Tacos are one of my favorite weekday meals. They come together quickly, please the whole family’s palates, and offer endless possibilities for creative fillings. Over the years, I’ve experimented with different seasonings to find the perfect spice blend to liven up ground beef or chicken for tacos. I always come back to this homemade version of Lawry’s taco seasoning. It has the ideal balance of flavors and just the right kick of heat.

Why I Love This Homemade Taco Seasoning

What I love about this Lawry’s-inspired taco seasoning recipe is that it allows the flavors of the spices to shine through. Many store-bought spice blends contain extra ingredients like salt, sugar, flour, and anti-caking agents. My homemade blend skips all of those unnecessary additives and uses high-quality spices for maximum flavor.

By making my own Lawry’s style seasoning, I can also customize the level of heat by adding more or less cayenne pepper. I have the freedom to tweak the blend to my family’s preferences. More smoky flavor? Add some smoked paprika! Missing a certain herbiness? Throw in some dried oregano or cilantro. The versatility of a homemade blend is unmatched.

How to Make Lawry’s Taco Seasoning

Putting together your own batch of taco seasoning takes just minutes. You likely have all of the ingredients already stocked in your pantry.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions:

1. Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl and mix well.
2. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.
3. To use, add 2 tablespoons of seasoning per pound of ground beef, chicken, or pork.

Tips:

• For a spicier taco seasoning, add more cayenne pepper.
• For a smokier taco seasoning, add 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika.
• For a more complex taco seasoning, add 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano.

Homemade Lawry’s Taco Seasoning is a versatile spice blend that can be used for more than just tacos. Try it in burritos, quesadillas, or enchiladas. You can also add it to soups, stews, and chili.

Special Notes on This Lawry’s Copycat Recipe

I like to make a big batch of this homemade Lawry’s taco seasoning all at once. That way I always have it ready to go whenever a taco craving hits! Here are some of my special tips:

• Consider doubling or tripling the spice measurements when making a large batch for storage. It saves the hassle of mixing up seasoning each time.
• Leave out the cayenne if making tacos for kids or anyone who is sensitive to spice.
• For a vegetarian version, swap the onion and garlic powders for granulated varieties.
• Give the spice mix a taste and tweak to your preferences. Like it hotter? Add more cayenne or a pinch of red pepper flakes.

Fun Variations to Try

While this Lawry’s inspired homemade blend is perfect in classic beef tacos, don’t be afraid to get creative with the applications! Here are some of my favorite taco and seasoning variations:

• Use the seasoning on chicken breasts, pork chops, shrimp, tuna, or cauliflower before pan-searing or baking.
• Stir a tablespoon or two of the blend into scrambled eggs or omelets.
• For Tex-Mex tacos, add cubed brisket or pulled pork.
• Give boring baked potatoes a kick by sprinkling the seasoning into mashed potato flakes when making them.
• Make taquitos with corn tortillas rolled around cheese, meat, beans, etc. then baked until crispy.

The possibilities are endless when homemade taco seasoning is involved!

Serving Suggestions and Toppings

While the meat is the star of the show when using this Lawry’s taco seasoning, having a variety of fresh toppings takes the tacos to the next level. Here are some of my favorite serving suggestions:

• Set up a taco bar with lots of fun DIY fixings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, salsa, guacamole, lime wedges, shredded cheese, Greek yogurt or sour cream, etc.
• Make it Taco Tuesday and encourage everyone to get creative with garnishes!
• Turn taco night into a Mexican fiesta with sangria, chips and salsa, black beans and rice on the side. ¡Olé!
• Keep it easy with just the seasoned meat, cheese, lettuce, and hot sauce for hurried weeknight meals.
• For parties, set up a taco bar alongside yummy margaritas for a fun, interactive meal.

The beauty of tacos is customizing them just the way you like!

Storing Leftovers

One of the things I love about homemade Lawry’s style taco seasoning is that leftovers keep well and are so versatile. Here are some of my tips for storing and reusing them:

• Let any unused taco meat cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
• Use leftovers to make quesadillas, taco salads, burritos, nachos, rice bowls, omelets, etc.
• The seasoned meat also freezes well for longer term storage. Allow it to cool completely before transferring to a freezer bag or airtight container. Thaw in the refrigerator before reusing.
• Extra homemade seasoning can be kept in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.

Being able to reinvent leftovers into an easy second meal is a great bonus when using this homemade recipe!

Common Questions about Homemade Lawry’s Seasoning

Is it really better than store-bought seasoning packets?
Absolutely! Homemade allows you to control the quality and customize the flavor. No extras needed.

What’s the best way to store it?
An airtight container like a mason jar or spice bottle stored in a cool, dark place.

How long does it last?
Around 6 months if stored properly. Write the date on your blend so you remember when you made it.

Do I have to measure precisely?
The nice thing about a homemade blend is you can tweak and customize it to your tastes, so no need to measure perfectly.

What if I want it gluten-free?
Just be sure to use tamari instead of regular soy sauce and check that all spices are certified gluten-free.

Can I prepare the tacos ahead? Yes! Fill warmed tortillas with all the fixings, then wrap them individually in foil. Reheat in a hot oven or panini press.

What meat works the best? I love it with ground beef, but also try it with ground turkey, chicken or pork. Even meatless crumbles work nicely.

Let me know if you have any other questions! I’m always happy to talk taco seasonings.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for an easy way to take weeknight dinners from bland to bold, this homemade Lawry’s taco seasoning is just the trick. With the ideal blend of spices and customizable heat, it adds so much flavor to ground meat. Tacos are my go-to busy night meal because they come together quickly. This blend takes them from boring to gourmet in minutes flat.

Now that you know how simple it is to mix up my go-to Lawry’s inspired seasoning, I hope you’ll give it a try soon. Let me know how you flavor up your tacos or leaving a comment below this recipe. I can’t wait to get some taco inspiration from you!