There’s no need to purchase taco seasoning when it is so easy and inexpensive to make it at home with spices you likely already have in the cabinet.
Want more great homemade seasonings? Try this Homemade Cajun Seasoning and our Perfectly-Balanced Homemade Dry Rub.

I’ll admit that I bought taco seasoning in the packet for a long time, even though I knew it would be easy to make it at home. It was simply habit. It wasn’t until I couldn’t find a packet once that I decided to just bite the bullet and start making it at home.
I’m really glad I did, because now I don’t even have to think about adding it to my grocery cart. I always have some mixed up at home, ready to add to ground beef when ever the mood for tacos or burritos strikes.
And at our house, that’s often. We love tacos in just about any form: taco pizza, taco stuffed peppers, taco-stuffed shells. You name it.
What You’ll Need To Make Taco Seasoning
All of the ingredients in this taco seasoning are spices that you likely already have around the house. If you don’t, I’d recommend buying them in bulk at the grocery. I buy big bags of spices at Whole Foods so I can fill a container with this taco seasoning and not have to mix it up very often.

What You’ll Need Are:
- Chili Powder (mild)
- Cumin
- Paprika
- Salt & Pepper
- Brown Sugar
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Oregano
- Red Pepper Flakes (optional)
- Cornstarch
How to Make Homemade Taco Seasoning
Mixing this seasoning is as easy as combining all the ingredients into a bowl and mixing. Super simple.
The addition of cornstarch to the mix is what gives the seasoning the ability to thicken and coat the ground beef properly. It’s not necessary to add it, if you’d rather not, but it’s what makes this seasoning similar to the store packet.

This recipe makes enough seasoning for 1 pound of ground meat. I almost always make double or triple the amount so I can store the taco seasoning in an air-tight sealed container that I keep in the cabinet. Then I can use however much I need for the purpose at hand and then store it away again.
When you’re ready to use the seasoning, just brown the meat and drain any excess oil. Then add all of seasoning and 1/4 cup water. Stir it well. Then let it simmer for about 5 minutes before serving.
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Homemade Taco Seasoning for Ground Beef
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch optional
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together all of the spices. Use immediately or store for later use.
When Ready to Use
- The recipe makes enough seasoning for 1 pound of ground beef. When ready to use, mix seasoning into 1 lb cooked ground beef along with 1/4 cup water. Stir and simmer for 5 minutes until the water has evaporated.
Notes
- If you don’t like spicy food, don’t add the red pepper flakes.
- Cornstarch acts as a thickener and will help the seasoning adhere to the meat and form a more saucy consistency. It’s not necessary.
- You can mix this seasoning in a much larger batch and store for regular use. Just double or triple the ingredients.
Nutrition
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Laura is a home cook who loves making new recipes and finding new favorite things to eat, whether at home or abroad. She also runs a popular travel blog and spends a lot of her time traveling for food.
Love that I can make my own seasoning. Thank you for the recipe!
Love how this recipe is to make. We use it all the time!
I love making my own seasoning blends. This one sounds great!
This will be very perfect for our Taco Sunday!
Thanks for the recipe! I just went to the store and they want $2 for essentially the same taco spice mix. I’ll try tonight and will report back tomorrow. All the best!
I was going to respond a few days ago after making this for the first time but got distracted This is a very good recipe. I made it and it is as good or better than store bought varieties. I really like my tacos a little spicier and the addition of pepper flakes is very good. Also be sure to add the corn starch for adherence of the sauce to the meat. This one is a keeper! Thanks!!
Thanks for the review, Joe. I agree the corn starch is necessary for helping it coat the meat.
I know! If you can get bulk spices, it’s definitely way more economical to make your own.
This spice blend was really good. It gave the meat a nice spicy color and very spicy flavor. I added the cornstarch and it made a big difference. This will be going into my recipe collection that I will use as again.
Glad to hear you liked it Angela.
Best online taco seasoning mix and I’ve tried a lot!