This Homemade Taco Seasoning recipe can be used in place of store-bought packets of seasoning. It has no fillers and can be part of a low-carb, ketogenic, diabetic, gluten-free, or Banting diets.
Disclaimer: Some of the links on this site are affiliate links which means we make a small commission from any sales to help keep the recipes coming! You do not pay any more. Thank you for your support!
As I was writing up my recipe for Low-Carb Crustless Taco Pie, I realized how difficult it is to find packets of taco seasoning without added fillers, sugar, and MSG. Because of this, I decided it is time to share my special recipe for Homemade Taco Seasoning.
I made this taco seasoning recipe ages ago when I was working on a recipe for burritos. I never published that recipe because I decided to publish it as a tortilla recipe instead, and let people use their imagination and stuff the tortillas with the things they love.
Now that I have a recipe that uses taco seasoning, it’s time to turn back the pages in our handwritten recipe book and share this recipe with all of you.
This Homemade Taco Seasoning recipe has medium heat. If you want your taco meat spicier, just add some cayenne or more crushed red pepper. Feel free to alter the recipe in any way to fit your own tastes–that’s the beauty of making your own!
I use chili powder in this recipe. Chili powder is yet another spice blend, so I have gone down a rabbit hole on this one. It’s easier to find chili powder than without fillers than it is to find taco seasoning, but a recipe for chili powder may be in my future! In any case, read the ingredients on the chili powder and try to find one without any nasties in it.
This Homemade Taco Seasoning recipe makes a super versatile spice blend. Use it with any ground meat to make taco meat for tacos, burritos, or salads. Try adding it to your eggs in the morning to add some spice to your day. It’s also perfect as the taco seasoning in our Low-Carb Crustless Taco Pie. Enjoy!
-Annissa
Homemade Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon chili powder with no MSG or fillers
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together all ingredients. Store in an airtight container at room temperature until ready to use.
To use to make meat for tacos, brown one pound of ground meat of your choice. Drain meat if desired. Stir in seasoning and 1/4 cup of water. Simmer, stirring occasionally until water has almost completely evaporated.
Recipe Notes
Nutritional information is for the seasoning only.
Serving size: 1/6th of the recipe
Per serving:
Calories: 8
Fat (g): 0
Carbs (g): 2
Fiber (g): 1
Protein (g): 0
Net carbs (g): 1
This is the taco seasoning to be had! Store bought brands stink compared to this one! I’m never going back to store bought taco seasoning again!
Thanks so much, Haley!
-Annissa
What Haley said. I have not bought the premixed taco seasoning since I was out one day an found this recipe on line!
I know it says 1/6th serving, but how much of that g or tsp or tbs is that to go into the meat mixture?
Hi Erin,
The seasoning can be used to season about 1 pound of ground beef. Does that answer your question?
-Annissa
How much of the seasoning is used for 1 pound of chop meat?
I use the entire recipe to season 1 pound. You can adjust the amount to taste.
-Annissa
This seasoning is my go-to for taco meat. I triple the recipe so I have plenty on hand.
Tripling the recipe is a great idea. The thing that takes me the most time when I make it is finding all of the seasonings in my disorganized cabinet!
Making a triple batch would definitely save time in the long run.
Annissa
Easy recipe. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much!
-Annissa
For a pound of ground beef how many tablespoons do you use of the seasoning?
Sheri,
I use the whole recipe for a pound, but you can use it according to taste.
-Annissa
Thanks foe this! I was wondering if anyone makes a large amount at a time and if you do, how much do you use per pound, ex 1 cup, 1/2 cup ?
Hi Kelly,
It would take about 3 tablespoons of seasoning per pound of ground beef. (or 3 tablespoons minus 1/4 teaspoon to be exact)
-Annissa
Wow, this seasoning is soo good. Thank you for your wonderful recipe, I have never felt good about store bought taco seasoning so I stopped making tacos. After finding your recipe I have been enjoying them again and I feel good about it. I have also been making potato nachos: homemade baked potato chips topped with this seasoning in the meat, tomatoes, onions and a bit of sour cream – they are well loved in our house.
Thank you for sharing your healthier recipes.
Much gratitude
Thanks so much!Glad to bring tacos back into your life!
-Annissa
This is the best recipe for taco ‘meat’ that I’ve ever eaten. I became vegetarian the end of November, 2017. I missed tacos so much. I’ve tried ‘meat alternatives’ and there’s no comparison to this! I LOVE this! Wow, I can’t say enough about it and have told everyone about it (even the grocery cashier, ha). The taco seasoning is also SO, so good! Thank you so much for taking the time to develop this recipe
You’re welcome!
The nutritional amounts say 2gr. What item adds the carbs%?
Hi Therese,
Spices actually contain a bit of carbohydrate. To me, these carbs are worth it because I like flavor in my food. Also, some spices also have added health benefits.
-Annissa
What brands of chili seasoning are y’all using (no MSG or other crap in it)?
How would I adapt this if I want a kid-friendly, non-spicy taco seasoning? Should I just take out the crushed red pepper?
Yes, I would just take out the crushed red pepper flakes.
-Annissa
Has anyone frozen the leftovers? It is just me. So I don’t want to eat this 6 days straight. Lol
You may find this article helpful. I think it would freeze fine. You may want to consider baking it in ramekins so that you can reheat single servings one at a time.Single serving ramekins would take less time to bake in the first place, so you will need to decrease the baking time if you decide to do this.
-Annissa
Do you use the entire recipe for one pound of ground meat?
Hi Theresa,
I usually use the entire recipe for one pound of meat. You can adjust the amount depending on how spicy you like your taco meat.
-Annissa
So you use entire recipe for 1lb. ground beef? That would equal 18g carbs for just 1lb. of taco meat. Just checking to make sure. Seems like too many varbs to me
I’m not sure how you reached that calculation.
Your recipe for homemade taco seasoning is awesome! We eat Tex-Mex quite often, and I would like to make this recipe in bulk to store in an airtight container so I don’t have to measure out each of the ingredients every…single…time. Do you have — or know where I can find — a calculator that can convert the single recipe into 20 or 30 servings? I’m not so good with math and would most likely mess up the conversions if I tried to convert it myself. Thank you for all your tasty recipes. We love them ALL!
Hi Brenda,
I think this might help you–
Here is the recipe multiplied by 3:
3 tablespoons chili powder with no MSG or fillers
2 tablespoons cumin
1 tablespoon paprika
1 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 1/2 teaspoon oregano
3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 tablespoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
And here it is multiplied by 6:
6 tablespoons chili powder
4 tablespoons cumin
2 tablespoons paprika
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons crushed red pepper
2 tablespoons salt
1 tablespoon black pepper freshly ground
-Annissa
It was delish me and my kidos had a taste test and it was amazing, great job!!!