Ditch Store-Bought—This Ready-in-Seconds Homemade Taco Seasoning is Smoky-Spicy Perfection!
This homemade taco seasoning is the one blend I always keep on my spice rack.
Longtime PWWB readers already know it well—it’s the secret behind many of my popular taco recipes! We use it every single week here at the PWWB house, so I figured it’s time to give it a dedicated post.
I know store-bought packets are tempting, but homemade is worth the tiny bit of extra effort—you get to control the flavor, making each batch just right for your taste! This blend comes together in seconds with 7 pantry staples you probably already have on hand, and it’s naturally gluten-free with no preservatives.
This recipe is a quick mix of spices like chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and garlic powder for a bold punch of flavor. Use it to season one pound of meat, fish, veggies, or beans.
You’ve probably already seen it in action in my tried-and-true Once-A-Week Ground Chicken Tacos and my viral Vegan Roasted Cauliflower and Sweet Potato Tacos and Crispy Black Bean Tacos.
But the beauty of a homemade taco spice blend is its versatility. Customize the heat with an extra kick of cayenne pepper or make a big batch to store on your spice rack for up to 2 months—perfect to grab-and-go on busy weeknights!
Because honestly…any time is a good time for tacos! 🌮😎
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Taco Seasoning Ingredients
The reason I love this spice blend so much is that it leans on simple pantry staples I always have stocked in my kitchen: chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, and kosher salt.
A few quick notes:
- This recipe uses American-style chili powder, which is a mix of ground dried chiles and other spices like cumin and garlic—not to be confused with pure chili powder, which is just ground chiles and much spicier! If you prefer using pure chili powder, like ancho or chipotle, reduce the amount. I recommend starting with ¼-½ of the amount in the recipe and adjusting to taste.
- Use 1 teaspoon of kosher salt per pound of meat, veggies, or beans. If you’re making a big batch, I suggest omitting the salt so you can control the seasoning at dinnertime.
- Optional add-ins: If you like a touch of sweetness, a pinch of brown sugar balances the smoky spices beautifully. Want more heat? Add some cayenne for an extra kick—I usually go with ½ teaspoon for moderate spiciness.
Pro Tip! ⇢ Buy spices online or in bulk to save money! Grocery store spice prices can be steep, so I like ordering online or buying in bulk to get more bang for my buck—my favorites are linked in the Recipe Card below!
How to Use Your Homemade Spice Blend—The Options Are Endless! 🌮🌯
We never run out of ways to use this versatile taco seasoning, especially since we’re lovers of all things tacos and burritos. It pairs perfectly with nearly every protein—from fish to beef—and is also fantastic with beans and veggies like cauliflower and sweet potatoes.
I can’t wait for you to try this Homemade Taco Seasoning! It adds tons of smoky goodness to everything it touches and is an amazingly versatile staple for your kitchen. Homemade is always best!
If you do give it a try, be sure to let us know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo and tag @playswellwithbutter on Instagram. We LOVE seeing your PWWB creations! ♡ Happy cooking!
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One-Minute Homemade Taco Seasoning
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Prep Time: 1 minute -
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Cook Time: 0 minutes -
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Total Time: 1 minutes -
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Yield: ¼ cup -
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Category: Sauces & Condiments -
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Method: No-Cook -
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Cuisine: Tex-Mex and Mexican-Inspired -
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Diet: Vegan
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Pin RecipeDescription
My go-to One-Minute Homemade Taco Seasoning recipe packs a punch of smoky-spiced flavor into tacos, fajitas, roasted veggies, grilled meats, and more! This 7-ingredient blend of pantry staples—think: chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and a customizable kick of cayenne pepper—comes together in seconds.
Whisk it up to season one pound of taco meat, or make a big batch to keep on your spice rack for 2 months!
Ingredients
- 1 heaping tablespoon chili powder (see Recipe Notes)
- 2 heaping teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 heaping teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 heaping teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 heaping teaspoon onion powder
- 1 heaping teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 heaping teaspoon kosher salt (see Recipe Notes)
- optional: 1 heaping teaspoon brown sugar
- optional: up to ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
Add all listed ingredients to a small bowl or jar. Stir to combine. Set aside, or store on your spice rack in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Enjoy!
Notes
Jess’ Tips and Tricks:
- Chili powder: This recipe uses American-style chili powder, which includes a blend of ground dried chiles and spices. If using pure chili powder (like ancho or chipotle), start with ¼-½ the amount indicated and adjust to taste—it’s much spicier!
- Salt: Use 1 teaspoon of kosher salt per batch to season 1 pound of meat, veggies, or beans. If you’re prepping a big batch, I suggest omitting the salt so you can season to taste when you’re cooking dinner.
- Make a big batch! For a convenient grab-and-go option, prep a big batch and store it in an airtight container for up to 2 months. This way, you’ll be ready for taco night! Use ¼ cup taco seasoning per pound of meat, fish, veggies, and beans.
Follow along with Plays Well With Butter on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and Pinterest for more unfussy recipes that pack a big punch of flavor!
The post One-Minute Homemade Taco Seasoning appeared first on Plays Well With Butter.