Learn All About Taco Seasoning Ingredients 
and How to Make a Homemade Mix

For the home taco maker, knowing which taco seasoning ingredients to use is the key to recreating authentic Mexican flavours and aromas. And just below you'll see some common traditional herbs and spices you can use to create your own, or, have a go at my basic recipe below. It's simple to do and only takes a few minutes.

This is not an exhaustive list, but if you have even a few of these you'll be able to rustle up your own homemade taco mix in minutes.

Common Taco Seasoning Ingredients:

  • Various chili peppers (whole/flakes/powder)
  • Cumin seeds
  • Peppercorns
  • Coriander seeds
  • Cinnamon
  • Cloves
  • Annatto seeds
  • Paprika
  • Nutmeg
  • Allspice berries
  • Garlic powder
  • Onion powder
  • Ginger powder
  • Oregano
  • Mexican oregano (different to Mediterranean oregano)
  • Basil
  • Mint
  • Parsley
  • Marjoram

Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe

Note: Whilst a few whole taco seasoning ingredients will go a long way to making your blend authentic, sometimes you just may not have them available. If this is the case just use their pre-ground versions and reduce the quantities by half. So, for 3 tablespoons of cumin seeds you would use 4 teaspoons of pre-ground cumin. Reduce any others that you don't have whole by half as well and stir in with the other powders when making.

What You'll Need: (makes about 6-7 tablespoons)

3 tbsp cumin seeds
2 tbsp dried oregano
1 tbsp dried basil
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp peppercorns
4-5 tsp chili powder (hot or mild)
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp paprika powder
1-2 tsp sea salt
1 tsp whole cloves

tbsp = tablespoon
tsp = teaspoon

Directions:

  • Grind the cumin, pappercorns, cloves and salt
  • Add to a bowl
  • Stir in the chili, paprika, onion and garlic powders
  • Crumble in the basil and oregano and combine thoroughly

Store in an airtight jar, in a cool place and out of direct sunlight. Use within 3 months.

Note: For even more flavour why not dry toast the cumin, peppercorns and cloves for a few minutes before grinding and combining? Click here to read more about this recommended cooking technique. (Link opens in new window)

See the bottom of the page for links to a couple of other taco spice recipes.

Now You Know About Taco Seasoning Ingredients You May like to Try...

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