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Homemade Taco Seasoning

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Homemade Taco Seasoning! All you need are 2 tablespoons to match one of those store-bought packets. You probably have all the ingredients for this taco seasoning recipe.

Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe is jarred in a clear glass jar with a spill of rusty taco seasoning color on a white plate.

You will think that one of the ingredients is very unusual, and it is, but what a fantastic addition.

I’m not going to ‘reveal’ the special edition yet, but it is actually ‘a natural’.

I tripled this taco seasoning recipe when I made it because I make a lot of Mexican style food and I thought it would be great to just have this on hand at all times. It is great in taco salads too!

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You won’t believe the recipes that I end up adding it too. Taco seasoning in my tofu scramble instead of cumin? Yes! Homemade Taco seasoning in my Chipotle Scones? Always!

Just wait until tomorrow! Well, yesterday has come and gone but I posted Slow Cooker Black Bean Burritos using this wonderful spice mixture. One of my most popular recipes on the blog.

Look how easy they are to grab on the go too!

Slow Cooker Black Bean Burritos are easy and spicy with lots of texture. It all turns into a hearty meal with the addition of avocados and black olives.

You already have most of the ingredients for this homemade taco seasoning recipe, if not all, and you probably have a small bottle that you saved from a past condiment too.

I save all of mine. I’m kind of jar crazy … and glass crazy.

Everything is on display in my house. If it’s little and rolls around or colorful or sparkly then it’s in a glass container. Lid or not but if there are lids then they are usually glass too.

Spices make an especially pretty display so you don’t need to hide them in a cupboard. I also have a display rack on the wall that holds my herbs and spices just right.

Love having the extra space in my pantry.

Homemade Chili Seasoning Mix is rich rusty red and scooped out of a glass jar with a measuring tablespoon.

For this recipe, I wanted to actually use specific spice jars and certain sizes so I took advantage of the blog and went shopping for pretty little containers.

This is going to be one of many spice mixes that will be on the blog in the future. Each ingredient is the perfect amount for a great blend. So let’s get going!

💭 Ways to use taco seasoning

  • It’s not only for tacos! Here are a couple more ideas.
  • Mix it in your burrito stuffing for some great taste. Vegan Rice and Bean Burrito’s are perfect for this idea.
  • You can always add more than a recipe calls for to get extra spice. Chipotle Scones could handle maybe another 1/2 teaspoon.

📖 Seasoning mix recipes

Take a quick peek at the Homemade Chili Seasoning Mix. It’s pretty too, but with its own unique ingredients.

Here is a picture of the taco seasoning ingredients. Waiting to be blended together. So many pretty colors and such good taste.

Homemade Taco Seasoning with each colorful ingredient spread out but touching on a white plate.

🥘 Ingredients

  • Chili powder – the king of spices for this all-around seasoning mix
  • Garlic powder – goes a long way in the flavor department with just a little bit.
  • Onion powder – is powerful so a little goes a long way and adds a lot of flavor.
  • Paprika – has a mild flavor but does add some flavoring and it has a beautiful color that can change the look of the dish.
  • Ground black pepper – is very spicy so don’t use a lot.
  • Cocoa Powder – gives a hint of flavor depth
  • Ground coriander – is mildly sweet with a nutty aroma.
  • Sea salt – is the perfect understated seasoning.
  • Dried oregano – is aromatic and has an earthy flavor.
  • Ground Cumin – is also unusual but gives more of a tasty kick.

🔪 Instructions

  • I have a spice mill so I ground the dried oregano for the mix. You can also just crush it more with your fingers. It will still work great in the mixture.
  • Mix all of the ingredients and store in a jar with a tight lid.
  • Ground and dried spices last two to three years so there is no problem in keeping them on your shelf.

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If you take a photo of your perfect seasoning I would love to see it. Follow me over on Instagram and tag me on your photo @vegan_in_the_freezer.

Your opinion means a lot to me and if you’d like to leave a comment and possibly a star rating I’d love to hear your thoughts.

