Spice up your taco game with homemade beef taco seasoning! This mix is perfect for one pound of ground beef.
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Forget store-bought packets filled with preservatives and artificial ingredients.
With this homemade mix, you'll elevate the flavor of your beef tacos to a whole new level.
Creating your own taco seasoning is also cost-effective compared to store-bought options. You can make a larger batch and store it for future use, or use the spices as you go.
🧀 Ingredients & Substitutions
Chili Powder: Chili powder found in the United States is a mix of ground-dried chiles, cayenne pepper, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, oregano, and onion powder.
Cumin: Adds an earthy and smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with beef.
Garlic Powder: Gives the seasoning a nice kick.
Onion Powder: Adds depth to the mix.
Smoked Paprika: Offers a vibrant color and mild smoky flavor. You can use regular paprika if you don’t have smoked paprika.
Oregano: If you can, use Mexican oregano for a more authentic flavor.
Table Salt: Use ½ teaspoon of table salt to start out with, and add more salt to your dish if you think it needs it.
Full ingredient list with quantities in the recipe card below
🔪 How to Make Beef Taco Seasoning
- Mix seasoning together and store in an airtight container for up to a year.
- Use 2 tablespoons of seasoning for every pound of ground beef or mix with shredded chicken before making your quesadillas, enchiladas, or tacos.
Want more homemade seasonings?
🥗 More Tex-Mex Recipes
❓ Recipe Questions
What’s the difference between Mexican Oregano and Greek Oregano?
Mexican oregano is a little more robust, citrusy, and pungent. Greek oregano is milder, with hints of mint and earthiness.
How much seasoning do I use for 1 pound of ground beef?
You need about 2 tablespoons of seasoning per pound of ground beef. This recipe equals 2 ¼ tablespoons of seasoning.
Beef Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon table salt
Instructions
- Mix seasoning together and store in an airtight container. Use 1 batch of seasoning for every pound of ground beef.
- How to Use- Once the ground beef is browned and the excess fat is drained, add one batch of seasoning and ⅓ cup of water. Mix and let it simmer over low heat until the excess water evaporates.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate and may vary based on the ingredients used.
Tammy says
Great
Peter Boever says
Just what I'm looking for in a taco mix. Used pure Hatch chili powder, kept everything else the same, but added a 1/4 t of corn starch. I like to add a bit of broth or water after browning the beef and the cornstarch just binds that seasoning to the meat really nicely.
Abri says
Thanks for this post!! Can I use Italian seasoning if I don’t have oregano?
Megan says
If you don't have oregano, omit it from the recipe. Avoid using Italian seasoning as some spices may not blend well.
Kelly says
Great recipe! The perfect taco seasoning mix for use on ground turkey or beef! I added a pinch of cornstarch to boil it down into the meat at the end like a bought taco packet. Perfection!
Pat says
Should I add some chicken broth if using rotisserie chicken?
Megan says
That will depend on how juicy your chicken is. Use 1/2 tablespoon of seasoning for every 1 cup of shredded chicken. If the chicken looks dry or the seasoning isn't sticking, add one tablespoon of broth or water until the seasoning coats the chicken.
Deb Brown says
Great flavor. I will make it again
Sam says
what do you mean use one batch per pound ? I wanted to do 2x of it to make more. do you mean tbsp per lb?
Megan says
Hi Sam! This recipe makes 2 1/4 tablespoons of seasoning. Use 2 1/4 tablespoons of seasoning per pound of ground beef.