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Prepare homemade tacos tonight using this easy seasoning blend that comes together in just minutes with a handful of pantry staples. With the DIY taco seasoning recipe, you’ll never need another packet of the store-bought stuff again!
Table of Contents
- What is taco seasoning made of?
- Ingredients for Homemade Taco Seasoning for Ground Beef
- How to Make Taco Seasoning
- What to Serve with Homemade Ground Beef Tacos
- Ground Beef Taco Seasoning Preparation and Storage Tips
- Recipe Variations
- Tips for the Best Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe
- Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe
Taco night is always popular in our house. While I’m not opposed to those store-bought seasoning packets made by brands like El Paso and McCormick, nothing beats the homemade version! This taco seasoning for ground beef can also be used in a variety of other recipes, including chicken tacos, ground turkey tacos, casseroles, soups, and chili.
What is taco seasoning made of?
An authentic taco seasoning for ground beef typically includes salt, warming spices (such as paprika, oregano, and chili), onion powder, and garlic powder. Packets of store-bought taco seasoning often have thickening agents (like cornstarch and/or flour), sugar, preservatives, anticaking agents, and oils in them as well.
The good news is that when you make your own taco seasoning recipe, you can control exactly what goes into every batch. That means that you can use the highest quality, freshest spices; you can make it as spicy (or mild) as you like; and you can adjust the sodium content to suit you personal taste preferences.
How much taco seasoning should I use for 1 pound of beef?
This recipe yields about 3 tablespoons of taco seasoning, or enough for 1 lb. of ground meat. You can use it with ground beef, but it also works well with ground chicken, ground turkey, ground pork, and shrimp.
You can make much larger batches of the seasoning mix if you’d like to keep it on hand in your pantry and measure it out as needed. Alternatively, if you’re cooking two pounds of meat (or more), just double or triple the spices to scale the seasoning to match the quantity of ground beef.
Ingredients for Homemade Taco Seasoning for Ground Beef
This is just a quick overview of the ingredients that you’ll need for a diy taco seasoning. As always, specific measurements and step-by-step instructions are included in the printable recipe box at the bottom of the post.
- Chili powder, paprika, and cumin: warm spices that add rich flavor to the meat.
- Dried oregano: for an earthy note.
- Onion powder and garlic powder: for savory flavor.
- Cayenne pepper and ground black pepper: for zesty kick. Add extra cayenne for spicy tacos or omit the cayenne completely for a mild taco seasoning.
- Salt: enhances the other flavors in the dish.
- Lean ground beef: to prepare the tacos.
- Tomato sauce: for simmering the tacos. The sauce adds flavor and moisture to the taco meat, and helps the seasoning cling to the beef. If you’re in a pinch and you don’t have any tomato sauce on hand, you can sub with a thick salsa.
- Taco shells or tortillas: for serving the taco meat.
How to Make Taco Seasoning
This homemade taco seasoning mix couldn’t be easier! I’ve included the detailed directions in the recipe card below, but here’s the quick version:
- Stir together the seasoning blend.
- Brown the meat in a large skillet over medium high heat, using a wooden spoon to break up the beef as it cooks. Drain off the fat.
- Stir in the homemade taco seasoning and the tomato sauce.
- Simmer for 5 minutes, adding extra liquid to the pan, as needed, to reach the desired consistency.
What to Serve with Homemade Ground Beef Tacos
Pair this taco meat recipe with a simple salad, tortilla chips and salsa, guacamole, queso, Mexican rice, refried beans, or corn salad.
Add any of these fresh toppings for the best ground beef tacos:
- Salsa or chopped fresh tomatoes
- Sliced avocado, or use the fresh avocados to make this easy homemade guacamole
- Sour cream
- Sliced green onions, minced red onion, or quick pickled red onions
- Fresh cilantro
- Sliced black olives
- Lime juice squeezed from fresh limes
- Sliced jalapeños
- Black beans or pinto beans
- Chopped lettuce
- Shredded cheese
Ground Beef Taco Seasoning Preparation and Storage Tips
- Store the taco seasoning in a jar or other airtight container for up to 6 months.
- Cooked ground beef taco meat will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Reheat leftovers in a skillet over low heat until warmed through, about 5-10 minutes, or in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Variations
- If you’re in a pinch and you don’t have any tomato sauce on hand, you can sub with a thick salsa. Add extra liquid to the skillet (such as water or broth), as needed, to reach the desired consistency.
