• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Easy and Delish logo

  • About
    • Meet Denise!
    • COOKBOOK
    • Contact
    • Press
  • All Recipes
  • BRAZILIAN FOOD
  • Conversions
    • How Many Sticks of Butter in a Cup?
    • How Many Teaspoons in a Tablespoon?
    • Temperature Conversion (Chart & Calculator)
    • US Cups to Ounces to Grams for Common Ingredients (Charts)
    • Volume Conversions (Table for Dry & Liquid Ingredients)
    • Baking Substitutions (with Charts & Tables)
  • Shop
  • Videos
  • Português
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Página Inicial
  • About
  • Sobre Mim
  • All Recipes
  • Todas as Receitas
  • Shop
  • Conversions
  • Vídeos
  • Português
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home > Easy Keto Recipes

    Published: Aug 23, 2021 · Modified: Aug 30, 2021 by Denise Browning · "This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission." · 3 Comments

    Keto Taco Seasoning (Homemade)

    Gluten FreeKeto

    Jump to Recipe ↓
    chart with homemade keto taco seasoning recipe

    Learn how to make keto taco seasoning from scratch in just 5 minutes for a fraction of the price of store-bought taco mix, and use it to make these delish carne asada tacos, or to season our Instant Pot ground beef! It's also Paleo, gluten-free, vegan, and Whole30. 

    a mortar with keto taco seasoning

    If you’re on a keto diet and love tacos but are struggling to find a taco seasoning that doesn’t contain cornstarch, sugar or any other fillers, look no more! Many famous taco seasoning mixes such as Old El Paso taco seasoning and McCormick taco seasoning contain fillers. Just take a look at their listed ingredients and total carbs! Plus they are often loaded with fillers, which are usually posted as some of the first ingredients.

    This is a good reason why you'll want to take control and make your own at home. You know what it is in it (spices only). Plus you can customize your own by deciding the amount of each spice to use in it according to your own taste and preferences.

    There is no ONE FORMULA!

    You’ll notice the difference in flavor too!

    This keto taco seasoning is perfect not only for ground beef and turkey but also for other meats such as chicken, pork, shrimp, and veggies too.

    It is a versatile seasoning mix, as you can see!

    Low Carb Taco Seasoning Ingredients

    Our homemade keto taco seasoning yields about 5 ½ tablespoons, although we recommend using 2 tablespoons of it for every pound of meat.

    This means you have leftovers you can use another time or in other dishes. Most packets of taco seasoning contain just 2 tablespoons of the mix (with fillers) and you pay more for that compared to when you make your own at home.

    Here are the needed ingredients:

    • Chili powder (Some omit this but it gives a smoky flavor and a mild kick to the mix. For a spicier seasoning mix, use half chili powder and half cayenne)
    • Cumin
    • Paprika (I used smoked but you can use sweet paprika instead)
    • Salt (usually 1 teaspoon per pound of meat)
    • Garlic powder
    • Onion powder (Use dried onion instead, if you want)
    • Oregano (Replace with coriander or dried cilantro if you prefer those)
    • Black pepper

    There is no need to memorize the amount of each spice. Just grab our taco seasoning ingredient chart and make your own at home by mixing all the listed spices together and storing the mix into a mason jar or a Ziploc bag.

    chart with homemade taco seasoning recipe

    If you are asking what are the main differences in homemade taco seasoning mix recipes out there, the answer is their ratios and a few of the seasoning options.

    As I mentioned earlier, you can customize according to your own tastes!

    BETTER DIY TACO SEASONING

    There isn’t a rule or set formula. Just make your own at home!

    There is no need to cook anything or manipulate a large number of ingredients. The only thing you have to do is to measure the spices and mix them together! Easy peasy!

    I’ve been making my own homemade taco seasoning for a long time. The great thing about it is that there are no fillers and I am saving money!

    No matter what diet you are on (keto, paleo, gluten-free, or Whole 30), our keto taco seasoning fits them all!

    To figure out how to better DIY taco seasoning, I looked at the packaging of a bunch of store-bought brands and their ingredients, yet skipped the fillers such as cornstarch, sugar, and of course preservatives.

    I wound up with spices only! Yay!

    Next, I played around with ratios to come up with one that is flavorful and perfect for several types of meat.

    Salt was the thing that I mostly played with.

