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 for putting on ice cream, hummus for dipping veggies, vanilla extract for all of our baking or homemade gifting, 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!
Click here to pin this post to your Mexican food board to save it for later and follow The Kiwi Country Girl on Pinterest for more great recipes!
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.
It's also very important to note that chilli powder in New Zealand is pure ground chillies, not a blend of spices like it is in the US or other countries. This makes New Zealand chilli powder far spicier and means you require a much smaller amount. I was gobsmacked when I saw a recipe years ago calling for 3 Tablespoons of chilli powder where I would usually only use 1 teaspoon in the same dish until I realised that they are very different products!
6 ways to use burrito spice mix:
- Chicken Burrito Bowls - coat chicken pieces in burrito spice mix and fry, then assemble in bowls with rice, beans, salad and cilantro yoghurt dressing...full recipe here.
- Chicken tacos - toss 500g chicken strips in a little olive oil, add 1.5 - 2 tablespoon 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 tablespoon burrito spice mix, 1 can of black beans, ¼ cup tomato paste and ½ 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!
If you love this recipe, you will love the Burrito Spice E-cookbook!
The ultimate collection of recipes that use Homemade Burrito Spice Mix.
Made this? Tag me on Instagram @thekiwicountrygirl and hashtag it #thekiwicountrygirl. And if you tried and loved this recipe, please leave a comment and a rating below!
Click to purchase it here.
Homemade Burrito Spice Mix (Taco Seasoning)
Ingredients
For 1 store bought package (approx. 1 ½ tablespoon worth)
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- ½ - 1 teaspoon salt (see note 1)
- ½ teaspoon chilli powder (see note 2)
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
To make a big batch
- 4 Tablespoons ground cumin
- 1-2 Tablespoons salt (see note 1)
- 1 Tablespoon chilli powder
- 1 Tablespoon paprika
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons black pepper
Instructions
- 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.
Notes
- Chicken tacos – toss 500g chicken strips in a little olive oil, add 1.5 – 2 tablespoon 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 tablespoon burrito spice mix, 1 can of black beans, ¼ cup tomato paste and ½ 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
Mark says
Add 1/2 tsp. of Turmeric for the small batch or 1 Tbsp. for the big batch and you won’t get “gassy” even if adding beans.
Haney says
Made the bigger batch. KILL THE SALT TO 1 TBLS. Way to salty just like other comments I read after making it. Even let it marinade for a few hours to let all the spices soak in and the salt was still over welming.
Laura says
Hi there, I have adjusted the recipe to include a range for the amount of salt. While we have never personally found it too salty, I can see that many do so I would recommend to anyone making it for the first time to start with the lesser amount of salt and add more as needed.
Sheila says
Hello, This is a Great Recipe my Family Loves it.
Can this also be used as a Enchilada Seasoning or do you have one for Enchiladas?
Thank you
Laura says
I use this as a seasoning for all of my Mexican dishes!
Winnie says
Enchiladas are definitely not on my home cooking menu. Yuck. But thank you.
Bonnie says
I'm sorry for being harsh, I don't know if a teaspoon in the UK is way bigger than a teaspoon in New Zealand because I just tried the smaller recipe and it is too salty to eat. Could not have more than 2 small bites. I'll order takeaway instead, but am very disappointed to have wasted all of that beef mince.
Laura says
Sorry you didn't enjoy it Bonnie, a teaspoon here is 5ml. I would try adding half the amount of salt next time and hopefully that is more to your taste! Laura
Laura says
I suggest tasting the spice mix and "add to taste" as any spice, salt, pepper or seasoning should be. Then you wouldn't "waste all that beef mince".
Terri says
I will never buy store made burrito seasoning again!! Thank you so much Laura for this recipe 😁
From a life long burrito eating family!
Ben says
Can tweak to your taste, but great combo - delicious.
Lisa says
Is the single serving recipe correct? It calls for 1 tsp of salt for the single use, but only 2 tsp of salt for the big batch. Most of the ingredients in the big batch are more than quadrupled compared to the single one. Makes me think the 1 tsp of salt for the single serving is too much? Maybe that is why folks are saying it is too salty?
Laura says
Hi Lisa, yes they are both correct, the small batch is 1 teaspoon of salt, the big batch (which is 6 times the small batch) calls for 2 Tablespoons of salt. I've double checked and all of the ingredients are 6x what is in the single batch. I hope that helps.
Mr P says
Extremely bland. Don't know why there is such hype.
Dan Ettinger says
This seasoning mix is very good, but like Jolene Jennings, I too added cornstarch, about ¼ tsp. I also substituted the regular Paprika with Smoked Paprika. That put this mix's flavor over the top! Next time, I will make a big batch (with the minor changes) and use it from now on.
Sorana says
I truly loved this recipe! It helped me made some amazing crispy chickpeas. I started with the store-bought package size; I finished it très fast. So today, I made a big batch.
Nicola says
Great recipe. Much better than the bought stuff. Super easy to make. I use it with chicken and chill beans as a burrito filling with added chilli sauce, sour cream and salad to the wrap.
Jolene Jennings says
Love this - very good!!! I made a double batch and added the following ingredients: 1.5 t onion powder, 1 t cayenne, 1.5 t oregano -- and most important of all 1 t cornstarch. Found the original recipe powder mix didn't evenly distribute in the meat and adding a bit of water only made it soupy. Checked a taco Seasoning packet and a-ha! It contains cornstarch, hence the taco meat isn't soupy upon adding water 👍
Laura says
Hi Jolene! Oh, interesting! I've never had that problem, but that's a great tip for anyone who has! Thank you 🙂
Dawn says
How much cornstarch did you use?
Luke says
Excellent recipe. I was in a pinch with a hot frying pan when I noticed..no seasoning. This whipped up in two minutes and saved the day.
I found adding the tomato paste instead of corn starch worked well to thicken it and add some extra depth to the flavours.
It was a touch salty so maybe next time just one tbsp of salt.
Helena says
Fantastic! Many thanks! I’ll use a little less salt next time. Do you use dried black beans or canned?
Laura says
Hi Helena, I usually cook my own dried beans (if I'm organised enough) but often have a back up can in the cupboard just in case!
renee baines says
Thank you it's a great mix for burritos
Wendy S. says
Made this burrito seasoning and it is delish!!! Will never buy another seasoning packet.
Ellen Hovell says
Perfect thanx as weare having tacos one night his week and hubby didn't buy he complete packet just the boat thingys. So happy I can finally make this!
Mr Long says
I tried this recipe: it taste better than he store bought. Family has become a discover of a new staple.
Mary Yoder says
Does one recipe equal one store bought packet
Laura says
Hi Mary. Yes, I would use this recipe to replace one packet.
Lucy @ Bake Play Smile says
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
Laura says
So much cheaper and with no yucky added things! Thanks for having me again, have a great weekend! xx
Laura says
I suggest tasting the spice mix and "add to taste" as any spice, salt, pepper or seasoning should be. Then you wouldn't "waste all that beef mince".
Margo says
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
Laura says
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 =)