This Homemade Taco Seasoning is super simple to make at home, allowing you control over the salt level and resulting flavor - control you can't get with pre-made taco seasoning packets.
Don't get me wrong, I love salt. But you can achieve good flavors without using salt as a crutch. This taco seasoning features bold seasonings including ancho chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. And the beauty is the salt is left out so you can add your own (or not!), keeping it low in sodium.
A Note on Store-Purchased Taco Seasonings
I've been known to reach for those pre-made taco seasoning packets in a pinch. They are convenient, no doubt, but they also contain a lot of ingredients many of us could do without (or less of). Like sodium.
One packet of Old El Paso taco seasoning contains 300 mg of sodium.
Old El Paso taco seasoning contains the following ingredients
Chili Pepper, Corn Starch, Salt, Onion Powder, Maltodextrin, Spice, Sea Salt (Potassium Magnesium Chloride, Salt). Contains 2% Or Less Of: Vegetable Oil (Canola And/Or Soybean Oil), Corn Flour, Silicon Dioxide (Anticaking Agent), Citric Acid, Sugar, Natural Flavor.
*in a 1-ounce packet of Old El Paso taco seasoning.
I don't know about you, but I have an extensive spice collection, but maltodextrin and potassium magnesium chloride are not included.
Why You'll Love this Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe
- Knowing what's in your seasoning is an obvious reason to make your own homemade taco seasoning - especially if you need to watch your sodium intake or want to eat cleaner. The other big perk is getting to adjust the seasoning to suit your tastes.
- This recipe is pretty straightforward and contains the usual suspects - ancho chili powder, onion powder, cumin, etc. I prefer to add cayenne pepper instead of red pepper flakes to keep the consistency of the resulting seasoning granular, but you can certainly grind up red pepper flakes for a similar effect.
- You can use this taco seasoning on more than just tacos. The obvious choice to use homemade taco seasoning is in ground beef - like in these Doritos Walking Tacos or Taco Balls, but you should also try it on Air Fryer Chicken Wings or Instant Pot Salsa Chicken. Or, try it in this fantastic Creamy Taco Soup.
Disclaimer: I am not a nutritionist but did research and carefully choose the ingredients in this recipe to keep it low in sodium.
Jump to:
- A Note on Store-Purchased Taco Seasonings
- Old El Paso taco seasoning contains the following ingredients
- Why You'll Love this Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe
- Ingredients
- Substitutions
- An Interesting Note on Chili Powder & Salty Secrets
- How to Make Taco Seasoning - Directions
- How Much Taco Seasoning Is In a Packet?
- Low Sodium doesn't have to mean Low Flavor - Tips
- Top Tips for the BEST Low Sodium Taco Seasoning
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Storing Homemade Taco Seasoning
- Top Tip
- Other Homemade Seasoning Recipes
- Homemade Taco Seasoning (Low Sodium)
Ingredients
To make this Homemade Taco Seasoning recipe you will need the following ingredients:
- Ancho chili powder - I love ancho chili powder and there's no sodium snuck in there like some brands of chili powder (see section below).
- Onion powder - A usual suspect, often included in taco seasonings and I like using it.
- Cumin - A usual suspect.
- Paprika - Smoked or hot Hungarian paprika can be used also.
- Garlic powder - A usual suspect.
- Ground oregano - You can also use basil flakes, just make sure you grind 'em.
- Cayenne pepper - Brings in a little heat. Use just a pinch or as much as you can stand.
Note: Please note that this recipe calls for ground oregano. If you don't have it on hand, grind it up before measuring. It takes approximately 1 ¾ teaspoons of oregano flakes to equal 1 teaspoon ground oregano.
Substitutions
Here are a few recommended subs you can make to this Low Sodium Taco Seasoning.
Ancho chili powder - You can also swap in chipotle chili powder in equal measure. Chipotle powder chili powder contains dried and smoked jalapeno peppers that have been ground into a powder. It's smokier and spicier than ancho chili powder, so you may want to use less or leave the cayenne pepper out.
Note: I don't recommend using chili powder here since it may contain salt, among other ingredients. Not knowing the ratio of the other ingredients can throw off the balance of the resulting mix.
Paprika - Go ahead and use smoked paprika or hot Hungarian paprika in equal measure.
Cayenne pepper - You can leave this out entirely if you'd prefer, or swap in red pepper flakes instead. I'd recommend grinding the red pepper flakes though so you have a uniform seasoning mix.
Oregano - go ahead and use Mexican oregano! This recipe calls for grinding the oregano up first before measuring, so keep that in mind.
An Interesting Note on Chili Powder & Salty Secrets
You may be wondering why chili powder isn't an ingredient in this taco seasoning recipe. Chili powder can have sodium hiding in it - I was surprised to learn this! Some brands include salt and some don't. Further, chili powder typically includes other ingredients, like cumin, garlic powder, etc., among other ingredients. Take this McCormick chili powder: it contains chili pepper, "spices", salt, silicon dioxide (an anti-caking agent), and garlic.
