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Apr 8, 2023

Homemade Taco Seasoning for Ground Beef Tacos

This homemade taco seasoning mix is easy to put together, and it works just like the taco seasoning you buy in packets.


Three tacos in a bowl.



One batch of this taco seasoning is enough for making six one pound batches of taco meat. I just keep the mixture sealed in the pantry and grab it when I want to make ground beef tacos. 

All you need to make ground beef tacos is a pound of ground beef, a half of an onion, and some water, along with three tablespoons of this seasoning. If you are used to using the packets of taco seasoning, three tablespoons equal one packet.


Homemade Taco Seasoning in a bowl.



You can also use this taco seasoning for chicken or steak tacos. In addition, you can use it as a rub for steaks, chicken, or fish before grilling or roasting.

I also like to to add a teaspoon or two to guacamole. It's great too for turning tomato sauce into enchilada sauce.

Homemade taco seasoning ingredients:

Chili Powder: Use the standard chili powder that you find in the spice section of the grocery store. It's typically a blend of different seasonings.

Granulated Onion: Granulated onion is more coarsely ground than onion powder. If you only have onion powder, be sure to use less. If you can find the granulated version be sure to get it. It will blend better with the rest of the mixture.

Granulated Garlic: It's the same as onion powder, but with a coarser texture, making it nicer to use in rubs and it is less clumpy.

Paprika: I like to use Spanish paprika, but you can use any paprika you have on hand.

Salt: I used table salt for this mix. If you use kosher salt, you'll have to increase the amount a little bit by volume.


Three tacos in a bowl.



These tacos are a take on the crispy ground beef tacos I grew up on, you know.... the ones with the taco shells that are already crispy out of the box. While I sometimes crave those tacos, I really like making my own crispy corn tortilla shells. Plus, it's super easy!

Don't forget to make some guacamole too. 

How to make homemade crispy corn tortilla taco shells:

First, heat about 1/2 inch of neutral oil in a small skillet. When the oil is shimmering and 350 degrees F (you can test the oil by adding a small piece of a tortilla to see if it sizzles), add one corn tortilla and cook on one side for about a minute.

Next, flip the tortilla over to cook the other side. Using tongs, gently fold the tortilla in half and fry on both sides, flipping as you go, until lightly browned. Drain on paper towels.

Be sure to fold the tortillas in half before they become too crispy to bend. You also want to make sure that the fold is rounded like a taco shell. It's more of an art than a science.

One thing that I do after removing the tortilla from the oil is stuff a small piece of a crumpled paper towel in the middle just to keep the taco shell shape.

Finally, stuff the tortillas with the beef mixture and garnish with pico de gallo and shredded cheese.



Three tacos with cheese in a bowl.



Sunday Funday

Spice & Herb Mixes


This post was originally published in September 2014. It's been updated and reposted in April 2023 with new photos and printable recipe card. Plus, I was craving old school tacos.




Homemade Taco Seasoning for Ground Beef Tacos

Homemade Taco Seasoning for Ground Beef Tacos
Yield: 6 Servings
Author: Karen's Kitchen Stories
Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 15 MinTotal time: 25 Min
This homemade taco seasoning mix is easy to put together, and it works just like the taco seasoning you buy in packets.

Ingredients

For the Seasoning (Three tablespoons equal one packet of taco seasoning)
  • 1/2 cup chile powder
  • 1/4 cup granulated onion
  • 2 tablespoons ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon granulated garlic
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon salt
For the Ground Beef Taco Filling
  • 1/2 of a medium onion, diced
  • 1 pound of ground beef
  • 3 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional)

Instructions

To Make the Seasoning
  1. Whisk the ingredients together in a small bowl.
  2. Cover and store in a cool pantry. Re-stir the ingredients each time you use the seasoning.
To Make the Seasoned Ground Beef
  1. Place the onion and ground beef into a 12 inch skillet and cook over medium-low heat until the beef if fully cooked.
  2. Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the meat and add the water. Stir and cook until the water has evaporated.
  3. Add the optional hot sauce.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

282

Fat (grams)

19 g

Sat. Fat (grams)

6 g

Carbs (grams)

17 g

Fiber (grams)

8 g

Net carbs

8 g

Sugar (grams)

2 g

Protein (grams)

17 g

Sodium (milligrams)

351 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

54 mg
tacos, seasoning
Main dish
American
Did you make this recipe?
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Would you like to comment?

