Making your own seasoning is not only easy and cost-effective, but it also allows you to have complete control over the flavors and ingredients that go into your favorite Mexican dishes. From the perfect balance of spices to the subtle hints of smokiness, you’ll be amazed at how a homemade version of taco seasoning can transform any ordinary meal into a fiesta for your taste buds!

We are forever eating tacos and taco-inspired dishes like this Chicken Taco Dip, and these easy Chicken Tostadas. I wanted a little more control over the flavor; plus, those little packets of taco seasoning add up when you go through them like water! So, I put together my own recipe for homemade taco seasoning.

Why make your own homemade taco seasoning?

When it comes to taco seasoning, store-bought packets often fall short in terms of flavor and quality, and have too much salt and other preservatives. By making your own taco seasoning, you can ensure that you are using high-quality ingredients and have the freedom to adjust the flavors to suit your personal taste preferences.

Homemade taco seasoning also allows you to experiment and create unique flavor profiles that you won’t find in store-bought versions. From adding a touch of heat with cayenne pepper to incorporating smoky undertones with paprika, the possibilities are endless. Plus, making your own spice blend is a great way to use up anything you have in your spice cupboard and customize the flavor to your liking.

What is in homemade taco seasoning?

Here are the basic spices I put in my own taco seasoning mix: 

• chili powder
• cumin
• salt
• corn starch
• black pepper
• garlic powder
• onion powder
• smoked paprika
• oregano 

See the recipe card below for exact amounts.

Pro Tip: Feel free to adjust the amount or type of spices based on your taste preferences. If you want more heat, add a teaspoon or two of red pepper flakes. For a milder taco seasoning, reduce the amount of chili powder. 

How to make Easy Homemade Taco Seasoning

Mix all your spices together in a small bowl until well combined, then store the mixture in an airtight container. I like to keep taco seasoning in a wide mason jar with a lid. That way, it’s easy to measure out with a tablespoon.

How much taco seasoning do I use per pound of meat?

I use about 3 tablespoons of seasoning per pound of ground beef (or other meat). You may prefer a bit more depending on how strong of a spice flavor you like in your taco meat. 

I also add 1/3 cup of water to the pan, just like I did when using the spice packets. It makes the beef saucy and helps deglaze the pan. 

How long does it keep?

Stored in a dry dark location, taco seasoning keeps pretty much forever. After a while, the flavors will start to become a bit muted. If you notice that your seasoning has lost its fragrance and kick, it’s time to replace your spices. 

If you make tacos frequently, you’ll easily use up all the spice mix within a few weeks or months. It may even be gone within days if you have a big taco-loving family! Feel free to make a large batch by doubling or tripling the recipe if you want to keep your spice cupboard stocked. 

What can I make with DIY taco seasoning?

This spicy seasoning mixture tastes amazing in so much more than just the best homemade taco! A bit of DIY taco seasoning adds instant Mexican flavor to any dish.

• Sprinkle it over chicken breasts before grilling or for my Chicken Taco Salad.
• Stir it into a pot of beans or rice.
• Use it for Walking Tacos!
• Add a bit to your favorite chili or taco soup recipe.
• It’s also delicious with browned ground turkey, cooked lentils, and vegetarian meat substitutes! 
• Add a sprinkle of taco seasoning to roasted vegetables for a flavorful side dish.
• Mix the seasoning blend into sour cream or Greek yogurt for a quick and easy dip.
• Use it to season ground meat for burgers, meatballs, or meatloaf.
• Sprinkle it over popcorn or roasted nuts for a spicy snack.
• Mix it into mayonnaise or ketchup for a zesty dipping sauce.

More Recipes for Taco Lovers

• Easy Taco Packets
• Taco Casserole
• Carne Asada Taco Boats
• Crunchy Taco Chicken
• Layered Taco Dip
• Delicious Taco Braid
• Shrimp Tacos

How will YOU use your homemade taco seasoning?

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Homemade Taco Seasoning

Tired of bland store-bought taco seasoning? Say goodbye to uninspiring flavors at the grocery store and welcome a fresh blend of spices and a tantalizing aroma of Homemade Taco Seasoning into your kitchen.

Course Spice Mix

Cuisine Mexican

Keyword Taco Seasoning

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 10 servings

Calories 23kcal

Author Lynne Feifer

Equipment

• airtight container – like a mason jar

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons chili powder
• 5 teaspoons cumin
• 4 teaspoons salt
• 4 teaspoons corn starch
• 4 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoon onion powder
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon oregano

Instructions

• In a medium bowl, whisk together all ingredients.
• Store in an airtight container.

