Make Taco Tuesdays (or any taco night) a whole lot simpler with this easy homemade taco seasoning recipe. Ready in 5 minutes using simple pantry spices, it adds bold flavor to tacos, fajitas, and more—with a low FODMAP option, plus low carb, Keto, Paleo, and Whole30 compatibility.
Be sure to check the labels of your individual spices for sulphites or non-compliant additives if needed. And while this seasoning is low in FODMAPs, it does contain spices that may be triggering for some people with IBS.
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Why Make Homemade Taco Seasoning?
Last week on Instagram, I announced I would be focusing solely on Mexican recipes for the next few weeks. As I explained in my Instant Pot Carnitas post last week, I am grieving the recent, sudden loss of my dad. So, as The Sound of Music song goes, I'm surrounding myself with my favorite things to cheer myself up, and my favorite cuisine is Mexican. Last week I featured the incredible Instant Pot Carnitas. Over the next few weeks, I plan to post three different recipes that go together, the first of these being homemade low FODMAP taco seasoning.
Since I started eating low FODMAP, I have come to love making my own premade seasoning mixes. When you make dishes of a certain cuisine regularly, it is so handy to throw in a premade seasoning mix. Doing this helps you avoid measuring out each spice or herb individually. Many store-bought mixes contain high FODMAP ingredients, most commonly onion and garlic powder, and/or harmful preservatives. This is the second homemade seasoning mix recipe I've posted to Good Noms, Honey! My first seasoning mix recipe was Low FODMAP Italian Seasoning, which is great in my Low FODMAP Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs One-Pot Meal recipe, my Low FODMAP Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore recipe, and other Italian and even non-Italian dishes.
How to Use This Homemade Taco Seasoning
Seasoning Tacos or Taco Salad
Once I have my low FODMAP taco seasoning mixed together, I add it to 1 pound of ground beef to make tacos or taco salad. After browning the ground beef in a large skillet on the stove, I'll add 2 ½ tablespoons of the seasoning mix to the beef in addition to 1 tablespoon garlic-infused olive oil and ⅓ cup of tap water. Then, I sauté the meat on low heat for 5-10 minutes until the liquid in the pan is mostly gone. The amount of taco seasoning you add may vary depending on your specific taste. Be sure to taste the meat before serving.
I also use this for non-low FODMAP recipes, like my Chicken Taco Soup and Beef Taco Skillet.
Seasoning Fajitas or Fajita Salad
Did you know that the premade fajita seasoning and taco seasoning mixes you buy at the store have mostly the same ingredients? According to this article on Spiceography.com, the biggest difference between premade taco and fajita seasoning mixes is the level of acidity in the seasoning mix. Commercially produced fajita seasoning mix is typically made more acidic by adding tomato powder or citric acid. As traditional fajitas are made with lime juice, producers of these commercially made fajita mixes attempt to replicate that acidity by making the mix more acidic so that the consumer need not add anything other than the mix to get a more traditional fajita flavor.
Thus, this low FODMAP taco seasoning recipe can be used to make delicious low FODMAP fajitas or fajita salad by adding acidity to the meat, such as lime juice, in addition to using the seasoning mix.
Ingredients
First, as illustrated above, this low FODMAP taco seasoning contains spices commonly used in Mexican cooking: chili powder, oregano, cumin, and cayenne. As onion and garlic powder are also commonly used, I have substituted one of my most favorite low FODMAP ingredients, dried chives, to give some oniony and garlicy flavor. As mentioned earlier, I also add garlic-infused olive oil to my taco and fajita meat in order to have that delicious garlicy flavor come through without the FODMAPs. I've also added paprika to add some more peppery flavors. Lastly, I add sea salt and pepper to enhance these flavors, which saves you from having to add them separately. If you are concerned with sodium, reduce the amount of sea salt per your preferences.
How to Make Homemade Taco Seasoning
The recipe card below explains this process pretty well, which is really simple. Whisk everything together in a small bowl or jar until combined. Store your low FODMAP taco seasoning in an air tight container, such as a glass jar.
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Homemade Taco Seasoning (Low FODMAP Option)
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 7 tablespoons 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free, Low FODMAP, Low-Carb, Paleo, Whole30
Description
Homemade taco seasoning ready in 5 minutes using simple pantry spices. Includes a low FODMAP option and fits low carb, Keto, Paleo, and Whole30 lifestyles. See notes for ingredient guidance.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano leaves
- 1 tablespoon dried chives
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne
- 2 ½ teaspoons sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a small bowl or air-tight container (such as a glass jar) and whisk or cover and shake until well combined.
- Add to your favorite Mexican dishes, like my Easy Taco Salad, Taco Skillet, Taco Soup, or my Grilled Chicken Fajita Salad.
Equipment
Buy Now → Notes
- Garlic option: For a more traditional taco seasoning flavor, add 1 teaspoon garlic powder if you are not following a low FODMAP diet. Otherwise, garlic-infused olive oil adds flavor without the FODMAPs.
- Chili powder and cayenne: Use a blend without garlic or onion powder if you're following a low FODMAP diet. While both are low FODMAP in small amounts, some people with IBS may be sensitive to spicy foods.
- How to Use for Tacos: To season 1 pound of cooked ground beef, chicken, or turkey, add 2½ tablespoons of seasoning, 1 tablespoon garlic-infused olive oil (if using for low FODMAP), and ⅓ cup water. Simmer for about 5 minutes, until slightly thickened.
- How to Use for Fajitas: Whisk together olive oil, lime juice, and 3 tablespoons of seasoning to create a simple marinade.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Condiments and Seasoning Mix
- Method: By hand
- Cuisine: Mexican
Disclaimer: This recipe is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or dietary advice. The author is not a medical professional. Nutrition info is an estimate and can vary depending on ingredients and preparation. We follow current guidelines for special diets like low FODMAP, Keto, and Paleo at the time of initial publication, but individual tolerance varies and research is always evolving. It’s up to each reader to check ingredient labels, stay informed with the latest research, and consult their doctor to make informed choices based on their individual needs. Storage times are general recommendations—always follow safe food handling practices. See our Terms of Use for more details.
Becci says
Delicious flavoring for a low FODMAP taco seasoning. Super easy to make. Everyone loved it. Thanks!
Gail says
I'm so happy you liked it, Becci! Thanks for trying it and taking the time to rate and review!
jess says
Is the Chili powder in this recipe like the US mix that has other spices in it or is it just power of a single chili like Adobo?
Gail says
Great question, Jess! It is the US mix including other spices. The chili powder I use includes chili peppers, oregano, thyme, paprika, and bay leaves. Using one with just powder from chilis won't impact the flavor too drastically in my opinion, especially when combined with the other spices in this seasoning mix.
Kate says
I would give you six stars if I could for simply putting the Jump to recipe option on your blog. Not that I don’t appreciate all the information, but when’s its dinner time and I’m ready to put it together, it’s nice to have a blog that doesn’t force the reader to read through the entire history of every food & all of its properties and the risk factors and substitutions for foods that don’t relate to the recipe and still have to dig and search for a link to the actual recipe mentioned in the title. Thank you, thank you, thank you for that.
Delicious recipe!!!!
Gail Gromaski says
Amen, sister! 😉 I really appreciate the Jump To Recipe button, too, and I'm so glad to hear you do as well! I'm also happy you enjoyed the recipe!