Taco Seasoning

By Sam Sifton

Updated May 23, 2023

Taco Seasoning
Ryan Liebe for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.
Total Time
5 minutes
Rating
5(1,759)
Comments
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Skip the powdered, packaged stuff and make your own taco seasoning, adjusting the spices to your family's taste. The recipe below makes enough to season one pound of browned ground beef or chicken (it even works with crumbled tofu), but you can easily double or triple it and store it in airtight container so it's ready to go on a busy weeknight. 

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Ingredients

Yield:Enough to season 1 pound ground beef, chicken or turkey
  • 2tablespoons chile powder
  • 1½teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
  • 1teaspoon black pepper, to taste
  • 1teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1teaspoon smoked paprika (or substitute hot or sweet paprika)
  • ¼teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼teaspoon onion powder
  • ½teaspoon crushed red-pepper flakes, or to taste
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (2 servings)

43 calories; 2 grams fat; 0 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 1 gram monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 8 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams dietary fiber; 1 gram sugars; 2 grams protein; 234 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Mix all ingredients together until well combined.

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Ratings

5 out of 5
1,759 user ratings
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Comments

Cheryl S.

I also add a teaspoon of Mexican oregano. Crumble it with your hands to release the oils. It really adds another dimension. This is a really good recipe, although I've never added the cornstarch.

Rohn Jay Miller

Cayenne ground pepper can give a more even heat if you prefer, over chili flakes. And try grinding your own mix of toasted ancho and chipotle chilis

James A

Seems about right to me. We love home made tacos and use spices liberally. Do toast whole cumin seed and grind it fresh. Easy as pie and much more delightful. We also add corriander seed, toasted and ground. I love the comment to use rosemary. Will try!

Evamarie

This is my go-to taco seasoning, and tonight, by accident, I learned a great way to use it. I had a pound of chicken chopped up for tacos and had it browning with a tablespoon of olive oil. I ground up pepper for the mix and absentmindedly threw it in the pot with the chicken instead of with the mix ingredients. What the heck, I thought, let's throw it all in the pot as I measure. The chicken was superb! Tender and tasty, and fast! I added maybe a quarter cup of water for sauciness. Try it!

Em

This is THE BEST spice mix you will ever try. Better than anything you can buy packaged and ridiculously easy to whip up. Family and friends are obsessed with my ground beef in recipes now because this spice mix packs a huge punch without the salt! I make this at least weekly!!

Kentfield Barbara

How much water do you add?

Tracy

@Kentfield Barbara I added close to 1/3 cup

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