Notes

• Recipe makes just under 11 servings when using 3 tablespoons per pound of meat.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 23kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 986mg | Potassium: 114mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1166IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 2mg

This post was originally published on 7/31/12, and has been updated on 1/13/25.

The post Homemade Taco Seasoning appeared first on 365 Days of Baking.

Oh, everyone raves about pumpkin spice this and pumpkin spice that, but the real hero is Apple Pie Spice! This flavor combination instantly transports me to fall, dreaming of chilly nights wrapped in blankets with a warm slice of apple pie waiting for me!

Why You’ll Want To Make Your Own Apple Pie Spice Mix

• Flavor: You can create a custom apple pie spice blend with a flavor profile tailored to your own preferences. You control the intensity of each of the spices.
• Cost: It’s cheaper to buy bulk spices and make your own blend of spices than to buy specialty spices at the local grocery store.
• Ingredients: You know exactly what you’re putting in the spice mixture so there aren’t any unnecessary ingredients.
• Gifts: Homemade spices make great gifts for the holidays!

What Spices are in Apple Pie Spice?

You’ll need the following ground spices to make your own apple pie seasoning blend:

• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Cardamom
• Allspice
• Ginger
• Cloves

Check out the recipe card below for the exact amounts you’ll need to make a batch of your own spice blend.

How to make Apple Pie Spice

This homemade spice blend is super easy to make.

1. Place the ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, allspice, ginger, and cloves into a small bowl. Carefully mix until everything is well combined.
2. Store your spice blend in an airtight container, like a tightly covered jar, and place it in a dark, cool place, like your pantry or a spice cabinet. Use it as directed in various recipes.

Recipe Note

• If you use freshly ground nutmeg rather than the jarred spice, reduce the amount to ¾ teaspoon as the flavor is much stronger and more pungent.

FAQs

How long do Spices for Apple Pie last?

This blend is best when used within a year. The spice mixture doesn’t go “bad” per se, but it does lose its potency the longer it sits. If it’s been a while, smell it first before using and if the scent is minimal, throw it out and make a new batch.

What’s the difference between Apple Pie Spice and Pumpkin Spice?

Both contain a mixture of cinnamon and other fall spices. Apple pie spice sometimes contains cardamom (as in this recipe), but pumpkin pie spice doesn’t. Pumpkin spice DOES include cloves while many varieties of apple spice don’t. I like cloves a lot, so I use them in my recipe. Feel free to play around to find your perfect mixture!

What can I use Apple Pie Spices in?

This blend is pretty versatile. You can use it in everything from your breakfast oatmeal to your baked desserts. Here are some suggestions:

• Sprinkle it on your overnight oats or fresh oatmeal. Stir it into pancake batter or sprinkle on French toast. 
• Stir it into sweet potatoes.
• Use a few teaspoons of apple pie spice in some warm apple cider.
• Use it for apple recipes like apple pie, apple cake, Apple Cinnamon Cookies, and more.
• It’s not just for apple desserts; it’s a great addition to peach pies, pear desserts, and pumpkin treats. 
• Make a batch of Apple Muffins with Apple Pie Spices.
• Stir some into your hot cocoa, tea, or coffee.

How can I give Apple Pie Spice as a gift?

If you love giving and receiving homemade gifts, then homemade spice blends are a great option!

Buy some clear spice jars. Add your own spice blend, then secure the lid. I like to wrap some colorful twine and include either a gift tag or a cute label explaining how to use the spice blend.

It’s also fun to include spice blends as part of a baking gift basket!

Don’t forget to keep some for yourself!

More Homemade Seasonings and Spices

Save money and control the flavors of your favorite spices and seasonings with these easy recipes:

• Homemade Taco Seasoning
• Homemade Pumpkin Spice
• Homemade Chai Syrup
• Homemade Turkey Gravy Recipe

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Apple Pie Spice

Mix up some easy homemade Apple Pie Spice to enjoy the flavors of the fall season anytime! Combine these six spices and store this spice mix in your pantry so you can use it right when you need it!

Course Condiment

Cuisine American

Keyword Apple Pie Spice

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 15 teaspoons

Author Lynne Feifer

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground nutmeg *See Note
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
• ¾ teaspoons ground allspice
• ¾ teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves

Instructions

• Place the cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, allspice, ginger, and cloves into a small bowl. Mix until everything is well combined.
• Store in a tightly covered jar placed into a cool, dark place such as a cabinet or pantry. The mixture won't "go bad", but will lose it's potency the longer it sits, so I suggest using it within a year and smelling it first before using.

