Have you ever read the ingredients label on your taco seasoning packet? We average two taco dinners a week and I always assumed the ingredients were pretty straight forward, just a bunch of spices. I could not have been more wrong. In fact, store bought seasoning is riddled with MSG and full of other nasty things {like MILK SUGAR! Yes, MILK!}. Just see for yourself!
So, I decided to make my own taco seasoning, using real ingredients. Not only can you control the ingredients of homemade taco seasoning, it tastes better and is much cheaper than store packets.
Homemade Taco Seasoning

Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Ground Cumin
- 1/4 cup Garlic Powder
- 1/4 cup Chili Powder
- 1/4 cup Onion Powder
- 4 tbsp Crushed Red Pepper
Instructions
Mix all ingredients together! Store in freezer.
3 tablespoons = 1 taco seasoning
Yields approximately 1.25 cups of taco seasoning.
I’ve been making the above taco seasoning for years but recently decided to try a Taco Bell copycat seasoning recipe and REALLY liked it!!!! I tripled the recipe (and wish I had made an even bigger batch) and am storing it in this cute $3 glass container. And of course, I labeled it…because I am obsessed with my label maker and am on a huge labeling kick right now!
Taco Bell Copycat Seasoning

Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon dried onion flakes
- 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon beef bouillon granules
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ยผ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ยผ teaspoon white sugar
Instructions
Whisk onion flakes, flour, beef bouillon, garlic salt, cumin, paprika, chili powder, cayenne pepper, and sugar together in a bowl.
Notes
Use 3 tablespoons of seasoning for 1 pound of ground beef.
Happy Taco Night, Friends!
Yes please. I will be printing this out and making it, probably tonight. We unfortunately or fortunately do lots of taco packets a week too haha!
You are always full of such helpful information!!! You got it going on lady. I will definitely be using this next time I make tacos. That is if sandwich night ever ends. ๐
Scary how much sodium they pack into packaged foods and seasonings!
Amazing!!! Thanks for sharing this ๐
I actually just realized this the other day, and I will NEVER buy taco seasoning in the packets again!! Thanks for sharing the exact ingredients!
I'll have to make this! I had no idea Taco Seasoning had milk in it- gross! New follower here ๐
Awesome post – I'll defintely be making this. We won't have any problem making a dent in this large quantity ๐
Ah, so cool! Will have to try it out sometime!! We have Mexican frequently too, ha!
I have done this before, I not only is it healthy, it's cheaper too! Mexican is a weekly staple in our household too ๐
oh my! I don't think I have ever read the labels before…Im printing this off to try ๐ thanks!
Milk? Gross. Thanks for sharing, I will be sure to make this tonight!!
Milk? Gross. Thanks for sharing, I will be sure to make this tonight!!
You are so freaking innovative, and I love it! ๐
pinned this and totally trying it!
genius! my husband and I live in Amsterdam (moved from Portland, OR) and we miss Mexican food SO MUCH. They don't sell taco seasoning here (nothing decent, anyways), so I might just have to use this recipe!!!
I'm trying this tonight too!
I have everything to make this so looks like I know what i will be making tonight! Thanks for sharing. I hate buying the store bought because of how much sodium is in it. xo
Love this! Will definitely have to make this!
Wow, I never realized how bad taco seasoning is for you! Thanks for sharing!
Okay so I'm getting caught up on my Google Reader and all your recipes/food posts are making me hungry! I can't wait to try this!!! xo
No way! That's awesome! I've been wondering if there was a low sodium way to make taco seasoning. This is perfect! Thanks for sharing.
Oh my goodness…. YUM! We love taco nights! I will definitely be making your seasoning. "Pin"ing it now!
I am so making this! Thank you for sharing.
Someone saw my blog post today and said to make sure I checked out this one! This would make my healthy turkey nachos even more healthy! ๐
I can't wait to try this!I love your new blog design too. So cute and girly :)-Maraobzfamily.blogspot.com
This is super late, but I have used and referred to this so many times since finding your blog last July. I felt like I really needed to come say THANK YOU! Just made some yummy black bean veggie burgers using this stuff. ๐
How much of this would you use per pound of ground beef?
How much of this would you use per pound of ground beef? I'm a newlywed who's husband would eat tacos every night of the week if I let him so we definitely go through a ton of those little packs from the store, too! Great post, thanks for sharing!! ๐
3 tablespoons for 1 lb ground beef is what I use!