The Best Homemade Taco Seasoning

Common Additives in Store-Bought Taco Seasoning

I reviewed ingredient labels from the major brands for spice blends and found the following additives. These aren't necessarily bad for you, especially in small quantities, but I'll choose whole foods over cheap fillers any day of the week.

• Maltodextrin: Commonly found in processed foods, maltodextrin is a powder also known as modified corn starch or cane syrup solids (among other names). It is used as a thickener as well as a preservative to increase shelf life.
• Corn starch: This is a thickening agent derived from corn grain.
• Silicon dioxide: Also known as silica, this is an anti-caking agent that is used to prevent powders from clumping.
• Natural flavors: The term is a little misleading in my opinion, as natural flavors are essentially extracts from plant and animal products that are spun up in a lab to create chemical compounds. The FDA does not require labels to indicate the source of any of these flavoring agents!
• Milk products: Some packets have whey, which is the remaining liquid after milk has been curdled or strained.

Ingredients in Homemade Taco Seasoning

Making your own taco seasoning is as easy as measuring a handful of spices and whisking them all together! See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for quantities.

• Ground chili powder - You have to start with the chili powder! You can play with the amount you use to adjust the spice level. I usually go easy on this since I have kids who don't love super spicy foods.
• Cumin - A lot of people think of ground cumin as a "spicy" spice, but it's more warm and aromatic than anything! I really love the way cumin grounds this taco seasoning blend.
• Maple sugar - Any granulated sugar works here! You can use coconut sugar as another refined sugar-free option. Being able to control something like sugar content is what really sets a homemade blend apart from a grocery store option.
• Garlic powder - Garlic definitely isn't the first flavor most people think of with taco seasoning, but it balances the entire mixture so well!
• Onion powder - Onion powder has a similar purpose to the garlic powder. It creates a super satisfying, complete finished product.
• Salt & black pepper - The classics! Start with the amount in the recipe, taste, and add as needed. You can use as much salt and pepper as you wish.

How to Make the Best Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix

1. Measure out each spice.
2. Whisk all spices together in a small bowl.
3. Serve and/or store.

Storage

Store your homemade seasoning blend in an airtight container until you're ready to use it. I've found that Luminarc glass jars or 8-oz. wide-mouth Mason jars act as great spice jars.

Add the jar to your spice cabinet or any other dry place and keep at room temperature. The spice mixture stores long enough (at least 6 months) that you can make a big batch to have on hand whenever you get a hankering for Mexican food. I usually double or triple the recipe!

Other Ingredients to Consider

I love this blend of basic spices because of its classic taste and versatility to use with so many different recipes. However, the beauty of making your own seasoning mixes is that you can customize it exactly as you wish!

• Cayenne pepper - adds pungent, spicy and smoky flavor.
• Red pepper flakes - adds spiciness but usually milder and slightly sweeter than cayenne.
• Smoked paprika - adds intense smoky flavor and a little heat.
• Regular paprika - adds a little sweetness and a peppery taste.