Homemade Taco Seasoning for Ground Beef Tacos

This homemade taco seasoning mix is easy to put together, and it works just like the taco seasoning you buy in packets.

One batch of this taco seasoning is enough for making six one pound batches of taco meat. I just keep the mixture sealed in the pantry and grab it when I want to make ground beef tacos. 

All you need to make ground beef tacos is a pound of ground beef, a half of an onion, and some water, along with three tablespoons of this seasoning. If you are used to using the packets of taco seasoning, three tablespoons equal one packet.

You can also use this taco seasoning for chicken or steak tacos. In addition, you can use it as a rub for steaks, chicken, or fish before grilling or roasting.

I also like to to add a teaspoon or two to guacamole. It's great too for turning tomato sauce into enchilada sauce.

Homemade taco seasoning ingredients:

Chili Powder: Use the standard chili powder that you find in the spice section of the grocery store. It's typically a blend of different seasonings.

Granulated Onion: Granulated onion is more coarsely ground than onion powder. If you only have onion powder, be sure to use less. If you can find the granulated version be sure to get it. It will blend better with the rest of the mixture.

Granulated Garlic: It's the same as onion powder, but with a coarser texture, making it nicer to use in rubs and it is less clumpy.

Paprika: I like to use Spanish paprika, but you can use any paprika you have on hand.

Salt: I used table salt for this mix. If you use kosher salt, you'll have to increase the amount a little bit by volume.

These tacos are a take on the crispy ground beef tacos I grew up on, you know.... the ones with the taco shells that are already crispy out of the box. While I sometimes crave those tacos, I really like making my own crispy corn tortilla shells. Plus, it's super easy!

Don't forget to make some guacamole too. 

How to make homemade crispy corn tortilla taco shells:

First, heat about 1/2 inch of neutral oil in a small skillet. When the oil is shimmering and 350 degrees F (you can test the oil by adding a small piece of a tortilla to see if it sizzles), add one corn tortilla and cook on one side for about a minute.

Next, flip the tortilla over to cook the other side. Using tongs, gently fold the tortilla in half and fry on both sides, flipping as you go, until lightly browned. Drain on paper towels.

Be sure to fold the tortillas in half before they become too crispy to bend. You also want to make sure that the fold is rounded like a taco shell. It's more of an art than a science.

One thing that I do after removing the tortilla from the oil is stuff a small piece of a crumpled paper towel in the middle just to keep the taco shell shape.

Finally, stuff the tortillas with the beef mixture and garnish with pico de gallo and shredded cheese.

Sunday Funday

Spice & Herb Mixes

• Chinese Five Spice Powder by Food Lust People Love
• DIY Country Gravy Mix by Palatable Pastime
• Homemade Garam Masala by Mayuri's Jikoni
• Homemade Taco Seasoning by Karen's Kitchen Stories
• Italian Herb Blend by Amy's Cooking Adventures
• Sicilian Pesto by A Day in the Life on the Farm
• Spicy Fried Fish With Homemade Fish Masala by Sneha's Recipe

This post was originally published in September 2014. It's been updated and reposted in April 2023 with new photos and printable recipe card. Plus, I was craving old school tacos.

Homemade Taco Seasoning for Ground Beef Tacos

Yield: 6 Servings

Author: Karen's Kitchen Stories

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 15 MinTotal time: 25 Min

This homemade taco seasoning mix is easy to put together, and it works just like the taco seasoning you buy in packets.

Ingredients

For the Seasoning (Three tablespoons equal one packet of taco seasoning)

• 1/2 cup chile powder
• 1/4 cup granulated onion
• 2 tablespoons ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon granulated garlic
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon salt

For the Ground Beef Taco Filling

• 1/2 of a medium onion, diced
• 1 pound of ground beef
• 3 tablespoons taco seasoning
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional)

Instructions

To Make the Seasoning

1. Whisk the ingredients together in a small bowl.
2. Cover and store in a cool pantry. Re-stir the ingredients each time you use the seasoning.

To Make the Seasoned Ground Beef

1. Place the onion and ground beef into a 12 inch skillet and cook over medium-low heat until the beef if fully cooked.
2. Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the meat and add the water. Stir and cook until the water has evaporated.
3. Add the optional hot sauce.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

282

Fat (grams)

19 g

Sat. Fat (grams)

6 g

Carbs (grams)

17 g

Fiber (grams)

8 g

Net carbs

8 g

Sugar (grams)

2 g

Protein (grams)

17 g

Sodium (milligrams)

351 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

54 mg

https://www.karenskitchenstories.com/2014/08/homemade-taco-seasoning-for-mini-tacos.html

Karen's Kitchen Stories

tacos, seasoning

Main dish

American

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