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How To Make Taco Bell Seasoning
This Taco Bell Seasoning copycat recipe is a simple mixture of dry spices that gives your food that smoky, spicy flavor you love from Taco Bell. It uses everyday spices like chili powder, cumin, and paprika, with a touch of sugar to make it just right. You can whip it up fast, store it in a jar, and use it on tacos, beans, or anything you want. It’s easy, tasty, and feels like the real deal.
Ingredients
Here’s what you need to grab:
- 2 tablespoons chili powder (about 16 grams)
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin (about 8 grams)
- 1 teaspoon paprika (about 3 grams)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (about 3 grams)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder (about 3 grams)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper (about 1 gram)
- ½ teaspoon salt (about 2 grams)
- ½ teaspoon sugar (about 2 grams)
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (about 0.5 grams, for a little kick)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (about 8 grams, to thicken it when you cook)
Instructions
Here’s how to make it step by step:
- Set Up: Put all your spices on the counter. Grab a small bowl and a clean, dry spoon.
- Start Mixing: Dump the chili powder, cumin, and paprika into the bowl. Stir them up good.
- Add More Flavor: Toss in the garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Mix it again so everything blends.
- Sweet and Spicy: Add the sugar and cayenne pepper. Give it another quick stir.
- Thicken It: Sprinkle in the cornstarch. Stir until you don’t see any white lumps.
- Store It: Pour the mix into a jar with a tight lid. Keep it somewhere cool and dry.
- Cook with It: Use 2 tablespoons of this seasoning for every pound of meat. Add ½ cup water, cook it down, and enjoy.
How To Use Taco Bell Seasoning
This recipe whips up about ⅓ cup of Taco Bell Seasoning, which seasons 2 to 3 pounds of meat with ease. Let’s say you season 2 pounds of ground beef, you can get around 8 tasty tacos or 4 hefty burritos. This copycat taco bell seasoning is not just good for tacos, though, you can use it in all kinds of dishes. Check out these ideas to put it to work in your kitchen.
Tacos
Grab 1 pound of ground beef and cook it in a pan over medium heat. Stir in 2 tablespoons of the seasoning and ½ cup of water. Keep stirring until the water cooks off, about 5 minutes. Scoop that flavorful meat into taco shells, choose hard or soft shells based on what you love.
Pile on shredded cheddar cheese, crisp lettuce, and diced tomatoes for a fresh crunch. Want a creamy kick? Add a dollop of sour cream. These taste just like the Taco Bell tacos you crave, but you made them yourself.
Burritos
Take 1 pound of shredded chicken or beef and mix in 2 tablespoons of the seasoning. Warm up a large tortilla, then layer on some cooked rice and black beans. Add the seasoned meat and roll it up tight.
For a flavor boost, spread some guacamole or sour cream inside before rolling. Heat the burrito in a pan for 1 minute on each side to crisp up the tortilla. You’ll end up with a big, hearty burrito that satisfies every bite.
Nachos
Cook 1 pound of ground beef or turkey with 2 tablespoons of seasoning and ½ cup of water until it thickens. Spread tortilla chips across a baking sheet. Spoon the seasoned meat over the chips, then sprinkle on a mix of shredded cheddar and pepper jack cheese.
Pop it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5 to 7 minutes, until the cheese melts into gooey perfection. Top it with diced jalapeños, black olives, or green onions for extra zing. This makes a killer snack for movie night or a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Rice Bowl
Season 1 pound of ground meat with 2 tablespoons of the seasoning and cook it with ½ cup of water until it’s nice and thick. Spoon it over a bowl of cooked white or brown rice. Toss in some corn and black beans for color and flavor.
Snazz it up with a drizzle of lime juice or a sprinkle of chopped cilantro. If you’ve got them, add sautéed bell peppers or onions for a little extra pop. This bowl turns into a full meal you can tweak with any veggies you have lying around.
For each dish, stick to about 2 tablespoons of seasoning per pound of meat, it’s the sweet spot. This batch keeps well, so store it and whip up a quick meal whenever hunger strikes.
Storing
Keep your seasoning fresh with these steps. Put it in a jar with a lid that seals tight; glass works best. Store it in a cool, dark place like a cupboard for up to 6 months. Don’t let water get in, or it’ll clump; use a dry spoon if you scoop it.
Ingredient Swaps/Substitutes
You can still make this Copycat Taco Bell Seasoning Recipe if you’re missing something. Here are swaps that keep it close to the real thing.
For the Chili Powder
Switch chili powder for smoked paprika with a pinch of red pepper flakes. It gives smoke and heat like the original. You can also use ancho chili powder; it’s milder but deep.
For the Ground Cumin
Use ground coriander instead of cumin. It’s earthy and warm, just a bit different. Caraway powder works too; use half as much since it’s strong.
For the Paprika
Try turmeric with a dash of cayenne instead of paprika. It keeps the color and adds a little spice. Chili flakes alone can work; they bring heat and red.
For the Garlic Powder
Swap garlic powder for dried garlic flakes. Crush them fine so they mix in smooth. Fresh minced garlic works if you use it right away; double the amount.
For the Cornstarch
Use arrowroot powder instead of cornstarch. It thickens the same when you cook it. Flour can step in too; use a little more, like 1.5 tablespoons.
Done and Dished
This is the best Copycat Taco Bell Seasoning Recipe, and if you follow the steps you should have your taco bell seasoning all set to spice up your meals.
It’s got that smoky, warm taste you know from the restaurant, made right in your kitchen. Keep a jar handy; it’ll turn plain meat into something special fast. Now you do not have to go out to get the packets so you can recreate Taco Bell Recipes At home. Check out our HOMEMADE TACO BELL CHICKEN NUGGETS RECIPE

Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons chili powder (about 16 grams)
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin (about 8 grams)
- 1 teaspoon paprika (about 3 grams)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (about 3 grams)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder (about 3 grams)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper (about 1 gram)
- ½ teaspoon salt (about 2 grams)
- ½ teaspoon sugar (about 2 grams)
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (about 0.5 grams, for a little kick)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (about 8 grams, to thicken it when you cook)
Instructions
- Set Up: Put all your spices on the counter. Grab a small bowl and a clean, dry spoon.
- Start Mixing: Dump the chili powder, cumin, and paprika into the bowl. Stir them up good.
- Add More Flavor: Toss in the garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Mix it again so everything blends.
- Sweet and Spicy: Add the sugar and cayenne pepper. Give it another quick stir.
- Thicken It: Sprinkle in the cornstarch. Stir until you don’t see any white lumps.
- Store It: Pour the mix into a jar with a tight lid. Keep it somewhere cool and dry.
- Cook with It: Use 2 tablespoons of this seasoning for every pound of meat. Add ½ cup water, cook it down, and enjoy.