Homemade Burrito Spice Mix (or taco seasoning) – the perfect blend of spices to make your favourite Mexican meal in minutes! Ideal for beef burritos, nachos, chicken strips for tacos, refried beans or anything Mexican!
This post was originally published in July 2015 – it has been retested, rephotographed, rewritten, and republished (to make it better for you!) in March 2018. I’ve also made labels for you to put on your spice mix jars – download the free PDF here
This shouldn’t come as a surprise to you (um, hi – I have a food blog), but I love to cook. The thing is though, cooking is something that didn’t come naturally to me. I’ve always been a good baker but cooking has taken some practice. I think it’s because I’m a methodical, rule follower type – the specifics of baking are my jam, but throwing ingredients into a pan and making an amazing meal – not so much. But way back in 2015 something changed for me when I discovered herbs and spices! I know (insert eye roll here) they’ve been around forever, but learning about and understanding what herbs and spices go together and with other ingredients changed my life!
Anyway, fast forward to when I was cooking for someone else and hit that stage in life where I started caring about what food I was actually putting in my body. I realised that if I could buy it in a packet, surely I should be able to make it at home, and if you’ve been reading for a while, you’ll know that 2015 was the year I took on the homemade challenge. Every week I took something that I would usually buy from the supermarket and made it at home. And it is amazing how many of those things I still make today – homemade magic shell (choc whizz), hummus, hot chocolate mixture, vanilla extract, peanut butter, puff pastry. (Side note, if you sign up for my email list I’ll send you my e-book with my 14 favourite made from scratch recipes!)
But by far the one that has become a true pantry staple for us (and for you guys as it’s the most popular recipe on this whole website!) is homemade burrito spice mix or taco seasoning. 6 simple ingredients that you probably already have, 5 minutes to make and you have a super versatile spice blend that you can use for anything Mexican!
I have included below the amounts to make enough to replace 1 package of store bought burrito seasoning and also the amounts to make a big batch. This is what I do, and I keep it in a jar in the pantry so that whenever we are having Mexican it’s ready to go (here are the labels I use). And I can tell you, when you live an hour away from the nearest supermarket, having a quick and easy meal option like this on hand is so vital!
Also, I’ve said in the notes of the recipe but you can adjust the chilli powder as you like. This amount is perfect for us, but we like things reasonably mild, so feel free to add more or less chilli powder depending on your taste buds.
Here’s how we use it:
- Chicken tacos – toss 500g chicken strips in a little olive oil, add 1.5 – 2 TBSP of burrito spice mix and coat. Bake for 25 minutes and use in crispy chicken tacos with all your favourite toppings
- Beef burritos or nachos – cook 500g beef mince (ground beef), add 1.5 – 2 TBSP burrito spice mix, 1 can of black beans, 1/4 cup tomato paste and 1/2 cup water and simmer until thickened. Serve burritos with your favourite salad toppings and nachos with corn chips, guacamole, a quick tomato salsa, grated cheese and sour cream.
- Beans – as above but without the mince for a vegetarian/vegan option
- Shredded beef – place either a roast or any cut of beef that can be slow cooked in your slow cooker. Rub all over with burrito spice mix and cook on low until beef can be shredded. Serve in tacos or in buns with coleslaw and BBQ sauce
- Mexican rice – the perfect side dish for any Mexican meal! Recipe here
So there it is – the only burrito spice mix or taco seasoning recipe you will need. And trust me, once you’ve made your own once, you will never buy the packets again!
And here’s the link again to download the free printable labels!
Homemade Burrito Spice Mix (or taco seasoning) – the perfect blend of spices to make your favourite Mexican meal in minutes! Ideal for beef burritos, nachos, chicken strips for tacos, refried beans or anything Mexican!
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp chilli powder (see note 1)
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 4 TBSP ground cumin
- 2 TBSP salt
- 1 TBSP chilli powder
- 1 TBSP paprika
- 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 1/2 tsp black pepper
-
Add all ingredients to a small bowl and mix together well.
-
Use immediately or store in an airtight jar or container and use when needed.
1. This amount of chilli powder makes it a little bit spicy but still pretty mild. Adjust the quantity depending on how hot you like your Mexican food!
2. The recipe for 1 quantity of seasoning makes about 1 1/2 TBSP worth so if you make the seasoning in bulk, use approx. 1 1/2 - 2 TBSP for every 500g/1lb of meat or 1 can of beans.
3. Recipe ideas
- Chicken tacos – toss 500g chicken strips in a little olive oil, add 1.5 – 2 TBSP of burrito spice mix and coat. Bake for 25 minutes and use in crispy chicken tacos with all your favourite toppings
- Beef burritos or nachos – cook 500g beef mince (ground beef), add 1.5 – 2 TBSP burrito spice mix, 1 can of black beans, 1/4 cup tomato paste and 1/2 cup water and simmer until thickened. Serve burritos with your favourite salad toppings and nachos with corn chips, guacamole, a quick tomato salsa, grated cheese and sour cream.
- Beans – as above but without the mince for a vegetarian/vegan option
- Shredded beef – place either a roast or any cut of beef that can be slow cooked in your slow cooker. Rub all over with burrito spice mix and cook on low until beef can be shredded. Serve in tacos or in buns with coleslaw and BBQ sauce
- Mexican rice – the perfect side dish for any Mexican meal! Recipe here
Recipe inspired by Mel from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe
Does one recipe equal one store bought packet
Hi Mary. Yes, I would use this recipe to replace one packet.
This is awesome (and so much cheaper than buying it!). Have a great weekend and thanks for linking up with our Fabulous Foodie Fridays party!! xx
So much cheaper and with no yucky added things! Thanks for having me again, have a great weekend! xx
You must have been listening in on our dinner table conversation last week saying that we should try and make our own Burrito/Taco seasoning!!!! YAHOO I can try this recipe. Thanks once again Laura!! 🙂 xxxx
Haha I must have done! You need to try this, it’s so much better than the bought stuff. You can add more chilli if you like it hotter too =)