Taco Seasoning

By Sam Sifton

Updated May 23, 2023

Taco Seasoning
Ryan Liebe for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.
Total Time
5 minutes
Rating
5(1,714)
Comments
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Skip the powdered, packaged stuff and make your own taco seasoning, adjusting the spices to your family's taste. The recipe below makes enough to season one pound of browned ground beef or chicken (it even works with crumbled tofu), but you can easily double or triple it and store it in airtight container so it's ready to go on a busy weeknight. 

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Ingredients

Yield:Enough to season 1 pound ground beef, chicken or turkey
  • 2tablespoons chile powder
  • 1½teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
  • 1teaspoon black pepper, to taste
  • 1teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1teaspoon smoked paprika (or substitute hot or sweet paprika)
  • ¼teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼teaspoon onion powder
  • ½teaspoon crushed red-pepper flakes, or to taste
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (2 servings)

43 calories; 2 grams fat; 0 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 1 gram monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 8 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams dietary fiber; 1 gram sugars; 2 grams protein; 234 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Mix all ingredients together until well combined.

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Ratings

5 out of 5
1,714 user ratings
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Comments

Cheryl S.

I also add a teaspoon of Mexican oregano. Crumble it with your hands to release the oils. It really adds another dimension. This is a really good recipe, although I've never added the cornstarch.

Rohn Jay Miller

Cayenne ground pepper can give a more even heat if you prefer, over chili flakes. And try grinding your own mix of toasted ancho and chipotle chilis

James A

Seems about right to me. We love home made tacos and use spices liberally. Do toast whole cumin seed and grind it fresh. Easy as pie and much more delightful. We also add corriander seed, toasted and ground. I love the comment to use rosemary. Will try!

Kentfield Barbara

How much water do you add?

Susan A.

Awesome flavor! I never thought of corn starch, but it worked well!

Mike

Seemed like too much spice for one pound of meat - recommend starting with less and tasting. I would switch out smoky paprika with regular if I tried this again.

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