Homemade Taco Seasoning is so versatile and perfect for dishes like Authentic Tex-Mex Beef Tacos and Best-Ever Chicken Quesadilla. It’s amazing in our Chicken Flautas, too! Make a big batch and store for future use!
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🌮 The Ingredients
It’s good to know (as best you can) what exactly is going into your recipes. This recipe is packed with flavor, a little less on the sodium, and no preservatives. Use it whenever you want to add a bit of spice. Oh, and don’t worry, it’s not too spicy.
However, if you want it spicier, increase the cayenne.
👩🏼🍳 How To Make Homemade Taco Seasoning
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, add the chili powder, Adobo seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper, and oregano.
- Step 2: Next, add the cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Step 3: Whisk until completely combined.
- Step 4: Transfer to a jar (or container) with a lid. Store for up to 6 months.
Expert Tip
Double or triple the recipe to keep on hand. If using to make taco meat, cook the meat first, then add the seasoning (usually 1 ounce, then add 1 tablespoon of flour, then 1 cup of liquid, ie, stock). NOTE: This makes 2 ounces of seasoning (about 4 tablespoons). The store-bought packets usually are 1 ounce (2 tablespoons).
🙋🏽♂️ Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can easily customize the heat by adding more or less chili powder or including cayenne pepper for extra spice.
We find the adobo seasoning adds a deeper, savory flavor and aromatic complexity that complements the traditional spices, enhancing the overall taste of the tacos.
Store your homemade taco seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, and it will stay fresh for up to 6 months.
😋 Other Mexican / Tex-Mex Flavor Enhancers
Ready to make the best taco seasoning this side of the Rio Grande? Go for it!
And when you do, be sure to take a photo of it, post it on Instagram, and tag @HowToFeedaLoon and hashtag #HowToFeedaLoon!
Homemade Taco Seasoning
Video
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon Adobo seasoning
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- 2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients until fully mixed.2 tablespoon chili powder, 1 tablespoon Adobo seasoning, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper, ½ teaspoon dried oregano, 2 teaspoon ground cumin, 1½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon Kosher salt, 2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Store in an air-tight container.
Notes
Nutrition
Kevin Carson says
Seeing that most chili and other tex-mex recipes call for both chili powder and added cumin, I’ve always wondered why chili powder doesn’t just have more cumin in it in the first place.
Kris Longwell says
It’s is odd, right? Thanks for the great review, Kevin!!!
Darlene says
Hi Kris
I’ve made this wonderful dish before with store bought taco seasoning but this time wanted to make your seasoning to kick it up a notch. I mixed up all the spices but 2 Tablespoons cumin seems like a lot. Is it supposed to be 2 teaspoons?
Thank you for sharing your talents and laughter with the
rest of us. Love you guys, have a Merry Christmas!
Kris Longwell says
Hi Darlene!! So very sorry for the extra-delayed response. We like 2 tbsp of cumin, but, it does give it somewhat of a pronounced cumin taste (which we enjoy with our taco seasonings). But, pulling back to 2 tsps is perfectly fine, and may even be better! I changed the recipe to 2 tsps.
We hope you had an absolutely wonderful Christmas and we wish you and your loved ones a very Happy New Year and a spectacular 2024!!
Darlene says
Hi Kris
Thanks for the reply. I made Mexican lasagna for Christmas this year and everyone loved it and asked for the recipe! I made your taco seasoning and used 2tsp cumin. Personally I love cumin and would have used more but I was unsure of my guests tastes. Anyway, fantastic recipe and I believe using your seasoning mix is a must!
Kris Longwell says
Yay! We are so so happy it all turned out well and you had such great success! Thank you for letting us know and for the great review! That means a lot to us! Happy New Year!! xoxo Kris & Wesley
Demarco says
Great recipe. Have made it a couple of times with chicken quesadillas and beef tacos. But have a question about the Adobo Goya. Is it gluten free? Would like to make some for a friend of mine who cannot eat gluten products. Have checked Adobo’s website and have found nothing about gluten there. Also know some other spices would have gluten in them and will be purchasing those. But Adobo is the only thing I am not sure of.