📋 Recipe

📋 Recipe

Homemade Taco Seasoning in rich rusty orange color that you can see trough a glass lidded jar. Spicy Recipe is also spilled on a white plate.
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5 from 9 votes

Homemade Taco Seasoning

Homemade Taco Seasoning is only 2 tbsps. to match one of those store-bought packets.
Course Sauces, Dressings, Condiments
Cuisine Spices
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 6 Tablespoons
Calories 16kcal
Author Ginny McMeans

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoon chili powder plus 1 teaspoon
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 teaspoon oregano ground or ground Mexican oregano
  • 3 teaspoon cumin ground

Instructions

  • I have a spice mill so I ground up the dried oregano for the mix. You can also just crush it more with your fingers. It will still work great in the mixture.
  • Mix all of the ingredients and store in a jar with a tight lid.
  • Ground and dried spices last two to three years so there is no problem in keeping them on your shelf.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Homemade Taco Seasoning
Amount Per Serving (2 tablespoons)
Calories 16
% Daily Value*
Sodium 821mg34%
Potassium 85mg2%
Carbohydrates 3g1%
Fiber 1g4%
Vitamin A 980IU20%
Calcium 29mg3%
Iron 1.5mg8%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Two tablespoons equal one packet of store-bought taco seasoning.

Now see? You didn’t even have to go out and spend any extra money. You already had everything in your cupboard for this taco seasoning recipe.

That really makes me feel accomplished when things get organized and pretty all at the same time.

The fact that the ‘pretty’ improves the food isn’t a bad thing either.

Blue graphic snowflake as Vegan in the Freezers logo.

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  1. Ginny McMeans

    You sure can Flyingmartini. You can use it any way you want to spice up a meal. I think it would work perfectly just as those package directions tell you.

  2. Flyingmartini

    I’m looking forward to making this. Especially since it’s healthier than the store bought chemical crap. Do you sprinkle it in with the mock meat& add water? Speaking of mock meat, I used TVP & taco seasoning mix instead of the vegan crumbles. It tasted pretty good!

  3. Ginny McMeans

    Great ideas for using taco seasoning! Tofu scramble sounds really good. Good luck in your move and have fun building your spice cabinet. You’re going to love it!

  4. Cap'n Dave

    Authentic Cincinnati chili also uses cocoa, so I wasn’t surprised to see it here! It really does something magical with the flavor combinations – richer, hardier, deep, and something…je ne sais quoi. It literally defies an adequate description in our stumbling, paltry attempts at categorization. It’s more of a sensory thought than verbiage.

    After my move next year, I too will be building a spice cabinet to showcase my most-used spices. The rest will reside in my pantry, but they will be in bottles as well. Right now, I have a spice cabinet, and it has various sized jars, bottles, bags, baggies, and little plastic canisters. I need to organize, because when I’m cooking, I want to grab this, that, or the other thing right away, not frantically hunt for it while things on the stove begin to burn!

    Thank you for sharing this, and it will most definitely be a regular addition in my cooking! Tacos, burritos, taco salad, nachos, Southwestern tofu scrambles, dips, dressings, so many uses! 🙂

  6. Alice

    I haven’t made this yet but I’m sure it is perfect. And I will be making it. I have the perfect little jar for it and I’ll purchase more for your other mixes I look forward to making. As far as cocoa I always include it in the spicy, saucy, black beans that are my staple. (I eat Whole Foods Plant Based.) Thanks for all and thanks for the idea to display the mixes in cute jars.

  8. susan

    Was not surprised by the addition of the cocoa powder, but had forgotten about it. Have added to my vegan chili, but my husband didn’t care for it. But adding it to this recipe. So thank you..

  10. Dash

    Made this tacos seasoning and boy was it delicious. I added a few teaspoons to some Gardien Meatless crumbles and later made enchiladas. Huge hit! Thanks for sharing.

  13. Laura

    I am always looking for homemade spices and this one looks delicious. Cocoa? I definitely need to try it.

  22. Kari

    I use taco seasoning quite often in my dishes, considering my husband and I both love Mexican food. I don’t know why I’ve never thought to make my own, considering I am very conscious about what I eat and I have a ton of spices in my cupboard. I guess habit? But, now I’ll be making my own. Yay!

  28. joyce wallace

    do you have a similar recipe for spaghetti sauce seasoning? mine has been discontinued. by the way, I do have all the ingredients on hand for the taco seasoning. sounds great

  31. Susan

    homemade taco seasoning is the best, so much better than buying it in the store! I see you add cocoa powder to the mix, never tried that and now I’m curious.

  57. Bobbie

    I will have to leave out the paprika as it gets my tummy going. Think I’ll give this a try tho. Looks good.