Notes

• *If using freshly ground nutmeg, reduce the amount to 3/4 teaspoon, as the flavor is stronger and more pungent.
• Use as directed in various recipes. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving

The post Apple Pie Spice appeared first on 365 Days of Baking.

In need of a last minute Christmas gift?

I’ve got just the thing!
It’s super easy, smells incredible, has that homemade touch, and is made with things you probably already have in your pantry or baking cupboard.

I have a bunch of old notebooks with recipes that I’ve made throughout the years, some have made it to the blog and others I just never got around to publishing, and this was one of them.
I am so glad I rediscovered it!

SAVE THIS VANILLA BROWN SUGAR SCRUB RECIPE TO YOUR FAVORITE PINTEREST BOARD!

What is a sugar scrub?

Sugar scrubs are great body exfoliators. 
The large crystals of sugar help to remove dead skin cells while the oil helps to nourish and moisturize the the skin.
Honey also helps to cleanse and nourish, too!

While facial scrubs are wonderful and very beneficial, this particular one would be a little too abrasive to be used as such. 
So, I highly recommend using it on your hands and feet.
I really think you’ll love it.

Before I go to bed, I use it on my hands about three times a week.
I’ll grab about a tablespoon of it and rub it all over my hands.
The heat from my hands starts to warm up the coconut oil making it easy to massage into my hands and feet.

Then I rinse it off with some warm water.
My hands are SO soft when I dry them!
The best part is that they smell like a sugar cookie.
It couldn’t be a more appropriate scent for this time of year!

What ingredients do I need?

• Light brown sugar, loosely packed
• Coconut oil
• Vanilla extract
• Honey
• Almond extract

Easy, right?

How do I make a DIY sugar scrub at home?

When I tell you how easy this is, you’re going to wonder why it took you so long to discover this recipe.
I’ll take the blame because I’m just posting it! Haha

1. In a medium bowl, combine the brown sugar, coconut oil, vanilla extract, honey, and almond extract.
2. Mix until very well combined.
3. Place into a jar with a tightly covered lid.
4. The scrub will last around 5 months in a tightly sealed container. 

If you’re looking for a last minute Christmas gift idea, something to make for a neighbor, friend, child’s teacher, health care worker, or anyone you think needs a pick-me-up, this is the perfect item.
With ingredients that you probably already have at home, you can give someone (even yourself) a wonderful way to pamper themselves with a little bit of “me time”.
It’s something we could all use more of right now, isn’t it?

You could wrap it up with a candle, and some cookies, too!
These Cream Cheese Cookies, Peppermint Blossom Cookies, Double Chocolate Peppermint Kisses, Stained Glass Cookies, and Spritz Cookies would be perfect.
As would these Chocolate Coconut Cookies, Peanut Butter Crinkle Cookies with NO Refrigeration Needed.

A few Peanut Butter Reindeer Cookies would be an adorable addition!
If you want fast, make these 3 Ingredient, 13 Minute, Peanut Butter Cookies! They are by FAR the easiest and fastest cookies I have here on the blog, and are just the sweet treat you need when you want a last minute gift or sweet treat.

Want no bake? 
I’ve got those, too!
No Bake Peanut Butter Cornflake Cookies are a family favorite and don’t require you standing over the stove waiting for the corn syrup to boil because it calls for marshmallows instead.

Or maybe you’re looking for a more adult treat?
Then these No-Bake Chocolate Bourbon Balls are just the thing. 
Super easy, tasty, and festive as well.

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Vanilla Brown Sugar Scrub

This Vanilla Brown Sugar Scrub is a simple and easy DIY body exfoliator made with ingredients you probably already have in your cupboards. It is a great way to pamper yourself, and makes a great gift for others, too!

Course DIY

Keyword Brown Sugar Scrub

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 cup (less than)

Author Lynne Feifer

Equipment

• medium bowl
• mason jar or container with a tight lid

Ingredients

• 1 cup light brown sugar loosely packed
• 5 teaspoons coconut oil
• 3 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 1 teaspoon almond extract

Instructions

• In a medium bowl, combine the brown sugar, coconut oil, vanilla and almond extracts, and the honey. Mix until completely combined.
• Place into a container with a tightly sealed lid.

Notes

Recipe makes less than one cup.
Will keep for about 5 months when stored with a tightly sealed lid.

The post Vanilla Brown Sugar Scrub – a Fast, Easy DIY Gift! appeared first on 365 Days of Baking.