Homemade Taco Seasoning is one you definitely don’t want to skip. It’s so easy to make and craveably delicious! This unique recipe gets used in my kitchen every week, and I bet you’re gonna love it too!
Homemade Taco Seasoning is a recipe I started making decades ago. It’s so much more flavorful than the store-bought packets. Plus, we seem to go through a LOT at our house. With this recipe, I can make a big enough batch to always have plenty on hand.
My homemade taco seasoning recipe is pretty unique, compared to others you might see, too.
The deep, rich herb and spice flavors of cumin and peppers linger on your palate, reminiscent of traditional taco seasoning. But the finishing taste is cheesy. That comes from a secret ingredient that vegans have known about for a long time — nutritional yeast flakes [affiliate link].
By adding nutritional yeast to my taco seasoning, I not only enhance the flavor, but also add to the nutrition. Plus, I eliminate all the non-food fillers, preservatives, refined sugar, soy and other questionable ingredients common in commercial brands.
My taco seasoning blend is mild, not spicy. If you’re looking for taco seasoning with a decidedly spicier kick, I recommend my Easy Southwest Seasoning or my Easy Fajita Seasoning, both of which provide a spicier flavor profile.
The Ingredients
- Nutritional Yeast
- Cumin
- Paprika
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Chili Powder
- Salt
- optional, Mexican Oregano
What IS Nutritional Yeast?
I use nutritional yeast in my blend, first of all as the replacement for fillers used by commercial taco seasoning brands. I wanted my blend to be able to work measure for measure with the brands you’re used to.
But I also use it for its uniquely nutty, cheesy flavor. It’s a delicious complement to taco dishes.
And thirdly, it is SO nutritious. It’s a whole food, naturally loaded with vitamins, minerals, and protein that gives it a real purpose for being in the food we feed our families.
Nutritional yeast is NOT the same thing as baker’s yeast, for making bread, or brewer’s yeast; so please don’t try to use either of those as a substitute.
Nutritional yeast grows on sugar cane and beet molasses. Producers heat the yeast to deactivate it after it’s harvested. It’s a good source of B vitamins, folate and niacin. It contains 18 amino acids, 9 of which make it a complete protein. Fiber and glutathione are more beneficial components of nutritional yeast. Plus, it’s dairy-free, soy-free and gluten-free.
It’s essential to ensure you buy NON-FORTIFIED for the best nutritional value. Fortified brands spray on artificial vitamins that the body doesn’t really know how to break down and utilize. I use Anthony’s brand non-fortified nutritional yeast [affiliate link] in a lot of my recipes. It’s a wholesome ingredient I always keep on my pantry shelves.
What Is Mexican Oregano?
Many people don’t even realize there is more than one variety of oregano. Most of us keep Mediterranean (Greek) oregano in our everyday pantry as a staple herb for all sorts of dishes.
But Mexican oregano [affiliate link] is a completely different plant species. It’s a member of the Verbena family and has a peppery, citrusy flavor profile. The flavor is more intense than its Greek cousin because of a higher concentration of essential oils coming from this plant.
Mediterranean oregano is from the mint family. It’s milder, sweeter and well … more minty.
I love, love, love both oreganos for their various purposes.
Greek/Mediterranean oregano is very easy to find, even in my small town stores. In the U.S. it’s so common it is most often simply labeled as Oregano.
Mexican oregano, on the other hand, isn’t available in my hometown stores. I typically order it online [affiliate link] unless I’m in the city and can pick it up at a store there. It’s definitely worth the extra effort. If you start using Mexican oregano in your taco seasoning and other Mexican-inspired dishes, you’ll find it hard to go without it. Trust me, this is a flavor you will fall in love with.
How to Use Easy Homemade Taco Seasoning
Besides using this taco seasoning in my famous Taco Dip, I also love to make fresh taco chips with it.
While I wouldn’t say my recipe is a dead-ringer for those “-oritos” brand chips we all love, it’s definitely cheesy-taco-y delicious!
Popcorn is another good spot to shake a little of this homemade taco seasoning.
Homemade burritos and ground beef tacos will get standing ovations from your favorite people when you use this seasoning recipe. Really… start practicing your curtsy. Just sayin’. 🙂
We Love it in These Easy Recipes:
- Walking Taco Casserole Recipe (Frito Pie)
- Delicious 10-Minute Taco Dip
- Bisquick Taco Pie, a Budget-friendly, Kid-friendly, Easy Recipe
- Easy Taco Soup Recipe: Quick and Delicious Supper on a Budget
- Pulled Pork Tacos (Slow Cooker Pulled Pork for Tacos Recipe)
- Homemade Taco Chips
- Mexican Macaroni Salad (Classic or Gluten-Free)
- Easy Ground Beef Taco Meat Recipe
- Easy Ground Beef Tacos (Soft Tacos)
How to Make Easy Homemade Taco Seasoning
Place all the ingredients in a blender jar or pitcher, and pulse until everything is evenly distributed. Store your Homemade Taco Seasoning in a canning jar or container with a tight-sealing lid. Use 2 to 3 Tablespoons of the seasoning to replace a packet of any of the commercial brands.
The Recipe
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Homemade Taco Seasoning
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 3/4 cup 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This simple seasoning blend is not only delicious, it’s nutritious! No fillers, no sugar, and no additives or preservatives. Just your own healthy ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
- 3 Tablespoons cumin
- 3 Tablespoons paprika
- 4 teaspoons salt (Can be reduced for low-sodium diets.)
- 1 Tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- optional: 2 teaspoons Mexican Oregano (You don’t NEED this herb, but if you ever try it, you’ll never want it without again. )
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients until thoroughly combined. I actually toss it all in my blender and whir it together. That way, everything has the same consistency and combines evenly.
- Use this instead of commercial taco seasoning in any dish or recipe. It’s so much better for you and the taste is fantastic!
- Store it in a pint-sized mason jar or a zip-top bag.
- Use 2 to 3 Tablespoons to replace a commercial taco seasoning packet.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Category: Seasonings, Seasoning Mix, Taco, Seasoning Blend
- Method: cold prep
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
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About Glenda
I believe cooking from scratch doesn’t have to be complicated and that YOU can do it. My simple recipes, tutorials, and cooking tips will help you get weeknight dinners on the table with less stress. Forget takeout or the drive-thru. Let me show you how to make homemade easy. Read more...
