This homemade, clean eating taco seasoning is made with simple, common spices, takes less than 5 minutes to mix and lasts for months! Not only is it healthier, it tastes so much better. Skip the store bought taco seasoning packets and make your own instead.
Just like my easy dairy-free ranch dressing, this taco seasoning proves real food can deliver on real flavor!
Clean Eating Taco Seasoning Features
- 7 ingredients. You just need 7 common pantry spices to create this easy, homemade taco seasoning.
- Ready in 5 minutes! It literally takes 5 minutes to make and lasts for months.
- No ultra-processed fillers. Most store-bought taco seasonings contain MSG, added flavors, sugar and anti-caking ingredients (silicon dioxide). You won't find any of that in this recipe!
- Mild taco seasoning. This recipe is pretty mild, making it very kid-friendly. You can definitely add some cayenne or red pepper flakes if you'd like to add some spice.
- Versatile. Can be used for tacos, one-dish baked fajitas, taco dip, seasoning meats and veggies and so much more!
- Fits many dietary needs. This clean eating taco seasoning is gluten-free, Whole30, Paleo, sugar-free and can be made low-sodium/salt-free.
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If you've ever flipped over a packet of taco seasoning and wondered why it has anti-caking ingredients, "natural flavors," sugar and more salt than taco spices, you are not alone. And I'm excited to share with you my clean eating taco seasoning I've been using for years (free of any of those questionable ingredients)!
This homemade taco seasoning is made with real pantry spices; nothing artificial and nothing ultra-processed. And it tastes so much fresher than anything that comes from a packet. Once you start making your own taco seasoning, you'll never go back to store-bought again.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Salt - Fine sea salt is recommended over table salt.
- Paprika - I prefer regular paprika, but if you'd like a little stronger smoke-y flavor, you can use smoked paprika.
A complete list of ingredients can be found in the recipe card below. The above are some specific notes to help with selecting ingredients.
Sara's clean food tip: I recommend organic spices for better flavor as well as to avoid pesticides and fertilizers that may be used when growing conventional spices.
Variations
- Low sodium: Reduce the salt or skip the salt altogether.
- Spicy: Add some cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
- No sugar/whole 30 friendly: This clean eating taco seasoning already contains zero added sugars and aligns with sugar-free dietary needs.
- Smoky taco seasoning: Add chipotle powder or smoked paprika.
How to Make Clean Eating Taco Seasoning
- Add all ingredients to a mason jar (or other covered container).
- Add lid to jar and shake... that's it!
How to Use Taco Seasoning for Tacos
This works great for classic tacos with ground beef, ground chicken or ground turkey. To use for tacos, follow the directions below.
- Cook one pound of ground meat and drain any excess liquid.
- Add 2 tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning plus ⅓ cup of water (or bone broth) to the pan with the ground meat (if you don't want it as sauce-y, you can reduce the liquid).
- Mix and simmer until warm.
- Serve with your favorite taco toppings and don't forget my easy homemade guacamole!
👩🏼🍳I recommend 2 tablespoons per pound of ground meat. This recipe makes roughly ¼ cup of taco seasoning, which is enough for
2 pounds of ground meat.
Additional Ways to Use Taco Seasoning
Aside from tacos, check out some additional ideas below on ways to use this clean eating taco seasoning.
- Sheet pan roasted veggies.
- One-pan baked chicken fajitas.
- Season a can of black beans.
- Mix with ground beef for a Tex-Mex burger.
- Toss on oven roasted garbanzo beans (great for vegan tacos/taco bowl).
- Season chicken breasts or mix with shredded chicken.
- Mix with sour cream and/or cream cheese for taco dip.
- Season veggies for a healthy breakfast burrito bowl.
What Makes This Taco Seasoning "Clean Eating"?
Store-bought packets of taco seasoning may contain the necessary spices, but in addition to spices, they typically contain some/or all of the following.
- Maltodextrin (an artificially produced thickener and that is typically derived from GMO corn).
- Silicone dioxide (an anti-caking agent that improves the texture and shelf life of the product and is typically created in a lab).
- MSG (known as monosodium glutamate, its primary reason for being added to foods it to boost flavor).
- Sugar - why does there need to be sugar in taco seasoning?
- Natural flavor (anyone can just use the term "natural flavor," and there are no regulations on what this actually means or where the flavor came from).
This taco seasoning recipe does not contain any of these additives. In addition, I recommend using organic spices for a true "clean eating taco seasoning."
If you're reducing ultra-processed foods or following a real food approach to eating, then making your own taco seasoning is a must. Plus, it's so easy, and as I mentioned, tastes so much better!
Recipe FAQs
When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, homemade taco seasoning will last for 6-9 months.
2 tablespoons should be used per pound of meat. For a milder flavor, you can start with 1.5 tablespoons and add more to taste.
No. Clean eating taco seasoning aims to eliminate fillers, preservatives, sugars and "natural flavors," which can be found in most store-bought seasoning packets.
How to Store
Store this taco seasoning in an airtight container at room temp. For the best flavor and freshness, I recommend you use it within 6-9 months.
TIP: Double or triple the batch! We eat tacos so much in our house that even when I triple the batch, I feel like I'm constantly making this.
More Pantry Staple Recipes to Try!
If you make this recipe, please let me know what you think! I would so appreciate you leaving a star rating and/or comment below. And don't forget to share a photo on Instagram or Facebook and mention @CleanPlateMama!
Eat Clean.Be Well!
-Sara
Clean Eating Taco Seasoning
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Ingredients
- 1 ½ tbsp. chili powder
- 1 ½ tsp. cumin
- 1 ½ tsp. paprika
- 1 ½ tsp. garlic powder
- ¾ tsp. onion powder
- ¾ tsp. dried oregano
- ½ tsp. fine sea salt
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to mason jar, or airtight container. Cover, and shake until combined.1 ½ tbsp. chili powder, 1 ½ tsp. cumin, 1 ½ tsp. paprika, 1 ½ tsp. garlic powder, ¾ tsp. onion powder, ¾ tsp. dried oregano, ½ tsp. fine sea salt
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
To Use for Ground Meat
- Cook ground meat fully and drain any excess liquid.
- Add ⅓ cup water (or broth) plus 2 tbsp. of taco seasoning (or to taste) per pound of meat. Allow to simmer for a few minutes prior to serving. (I use 2 tbsp. of seasoning per pound of ground meat. You can definitely taste and adjust to your liking).
Notes
- This recipe makes ¼ cup total seasoning. This is enough for 2 pounds of ground meat.
- I always double/triple the recipe so I have plenty on hand for taco nights.
Nutrition
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Kari says
Since making this the first time I NEVER will buy storebought again. It's so easy, and SO GOOD. Thanks, Sara!
Sara says
Store-bought doesn't even compare... so glad you agree 🙂
Sara says
It's amazing how much fresher this tastes than the store bought - even the "cleaner" kinds you can buy (plus, it's just cheaper to make your own)!
Christine says
I tried this the other day and tripled the batch, so I'll have more for later. Thanks for recipe!
Sara says
Great idea tripling the recipe. I do the same 🙂