- Use red pepper flakes for extra heat, or as a sub for the cayenne.
- Swap out the ground beef and use the homemade taco seasoning with chicken, ground turkey, ground chicken, ground pork, shrimp, or other seafood.
- Adjust the amounts of each seasoning to suit your personal taste preferences. For instance, use more or less salt, use smoked paprika instead of sweet paprika, or make it spicy with extra cayenne.
Tips for the Best Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe
- Use the cooked homemade taco meat in traditional ground beef tacos with crunchy shells or soft flour tortillas, on taco salad, in taquitos, in enchiladas, on Mexican pizza, in burritos, stuffed in potatoes, in quesadillas, in stuffed pasta shells, on nachos, or in a casserole.
- Add extra liquid to the skillet, if needed, as the meat simmers with the seasoning to reach your desired consistency. Good options include water, chicken broth, and beef broth.
- Make a much larger batch of homemade taco seasoning and keep it in your pantry for up to 6 months. Measure out 3 tablespoons of seasoning to use for every 1 pound of ground beef that you prepare.
- Drain excess grease from the skillet before stirring in the taco seasoning.
- A squeeze of fresh lime juice or chopped cilantro added at the end gives the dish a fresh, flavorful finishing touch.
More Homemade Seasoning Blends to Try
All Purpose Seasoning {House Seasoning}
5 minutes mins
BBQ Rub
5 minutes mins
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
35 minutes mins
Homemade Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
TACO SEASONING FOR 1 POUND OF GROUND BEEF
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne (omit for a mild seasoning)
FOR HOMEMADE TACOS
- 1 lb. ground beef
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- Taco shells or tortillas of choice
- Toppings of choice, such as: shredded cheese, chopped lettuce, pico de gallo, salsa, sour cream, guacamole, sliced black olives, lime wedges, sliced jalapenos, fresh cilantro, pickled red onions
Instructions
- Combine all of the seasoning ingredients in a small bowl or jar. This is enough seasoning for 1 lb. of ground beef. Use immediately, or store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
TO MAKE HOMEMADE TACOS
- Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until no longer pink, using a wooden spoon to break up the meat as it cooks. Drain excess grease from the skillet.
- Return the meat to the skillet and reduce the heat to low. Stir in the seasoning blend and the tomato sauce.
- Cook for about 5 more minutes, stirring occasionally and adding water, if necessary, to keep the mixture moist and "saucy." Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if desired.
Notes
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- Use the cooked homemade taco meat in traditional ground beef tacos with crunchy shells or soft flour tortillas, on taco salad, in taquitos, in enchiladas, on Mexican pizza, in burritos, stuffed in potatoes, in quesadillas, in stuffed pasta shells, on nachos, or in a casserole.
-
- Add extra liquid to the skillet, if needed, as the meat simmers with the seasoning to reach your desired consistency. Good options include water, chicken broth, and beef broth.
-
- Make a much larger batch of homemade taco seasoning and keep it in your pantry for up to 6 months. Measure out 3 tablespoons of seasoning to use for every 1 pound of ground beef that you prepare.
-
- Drain excess grease from the skillet before stirring in the taco seasoning.
-
- A squeeze of fresh lime juice or chopped cilantro added at the end gives the dish a fresh, flavorful finishing touch.
- If you’re in a pinch and you don’t have any tomato sauce on hand, you can sub with a thick salsa. Add extra liquid to the skillet (such as water or broth), as needed, to reach the desired consistency.
-
- Swap out the ground beef and use the homemade taco seasoning with chicken, ground turkey, ground chicken, ground pork, shrimp, or other seafood.
- Use red pepper flakes for extra heat, or as a sub for the cayenne.
Looking forward to trying your homemade taco seasoning recipe! Can you let me know how much of the seasoning mixture to use in the 1 lb. taco beef recipe? Sorry if I missed it.
Hi, Robin! The taco seasoning recipe is designed for exactly 1 lb. of ground beef. If you want to make a larger batch of meat, you’ll need to double (or triple, etc.) the seasoning and other ingredients. Hope you enjoy!
Made these last night for dinner and they were very good–in fact my husband said they were “excellent!”. They are fast and easy to prepare and full of flavor. Used the cayenne so they had a robust taste which was wonderful, but not enough to be too spicy. Served with a Crema sauce made of sour cream, grated garlic, lime juice and zest and a pinch of salt. Perfect!
Sounds like the perfect meal, Norma. Thank you!