Kalyn’s Taco Seasoning Mix
I’ve been making Kalyn’s Taco Seasoning Mix for years and I think it’s worth the few minutes it takes to make it to be sure it won’t have added sugar or chemical ingredients! And I love the blend of flavors I use, and I bet you have most of these ingredients on hand.
PIN the Taco Seasoning Mix recipe to find it later!
Kalyn’s Taco Seasoning Mix is a recipe I came up with on a weekend when I had tacos on the brain! It started when I bought a new type of low-carb flour tortillas that were the perfect size for tacos, and soon I’d decided I had to mix up a batch of taco seasoning.
There are lots of reasons why making your own taco seasoning mix is a smart idea, not least of which is that if you have a well-stocked spice pantry, you can make a lot of taco seasoning for the price of one of those packaged mixes. But equally important for me is the way that making your own taco seasoning also lets you control what goes into the mix, so you don’t get sugar, preservatives, or chemical ingredients you may not want.
Another plus to me, and the reason this taco seasoning mix has my name on it, is when I make my own seasoning mix I can adjust the flavors to emphasize those I like most in a spice mix like this. Of course when you make your own taco seasoning it can be YOUR version, so I encourage you to adapt this recipe to whatever spices you like most or have on hand.
What ingredients do you need?
(This is only a list of ingredients; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe.)
- ground Ancho chile (affiliate link)
- chile powder
- ground cumin (affiliate link)
- dried cilantro (affiliate link) or use dried Mexican Oregano (affiliate link)
- sweet paprika, preferably Szeged Paprika
- fine grind sea salt
- Garlic Powder (affiliate link)
- Onion Powder (affiliate link)
- fine grind black pepper
- ground Chipotle chile pepper (affiliate link)
How should Taco Seasoning be stored?
I store this taco seasoning mix in a glass jar with a tight fitting lid and keep it in my spice drawer where it will stay good for at least one or two years.
Want to make Taco Seasoning mix for a holiday gift?
For many years I’ve had fun making spice mixes and giving them for a holiday gift instead of sweets! The recipe below for Taco Seasoning has a version with larger amounts if you want to give it for a holiday gift.
Want taco recipes where you can use this Taco Seasoning Mix?
Check out the recipe category for Tacos to find ideas for using the taco seasoning!
How to make Kalyn’s Taco Seasoning Mix:
(This is only a summary of the steps for the recipe; please scroll down for complete printable recipe. Or if you use the JUMP TO RECIPE link at the top of the page, it will take you directly to the complete recipe.)
- My blend uses Ancho chile powder, chile powder, ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, dried cilantro, sweet paprika, sea salt, and black pepper. (If you want more heat you can add a small amount of ground Chipotle peppers, which I forgot to put in the photo!)
- You could definitely just mix this together in a bowl, but I wanted the cilantro to be ground up more, so I put the ingredients into the bowl attachment of my immersion blender (affiliate link).
- After I buzzed all the ingredients for about a minute, the mix was a nice rusty color. This recipe makes about a cup of Taco Seasoning Mix.
- I put mine in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid, and I think it will keep for at least a year this way. (I use wide adhesive tape and a Sharpie marker to make labels for the tops of my spice jars, since they’re stored in a drawer. Its low-tech but it works for me!)
Recipes that use Kalyn’s Taco Seasoning Mix:
- Instant Pot Taco Meat
- Perfect Low-Carb Taco Salad
- Cheesy Low-Carb Taco Casserole
- Seven Layer Dip Tostadas
- Ground Beef Tacos with Tomato-Avocado Salsa
Kalyn's Taco Seasoning Mix
This homemade taco seasoning mix has no added sugar or extra chemical ingredients you don’t want, and I love the blend of flavors in my taco seasoning!
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Ancho Chile Powder
- 2 T chile powder
- 3 T ground cumin
- 1 T dried cilantro
- 1 T sweet paprika (not hot paprika, unless you like it hot)
- 1 T fine grind sea salt (or slightly less regular salt)
- 2 tsp. garlic powder
- 2 tsp. onion powder
- 1 tsp. fine grind black pepper
- 1 tsp. ground Chipotle Chiles (optional, but good if you want more heat)
Instructions
- You can simply combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir them together.
- I wanted a mixture that was more finely ground, so I put the ingredients into the bowl attachment of my immersion blender(or a small food processor would work) and buzzed them together for about a minute.
- Store Taco Seasoning Mix in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Recipe makes about one cup.
- Start with 2 T per pound of ground beef for regular ground beef tacos, then taste to see if you want it more spicy.
Notes
To Make a Larger Amount to Give as a Holiday Gift:
(makes 3.5 cups)
1 cup Ancho Chile Powder
8 T chile powder
12 T ground cumin
4 T dried cilantro
4 T sweet paprika (not hot paprika, unless you like it hot)
4 T fine grind sea salt (or slightly less regular salt)
8 tsp. garlic powder
8 tsp. onion powder
4 tsp. fine grind black pepper
4 tsp. ground Chipotle Chiles (optional, but good if you want more heat)
This recipe inspired by Kalyn’s flavor preferences and recipes from other blogs, especially Food Renegade, Simply Sugar and Gluten Free, and Green Lite Bites.
Low-Carb Diet / Low-Glycemic Diet / South Beach Diet Suggestions:
One great thing about making your own spice mix blends is that you can be sure they don’t contain added sugar, and my Taco Seasoning Mix is suitable for low-carb or Keto diets and for any phase of the original South Beach Diet.
