It's simple to make homemade keto taco seasoning! This easy spice mix recipe is sugar-free and much cheaper than store-bought taco seasoning packets!
I love the flavor of Mexican foods. And just like my own mum, for years I bought spice mixes and seasoning packs when I wanted a taco night.
It wasn't until I started a low-carb diet that I began to read labels on products. And I discovered that most ready-made taco seasoning mixes are full of sugar, starch and preservatives. They are neither keto friendly nor gluten-free.
The Old El Paso Taco Seasoning Mix, for example, contains maltodextrin (a sugar) and starch. The Schwartz Fajita Seasoning, which I used to season chicken as well as beef, lists maltodextrin as the first ingredient and sugar as the third.
Time to make my own homemade mix!
🌟 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Keto-friendly - only 1g net carbs
- No nasty fillers! Sugar-free and gluten-free
- Ready in seconds
- Packed with authentic flavor
- Versatile - use for beef, chicken or fish
Ingredients
In the image above are the herbs and spices I'm using for my homemade keto taco seasoning:
- Cumin - The most important ingredient in this mix
- Chili powder - For that fiery kick
- Paprika - This can be smoked paprika or regular
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Dried oregano
- Sea salt
- Black pepper
Instructions
It's very simple. All you need to do is combine the spices in a bowl, mason jar or a ziplock bag and shake or stir. Store it until you are ready to use it.
And here is how to use the mix:
- Start by frying one pound of taco meat such as ground beef in olive oil until it is browned. This takes about 5 minutes.
- Then, add the taco seasoning, 2 tablespoons of tomato puree and ½ cup or 120 ml of beef broth to the pan.
- After that, simply give it a stir and simmer until the liquid has evaporated.
Of course, this is just a guideline. If you prefer a spicy finish, add up to twice as much seasoning. I won't hold it against you!!
Recipe FAQs
Yes. All spices contain carbs, so there will never be such a thing as a carb free taco seasoning. But by omitting the additional sugars and starches the net carbs in this seasoning mix are just 1g per portion.
Sure! If you like, add 1 teaspoon of sweetener to the mix. The sweetness counteracts the heat of the chile powder. A brown sugar alternative would work well.
I use 2 tablespoons of seasoning per pound ground beef or beef strips. This is enough meat for 4 people (½ tablespoon of seasoning per portion).
The only sugar-free taco seasoning I have found is by Bart.
Uses
This taco seasoning is versatile! It tastes great with ground beef, chicken, turkey or in keto fish tacos.
Use it in keto taco soup, chilis, fajitas, quesadillas, enchiladas or even in Mexican scrambled eggs.
We love it in this keto taco casserole. And when I make a simple portion of ground beef with it, I like to serve it with keto taco shells or my 4 ingredient low carb tortillas.
You could also make nachos with my keto tortilla chips!
Storage
The spice mix lasts just as long as the spices would last if you stored them separately. Store it in a closed mason jar in your kitchen cupboard for about 1 year!
Once you've tried out the recipe and decided it's right for you, why not double or quadruple it? That way, you have your very own spice mix waiting for you when the need for a Mexican dinner strikes.
Tried this recipe? Give it a star rating below!
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Recipe
Keto Taco Seasoning
from Sugar Free LondonerNote: The servings slider only changes the first amount in each line and not any subsequent amounts. Please make your own calculations where necessary.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon chile powder (chili) use mild or medium depending on your heat level (16g)
- 2 teaspoon ground cumin 4g
- 2 teaspoon paprika sweet or smoked is nice too (4g)
- 1 teaspoon flaked sea salt 6g
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder 3g
- 1 teaspoon onion powder 3g
- 2 teaspoon dried oregano 2g
- 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper 2g
Instructions
- Add all the spices to a small mason jar. Close and shake until fully combined.
- Store in airtight glass jar for up to 1 year.
How to use the seasoning (serves 4)
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a pan. Add 1 pound of ground beef and fry until browned, about 5 minutes.
- Add 2 tablespoons of the taco seasoning and 2 tablespoons of tomato puree plus ½ cup / 120ml of beef broth/chicken broth. Stir, then simmer until the liquid has evaporated. Adjust seasoning if you prefer a spicier finish.
Shannon
I used smoked paprika and it was amazing! Just the right amount of heat, and the flavor was so much better than those packets! Even hubby liked it better!
George B
I just made your taco shells and then browned some ground beef with this spice mix. Absolutely delicious!
Katrin Nürnberger
Glad you enjoyed it! You're making me want to have another taco night soon 🙂