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Home » Recipes » Single Serving Appetizers

By Joanie Zisk Published: Sep 9, 2021 · Updated: Feb 15, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links · Please read my disclosure

Small Batch Taco Seasoning

Jump to Recipe
a spoonful of taco seasoning held over an open jar of the seasoning next to a cream colored lace scarf

This small batch homemade taco seasoning recipe is easy to mix together and works great on tacos, vegetables, meats, seafood, rice, beans, and more. You'll never want to buy taco seasoning from the store again!

a mason jar filled with taco seasoning laying down on a brown cutting board with seasoning spilling out onto the board.

I use taco seasoning all the time! It's great to use on chicken, steak, seafood, and even on vegetables. It's a pantry essential that adds a rich, spicy flavor to almost everything it is added to.

This small batch seasoning recipe yields a little over tablespoons of taco seasoning but can easily be doubled or tripled if you want to make more.

  • I don't use a full 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning in one recipe. I find that the amount this small batch recipe yields is enough to use in a two to three dishes.
  • If you want to make a smaller amount, perhaps just the right amount for one meal, see our one-meal taco seasoning recipe below.

Why I Love This Recipe

  • Taco seasoning is easy to make. Once you have the ingredients on hand, you can mix it up to use whenever you need to.
  • This is an easy recipe to customize. If you want to make a low sodium taco seasoning, reduce or eliminate the salt. Feel free to leave out ingredients you don't like and add ones you love.
  • Homemade spice blends are fresh. We have no idea how long spices sit in the jars on the grocery shelves, when we make seasonings ourselves they're fresh and there are no additives added.
  • Making homemade taco seasoning is more economical than purchasing pre-mixed seasonings from the store.
  • I grew up with my mother using the yellow packets of Old El Paso Taco Seasoning and I can tell you, this homemade version tastes so much better. There's no sugar added in our taco seasoning recipe!

Ingredients

jars of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, cumin, and oregano on a brown table
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Ingredient Notes

See below for other recipes using these spices.

  • Chili powder: This is an American-style chili powder which includes a blend of spices. It is fairly mild and not especially spicy, although the heat level for any particular brand of chili powder is variable. This is not cayenne pepper.
  • Ground cumin: Cumin has a warm, earthy flavor and aroma with both a touch of sweetness, as well as a slight bitterness.
  • Paprika: I prefer using smoked paprika but you can use regular paprika instead.
  • Garlic powder: Made from dried garlic cloves, garlic powder is an essential ingredient found in taco seasoning.
  • Onion powder: Made from dehydrated, ground onions and is a common ingredient in many spice blends.
  • Dried oregano: A base ingredient in homemade taco seasoning. You may like to use dried basil instead.
  • Salt
taco seasoning spices in a small bowl

How To Make A Small Batch Of Taco Seasoning

See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.

  1. Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl and blend thoroughly with a fork or a wire whisk.
  2. Transfer to a small jar or container, cover and store.
a bowl of homemade taco seasoning on a wooden cutting board

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should I Use Taco Seasoning In?

I use taco seasoning all the time! It's great on meats, seafood, shrimp, and vegetables. I also like to rub it on roasts and add it to soups and stews. It's a wonderful spice blend used in Mexican food.

Can I Make This Low Sodium?

Yes! I recommend starting out by reducing the salt by half. If your diet requires very strict sodium restrictions, eliminate the salt entirely.

How Long Will Homemade Taco Seasoning Last?

If you store your taco seasoning in an airtight container, it should stay good for 1 to 2 years. However, this is a very small amount and I'm sure you'll use it up much faster than that.

How Do I Make Taco Seasoning For One Meal?

This recipe yields about 2.5 tablespoons of taco seasoning. If you'd like to make less, you might like to use this single serving taco seasoning recipe. This is the amount I use in our Taco Casserole recipe.