    Taking into consideration the following:

    • Julia Child recommends a teaspoon of salt per pound of meat.
    • Many people around the world struggle with high blood pressure and taking into consideration the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults limit sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg per day (equal to about 1 teaspoon of table salt per day).
    • Salt can cause swelling and therefore increase one’s water weight. On a keto diet, you want to see your weight decrease, right?!
    • Overall flavor.

    I decided for the amount of salt in our keto taco seasoning to be about ⅖ teaspoon (0.4) per 1 tablespoon of seasoning.

    Of course, you can add more or less depending on your health and dietary needs. You can use our taco seasoning and add more salt to the final dish once you taste it. Adjust it according to your needs and wants!

    Or you can simply omit the salt and add the desired amount directly to the dish you are preparing for better control of daily sodium intake.

    Do as you please!

    HOW TO MAKE TACO SEASONING

    spoons with taco spices in them

    1. All you have to do is stir together chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and black pepper in a bowl!
    2. Then transfer to either a small mason jar or a sealable plastic bag and label it.

    To save some washing, you can place the seasonings right into your storage jar/bag, cover/seal, and give it a good shake.

    HOW TO STORE 

    Store my quick and easy keto taco seasoning recipe in an airtight container or sealable bag for up to 6 months (for ground spices). Make sure to keep it in a cool, dry place.  Of course, if you want to stretch that time to one year you can, but please be aware that ground spices tend to lose some of their flavor after 6 months of proper storage.

    There is enough for 3 pounds of meat. If you have a larger family, or if you want to use it more often, feel free to double, triple, or even quadruple our homemade taco seasoning recipe.

    There is no need (or point) to freeze it!

    HOW MUCH TACO MIX PER POUND?

    Whether you want taco seasoning for ground beef, steak, chicken, turkey, pork, or seafood, the amount to use is the same.

    Simply use 2 tablespoons of our homemade taco seasoning mix per pound of meat. All the store-bough packets recommend this!

    Always start by browning the meat first. Once it’s cooked through and you drain off part of the grease from the meat, add 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning mix and ½ cup water per pound of meat. Stir well and then simmer until the water mostly evaporates.

    Because a touch of acidity works wonders to bring out all the flavors, I often stir in a splash of red wine vinegar or squeeze the juice of a lemon/lime into the cooked meat. 

    There you have your taco seasoned ground beef or meat to enjoy!

    Who’s ready to make some yummy tacos?

    How many net carbs are in this Keto Taco Seasoning Recipe?

    This keto taco seasoning mix contains 19 calories and 1 g of net carbs per tablespoon.

    Use ½ tablespoon to seasoning ¼ pound of meat if making individual serving, or 2 tablespoons per pound of meat (family serving size).

    Recipes with Homemade Taco Seasoning

    • Instant Pot whole chicken
    • Baked chicken breast
    • Mexican carne asada marinade
    • Baked chicken thighs
    • Pork fajitas
    • Beef chilaquiles

     

    PIN & ENJOY! 

    a bowl with taco mix and a spoon in it

     

    FOLLOW US on  INSTAGRAM, PINTEREST, and FACEBOOK for more easy and delish recipes and updates.

    seasonings in a bowl
    Print SAVE Saved Recipe! Pin
    5 from 1 vote

    Keto Taco Seasoning (Homemade)

    Learn how to make keto taco seasoning from scratch in just 5 minutes for a fraction of the price of store-bought taco mix, and use it to make these delish carne asada tacos or to season our Instant Pot ground beef!
    Course:Condiment
    Cuisine:Mexican
    Keywords:homemade, keto, quick, taco seasoning
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 0 minutes
    Total Time 5 minutes
    Servings 5.5 tablespoons
    Calories19 kcal
    Author Denise Browning
    Cost 0.10 per tablespoon

    Equipment

    • Mason jar or sealable plastic bag

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoon chili powder Some omit this but it gives it a smoky flavor with a mild kick to the mix. For a spicier seasoning mix, use half chili powder and half cayenne
    • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
    • 2 teaspoon paprika I used smoked but you can use sweet paprika instead
    • 2 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder Use dried onion instead if you want
    • 1 teaspoon oregano Replace with coriander or dried cilantro if you prefer those
    • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

    Instructions

    • All you have to do is stir together chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and black pepper in a bowl!
    • Then transfer to either a small mason jar or a sealable plastic bag and label it. To save some washing, you can place the seasonings right into your storage jar/bag, cover/seal, and give it a good shake.

