August 18, 2026
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Making your own McCormick Taco Seasoning at home is easy and made with simple pantry spices you probably already have. This homemade taco seasoning adds great flavor to tacos, ground beef, chicken, and easy favorites like Crockpot Chicken Taco Meat or Taco Rice, making it a handy blend to keep in your spice cabinet.
Ingredient Notes for McCormick Taco Seasoning
Here’s what each ingredient adds to this simple homemade taco seasoning blend.
- Yellow cornmeal: Helps thicken the seasoning and gives it a little texture.
- Chili powder: Adds the main chili flavor and a mild kick.
- Cumin: Brings a warm, earthy flavor to the mix.
- Oregano: Mexican oregano is preferred, but regular oregano works too.
- Salt: Coarse-ground kosher salt brings out all the other flavors.
- Onion powder: Adds a mild onion flavor throughout the seasoning.
- Garlic powder: Adds a simple savory garlic flavor.
- Granulated sugar: Balances the spices with a touch of sweetness.
- Smoked paprika: Adds a subtle smoky flavor and rich color.
How to Make Taco Seasoning
You probably already have most of these spices in your pantry, so this homemade taco seasoning comes together in just a few minutes.
For complete ingredient measurements and recipe details, see the printable recipe card down below.
Step 1: Measure and Stir
Measure all of the spices and ingredients into a small bowl. Give everything a good stir until the spices are evenly mixed and you don’t see any clumps. That’s it! Your homemade taco seasoning is ready to use in tacos, ground beef, chicken, or any recipe that calls for taco seasoning.
Step 2: Store
Transfer the taco seasoning to an airtight container and store it in a cool, dark, dry place, like a pantry or spice cabinet. Having a jar ready to go makes it easy to grab whenever you need to season a quick batch of tacos.
How to Use Taco Seasoning
This homemade taco seasoning recipe is enough for 1 pound of ground beef, ground turkey or other meat, like shredded chicken. Simply cook your meat, sprinkle in the seasoning, and stir. Add in 3/4 cup water and simmer until ready to serve.
If you buy lean ground beef, there’s no need to drain the excess fat, but if you have a fattier kind of beef, feel free to drain it before adding in the seasoning and water.
Make a Big Batch!
I’d definitely recommend making a triple or quadruple batch (or even bigger!) of this recipe. You’ll just have to remember that 3 1/2 tablespoons of seasoning is the amount you’ll sprinkle into your meat to season it properly. I’d recommend making one batch first to see how you like it and then go from there.
Tips for Success
- Go easy on the smoked paprika. A little goes a long way. If you prefer less smoky flavor, simply reduce the amount in your next batch.
- Taste before adding more salt. The seasoning already contains salt, so cook the taco meat first, give it a taste, then add more only if needed.
- Use fresh spices. Chili powder, cumin, and paprika lose flavor over time. Fresh spices will give your taco seasoning a much better flavor.
- Break up any clumps. Give the spices a good stir before storing. You can also run the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer to help everything blend evenly.
- Add cayenne for more heat. Start with a small pinch and adjust from there. This adds heat without changing the overall flavor of the seasoning.
- Add a splash of water to the meat. A little water helps the seasoning coat the ground meat evenly and keeps it from tasting dry or powdery.
Love Tacos? Try These Tasty Sides:
These simple sides are perfect for serving with tacos and are easy to add to your next taco night.
This basic recipe is definitely not basic! Take your favorite Mexican inspired dishes to the next level with this homemade taco seasoning! The printable recipe card is below. Have a great day, friends! Happy taco-making!
McCormick Taco Seasoning Recipe
Make your own Taco Seasoning at home that tastes just as good *if not better* than anything you could buy at the store. Hello, Taco Tuesday!
Ingredients
Notes
One recipe makes 3 1/2 Tablespoons of seasoning, enough for 1 lb of taco meat of your choice. Add 3/4 cups water and simmer.
Nutrition
Calories: 23kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 600mgPotassium: 42mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 420IUCalcium: 18mgIron: 1mg
Recipes to Try With McCormick Taco Seasoning
If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tagging me @laurens_latest.
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