Best Homemade Taco Seasoning
- PREP 10min
- TOTAL 10min
This homemade taco seasoning tastes much better than anything you can buy at the store. Most ingredients are likely already sitting in your spice cabinet. The secret ingredient is mushroom powder. You can make your own or buy it (here’s our homemade mushroom powder). The taco seasoning would still taste great without it, but if you can include it, we highly recommend it. Also, the amount of cayenne pepper is up to you. We call for 1/2 teaspoon, which makes the spice blend a mild to medium heat level.
You Will Need
2 tablespoons chili powder, try homemade chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons kosher salt or 1 teaspoon fine salt
1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
1 ½ teaspoons ground coriander
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or more based on how spicy you want the mix
2 teaspoons mushroom powder, optional, see tips
Directions
Combine 2 tablespoons chili powder, 1 tablespoon ground cumin, 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika, 1 ½ teaspoons ground coriander, 2 teaspoons kosher salt, and 2 teaspoons cornstarch in a small bowl. Whisk until well blended.
To add heat, whisk in 1/4 teaspoon to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (1/2 teaspoon is mild to medium heat). Add more for a spicier seasoning.
Whisk in 2 teaspoons of mushroom powder (see tips).
Store in an airtight jar for up to 6 months, and use 1 to 2 tablespoons per pound (450g) of meat or veggies.
Adam and Joanne's Tips
- Storing: Store taco seasoning in an airtight jar in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.
- How to use: For 1 pound (450g) of meat or veggies, we add 1 to 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning. You will need a little liquid (like water or broth), start with 1/4 cup and increase as needed.
- Mushroom powder: You may find mushroom powder sold in stores, but we make our own (it’s easy). To make it, blend 1 ounce of dried porcini mushrooms in a blender until a fine powder, making about 1/4 cup. You can store leftover mushroom powder in a spice jar for up to 6 months and use it whenever a dish needs a bump of savory flavor. For more details, here is our mushroom powder recipe.
- The nutrition facts below are estimates.