Our Go-To Beef Taco Seasoning Mix

Must Try


This Beef Taco Seasoning Mix is perfect for crispy oven tacos. It brings together the flavors of your favorite Mexican dishes using common pantry spices

In just a few minutes, you can make your own ground beef taco seasoning. It’s fresher, more customizable, and way tastier than store-bought options.

An overhead view of the Beef Taco Seasoning mix next to a plate of beef tacos.
With this Beef Taco Blend, you can easily customize your taco heat.

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🗝️ Recipe’s key points

  • It’s quick and easy to make. The entire process involves simply measuring and mixing, which can be completed in under five minutes.
  • It gives a fresher, more vibrant, and balanced flavor. Plus, it has no additives, extra salt, or anti-caking agents like many store-bought seasoning packets.
  • Make a batch using spices you already have, like chili powder, cumin, and paprika. It’s easy and budget-friendly!

Make taco night special with a homemade taco seasoning mix. It’s easy to make and full of flavor!

🛒 Ingredients

This is an overview of the ingredients for the Homemade Ground Beef Taco Seasoning recipe. You’ll find the full measurements and instructions in the recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.

Image of the ingredients needed to make the Beef Taco Seasoning mix.

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  • Chili powder – Provides the foundational deep, earthy, and subtly smoky base flavor that defines this beef taco seasoning.
  • Onion powder – It brings a savory, sweet, and aromatic onion flavor to the mix. Plus, it doesn’t add the texture of dried onion flakes.
  • Ground cumin – Delivers the essential warm, nutty, and slightly citrusy note that is typical to Tex-Mex cuisine.
  • Garlic powder – Contributes a robust, savory-sweet pungency that complements the onion and adds depth of flavor.
  • Paprika – Offers a sweet, peppery depth and contributes to the blend’s vibrant red color.
  • Himalayan pink salt – Enhances and balances all the other flavors while seasoning the meat directly.
  • Oregano – Imparts a faintly bitter, woody, and herbal complexity characteristic of many chili and Mexican spice blends.
  • Red Pepper flakes – Introduces sharp, fruity bursts of heat and texture throughout the seasoning.
  • Cayenne pepper (adjust to your spice tolerance) – Adds a steady heat that builds up, letting you control the spice level.

🗒 Instructions

This is an overview of the El Paso Copycat Beef Taco Mix recipe’s instructions. Full instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

The simple instructions for assembling the taco seasoning for beef.
  1. Measure out all the ingredients per the taco spice recipe and place in a jar.
  2. Shake well to combine. The mix can be used immediately as seasoning for ground beef tacos or stored for later use.

🥫 Storage

This beef taco seasoning mix will keep in an airtight container in a cool dark place for up to 6 months.

If your seasoning mix gets lumps from moisture, just break them up with a fork. You can also shake the jar well before using it.

📚 Variations

  • To increase the heat, incorporate extra cayenne, chili powder, or red pepper flakes.
  • For a milder mix, simply reduce the amount of chili powder in this taco seasoning recipe.
  • A pinch of sugar can be included to introduce a subtle sweetness.
  • To make this seasoning low-sodium, reduce the salt or simply leave it out.
A close-up of the spice mix for beef tacos.
This is the best homemade Taco Seasoning Mix for Beef we’ve ever made.

👩🏻‍🍳 Tips

  • For every packet of taco seasoning called for in a recipe, substitute 2 tablespoons of this homemade mix.
  • For a finer, more powdery consistency, grind the mix using a mortar and pestle or a dedicated spice grinder.
  • This homemade taco seasoning is great for ground beef. It also works well with ground chicken, turkey, or pork. You can use it with any protein your family likes.
  • To get a deeper, richer taste, toast the seasoning mix in a dry skillet. Do this over medium heat for 30 to 60 seconds. This helps release the essential oils before you add it to your meat and liquid.

🤔 FAQs

How much seasoning should I use per pound of beef?

Use 2 tablespoons of seasoning mix per 1 pound of ground beef, plus about ¼ cup water for even coating and flavor infusion.

How spicy is this seasoning blend?

It’s mild to medium with lots of warm flavor but not heavy heat. If you love spice, add cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes to taste.

How long does homemade taco seasoning last?

Stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark pantry, it stays fresh for up to 6 months. For the best flavor, use within 3 months.

Can I use this seasoning on meats other than beef?

