This Homemade Mild Taco Seasoning is quick, customizable, and made with pantry staples. It’s the perfect flavorful blend for ground beef, chicken, or veggies. A great alternative to store-bought packets without any unnecessary additives.
Make a batch in under 5 minutes and use it in Ground Beef Tacos, Crispy Baked Tacos, or Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Pasta for easy weeknight meals your whole family will love.
Before You Mix, Read This!
💬 The Vibe: Flavorful, flexible, and ready in minutes. This is your new go-to taco seasoning for quick dinners.
🔑 What You Gotta Know: This blend is mild and perfect for kids. Like it spicier? Add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes.
🌮️ Best Bite Alert: Use it to season ground meat, roasted vegetables, or even as a dry rub for grilled chicken or tofu.
Why You'll Love This DIY Taco Seasoning
- Made with pantry staples.
- Ready in less than 5 minutes.
- Mild and family-friendly.
- No fillers or preservatives.
- Easy to customize and scale up.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Chili Powder - The main flavor base, mild with just a little heat.
- Garlic Powder - Adds savory depth and balance.
- Dried Oregano - A touch of herbaceous bite.
- Paprika - Sweet and slightly smoky. Use smoked paprika for extra depth.
- Ground Cumin - Warm, nutty, and essential for classic taco flavor.
- Salt & Ground Black Pepper - Rounds out the spice blend and enhances flavor.
👉🏾 See the recipe card below for exact quantities and full instructions.
How to Make Homemade Taco Seasoning
1. Mix the Spices. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together chili powder, garlic powder, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper until fully combined.
2. Use or Store. Use immediately or transfer to an airtight jar. Store in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months.
3. To Use: Add 2 tablespoons of seasoning to 1 pound of ground meat with 1 cup of water. Stir to combine and simmer for 10–15 minutes until thickened and flavorful.
Storage Tips
- Make Ahead: Double or triple the recipe and store for easy taco nights.
- Storage: Keep in an airtight spice jar or small mason jar at room temperature.
- Shelf life: Best used within 3–6 months for optimal flavor.
Taco Seasoning FAQs
Yes! Just skip the salt and season your dish to taste as you cook.
Add red pepper flakes, chipotle powder, or cayenne pepper to taste.
Absolutely. Try it on roasted vegetables, grilled shrimp, taco soup, or in marinades.
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Recipes To Use This Seasoning With
- Ground Beef Tacos
- Crispy Beef Baked Tacos
- Peachy Salsa Pork Chops
- Chorizo and Sweet Potato Enchiladas
- Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Pasta
- Jerk Chicken Taco Recipe
Have a question or your own twist on this mild taco seasoning blend? Drop it in the comments. I’d love to hear how you use it!
📖 Recipe
Homemade Mild Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Using a small bowl or airtight container, add 1 tablespoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon paprika, 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon ground black pepper.
- Whisk all of the spices together until fully combined.
- Add it to 1 pound of ground meat that's cooking with 1 cup of water and stir to combine.
- Allow the meat mixture to cook for about 10 to 15 minutes before adding it to your favorite taco recipes. Serve warm and enjoy!
Video
Original post date 05/29/2024. Updated 04/15/2025.
Cheryl Harper says
I tripled the recipe and added 1.5 teaspoons of onion powder. Very good.
LaKita says
Thank you Cheryl and love the addition of onion powder!!
James Walker says
Made it, excellent taste and ingredients are easily found.
LaKita says
Thank you so much James!!