Pioneer Woman Taco Seasoning

Pioneer Woman Taco Seasoning is a pantry staple that will convince you to never buy the little yellow packets again. Ree Drummond’s large-batch recipe is designed to be mixed once and stored for months, ensuring you always have seasoning on hand for a quick weeknight meal. Unlike store-bought versions which are often packed with sodium, anti-caking agents, and hidden fillers like corn syrup solids, this homemade blend relies entirely on pure spices. It is robust, earthy, and deeply flavorful, giving you total control over the heat and salt levels in your family’s favorite tacos.

Try More Recipes:

• Pioneer Woman Potato Balls
• Pioneer Woman Sausage Balls
• Pioneer Woman Sausage Dip Recipe

🤎 Why You Will Love This Taco Seasoning Recipe:

• No Hidden Fillers: Store-bought packets often contain cornstarch, maltodextrin, and preservatives. This recipe is 100% spice.
• Cost Effective: Buying spices in bulk and mixing them yourself is significantly cheaper per serving than buying individual single-use packets.
• Fully Customizable: If you have kids who hate spice, reduce the crushed red pepper. If you are watching your salt intake, cut the salt in half. You are in control.
• Ready in Seconds: It takes less than five minutes to measure and shake the jar, but it saves you multiple trips to the grocery store later.
• Versatile: While perfect for ground beef tacos, it is also excellent as a dry rub for chicken, a seasoning for roasted potatoes, or a flavor booster for chili.

🧅 Pioneer Woman Taco Seasoning Ingredients

• 6 tbsp chili powder (this is the base, so use a standard American mild blend)
• 4 tbsp ground cumin (provides the earthy, warm taco signature)
• 2 tbsp paprika
• 2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (adjust for heat; Ree uses this amount for a “kick”)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp dried oregano (Mexican oregano is best if you can find it)
• 1 tbsp sea salt (or kosher salt)
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

🍛 How To Make Pioneer Woman Taco Seasoning

1. Gather Ingredients: Set out all your spice jars and a medium-sized mixing bowl.
2. Measure: Measure the chili powder, cumin, paprika, crushed red pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper into the bowl.
3. Mix: Use a whisk or a fork to stir the spices together until the color is uniform. Ensure the clumps of onion or garlic powder are broken up and distributed evenly.
4. Transfer: Pour the mixture into a glass mason jar or an airtight spice container.
5. Shake: Seal the lid tightly and give the jar a vigorous shake to ensure everything is perfectly combined. Label the jar so you don’t mistake it for something else.

💭 Recipe Tips

• The “Packet” Equivalent: When a recipe calls for “one packet of taco seasoning,” use 3 tablespoons of this homemade mix.
• Thickening Agent: Commercial packets contain cornstarch to make the water thicken into a sauce. This recipe does not. If you want that saucy consistency, add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch (or flour) to the meat along with the seasoning before adding water.
• Freshness Matters: Your mix will only be as good as the spices you put into it. If your cumin has been sitting in the cupboard for five years, the taco seasoning will taste flat.
• Make it Smoky: For a deeper, smokier flavor, substitute half of the regular paprika for smoked paprika or use ancho chili powder.

🍖 How To Use / Cook With Taco Seasoning?

Since this is a dry mix, you don’t “reheat” it, but here is the rule for cooking with it:

1. Brown the Meat: Brown 1 pound (450g) of ground beef (or turkey) in a skillet until fully cooked. Drain the excess fat.
2. Season: Sprinkle 3 tablespoons of the Pioneer Woman Taco Seasoning over the meat.
3. Add Liquid: Pour in 1/2 to 3/4 cup of hot water.
4. Simmer: Stir well and simmer for 5 minutes until the water reduces and the meat is coated in a thick, flavorful sauce.

🎚 How To Store Taco Seasoning?

• Pantry: Store the mix in an airtight glass jar or spice container in a cool, dark place (like a cupboard or drawer) away from direct sunlight and heat.
• Shelf Life: Properly stored, this mix will stay fresh and potent for up to 6 months to 1 year.

FAQs

Try More Recipes:

• Pioneer Woman Texas Trash Recipe
• Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Beef Enchilada Dip
• Pioneer Woman Texas Caviar

Taco Seasoning Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 3 tablespoons (amount for 1 lb meat)

• Calories: 65 kcal
• Total Fat: 3g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 2100mg (varies based on salt used)
• Total Carbohydrate: 12g
• Dietary Fiber: 6g
• Sugars: 1g
• Protein: 3g

Pioneer Woman Taco Seasoning

Recipe by Imen DridiCourse: Sides, Seasoning, PantryCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

5-6

servings

Prep time

5

minutes

Cooking timeminutes

Calories

65

kcal

Pioneer Woman Taco Seasoning is a pantry staple that will convince you to never buy the little yellow packets again. Ree Drummond’s large-batch recipe is designed to be mixed once and stored for months, ensuring you always have seasoning on hand for a quick weeknight meal. Unlike store-bought versions which are often packed with sodium, anti-caking agents, and hidden fillers like corn syrup solids, this homemade blend relies entirely on pure spices. It is robust, earthy, and deeply flavorful, giving you total control over the heat and salt levels in your family’s favorite tacos.

Ingredients

• 6 tbsp chili powder (this is the base, so use a standard American mild blend)

• 4 tbsp ground cumin (provides the earthy, warm taco signature)

• 2 tbsp paprika

• 2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (adjust for heat; Ree uses this amount for a “kick”)

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp onion powder

• 1 tsp dried oregano (Mexican oregano is best if you can find it)

• 1 tbsp sea salt (or kosher salt)

• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Directions

• Gather Ingredients: Set out all your spice jars and a medium-sized mixing bowl.
• Measure: Measure the chili powder, cumin, paprika, crushed red pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper into the bowl.
• Mix: Use a whisk or a fork to stir the spices together until the color is uniform. Ensure the clumps of onion or garlic powder are broken up and distributed evenly.
• Transfer: Pour the mixture into a glass mason jar or an airtight spice container.
• Shake: Seal the lid tightly and give the jar a vigorous shake to ensure everything is perfectly combined. Label the jar so you don’t mistake it for something else.

Notes

• The “Packet” Equivalent: When a recipe calls for “one packet of taco seasoning,” use 3 tablespoons of this homemade mix.
  Thickening Agent: Commercial packets contain cornstarch to make the water thicken into a sauce. This recipe does not. If you want that saucy consistency, add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch (or flour) to the meat along with the seasoning before adding water.
  Freshness Matters: Your mix will only be as good as the spices you put into it. If your cumin has been sitting in the cupboard for five years, the taco seasoning will taste flat.
  Make it Smoky: For a deeper, smokier flavor, substitute half of the regular paprika for smoked paprika or use ancho chili powder.