This is the best homemade taco seasoning recipe around! Use it for perfectly flavored tacos, beans and even sauces. There’s a secret ingredient that adds unreal flavor!
This post was originally published on April 27, 2018.
You can use this for just about anything, sub it for other seasonings in my homemade black beans, add it to cilantro lime rice or into fajita veggies for an amazing easy meal!
This homemade taco seasoning is great to make ahead and keep on hand in your spice cabinet. It’s super flavorful and there is a secret ingredient you’ll never guess! While adding it to taco filling is my go to, I also use it when roasting veggies or sautéing!
How to Make Homemade Taco Seasoning
Tacos are a staple in our house, and up until now, taco seasoning was either from a packet or a “throw in a little of this and little of that” kind of creation. The problem with this is it never turned out the same.
I also prefer the fresh spices only list of ingredients without the preservatives so homemade is where it’s at.
Ingredients
This recipe has a classic taco seasoning combination, plus a little extra secret to really bring out the flavor, cocoa powder!
Cocoa powder does not give your savory foods a chocolate flavor when used in small amounts. All it really does is bring some depth into the flavor profile and gives that extra oomph of deliciousness.
- Chili powder
- Onion powder
- Smoked paprika
- Cumin
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Oregano
- Garlic powder
- Crushed red pepper
Step by Step Instructions
- Mix all spices together.
- Store in an airtight container.
- Enjoy in all the things!
Some recipes for homemade taco seasoning call for toasting whole spices, then grinding them down. While this will definitely up the flavor a bit, I’m well…lazy. So I tend to take the easy road when I feel the flavor is still amazing. Which in this case, it is!
But if you want to toast, go for it! Get yourself some amazing whole seeds and toast away. Then use a spice grinder to grind them down.
Preparation Tips
- Dutch processed cocoa is not too bitter, but any kind works as long as it is unsweetened.
- I love the flavor of crushed red pepper but I also tried this with chipotle seasoning and cayenne pepper, which turned out great as well. Add between 1 and 3 teaspoons depending on how spicy you want it.
- Regular paprika can be used instead of smoked.
- If you don’t have cumin, or don’t care for the taste, you can use more paprika or chili powder, or swap it for ground coriander, caraway seeds, or even curry powder.
How to Use Taco Seasoning
This seasoning is perfect for so many things! From just adding it to taco filling to using it in sauces and dips.
Below are some of my favorite recipes that you can use this in. Keep in mind that in most of these, you are subbing this seasoning for the seasoning in the recipe already or adding it in on top of the flavor already there.
- Vegan Taco Meat
- Bean Dip
- Spicy Cilantro Cream Sauce
- Chili Cheese Dip
- Tangy Chili Lime Sauce
- Taco Spiced Collard Chips
- Chili Taco Crema
- Healthy Taco Salad
- Vegan Breakfast Tacos
- Jackfruit Tacos
- Black Bean Sweet Potato Tacos
- Crispy Potato Tacos
- Vegan Taquitos
If you are making a recipe that calls for one packet of taco seasoning and want to use this instead, you simply use 2 tablespoons of this since one packet of taco seasoning equates to 2 tablespoons.
This recipe makes about half a cup of taco seasoning, so you essentially get 4 packets here. A much more economical choice!!
Storing tips
- Store it in an airtight container. Air will not only reduce the flavor but will also allow in moisture and therefore clumps. Pint Sized Mason Jars, Tulip Jelly Jars, or Glass Jars with a Hinged Lid are all good options.
- Keep the jar in a cool and dry location. Avoid storing over your stove or other heat sources.
- I do not use any flour or cornstarch because we use it up pretty fast, however if you do plan on keeping it a while, adding either of those two will help it so it doesn’t clump.
- This spice blend will stay fresh for up to 2 years if stored properly.
Where to buy spices
There are many options when it comes to buying spices. Because freshness makes a difference in the end flavor, I recommend knowing the source. Buying at a grocery store tends to be safer with expired spices.