Find More Recipes Like This One:
Use the Diet Type Index to find recipes suitable for a specific eating plan. You might also like to follow Kalyn’s Kitchen on Pinterest, on Facebook, on Instagram, on TikTok, or on YouTube to see all the good recipes I’m sharing there.
Historical Notes for this Recipe:
This recipe for taco seasoning mix was first posted in 2011, and I have probably made it at least 100 times since then! The recipe was last updated with more information in 2024.
36 Comments on “Kalyn’s Taco Seasoning Mix”
I mixed this up tonight and made tacos. I might cut back the amount I use next time as it was a bit spicy for me but not overpowering. I’m happy to have a homemade mix. Thank you!
Glad you like it!
Is the big T in recipe equal to a tablespoon?
Yes! Exactly. Thanks.
Finally a unique taco seasoning mix…..was so excited when reading the ingredients love ancho and chipotle….and tasted amazing …thank you
So glad you liked it!
I have actually been looking for a healthy and easy to follow taco seasoning mix and a good thing to come across this post. Thank you for sharing!
Your website has been such a blessing to me!! I was afraid to try and go low-carb, low sugar and high protein but this Kalyn’s Kitchen site is my bible!!! Keep it up and thank you! I have lost almost 10 lbs since January 29th!!!
So happy to hear that!
Pingback: Low-Carb Twice-Cooked Chicken with Green Chiles and Cheese - Argan Skin Therapy
Shannon, the recipe says "start with 2 T per pound of ground beef." Not sure what else to add since I have a few different recipes that use this.
Kalyn, could you add the directions about how you use the taco seasoning to the recipe? I keep forgetting and have to look the recipe up repeatedly since I have it printed in an old fangled binder. 😉 Thank you for this amazing resource!!
Ashley, when I use this mix I cook it in one of two ways. If it's going into a soup or stew, I add the taco seasoning mix to the onions after I brown then and saute for a couple of minutes so the seasoning is cooked and mixed with the oil. If I am using it to make taco meat, I add the taco seasoning mix to the meat after I browned it, then add about a cup of water, and simmer until the water is evaporated. I'm guessing that "cooks" the taco flavor into the meat more. Hope that helps.
I have a question. I've started making our own seasonings a couple of years ago, while most are great, the taco seasonings seem to not absorb?? Or something. The meat just tastes like meat w a taco sauce, my husband isn't a fan. Is there something I'm maybe doing wrong when I cook it?
I did used dried cilantro. I do think it's a waste as a substitute for fresh cilantro, but in a blend like this, or in soup or a marinade I do like the dried cilantro.
I was always told that dried cilantro was a waste of money – that because of the lack of essential oils in the plant, you were basically paying for a dried grass flavor – similar to parsley. Do you actually use dried cilantro or were you using coriander (cilantro seeds) and grinding them? Thanks for taking time to clarify!
Margaret, I'm so happy to hear that my blog has been helpful for you. Thanks for taking the time to let me know!
Kalyn, I have been knew to South Beach. Your recipes have helped me to lose and keep the weight loss off. I feel like I have become a good cook too. I Love all your recipes. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with everyone. With out your recipes I would not had stayed on the diet.
Margaret
Hope you enjoy it, and I'm intrigued by grilled jalapenos!
Kalyn, this looks great. I am going to make a batch. I use taco seasoning in a grilled jalapeno I make during the summer. Thanks!
Glad people are liking this. I love Penzeys, and also love The Spice House (the owners are brother and sister!)
I love the idea of mixing your own spices. You're right about the ingredients in store-bought spice mixes, reading labels is a must these days. Love all the spices you used (I noticed you like Penzeys too!)
Quite similar to mine; I also use guajillo chiles, smoked paprika, and a bit of unsweetened chocolate. The chocolate brings out the flavor of the meat and chiles, which is why it was used a lot in moles.
I just got some ground beef from the local food co-op and wanted to make tacos but not with the pre-made mix so this is fabulous! I feel like you're always posting something that I really need. thank you!
It is crazy the things that have sugar in them. Since I've started reading labels more closely, it has been a big influence on which brand I buy-I hope companies will start paying attention one day!
Yum, I am drooling here, love the ingredients going in the seasoning. I would love to get my hands on it 🙂
I was actually surprised when I realized that the packaged taco seasoning had sugar. Glad people are liking this.
My hubby loves Mexican food but I have never tried making my own taco seasoning mix…thanks so much for this! 🙂
No sugar and no MSG. Win and win! Thanks for this!
I love this recipe. Great for the pantry and father too!
Maris, that sounds like a lot of work. Maybe I'll just make it for my friends!
RebeccaVH, interesting idea. I'll have to try that.
Cary, I think my mom used Lawry's too. Glad you like it.
Lydia, I love to do that too.
Miri, hope you enjoy making your own. So much better and cheaper.
I make tacos all the time and I am so happy to have a homemade seasoning now. Thank you so much!
I love making big batches of spice blends, and bottling them for gifts during the holiday season. I usually include a couple of recipes, too. It's a great gift.
Hi Kalyn! I always adored my mother's homemade tacos and remember coming home after baseball practice on a cold afternoon and smelling them cooking. She used Lawry's Taco Seasoning Mix and they were fabulous. On moving to New England, no Lawry's, sob. I found a terrific taco seasoning mix recipe online and added my own ground chipotole chili, and it was over the top. Never looking back to buying someone else's packaged taco mix. Yours sounds terrific! Thanks for the reminder that the extra goo manufacturers add, we do not need, and are much better off without. Congrats on a great idea!
Add just a tiny pinch of cinnamon, too! Fantastic!!
You need to bottle and sell this!