When it comes to chili powder, make sure to check those labels!
How to Make Taco Seasoning - Directions
Use measuring spoons to measure out exact spice amounts.
Add each spice to a lidded container and shake to combine them.
This recipe makes ~6 tablespoons of seasoning. Feel free to double or triple the recipe. As a general rule, 2-3 tablespoons of taco seasoning will season 1 pound of protein; so this recipe can season 2-3 pounds of protein.
I provide a range here because personal taste preferences vary.
How Much Taco Seasoning Is In a Packet?
Let's say you come across a recipe that calls for one packet of taco seasoning; how much homemade taco mix should you use in its place? Brands may differ, but a 1-ounce packet Old El Paso taco seasoning contains approximately 2 tablespoons of seasoning. I recommend using 2-3 tablespoons of homemade taco seasoning for every packet a recipe calls for.
Low Sodium doesn't have to mean Low Flavor - Tips
Top Tips for the BEST Low Sodium Taco Seasoning
Because low sodium doesn't have to mean lacking in flavor.
I LOVE salt. Like I am a salt fiend. Know that in making this Low Sodium Taco Seasoning recipe I considered how best to make it still taste good in the absence of salt. One of the best ways to bolster flavor in the absence of salt is to pump up bold flavors, like garlic and onion powder. This is why the onion powder and garlic powder are heavier handed in this recipe than other low-sodium recipes you may come across.
You can also try finishing your taco-seasoned dish with acid - by adding a squirt or two of lemon or lime juice. Or try finishing with a splash or two of apple cider vinegar. Acid acts similarly to salt in that it brings out the flavors of a dish.
If you've just gotta have that salty, umami flavor to make this recipe a WIN, reach for some nutritional yeast. Nutritional yeast is sort of like Parmesan cheese, but it's not cheese at all. It's gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and gives everything an instant umami flavor boost, sans sodium. Add a teaspoon or two to this recipe to really up the flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ancho chile powder contains one ingredient - specifically dried poblanos. These dried poblanos are then ground up to make ancho chili powder. Spice-wise, it's only slightly spicier than regular chili powder (though chili powders can vary in heat).
Chili powder is typically a spice blend consisting of various ground spices like ground chiles, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and/or cayenne pepper. Chili powders can vary widely in ingredients, and how much of each is used.
For simplicity's sake - and to make sure no additional salt is added in this recipe - it's best to pass on the chili powder in this Low Sodium Taco Seasoning recipe.
For optimal freshness and flavor, use homemade taco seasoning within 6 months. But of course, there is nothing wrong with using taco seasoning that is older than 6 months - you simply might have to use a little more than called as the flavors in seasoning mixes become less pungent over time.
Yes! Taco seasoning isn't just for ground beef! I add this Low Sodium Taco Seasoning to chicken breasts before cooking (grilling, baking) and then slice into thin strips afterwards for use in fajita-style tacos. But I also do have a homemade Fajita Seasoning recipe that is fantastic on chicken as well.
This taco seasoning would also be killer in a taco dip, especially if you wanted to keep it lower in sodium. You should also try taco seasoning on ground pork, turkey, venison, and more!
Tacos can be problematic for those on a low-sodium diet. A serving of taco seasoning from a store-purchased packet can add around 300 milligrams sodium alone. Unfortunately, this doesn't account for the sodium in your taco accompaniments, including from the tortillas, cheese, etc. Since taco accompaniments can also jack up the sodium, a good place to cut sodium is using taco seasoning that is low in salt.
Storing Homemade Taco Seasoning
Store your homemade Taco Seasoning in a lidded container in a cool, dark place - like a cabinet or drawer. I like to store homemade taco seasoning in little mason jars, as pictured. Or, reuse spice bottles from store-purchased seasonings.
For best results, use within 6 months.
Top Tip
If you've just gotta have that salty, umami flavor to make this recipe a WIN while keeping it low in sodium, reach for some nutritional yeast (which is sodium-free and also gluten-free). Add a teaspoon or two to this recipe to really up the flavor.
Also, making your own seasonings can be a great way to save money. For more money-saving ideas, check out Best Ways to Grocery Shop on a Budget.
Other Homemade Seasoning Recipes
If you tried this homemade taco seasoning recipe (or any other recipe on Midwexican), please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it turned out in the 📝 comments below!
Homemade Taco Seasoning (Low Sodium)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons ancho chili powder
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground oregano (or 1 ¾ teaspoon flakes)
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Use measuring spoons to measure out exact spice amounts.
- Add each spice to a lidded container and shake to combine them.
Cynde says
We really enjoyed it. Next time I will triple it so I can have it on hand!
Christina Koncker says
I am so happy you and yours enjoyed it! Great suggestion to triple the recipe, might as well, right!?