Want to add a little kick to your homemade tacos or other Mexican food dishes? This Chipotle Seasoning brings just the right amount of heat and flavor. You can stir up a batch of this smoky homemade taco seasoning in less than five minutes!
Why buy expensive, packaged seasoning mixes when you can make your own for less? Not only will you save money, but the homemade versions will have fewer preservatives and additives.
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A simple, surefire way to bring southwest flavor to cooked meats, taco fillings, beans, and sauces is to use a spice mix, like chipotle seasoning. Commercial blends can be pricy, but when you make your own homemade taco seasoning and spice blends, you get the best of both worlds: great flavor at an affordable price!
Why make this
It’s packed with flavor. If you like the smoky flavor of chipotle chiles, you’ll love this chipotle seasoning for tacos.
It’s quick and easy. You can mix this up in just minutes!
It’s cheap. Save money when you mix up your taco seasoning over the expensive packaged mixes.
It’s versatile. This chipotle seasoning is not just for tacos. It is delicious on cooked meats, in beans, on vegetables, in sour cream topping, or sprinkled into enchilada filling.
Ingredients
This chipotle seasoning recipe is super easy to make with some regular spice cupboard staples. Two ingredients to take note of:
ground chipotle chile – Make sure to read the label on the ground chipotle chile or chipotle powder. You want to make sure there is no added salt, just the ground dried chile.
dry onion flakes – Onion flakes will rehydrate upon cooking and add a bit of texture to the finished dish. If you prefer, you can use dehydrated or dried onion powder. Do not substitute onion salt.
Instructions
This chipotle seasoning recipe really couldn’t be easier to mix up.
- Measure out the ingredients into a small dish.
- Stir until the ingredients are fully mixed.
Store the seasoning mix in an airtight container in a cool dry place.
Uses for Chipotle Seasoning
You can use this seasoning mix in any number of recipes that call for taco seasoning mix or even chili seasoning. You can sprinkle it on meats for grilling or roasting or stir it into meat marinade. It brings some heat to Make-Ahead & Freeze Seasoned Ground Beef. And it’s amazing in Creamy Chicken Enchiladas!
It’s delicious in cooked beans, sour cream sauces, roasted vegetables, salsas, and soups, anywhere you want to add instant southwest flavor.
To use in taco meat: add 1 tablespoon to each pound of ground meat. Add more to taste.
FAQs
A chipotle is a dried, smoked jalapeno. You can purchase it dried, pickled, or canned in adobo sauce. It brings moderate heat and has a smoky, spicy flavor. Check out this chart of hot pepper spiciness.
Chipotle powder is ground, dried chipotle chile. A chipotle seasoning is made with that powder along with other spices, like salt, oregano, and cumin.
Recipe costs
Knowing how much it costs you to prepare a recipe can help you decide if it’s the type of recipe to make regularly or one you might want to save for special occasions. Let’s crunch some numbers and see how this recipe pencils out.
- chipotle powder – $0.85
- onion flakes – $0.58
- garlic powder – $0.12
- salt – $0.06
- oregano – $0.12
- ground cumin – $0.10
Shopped at a mid-range grocery store at non-sale prices, the ingredients for a homemade chipotle seasoning cost $1.83 for ½ cup.
By contrast, a commercial blend, like Mrs. Dash Southwest Chipotle Seasoning or Weber Chipotle Seasoning, ranges from $3.99 to $4.98. Clearly it’s cheaper to make this yourself!
Save even more when you buy the spices in bulk. Store extras in the freezer to stretch their shelflife.
Other great seasoning recipes
Homemade Chipotle Seasoning Mix for Tacos
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon chipotle powder (no salt added)
- 2 tablespoon dry onion flakes
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoon ground cumin
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl.
- Place the mixture in an airtight plastic container or freezer bag and store in the pantry or in the freezer for longer shelf life.
- To use: add seasoning according to recipe calling for taco seasoning mix and adjust to taste.
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published on October 6, 2014. It has been updated for content and clarity.
Yvonne
Haven’t tried this recipe yet. Is there a way to use whole, dried chipotle peppers to make this recipe? That’s what I have 😉
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Jessica Fisher
Yay for shopping the pantry! I would try grinding those in the blender or food processor. Be very careful as the powder will be potent. Let it settle before opening it. If you can grind it fine enough, you would be able to substitute it for the chipotle chili powder in the mix. Other chile powder will also work.
Debra marie
Could I substitute onion powder. What would be amt.? I was thinking 1 tbsp. I love your recipes. I enjoy your freezer meal cookbook and recommend it all the time. It is a very well done book.
Jessica Fisher
Sorry for the delayed response. Yes, I think 1 tablespoon onion powder would be a good substitution. Thanks for your kind words. I’m glad you’re enjoying the book!
Kristal
I have never seen chipotle powder. Is that available at trader joes?
Jessica Fisher
I have found it a different grocery stores. You can use regular chile powder if that’s what you have.
Shaynee
How much of this seasoning do I use with 1lb ground beef?
Jessica Fisher
I use several teaspoons because we like it spicy. I’d start with two and adjust to taste.
Jessica
They are Trader Joe’s. They recently changed them. I love the new ones.
Janet
Sounds yummy. Looking forward to trying it. I make a number of spice blends including Cajun and cinnamon toast spread. I save my empty spice bottles and use them for my blends. I wash and dry them and then mark them with a mailing label.
Jennifer
I have to ask. What kind of taco shells are these? They look thinner and crispier than the usual. There is one particular brand we love and stock up on when we visit family in the Midwest.
Jessica
They are Trader Joe’s.