    Recipe Video

    YouTube video

    Recipe Notes

    Use 2 tablespoons for every packet of taco seasoning called for in a recipe or for every pound of meat (with no additional salt added).  
    The individual serving size is about ½ tablespoon per ¼ pound of meat if making an individual serving.
    STORAGE
    Store my quick and easy keto taco seasoning recipe in an airtight container or sealable bag for up to 6 months (for ground spices). Make sure to keep it in a cool, dry place.  Of course, if you want to stretch that time to one year you can, but please be aware that ground spices tend to lose some of their flavor after 6 months of proper storage.
    There is enough for 3 pounds of meat. If you have a larger family, or if you want to use it more often, feel free to double, triple, or even quadruple our homemade taco seasoning recipe.
    There is no need (or point) to freeze it!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 19kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 896mg | Potassium: 112mg | Fiber: 2g | Vitamin A: 1243IU | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 2mg

    ** Nutrition labels on easyanddelish.com are for educational purposes only. This info is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate, since the nutrition content of recipes can vary based on ingredient brand or source, portion sizes, recipe changes/variations, and other factors. We suggest making your own calculations using your preferred calculator, based on which ingredients you use, or consulting with a registered dietitian to determine nutritional values more precisely.

    Please note that health-focused and diet information provided on easyanddelish.com is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Consult with your doctor or other qualified health professional prior to initiating any significant change in your diet or exercise regimen, or for any other issue necessitating medical advice.

    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Comment and rate the recipe. Also follow us on Pinterest at @easyanddelish for more delish recipes.

    « Coctel de Camarones (Mexican Shrimp Cocktail Recipe)
    Air Fryer Steak (Juicy & Tender) »

    Filed Under: American Recipes, Easy Gluten-Free Recipes, Easy Keto Recipes, Quick & Easy Recipes

    Subscribe

    for your weekly recipe fix.

    Please read our privacy policies before subscribing

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. John / Kitchen Riffs says

      August 25, 2021 at 9:38 am

      Such a great recipe! And so convenient to have this on hand. Thanks!

      Reply
    2. A Rybak says

      January 29, 2023 at 11:16 am

      You mentioned 2 tablespoons = a packet, but no liquid is mentioned. Would it be the same as on a packet? I want to write it on the storage container.

      Reply
      • Denise Browning says

        January 29, 2023 at 4:32 pm

        Hi! This seasoning is a powder mixture, so it contains no liquid. You store it in a mason jar, airtight container, or Ziploc bag with most of the air removed. The store-bought one is also a powder mixture and comes in a sealed packet.

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




     

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Denise Browning!

    photo of Denise Browning smiling
    I'm a professional Chef with an expertise in Brazilian food. I am also a busy mom of two girls, living in Texas. Here you will find budget-friendly, healthy Brazilian and Global Recipes made Easy and Delish! I'd love to help you feed your family healthy dinners (many low carb) with a few splurges because life is all about balance! Join our community and happy cooking!

    About Me

    ORDER NOW!

    Cover of The Complete 5-Ingredient Cookbook by Denise Browning

    GET YOUR COPY NOW!

    The easy keto dessert ebook cover
    Subscribe for FREE Email Updates
    Receive EASY & DELISH recipes for free every week! Please check our PRIVACY POLICY!

     

    Marketing by
    Click here & join us on PINTEREST
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    • PortuguêsPortuguês
    Portrait of Denise Browning, author of Easy and Delish

    Hi, I'm Denise Browing a professional chef and cookbook author. My mission is to help you cook budget-friendly, healthy global meals for your family with some occasional splurges. They are sure to bring a lot of excitement to your table

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Easy & Juicy Beef Brisket Recipe
    • The BEST Cabbage Soup Diet Recipe and 7-Day Diet Soup Chart (Printable)
    • One Pot Shrimp in Coconut Sauce
    • Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp Skillet Recipe (5-Ingredient)

    Order Now!

    Cover of The Complete 5-Ingredient Cookbook by Denise Browning

    Get Your Copy Now!

    The easy keto dessert ebook cover
    Click Here & Join Us on Pinterest

    Seasonal

    • Air Fryer Garlic Bread
    • Sourdough Bread Pudding
    • 20 Grilling Cheeses and Grilled Cheese on a Stick Recipe
    • Caprese Pasta Salad

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Recipes | Brazilian Recipes | Contact | Privacy Policy

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Easy and Delish