  1. A really FABULOUS and handy recipe to have tucked away somewhere for a rainy day aka "I have run out of taco seasoning day"! LOVELY images too Karen! Karen

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  2. Great choice, Karen. I've bookmarked this one to try, since tacos seem to have become one of our favourite Saturday-movie-night dinners. Will be great to use my own seasoning.

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  3. You did a great job Karen, the photos look great. I apologize for the mess you had to go through on my blog to find a recipe during my site transfer, and am glad you were able to find one of my families favorites. We have taco night at least twice a month at our house. .

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    1. Thanks Angel. No apologies necessary. I feel for what you are going through!

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  4. Never made my own taco seasoning, so this is something to consider - I guess we were both on the same frame of mind this month, I made a taco salad, but unfortunately used store-bought seasoning

    oh, well - there's always next time!

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  5. I love homemade taco seasoning. Yum yum yum! Great pick for reveal day :)

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  6. I make my own taco seasoning too but always forget how much equals a packet! Thanks :)

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  7. I love using homemade taco seasoning in place of store-bought. Why would you even bother with that crap? Also, your tacos. Omg to die for. They look amazing!

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  8. I can't wait to try this. So tired of paying three dollars a bottle at the local store.

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  9. Great pick this month! I definitely need to make my own taco seasoning - so nice to know what's in it and control the sodium content!

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  10. YUM!!! I make my own taco seasoning too and your mini tacos look amazing!!! P.S. I had your blog this month. we made your cookie dough fudge!

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  11. I like the idea of making your own seasonings so that you know exactly what you are getting. Good choice this month.

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  12. It's so great to be able to make your own spice blends like this. I love your tiny tacos; they are so cute! Great pick this month ;)

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  13. I love making my own taco seasoning... it's so easy and I always have everything on hand. I add a little oregano, too! I love that you fried your own taco shells-- they look amazing!

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  14. I love homemade spice mixes. Taco seasoning is my favorite. Great pick!!

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  15. Thank you for posting this! I'm pinning this for near future use :)

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  16. I think I'd love this. I love tacos anyway and allt he ingredients in the seasoning sound great.

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  17. Great idea making your own taco seasoning. Great SRC pick!

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  18. Great recipe, thanks for sharing. I love the idea of making my own seasonings :D

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  19. I can see this being used for a number of dishes....good selection. Visiting from Group B.

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  20. I have been meaning to make homemade taco seasoning. It's definitely easy so I'm going to now for sure. These tacos look fantastic and I love the crispy corn shells.

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  21. I love how versatile this seasoning is and that I can use it on all sorts of proteins!

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  22. I love making my own taco seasoning - so much better than the store-bought stuff. I'm going to need to try your directions for the taco shells. I love a good crunchy shell and stink at making them at home!

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    1. It's taken me a while, but it's totally worth it, and it doesn't use too much oil.

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  23. I never understand why anyone would be a pre-packaged spice mix, when it so stupid-simple to whip one up in almost no time at all...with way less salt! This one looks delicious!

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  24. What a great idea to make a homemade version! I can't wait to try it because tacos are my kiddos favorite!

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  25. This is a handy recipe to have on hand for those days when you reach for that jar of taco seasoning only to find you forgot to replace it.

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  26. So easy to make taco seasoning at home. Not going to buy the ready made one as it lacks flavour. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

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  27. We like our taco meat spicier than the packets usually make it so it's occurring to me, looking at your lovely spice mix, that I can up the heat level in homemade seasoning. Very clever!

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  28. I bet this taco seasoning is flavorful than a store bought one!

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