Taco Seasoning Recipe: Gluten-Free & Better Than Store-Bought!

As someone who has spent years cooking for two and sharing recipes from my own kitchen here on the blog, I’ve come to appreciate the little things that make a big difference in flavor, nutrition, and peace of mind. One of those small but mighty things? A homemade taco seasoning recipe.

I’ve tried just about every packet on the grocery store shelf—from Ortega to McCormick—but over time, I started leaning more and more into making my own. Not only does this homemade seasoning taste better, but it also gives me total control over what goes into my food, which matters more to me than ever these days.

Why Homemade in Bulk?

For one, I use taco seasoning a lot. From vegetarian tacos for weeknight dinners to vegetarian crunchwrap supremes (a favorite in our house), I can go through taco seasoning faster than ever. That’s why I started making it in bulk using this recipe as my base. But even if you don’t go through it as quickly, a small batch like the one I’m sharing today—about 12 grams—is perfect for our vegetarian tacos recipe. And if you’re planning on making something like a vegetarian crunchwrap supreme which calls for a little more, you can scale up. I usually scale my recipe based on whichever spice I’m running low on. In other words, I take a “lowest common denominator” approach. Then I can just scoop or weigh out what I need, no scrambling mid-recipe.

Ingredient Control Brings Peace of Mind

There are some real advantages to knowing exactly what’s in your seasoning. For example, if you’re gluten-free (or cooking for someone who is), it’s not enough to assume that a store-bought seasoning packet is safe. Many of them aren’t unless they’re labeled specifically. With my homemade version, there’s no second-guessing, it’s gluten-free by default.

And then there’s the growing concern over microplastics in food. You might have seen the headlines calling out taco seasonings—particularly McCormick’s—for including high amounts of silicon dioxide, a common anti-caking agent that’s now raising eyebrows. I’ve started checking all my spice labels, and yes, I did find one container I use for this recipe in my pantry that lists silicon dioxide. That brand’s going on my “don’t buy again” list, and I’ll gradually cycle it out.

Let me be honest though: I’m not at the point where I’m going to grow, dry, and grind my own herbs. But I do think it’s reasonable to read labels and choose the best options available. That’s why I tend to buy spices in larger containers (20 ounces or so), which not only saves money but gives me a bit more transparency when I’m making my own blends.

---

Jump to:

• Getting Started
• Ingredient Recommendations
• Pairings
• Leftovers
• Recipe

---

Getting Started

If you want to try making your own taco seasoning, here’s how I do it. I pull out my large spice backstock, grab my measuring spoons, and refill my designated taco seasoning container (currently an old Ortega bottle because reduce, reuse, right?). For my blackened seasoning and other blends, I use small lidded containers labeled with my label maker, so everything stays tidy and is easy to grab.

Taco Seasoning Recipe Ingredient Recommendations

Spices

A few words to the wise from someone who learned the hard way: If microplastics or additives are a concern for you, read the ingredient label on each spice jar before you buy. Even plain spices, like a Spanish Paprika in my case, can sometimes have anti-caking agents like silicon dioxide.

Taco Seasoning Recipe Pairings

This seasoning works anywhere you’d use a taco seasoning packet—just swap it 1-for-1. I use it on ground turkey, ground beef and plant-based grounds. I most often use it in my recipes for:

• Vegetarian Crunchwrap Supreme
• Vegetarian Tacos

Taco Seasoning Recipe Leftovers

Store your bulk batch seasoning in an airtight, labeled container with your other spices. When it’s time to cook, you can either measure by spoon or weigh it using a kitchen scale (my go-to for accuracy and ease).

I hope this inspires you to try making your own taco seasoning! It’s a small shift with big benefits—and one less thing to worry about at the grocery store. If you give it a try, let me know how it works for you in the comments below!