Homemade Taco Seasoning

My family loves tacos. It’s not a stretch to say we celebrate Taco Tuesday weekly, and usually enjoy some sort of Mexican dish at least once other time during the week. Making awesome tacos is both more delicious and easier than ever now, thanks to this homemade taco seasoning recipe! I like to whip up a batch and use it in absolutely everything I can. Tacos, casseroles, dips, soups, veggies, fajitas…you name it. It’s hands-down my favorite spice blend.

Save Money by Making Your Own Taco Seasoning

I know it might not seem like the taco seasoning packets you buy in stores are very expensive, but with the number of tacos our family consumes, it really adds up. I can make an entire batch of this homemade taco seasoning for pennies on the dollar when compared with the store packets. Not only is this mix less expensive than buying a packet of taco seasoning at the grocery store, it tastes better too. Plus, since you are the one making it, you know exactly what the ingredients in it are.

Cornstarch or No Cornstarch?

We use cornstarch in this recipe because it really helps the seasoning stick to the meat. When you add the water to the meat mixture it will thicken up and create a flavorful sauce that coats the meat. It also keeps it from drying out. The cornstarch, itself, doesn’t add any flavor, it just helps the flavors STAY there. However, you CAN leave it out if you are avoiding starches. You will still get wonderful flavor, you just may need to allow it to reduce longer on the stove top to get the thickness you desire.

How Long Does Homemade Taco Seasoning Last?

One batch of this seasoning makes enough mix for 4 taco nights. However, I like to triple the recipe (or more!) to make a big batch and bulk make enough homemade taco seasoning to last me a month or two. The essential thing to remember when making this mix is to use fresh spices. If the ingredients you are using have been sitting in your pantry for years they have lost their potency and flavor. As a general rule, store-bought spices are good for 1-2 years on the shelf as long as they are stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.

How To Store Taco Seasoning

So, just like the rest of your spices, keep this homemade taco seasoning fresh and flavorful by storing it properly. This means it should be kept in an airtight container, such as a mason jar, stored in a cool, dark place. When properly stored, a batch of this seasoning will be good for an entire year.

Taco Recipes to Try:

Ready to try out your homemade taco seasoning? Here are some of our favorite recipes that use taco seasoning:

Homemade Taco Seasoning