Ever peek at the back of a store-bought taco seasoning packet and wonder what half those ingredients even are? I know I have. As a dad trying to feed my family well, I want to know exactly what’s going into our Tuesday night tacos. That’s why I’ve been making my own Paleo Taco Seasoning for years. It’s a simple, soulful blend that’s grain-free, sugar-free, and packed with so much more flavor than anything you can buy. And honestly? It comes together in about five minutes. Who wouldn’t want that?
Top Reasons To Make It
You’ll never go back to the packets after you try this. First, you control the salt and the heat, which is a game-changer for family cooking. Second, it’s a serious money-saver—those little packets add up! And third, you’re using pure, simple spices without any hidden fillers, anti-caking agents, or sneaky sugars. It’s clean, flavorful, and downright delicious. A total pantry powerhouse.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp chili powder (for that classic, earthy base)
- 1 ½ tbsp ground cumin (brings warm, nutty depth)
- 1 tsp garlic powder (adds savory punch)
- 1 tsp onion powder (a sweet, allium backbone)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika (gives a hint of smokiness)
- 1 tsp dried oregano (for a touch of herbal complexity)
- ½ tsp fine sea salt (enhances all the flavors)
- ¼ tsp black pepper (just a little kick)
- ¼ to ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat lovers)
Instructions
- Grab a small bowl and a whisk or a fork. You could use a jar with a lid if you’re making a bigger batch, but a bowl works perfectly for this.
- Measure out all of your spices directly into the bowl. I like to add them one by one so I can give everything a quick stir as I go.
- Now, just whisk it all together! Keep going until the color is uniform and you don’t see any streaks of individual spices. That’s it. Your homemade taco seasoning is ready to use.
- To use it for 1 lb of ground beef or turkey: Brown your meat in a skillet, drain any excess fat, and then sprinkle this entire recipe over the meat. Add about ⅔ cup of water or broth, give it a good stir, and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes until the liquid reduces and beautifully coats the meat. So good.
Easy Taco Seasoning Recipe Ideas
This mix is your new best friend in the kitchen. Obviously, it’s perfect for a classic ground beef taco night. But try it sprinkled on roasted chickpeas for a crunchy salad topper. It makes an incredible dry rub for chicken thighs before you grill them. I even love shaking a little into a pot of chili or black bean soup for an instant flavor boost. My kids go nuts for it on sweet potato fries. The possibilities are pretty much endless.
Variations & Substitutions
No chili powder? You can use a combination of ancho chile powder and a pinch of regular paprika. If you’re out of smoked paprika, regular paprika works just fine, though you’ll miss a bit of that smoky depth. For a super mild version that’s kid-approved, just leave the cayenne out entirely. Honestly, if you hate heat, skip the cayenne. And if you love a serious kick, feel free to ramp it up!
Storage & Reheating
Store your leftover homemade taco seasoning mix in a small glass jar or an airtight container. Keep it in a cool, dark place like your spice cabinet, and it will stay potent and flavorful for a good 6 months. Since you’re using it to cook meat, always make sure your taco meat is reheated until it’s steaming hot all the way through, either in a skillet on the stove or in the microwave.
Doneness Test For Perfect Tacos
The key to perfect taco meat isn’t a temperature check, it’s a texture check. After you’ve added your water and Paleo Taco Seasoning, let it simmer. You’re done when most of the liquid has cooked off and the seasoning is coating the meat in a thick, flavorful glaze—not soupy, but not dry either. It should be so, so tender.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is this really a substitute for Old El Paso taco seasoning? Absolutely. It gives you that familiar flavor without the processed ingredients. This homemade taco seasoning recipe is a much cleaner alternative.
- How much of this mix do I use for one pound of meat? You’ll use this entire recipe for one pound of ground beef, turkey, or chicken. It’s the perfect ratio for a taco seasoning recipe for 1lb meat.
- Can I make a big batch of this bulk taco seasoning recipe? You bet! Just double, triple, or even quadruple the ingredients. It’s the easiest taco seasoning recipe to scale up. Mix it in a big jar and you’re set for months.
- What if I want to use this as a chicken taco seasoning recipe? It works beautifully on chicken. Just coat 1 lb of diced chicken breasts or thighs with the mix and a little oil and sauté until cooked through.
