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Homemade Taco Seasoning

This easy homemade taco seasoning blend makes the best ground beef tacos!

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
20 mins
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 268 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

TACO SEASONING FOR 1 POUND OF GROUND BEEF
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne (omit for a mild seasoning)
FOR HOMEMADE TACOS
  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • ½ cup tomato sauce
  • Taco shells or tortillas of choice
  • Toppings of choice, such as: shredded cheese, chopped lettuce, pico de gallo, salsa, sour cream, guacamole, sliced black olives, lime wedges, sliced jalapenos, fresh cilantro, pickled red onions

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Combine all of the seasoning ingredients in a small bowl or jar. This is enough seasoning for 1 lb. of ground beef. Use immediately, or store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
TO MAKE HOMEMADE TACOS
    Cup of Yum
  1. Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until no longer pink, using a wooden spoon to break up the meat as it cooks. Drain excess grease from the skillet.
  2. Return the meat to the skillet and reduce the heat to low. Stir in the seasoning blend and the tomato sauce.
  3. Cook for about 5 more minutes, stirring occasionally and adding water, if necessary, to keep the mixture moist and "saucy." Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if desired.

Notes

  • Adjust the amounts of each seasoning to suit your personal taste preferences. For instance, use more or less salt, use smoked paprika instead of sweet paprika, or make it spicy with extra cayenne.
  • Use the cooked homemade taco meat in traditional ground beef tacos with crunchy shells or soft flour tortillas, on taco salad, in taquitos, in enchiladas, on Mexican pizza, in burritos, stuffed in potatoes, in quesadillas, in stuffed pasta shells, on nachos, or in a casserole.
  • Use the cooked homemade taco meat in traditional ground beef tacos with crunchy shells or soft flour tortillas, on taco salad, in taquitos, in enchiladas, on Mexican pizza, in burritos, stuffed in potatoes, in quesadillas, in stuffed pasta shells, on nachos, or in a casserole.
  • Add extra liquid to the skillet, if needed, as the meat simmers with the seasoning to reach your desired consistency. Good options include water, chicken broth, and beef broth.
  • Add extra liquid to the skillet, if needed, as the meat simmers with the seasoning to reach your desired consistency. Good options include water, chicken broth, and beef broth.
  • Make a much larger batch of homemade taco seasoning and keep it in your pantry for up to 6 months. Measure out 3 tablespoons of seasoning to use for every 1 pound of ground beef that you prepare.
  • Make a much larger batch of homemade taco seasoning and keep it in your pantry for up to 6 months. Measure out 3 tablespoons of seasoning to use for every 1 pound of ground beef that you prepare.
  • Drain excess grease from the skillet before stirring in the taco seasoning.
  • Drain excess grease from the skillet before stirring in the taco seasoning.

  • A squeeze of fresh lime juice or chopped cilantro added at the end gives the dish a fresh, flavorful finishing touch. If you're in a pinch and you don't have any tomato sauce on hand, you can sub with a thick salsa. Add extra liquid to the skillet (such as water or broth), as needed, to reach the desired consistency.

    Adjust the amounts of each seasoning to suit your personal taste preferences. For instance, use more or less salt, use smoked paprika instead of sweet paprika, or make it spicy with extra cayenne. Swap out the ground beef and use the homemade taco seasoning with chicken, ground turkey, ground chicken, ground pork, shrimp, or other seafood. Use red pepper flakes for extra heat, or as a sub for the cayenne.

  • A squeeze of fresh lime juice or chopped cilantro added at the end gives the dish a fresh, flavorful finishing touch.
  • If you're in a pinch and you don't have any tomato sauce on hand, you can sub with a thick salsa. Add extra liquid to the skillet (such as water or broth), as needed, to reach the desired consistency.
  • Adjust the amounts of each seasoning to suit your personal taste preferences. For instance, use more or less salt, use smoked paprika instead of sweet paprika, or make it spicy with extra cayenne.
  • Swap out the ground beef and use the homemade taco seasoning with chicken, ground turkey, ground chicken, ground pork, shrimp, or other seafood.
  • Use red pepper flakes for extra heat, or as a sub for the cayenne.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1/4 of the cooked taco meat Calories 268kcal (13%) Carbohydrates 5g (2%) Protein 22g (44%) Fat 18g (28%) Saturated Fat 7g (35%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 8g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 77mg (26%) Sodium 546mg (23%) Potassium 521mg (15%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 1286IU (26%) Vitamin C 2mg (2%) Calcium 46mg (5%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 268

% Daily Value*

Serving 1/4 of the cooked taco meat
Calories 268kcal 13%
Carbohydrates 5g 2%
Protein 22g 44%
Fat 18g 28%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 8g 40%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 77mg 26%
Sodium 546mg 23%
Potassium 521mg 11%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 1286IU 26%
Vitamin C 2mg 2%
Calcium 46mg 5%
Iron 4mg 22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.