl until combined.
STEP #2: Use it to season your favorite Mexican-inspired recipes like nachos and tacos.
Ways to use taco seasoning
Of course, a taco seasoning recipe is made for tacos, but it’s also a delicious addition to vegan nachos, veggie soups, stews, casseroles, beans, dips, air-popped popcorn, and it also works great on Mexican corn on the cob, and so much more!
How much taco seasoning is in a store-bought packet?
Use this mix as a substitute for any recipe that calls for one packet of taco seasoning. Most commercial brand packets contain about 1 ounce or 3 tablespoons of product. That means you’ll want to use about the same amount of this homemade taco seasoning as a substitution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can easily adjust the spice level by adding more or less cayenne pepper or chili powder, depending on your preference for heat.
Absolutely! This versatile seasoning mix can be used in various dishes, including chili, soups, roasted vegetables, and grain bowls, adding flavor and depth to a wide range of meals.
This taco seasoning should be sealed in an airtight container and stored in a cool, dry, dark place like a cabinet or pantry. It will maintain its freshness for about six months depending on the freshness of the spices you use.
More Healthy Seasoning Blend Mixes
If you try this recipe, please let us know how you like it by rating it and leaving a comment. We love to hear from you!
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from EatPlant-Based
Easy Taco Seasoning Mix
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground paprika preferably smoked ground paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon Tajin
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
Instructions
- Mix chili powder, cumin, sea salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Tajin, and cayenne pepper together in a small bowl until combined well.
- Taste test and make any adjustments for spice preferences
- Use it to season your favorite Mexican-inspired recipes like nachos and tacos. Store in an airtight container.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Disclaimer
To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Wow
This is so easy and delicious even sprinkled on baked potatoes. Thank you!
the Best!