½ tablespoon chili powder
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon paprika
⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
⅛ teaspoon onion powder
⅛ teaspoon dried oregano

Expert Tips

  • Always use fresh spices. Check the expiration date on your spice containers. As they age, spices can lose their flavor.
  • If you want a spicier taco seasoning, add a pinch of two of cayenne pepper.
  • Feel free to customize your taco seasoning mix by adding more or less of a spice.
  • Double or triple the recipe to make more of the seasoning.
a spoonful of taco seasoning held over an open jar of the seasoning next to a cream colored lace scarf

RELATED: Easy Garam Masala Spice Recipe

Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients

If you have any ingredients leftover from this small batch taco seasoning recipe, you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving recipes:

  • Chili powder: Chili, Zuppa Toscana, Chicken Burrito Bowl, Curried Carrot Soup
  • Cumin: Broccoli Cheese Soup, Beef Tacos, Butter Chicken, Baba Ganoush
  • Paprika: Sweet Potato Fries, Cheese Grits, Baked Pork Chop, Lemon Garlic Chicken
  • Garlic powder: Hash Browns, Baked Shrimp, Ranch Dressing, Tuna Salad
  • Onion powder: Turkey Roast
  • Dried oregano: Meat Sauce, Twice Baked Eggplant, Portobello Mushroom Pizza, Ratatouille

If you’ve tried this small batch taco of seasoning or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.

If you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!

a spoonful of taco seasoning held over an open jar of the seasoning next to a cream colored lace scarf

Small Batch Taco Seasoning

This small batch homemade taco seasoning recipe is easy to mix together and works great on tacos, vegetables, meats, seafood, rice, beans, and more. You'll never want to buy taco seasoning from the store again!
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
See the post above for expert tips,
FAQs and ways to use leftover ingredients.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Breakfast, Main Dish, Side Dish, Soup
Cuisine: Mexican, Tex-Mex
Servings: 2 tablespoons
Calories: 19kcal
Author: Joanie Zisk

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Jar

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl and blend thoroughly with a fork or a wire whisk.
  • Transfer to a small jar or container, cover and store.

Notes

Expert Tips
  • Always use fresh spices. Check the expiration date on your spice containers. As they age, spices can lose their flavor.
  • If you want a spicier taco seasoning, add a pinch of two of cayenne pepper.
  • Feel free to customize your taco seasoning mix by adding more or less of a spice.
  • Double or triple the recipe to make more of the seasoning.
  • If you would like to make a low-sodium taco seasoning, start out by reducing the salt by half. If your diet requires very strict sodium restrictions, eliminate the salt entirely.
Nutrition Facts
Small Batch Taco Seasoning
Amount Per Serving (1 tablespoon)
Calories 19 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 1g
Sodium 1001mg44%
Potassium 118mg3%
Carbohydrates 3g1%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 1449IU29%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 30mg3%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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About Joanie Zisk

Joanie Zisk is the creator of OneDishKitchen.com, the number one go-to site for single serving recipes. The aim of One Dish Kitchen is to inspire individuals with access to single serving recipes that will enable them to enjoy the preparation of a meal that will nourish both body and soul. Her website is filled with hundreds of easy, flavorful recipes that are tailored for those cooking for one. Joanie is the author of "The Ultimate Cooking For One Cookbook" and her recipes and food photography have been featured in various publications including, TODAY.com, Huffington Post, Real Simple, Self.com,Women’s Day, Buzzfeed, and others. Come say hello and follow Joanie on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Reader Interactions

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Carol Reynolds says

    September 10, 2021 at 7:05 pm

    I love this recipe! I like making my own, they can be customized to your tastes and needs.
    Thanks Joanie.
    Looking forward to your version of pumpkin and apple pie spice mixes.

    Reply
  2. Joy Thomas says

    September 09, 2021 at 11:24 pm

    Hi Joanie, have been using your recipes a little while now and can't thank you enough for making them available. I use them all the time and have many I use again and again. I have just made your Pumpkin Coffee cake and it was delicious. Thank you for the recipes for spice rubs etc., they add a new dimension to the recipes. I look foward to receiving your weekly e-mail recipes and I have purchased your book for myself and my son who also appreciates your wonderful recipes. Thank you so much and stay safe in these difficult times with Covid.

    Reply
    • Joanie Zisk says

      September 10, 2021 at 9:12 am

      Joy, Thank you so much for your support, it means the world to me. I'm so happy to know that you and your son are enjoying our recipes and I appreciate that you've taken the time to let me know.
      Joanie

      Reply
      • Maureen says

        September 10, 2021 at 12:07 pm

        Hi Joanie. Keep the recipes coming I have tried several for my husband and me. And they are just the right amount and delicious as well. Thanks Maureen

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