Tired of overpaying for taco seasoning packets? Well, you don’t have to! Making your own taco seasoning mix at home is not only super easy, but it’s also a money-saver. You can have a jar ready for taco nights—or any night—when the craving strikes. Plus, who wants to make that trip to the store just for a packet of seasoning? Here’s a simple recipe to make your own mix, plus a tasty way to use it in a family-friendly taco night.

We’ve all been there—you’re in the mood for tacos but don’t want to make the trek to the supermarket just to pick up one of those little seasoning packets. Those packets may be convenient, but they come with a price. For instance, right now, Lawry’s Taco Seasoning Mix is $1.99 for a 1-ounce packet at my local Kroger. Feels like a lot for such a small amount, doesn’t it?

Instead of running to the store for overpriced seasoning, I’ve learned how to make my own taco seasoning mix using spices I already have in my kitchen. Not only does it cost just pennies per batch, but I also get to control what goes into it—and trust me, it tastes so much better than anything from a packet. And the best part? You can store it for months, so next time you’re in the mood for tacos, you’re ready to go!

Simple Ingredients You Already Have

The beauty of making your own taco seasoning is that you probably already have most of these ingredients in your spice cabinet. Here’s what you’ll need:

Cornmeal (maize or corn flour): This might sound like an odd ingredient, but it helps give the seasoning mix a little texture and helps it stick to your taco filling.
Onion Powder & Garlic Powder: These two give your seasoning that rich, savory base without the hassle of chopping or sautéing.
Seasoned Salt (seasoning salt): This adds a little salt and a lot of extra flavor in one step.
Paprika: This adds a mild, smoky flavor that’s just perfect for tacos. If you want a little more heat, you can use smoked paprika instead.
Cumin: If there’s one spice that defines taco seasoning, it’s cumin. It gives that warm, earthy flavor we all know and love.
Garlic Salt: A little extra garlic flavor doesn’t hurt, right? Garlic salt just adds another layer of taste to the mix.
Sugar: Yep, a touch of sugar balances the heat and savory spices, rounding out the flavors beautifully.
Dried Minced Onion: This adds a bit of texture and that oniony kick without needing to deal with fresh onions.
Beef Bouillon Granules: A secret ingredient to amp up the beef flavor in your taco meat. Just a little bit goes a long way!
Cayenne Pepper: Want a little extra kick? Cayenne is your friend. Adjust it to your taste—add more for heat, or keep it mild if you’re feeding the kiddos.

How to Store Your Taco Seasoning for Later Use

Once you’ve made your taco seasoning mix, you’ll find that it’s so versatile, you’ll want to keep some on hand for those busy nights when tacos are the answer (and let’s be honest, that’s pretty much always). While it’s tempting to just make a batch for that one night, I highly recommend making a larger batch so you’re prepared for the next taco craving. It’s a great time-saver!

Store your seasoning in an airtight container—think small glass jars or spice containers—and keep it in your spice rack or pantry. A tightly sealed jar will keep it fresh for months, and trust me, there’s nothing more satisfying than reaching for your homemade seasoning instead of running to the store for overpriced packets.

The recipe multiplies well, so feel free to double or triple it. That way, you’ve got plenty for tacos, burritos, nachos, and even seasoning for your favorite roasted veggies. Whenever you’re in the mood for a quick and tasty meal, just grab your jar and you’re good to go!

MORE: How to Make Cilantro Lime Rice Just Like Chipotle & Qdoba

Delicious Tacos Using Your Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix

Now that you’ve got your homemade taco seasoning mix, it’s time to put it to work! This recipe uses about 4 1/2 teaspoons of your mix—about the same amount you’d find in a store-bought packet. But trust me, the flavor is so much better when it’s homemade.

Here’s how to make Restaurant-Style Taco Beef—perfect for tacos, burritos, enchiladas, or even served on top of rice for a quick and satisfying meal. You’ll be amazed at how simple it is:

Ingredients:

4 1/2 teaspoons Taco Seasoning Mix (made by you!)
1 1/3 pounds lean ground chuck
1 cup water

Instructions:

Start by crumbling the ground chuck into a large skillet over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is browned and crumbled.