Kris Longwell says
Hi Demarco!! We are thrilled you’re loving our taco seasoning recipe!! Yum!! Quesadillas and tacos!! Doesn’t get much better than that! So…looks like Adobo Goya is indeed GF…https://www.glutenfreewatchdog.org/product/goya-adobo-all-purpose-seasoning-not-labeled-gf-/899. Let us know how everything turns out!!! Best, Kris & Wesley
Demarco says
Thank You for replying back so quickly. Just made it again for a Christmas Party. Taco Seasoning worked out great. But did omit Adobo Goya. The site was vague about gluten, but turn out great still. Thank you for your help. Will be trying more of your recipes. Have a great day.
Mary says
I have used this recipe several times when making chicken quesadilla. My family says they’re the best quesadillas they’ve had. Gotta be the seasoning! Thank you for sharing!
Kris Longwell says
Hi Mary!! You have no idea how happy that makes to hear! The seasoning is good, but the cook who’s making those quesadillas is the real star!! Thank you so much for letting us know and for the wonderful review. That means the world to us! Please stay in touch!! All the best, Kris & Wesley
Rusty says
I ran across you website while looking for Bahn Mi recipes which led me to your chicken quesadilla recipe and taco seasoning recipe. Looking forward to trying some of your dishes. In the taco seasoning you use Adobo seasoning as one of the ingredients but all the ingredients that are in Adobo seasoning are already in your taco seasoning recipe. So I was wondering why do you use Adobo instead of just increasing the other ingredients? Thanks.
krislongwell says
Hey Rusty!! Feel free to tweak this recipe to your own tastes. We worked with many different spices and amounts. Hope you enjoy the recipes and please stay in touch! Best, Kris & Wesley
Bonnie Campeau says
I made this seasoning and cooked with the chicken and added the flour & stock. The seasoning is amazingly tasty but extremely salty (I am a salt lover). I purchased Goya Adobo seasoning for it and that by itself is very salty. Did I buy the incorrect item, do you think?
krislongwell says
HI Bonnie! Yes, the adobo has salt. I’m sure you did it all right. We need to add a side note about the salt levels. It’s easy to pull back, if too much. I’ll update the recipe accordingly. Thanks so much and please stay in touch!! Kris & Wesley
Amanda says
Hey, Kris,
My loon gave this taco seasoning a thumbs up. Hooray! We’re done with pricey packets, AND I had adobo seasoning I didn’t know what to do with. I hope to try some other recipes. You rock.
krislongwell says
Hey Amanda!! Sorry for the delayed response. We’ve been in the midst of a move and things have been crazy. So glad you guys liked my taco seasoning a thumbs up!! We love it, too, and agree, so much better than the packaged stuff!! Thanks again!!!!! xoxox
Amanda says
Absolutely. Best wishes with your move. I hope you’ve had access to a kitchen the whole time. 🙂
Cyndi Jackson says
Hi Kris,
This sounds really yummy!!
I also make my own taco seasoning but I have never thought to use adobo seasoning. What a great idea! I am going to try using it when I make my next batch.
Have you ever tried “True Lemon” or “True Lime”? I always use True Lime in my taco season mix and it tastes great.
krislongwell says
Hi Cyndi! I don’t think I’m familiar with ‘True Lemon’ or ‘True Lime’…I’m going to check that out. I agree that lime adds such a nice depth to Latin dishes. Now I’m on a mission!! Thank you!
Mitch B says
Kris – out of curiosity, if used with taco meat – how much chopped meat does one portion (1 oz.) of the seasoning make? How much stock?, lets say per pound of meat..
krislongwell says
Hi Mitch. I would use 1 ounce (about 2 tablespoons) of the taco seasoning for 1 lb of chopped beef. To that I would add 1 & 1/2 teaspoons of flour (for thickener), stir to incorporate, then add about 2/3 cup of stock (or water). Cook until liquid has fully reduced down (shouldn’t be runny). Hope this answers your question. If not, let me know! Kris