Taco seasoning mix
A smoky, savoury homemade taco spice blend that is gluten free and has no fillers, enough for about 6 meals.
Make this once, then cook it into 28 different dishes.
- Time5 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £0.08 a head
- Makesabout 120 g, enough for 6 batches of tacos for 4
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Measure all the spices into a small bowl. Use level spoonfuls so the heat and salt stay balanced.
- 2
Whisk with a fork for 30 seconds, pressing out any lumps in the garlic and onion granules, until the mix is an even brick red.
- 3
Spoon into a clean, dry jar with a tight lid. Label it with the date.
- 4
To use for 4 servings, stir about 20 g (roughly 2.5 tbsp) into 500 g browned mince or cooked beans and add 100 ml water. Simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce clings to the filling.
About taco seasoning mix
Taco seasoning mix is a dry blend of chilli powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic, onion, oregano and black pepper, stirred into meat, beans or vegetables to give them the savoury, smoky flavour of Tex-Mex tacos. It tastes warm and earthy with a gentle kick, and you control the heat and the salt.
Shop bought packets often contain wheat flour, starch, sugar, maltodextrin or flavour enhancers. This version is just spices, so it is naturally gluten free, dairy free, egg free, nut free and vegan, as long as your spice jars are pure.
One batch makes about six meals. Use it on beef or turkey mince, chicken, pulled pork, black beans, lentils, roasted cauliflower or sweet potato, or sprinkled on wedges and popcorn.
Tips
- Use pure chilli powder (ground dried chillies), not a pre-mixed chilli seasoning that already contains cumin, salt and other ingredients, or the balance will be off.
- For a low salt mix, leave the salt out of the jar and season each dish at the table. The mix is still flavourful without it.
- For deeper smokiness swap 1 tbsp of the chilli powder for chipotle powder or ground ancho chilli.
- Toast the whole cumin seeds in a dry pan for a minute and grind them fresh for a noticeably better flavour.
- Add 1 tbsp cornflour per 4 tbsp of mix if you like the thickened, glossy coating of packet mixes. Use a gluten free cornflour.
Storing and freezing
Keeps in an airtight jar in a cool dark cupboard for up to 6 months, though the flavour is best within 3 months. Keep it away from the steam above the cooker and always use a dry spoon.
Dishes you can make with taco seasoning mix
Picadillo de Res con Papas y Chícharos (Mexican Beef and Potato Hash)
GFDFEFTostadas de Frijol y Carne Molida (Crisp Bean and Beef Tostadas)
GFEFNFTacos de Berenjena Asada Sazonada (Spiced Roast Aubergine Tacos)
GFDFEFTacos de Coliflor Rostizada con Pico de Gallo (Taco-Spiced Cauliflower Tacos)
GFDFEFTacos de Camote y Frijol Negro con Crema de Lima (Sweet Potato and Black Bean Tacos)
GFEFNFBurritos de Carne Molida con Arroz y Frijoles (Beef and Rice Burritos)
EFNFNachos de Carne con Queso Casero (Loaded Beef Nachos with Queso)
GFEFNFTaquitos de Pollo al Horno (Baked Crispy Chicken Taquitos)
GFEFNFEnsalada de Taco con Tostadas (Mexican Taco Salad Bowls)
GFDFEFSopa de Taco (Tex-Mex Taco Soup)
DFEFNFTacos de Huevo con Papa (Egg and Potato Breakfast Tacos)
GFNFVPapas Sazonadas al Horno con Crema de Lima (Taco-Spiced Roast Potato Wedges)
GFEFNFQuestions
How much taco seasoning should I use?
About 20 g, or roughly 2.5 tbsp, for 500 g of mince or 2 tins of beans, with 100 ml of water. It is stronger than many packets, so start with 2 tbsp and add more to taste.
Is homemade taco seasoning gluten free?
Yes, as long as each spice is pure and labelled gluten free where needed. There is no flour or starch in the mix, unlike many shop bought packets.
How can I make it milder or hotter?
For a milder mix use only 0.5 tsp cayenne or leave it out and use a sweet smoked paprika. For more heat add 1 tsp more cayenne or swap in chipotle powder.
How long does homemade taco seasoning keep?
Up to 6 months in an airtight jar in a cool, dark cupboard, though the flavour is strongest within about 3 months.
Can I use it for vegetarian tacos?
Yes, it is fully vegan. Stir it into black beans, lentils, roasted sweet potato, mushrooms or crumbled tofu, with a splash of water to make a sauce.
More base recipes
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.