Absolutely! This blend is perfect for beef tacos, but it also tastes great on chicken, pork, roasted vegetables, and even shrimp. It’s really versatile!

What is the difference between beef taco seasoning and fajita seasoning?

The main difference is that taco seasoning has more chili powder and oregano. This gives it a bolder, spicier flavor. On the other hand, fajita seasoning has more cumin. This makes it milder, more balanced, and earthy in taste. Fajita seasoning can have ingredients like paprika and citrus. These flavors work well with sliced meats and vegetables. On the other hand, taco seasoning is made for a strong flavor, especially for ground meat. 

Just like my homemade taco seasoning, these three easy seasoning mixes can really amp up the flavor of any meal!

  • Tuscan Seasoning Spice Blend – A fragrant, Italian-inspired blend perfect as a meat rub or all-purpose seasoning.
  • Southwest Seasoning And Spice Rub Blend – A low-salt, Mexican-flavored spice mix, ideal for enhancing chicken, pork, beef, vegetables, or game.
  • Taco Seasoning Mix – An easy, quick-to-make blend with pantry staples that tastes superior to store-bought versions.
A jar of Taco Seasoning for Beef next to a plate of beef tacos.
This bold beef taco seasoning will make your tacos memorable.

🍽 What to serve with beef taco seasoning mix

This is the best homemade taco seasoning to flavor ground beef when making Crispy Oven Tacos, to assemble this comforting and Easy Slow Cooker Taco Soup, or when preparing tasty party appetizers, such as Baked Taco Dip.

🔪 All Our Way recommends the following

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You’ll need the following items to make this recipe successfully.

  • Glass storage jars – Ideal for storing the assembled seasoning, keeping moisture out and allowing for easy shaking to combine just before using them.
  • Glass bowl and whisk (if you don’t have a jar) – This is a great way to mix the spices well. After mixing, transfer the blend to an airtight container for storage.
  • Dry measuring spoons – Essential for accurately measuring all of the individual ingredients.
  • Dry measuring cups – Necessary for precisely portioning the larger-volume ingredients, like the quarter cup of chili powder.

📞 Chiacchierata (chat)

Once you make your own Beef Taco Seasoning Mix, amici, you may never reach for those little packets again — truly! A quick shake of spices in a bowl, an you’ve got fresh, bold flavor ready for taco night anytime.

I love knowing what goes into my seasoning. No mystery ingredients here, just authentic spices I can adjust to my taste. Like it hotter? Increase the peppers! Like it milder? You know the drill. This seasoning is perfect for beef tacos, burrito bowls, nachos, and especially for my oven-baked crispy tacos (that recipe’s a must-make — promessa!)

So keep a little jar of this blend tucked in your pantry and you’ll always be five minutes away from taco night magic. 🌶️🌮 Bellissimo!

Tutti a tavolo, è pronto!

A jar of Beef Taco Spice Mix with a title on the jar.
This beef taco blend allows you to control the salt, spice, and freshness of this simple mix.

If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

What’s new? Check out my All Our Way Store on Amazon. We’ll be adding more items we love and use or wish we had to make
cooking fun and easy.

📖 Recipe

A jar filled with Beef Taco Mix, much like the El Paso Brand.

Print

Beef Taco Seasoning Mix (Easy Customizable Homemade Blend)

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This quick homemade Beef Taco Seasoning Mix uses pantry staples for a bold, savory spice blend made especially for crispy oven tacos!
Course seasonings and spice
Cuisine Mexican, Mexican-American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 2 TBLS = to 1 package of taco mix
Calories 272kcal
Author Marisa Franca @ All Our Way

Equipment

  • Airtight Spice Storage Jar
  • Glass mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Dry measuring cups
  • Measuring Spoons

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • teaspoon garlic powder
  • teaspoon paprika
  • teaspoon Himalayan pink salt
  • teaspoon oregano
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • â…› teaspoon cayenne pepper more for spicier version

Instructions

  • Mix all ingredients into a jar and shake well to combine all ingredients.
  • Can be stored in an airtight container for up to six months

Notes

2 tablespoons equal one package of taco seasoning.

💛 Need a few more ideas to make it your own? Head back to the post — where I spill all the chef’s kisses of wisdom. 

Nutrition

Calories: 272kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 4500mg | Potassium: 1584mg | Fiber: 26g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 19542IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 369mg | Iron: 17mg

The post Our Go-To Beef Taco Seasoning Mix appeared first on All Our Way.

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