Healthy Taco Seasoning is Whole30, paleo, gluten free and SO much better than store bought packets! A quick + easy DIY taco mix that is full of flavor! Low sodium and mild in flavor – a must make clean eating recipe!
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There is nothing better than this easy Healthy Taco Seasoning recipe. Naturally paleo, gluten free + whole30 – this healthy taco seasoning is made with a few spice cabinet staples.
This easy DIY taco seasoning is better for you and cheaper to make than buying packets at the store. It’s loaded with flavor and takes under 5 minutes to make!
Click here to pin this recipe for later.
I freakin’ love tacos. I always have, and I always will. They’re just SO good. When I was a kid I would look forward to when my mom would make them for dinner. Even now, we usually have them at least once a week. They’re so yummy and easily customizable!
We use taco seasoning on ground turkey almost once a week. It’s a staple in our house, so when I realized what was in most taco seasonings.. I knew I needed to start making my own!
I really don’t like to food bash things, but one of the main things that make tacos so unhealthy are those store-bought taco seasoning mixes.
What makes this Taco Seasoning Healthy?
- Low salt – Most taco seasoning packets have close to 2500 mg of sodium per packet versus this which has 650mg for the equivalent of a ‘packet’.
- Clean Ingredients- If you take a look at any popular taco mix packet at the store you will find that some of the ingredients include Maltodextrin, Modified Corn Starch, ‘Natural Flavor’, and Caramel Color. This recipe has none of that. Just spices from your spice cabinet!
- No Added Sugar – Taco seasoning doesn’t need sugar! This seasoning is completely sugar free which makes it whole30/keto
Plus.. It’s RIDICULOUSLY EASY to make! Let me show you how to do it.
Ingredients for Whole30 Taco Seasoning:
To make this healthy taco seasoning you’ll need: paprika, pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, onion powder and cinnamon.
You can omit/swap seasonings as you’d like – but this is the recipe we always stick to!
How to make Healthy Taco Seasoning:
To make healthy taco seasoning – simply add all your spices in a jar or airtight container. Shake and and you’re ready to go! That’s it!
With this blend… you won’t need those packets again! I know that the packets can be super convenient sometimes, but once you make your own spice blend, you won’t want to go back.
Making your own spice blends can be just as quick (and even cheaper). I make a giant batch of it once every few months, store it in an airtight container, and then whenever it’s taco night (pretty much every Tuesday in our house) I just sprinkle it over ground turkey.
Seriously.. it couldn’t be easier!
How to cook with this Healthy Taco Seasoning:
When you’re ready to cook with this taco seasoning, just brown your ground meat in a pan with olive oil. Stir in 2 tablespoons of seasoning per one pound of meat right before it’s done cooking.
If you want a ‘saucier’ taco meat, add 1/4 cup of chicken stock, broth or water to your pan when you stir in the seasoning.
What to put Healthy Taco Seasoning on:
This seasoning goes great on anything but here are a few ideas
- ground beef or ground turkey
- ground chicken
- sliced chicken breasts
- shrimp
- tofu
- sliced vegetables
How to make low sodium taco seasoning:
This is a relatively low sodium taco seasoning. The nutrition facts for this recipe are a little misleading, as the 624 mg of sodium are per 2 tablespoons of seasoning. If you divide the 2 tablespoons of seasoning among 1 lb of meat – typically 1 lb of meat serves 4 people. Which means the serving is actually around 200mg of sodium per serving.
If you follow a strict low/no salt seasoning – simply omit the salt from this recipe. You don’t need it!
Healthy Taco Toppings
- Guacamole
- Salsa. We like this Pineapple Mango Salsa
- Hot Sauce
- Olives
- Lettuce
- Cilantro
- Non Whole30: cheddar cheese, black beans
Healthy Recipes to pair with your tacos:
We love serving these salsas/drinks with tacos!
- Pineapple Mango Salsa (Whole Foods Copycat)
- Healthy Peach Cucumber Salsa
- Lighter Watermelon Mojitos
- Healthy Strawberry Mojito
How to make your own Whole30 Taco Seasoning:
Healthy Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon paprika
- 2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoons cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- In a jar, add all spices. Shake + store in an airtight container.
- When cooking: Use 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning per 1 lb of ground meat when making tacos. You do not need to add liquid, but you can add 1/4 cup chicken stock if you'd like for a 'saucier' taco meat!
Nutrition Facts
Did you know I have a FREE 7 Day Whole30 Meal Plan? Click here for the details!
Beth
My daughter loves tacos. She only wanted they pre-packaged until I slide this recipe in a dish we were making I well can I say THIS RECIPE IS THE BOMB . Use it in so many dishes. Thanks Liz.
The Clean Eating Couple
Thank you Beth!! I’m glad you were able to convert her over to the good stuff! 🙂
Tera
This is the only taco seasoning I will use. I’ve been making it for over a year. Someone told me to check out Trader Joe’s taco seasoning, so I did. It has SUGAR in it. No thank you! I will stick to this.
The Clean Eating Couple
I’m so glad you like the recipe, Tera! I totally agree- no need for sugar in taco seasoning!
Linda Curtiss
I plan to try the recipe but need to know if the pepper being used is red pepper (aka cayenne) or black pepper?
The Clean Eating Couple
It’s black pepper! It’s stated in the recipe 🙂 You can add cayenne pepper if you’d like though.. I would only add a tiny amount. A little goes a long way!
Kimberly
I’ve made this taco seasoning twice now! I love having it on hand at home so I never need to waste money on the gross package kinds again!
The Clean Eating Couple
I’m so glad you like it, Kimberly! We haven’t used the package kind in years! This is so much easier and better 🙂
Candy
Highly recommend this. I used to always buy packets but now I have this in my pantry ready to go. Thank you!!
The Clean Eating Couple
This makes me so happy to hear, Candy!! It’s so much better than the packets 🙂
Carly
I make this in bulk! Only Taco Seasoning I will use now. Super yummy!
The Clean Eating Couple
Yay!! That’s awesome, Carly! I do the same thing 🙂 Glad you like it!
Anne
This taco seasoning is AMAZING! The cinnamon really gives it that extra flavor push. You gotta try it.
The Clean Eating Couple
Thanks, Anne! Glad you like it 🙂
Lauren V.
I love mixing up this taco seasoning and keeping it in my pantry. It tastes great and prevents me from having to run to the store for a packet that has extra junk in it. I use it to season ground meat for tacos or chicken for fajitas. Highly recommend making a batch to have on hand!
The Clean Eating Couple
So glad it keeps a spot in your pantry, Lauren! It’s just as delicious as any store bought taco seasoning!
Elizabeth
Love this recipe! The cinnamon is such a nice touch. I make It in big batches (usually just double) and then use throughout the month.
The Clean Eating Couple
We do the same thing! It’s so nice to have in the spice cabinet. Glad you like it!