Once browned, remove the meat from the skillet, and rinse it with hot water. This helps remove excess grease and keeps your taco filling leaner. Drain the water and grease away.

Now, return the meat to the skillet. Sprinkle in your taco seasoning mix and pour in 1 cup of water. Stir it all together until the meat is evenly coated in that delicious seasoning.

Reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer for about 20 minutes, or until most of the liquid has evaporated and the flavor has had time to really soak in.

And just like that, you’ve got yourself some savory taco beef ready to be piled high in tortillas, wrapped in burritos, or mixed into a tasty taco salad. Enjoy!

crispy ground beef tacos with homemade taco seasoning mix tomatoes cheese and lettuce

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5 from 1 vote

Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix

Tired of overpaying for store-bought taco seasoning packets? This homemade version is not only budget-friendly, but it also gives you control over the ingredients. No artificial additives here—just a simple blend of common spices you likely already have in your pantry. Plus, it’s easy to make, and you can store it for future taco nights!

This recipe makes the amount of seasoning you would find in the typical supermarket seasoning packet—about 4 1/2 tablespoons of mix. The recipe multiplies well.

Prep Time5

Total Time5

Course: Make Your Own, seasoning mix, spice mix

Cuisine: Mexican

Servings: packet

Calories: 31kcal

Ingredients

1 ½ tbsp cornmeal maize or corn flour
4 ½ tsp chili powder adjust to your taste
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp seasoned salt
½ tsp paprika
¼ tsp cumin
½ tsp garlic salt
½ tsp sugar
1 tsp dried minced onion
½ tsp beef bouillon granules
¼ tsp cayenne pepper more or less depending on your heat preference

Instructions

In a small mixing bowl, combine all ingredients.
Stir until well-blended.
Store the mix in an airtight container, such as a small jar or spice container, in your spice rack.
Use about 4 ½ teaspoons of this mix in place of one store-bought seasoning packet.

Notes

You can easily double or triple this recipe to have more on hand for taco night or other Mexican-inspired dishes.

If you want a little extra heat, add more cayenne pepper, or if you prefer a milder flavor, cut back on the chili powder.

This homemade taco seasoning works perfectly for beef, chicken, or even as a seasoning for roasted vegetables.

If you don’t have beef bouillon granules, you can substitute with chicken bouillon or leave it out for a vegetarian version.

Nutrition

Question: Do you prefer homemade taco seasoning or do you stick with the store-bought packets? What’s your secret ingredient for perfect tacos? Share in the comments below.

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Please keep your comments positive, encouraging, helpful, brief,
and on-topic in keeping with EC Commenting Guidelines

Kandy says:

January 28, 2023 at 8:09 pm

Could Masa Harina be used in place of the cornmeal or cornstarch?

Mary Hunt says:
January 29, 2023 at 9:27 am

Have never tried that, but let us know how it works for you!

Lynette says:

November 19, 2019 at 6:33 am

Thanks for the recipe. We’re trying to cut back on sodium so its great that we can use this recipe and just leave out the salt.

Rozy says:

November 18, 2019 at 4:24 pm

Great recipe! I’ve found that 1/4 cup of bottled taco sauce works well too as a replacement for a packet of seasoning.

TwiggyB says:

August 26, 2019 at 4:32 pm

This recipe looks GOOD! Can’t wait to make a batch this summer. YIPPEE! Saves me a ton of money in those stingy little packets.

holly says:

I am anxious to try this. I have all the ingredients in my cabinets. I use a lot of spices etc. Hope this is as spicy as what I use. But if not I can probably increase or decrease something.

N Dekker says:

I have a similar recipe with different amounts of the same spices but use some oregano and turmeric in the mix. For those that are sensitive to corn products, arrowroot makes a good substitute for the corn flour or corn starch.

tboofy says:

January 22, 2016 at 12:38 pm

We use taco seasoning a lot, so I buy giant containers at Sam’s. Definitely cheaper than the packages. I’d have to go out and buy about half the ingredients in the homemade stuff (no, I’m not much of a cook), then make it. This works for me. I’d never pay the better part of $2 for one packet!

Bookworm says:

January 22, 2016 at 10:55 am

Thanks, Mary! Since I’m allergic to corn, I can’t use the store-bought packets. I’ll use this recipe and add another thickener as needed.

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