Homemade Taco Seasoning: A Small-Batch Guide
Carolina Cooking · Condiments & seasonings
The quick answer
For a base batch of about 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon, mix 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 2 tablespoons chili powder blend, 1 tablespoon paprika and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Use garlic and onion powders, not salts; chili powder blend is not pure cayenne. Optional additions are listed below. This scales Food Hero’s blend to one-third; it is not an automatic one-packet replacement.
How to use this guide
Start here: Check your spice labels, measure the base blend, then decide whether to add cumin or oregano. For cooking quantities and liquid, use a complete recipe written for this blend instead of assuming one jar equals one packet.
Measure the small base batch
Combine 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 2 tablespoons chili powder, 1 tablespoon paprika and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Use powders rather than garlic salt or onion salt. This makes about 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon before optional additions.
For optional flavor additions, add 1 tablespoon cumin and/or 1½ tablespoons dried oregano. Red pepper flakes are optional to taste. Mix thoroughly and keep in an airtight container.
Read the chili powder label
For this guide, choose a chili powder seasoning blend, not a jar labeled only cayenne pepper. Such blends can contain chili pepper, other spices, salt and garlic. Names and heat levels vary by product and country, so the ingredient list matters more than the color of the powder.
Why “no added salt” is not automatically salt-free
There is no separate spoonful of salt in this formula, but a chili powder blend can already contain it. Check every label before making a dietary claim or adjusting the salt in your finished meal.
How to use the mix without guessing
Food Hero links complete dishes using its seasoning, including brown rice with corn and beans and burrito soup, from the source page above. Follow one of those recipes for the amount of seasoning and liquid. Mixing the jar does not tell you how much a particular pan of food needs.
Before replacing a packet
Compare the packet’s ingredients and cooking directions. If it includes a thickener or specifies water, do not assume this dry spice blend will create the same sauce. Keep your main recipe’s cooking instructions and make a note of any seasoning change for next time.
Label your batch
Write the blend name, mixing date and optional additions on the container. Keep a copy of the ingredient labels if others need to check what is in it. A note such as “with cumin, no pepper flakes” makes the next batch easier to repeat.
Need a condiment swap instead? Read Dijon Mustard Substitutes.
Source-checked September 25, 2026. This is a reference guide, not a report of Carolina Cooking kitchen testing. Follow the full recipe and product directions; substitutions can change the result.