But one of the best places to buy spices is actually at your local spice shop. You can also buy them online but depending on where you buy them, you may not know how long they have been sitting around.
Common Questions
Taco seasoning tends to have similar ingredients across the board when it comes to recipes. Both store bought and homemade have a similar flavor base. The most common are: chili powder, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, some kind of spicy seasoning.
Old El Paso is the OG of taco seasoning brands. It’s super common, but like other store bought brands, while convenient, it includes a lot of things you don’t need or use when making it fresh at home. The ingredients in Old El Paso are Chili Pepper, Maltodextrin, Salt, Onion Powder, Spice, Corn Starch, Sea Salt. Contains 2% Or Less Of: Vegetable Oil, Corn Flour, Silicon Dioxide , Citric Acid, Sugar, Natural Flavor.
If you’re looking to keep it simple and don’t want to invest in a bunch of spices quite yet, then it’s actually pretty easy to simply use chili powder in place of taco seasoning. Chili powder is actually mainly ground chilis mixed with some of the ingredients in taco seasoning, such as cumin, onion and garlic powder.
You can add in some extra smoked paprika or chili powder, or mix in ground coriander, caraway seeds, or curry powder.
More Vegan Kitchen Staples
Making your own homemade versions of store bought favorites is a great way to ensure they’re made from whole food ingredients. Here are some easy plant based recipes:
- Vegan Mayo
- Sour Cream
- Coconut Butter
- Vegan Bechamel
- Cream Cheese
- Date Paste
- BBQ Sauce
- Chocolate Syrup
- Homemade Nutella
Easy Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika (you can use regular if you don’t have smoked)
- 2 ½ teaspoons cumin
- 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder (see note)
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1-3 teaspoons crushed red pepper (see note)
Instructions
- Mix everything together and store in an airtight container. You can also mix it by shaking the container well after you put the lid on.
- Note that if you plan to store it for a long period of time, you may want to add a tablespoon of cornstarch to prevent clumping. I did not add anything but typically use my stash up within a month, then make more.
- Use as needed!
Notes
- This recipe makes about 1/2 cup, serving size for nutrition is 1 tablespoon.
- I used dutch processed cocoa as it is a touch less bitter, but either kind works as long as it is unsweetened.
- I love the flavor of crushed red pepper but I also tried this with chipotle seasoning and cayenne pepper, which turned out great as well. Add between 1 and 3 teaspoons depending on how spicy you want it.
Recipe by Veggies Don’t Bite, visit our site for more great plant-based recipes.
Nutrition
Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.
Sarah says
I already use my own seasoning blend for tacos, but had to try this one to see what the cocoa powder was all about. OMG, let’s just say this might be the top choice from now on. So tasty!
Heather says
Incredible taco seasoning. We love it, my four year old eats it up. We usually just saute some crumbled tofu, mix some of this seasoning with a little water and let it all cook down for a bit. I keep a jar of this seasoning on hand with my other spices. Thank you for all your great recipes Sophia!
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you so much Heather!! So happy even the 4 year old likes it!
Jocelyn says
Hi Sophia,
Just love your recipes. Thanks so much. Im a massive chilli fan but my family not so much. Was wondering what i can substitute the chilli for in your taco seasoning recipe. Thanks
veggiesdontbite says
Hi Jocelyn! Thank you so much for your kind words!! I am happy to have you here. So, the chili is a big part of what give taco seasoning it’s flavor but if you don’t like it you can leave it out and substitute it for a little more of the other ingredients. Or just more cumin and smoked paprika. I’d just start with the base without it, then add each thing until you get a flavor you like. But again, it would yield a different end result.
The Vegan 8 says
Finally made the taco seasoning and it’s perfect! Can’t wait to try it with the tacos tonight, my mouth is so excited, bahahaha!
veggiesdontbite says
I am so appreciative of you making the tacos!!! You are such a great friend and always so supportive. Thank you so much!
Deborah W. says
This is the best recipe for taco ‘meat’ that I’ve ever eaten. I became vegetarian the end of November, 2017. I missed tacos so much. I’ve tried ‘meat alternatives’ and there’s no comparison to this! I LOVE this! Wow, I can’t say enough about it and have told everyone about it (even the grocery cashier, ha). The taco seasoning is also SO, so good! Thank you so much for taking the time to develop this recipe. Kudos to you!
Andrea says
I’ve recently discovered your website and love everything I’ve made so far. Do you have a recommendation for how much of the mix to use per pound of soy crumbles or per cup of lentils? iI’m terrible if I don’t follow a recipe.
veggiesdontbite says
Thanks so much Andrea! So happy you are loving it. Since my taco meat recipe makes 3 cups and I use about 5 tablespoons of this mix, I would guess between 3-4 tablespoons for 1 cup lentils or anything else. Let me know how it works out!
Tami says
This is now kept in a jar ready to be used at any time! Cocoa powder!! I made a pasta recipe onetime that called for cacao powder and I almost had left it out cause I was like “say what?” but I didn’t and I am so glad I left it in the recipe. This spice mix rocks!! I did cut back on the smoked paprika as the girls are as fond of that spice, but it still is AHmazing!! Thank you Sophia!
veggiesdontbite says
I am so happy to hear Tami!! We keep ours in a jar too, it’s especially good for my hubby when he makes the food, haha! I love good unexpected ingredients! Have you seen my 5 minute lava cake and the secret ingredient I use there?
Cassie Thuvan Tran says
Cocoa powder is FAB. I love using it in chili and pasta sauce! Definitely have to try using it to saute some vegetables and vegan taco meat. It sounds like a wonderful idea!
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you Cassie! It’s a great secret ingredient that really deepens flavor. I love the idea of putting it in pasta sauce!
The Vegan 8 says
Girl, the way to my heart is through tacos and homemade seasonings, hahaha. I love that you added cocoa powder, that is an amazing idea and so true! Mole sauce definitely comes to mind! Can’t wait to try this with your new taco recipe I saw come through. Forgive me for catching up on your posts!
veggiesdontbite says
Awe, thank you friend! There are a ton of taco seasonings out there so I wanted to make a little something different. I like light on the cumin in mine, which is why it’s so great to make your own and tailor it to your own fave flavors!
JD says
I’m loving all the tacos lately and making homemade taco seasoning is so much better than the store bought kind!
Terri Edwards says
What a great idea! And SO easy too. Thank you for this great tip. I’ve been buying taco seasoning, but this looks so much better. –Terri
veggiesdontbite says
It’s so easy Terri! My issue with the store bought stuff is that there are a few flavors I like to emphasize more than others and it’s never quite right for me. This is my favorite combo, maybe a tad different than what’s out there, but it’s a hit around here! Wait until you see what I use it for coming in the next few days!
Terri says
Hi Sophia! Just wanted to say I love your recipes but I have a very difficult time reading them. I hope you’ll please consider using a dark font and not the light gray that you have been using. It’s so hard to see against a white background. (And a little larger would be great too.) Thanks so much!
veggiesdontbite says
Hi Terri! Thanks so much, happy you love the recipes! Sorry you are having trouble reading the font. I can’t change the size as that would mess with a lot of other style details I have but I can see if my web guy can make the shade a touch darker. I can only go a shade or two darker without having to change other design elements but I’ll see what he can do. Have a good night!
Terri B says
Thank you SO MUCH, Sophia! What a great difference it made (the darker font)! Now I’m headed for the kitchen! LOVE YOUR RECIPES!
Terri B.
veggiesdontbite says
Oh good! My web guy actually said it wasn’t necessarily the font color but the thickness of it so he upped the bold a bit! Glad it helped! Thanks for being here!