Taco Seasoning Recipe With Tomato Powder

Have you made a taco seasoning recipe at home and thought, "It's fine, but something's missing"? Most homemade versions fall flat on that deep, savory depth that makes you want more. One ingredient fixes that: tomato powder.

It adds umami to the blend. It's what separates a seasoning that tastes homemade from one that tastes like it came from a specialty spice shop. Five minutes, one bowl, and you'll rarely reach for a packet again.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Tomato powder is the ingredient that separates this blend from every other homemade taco seasoning recipe. It adds umami and a pop of brightness.
• It goes on grilled chicken for burrito bowls, seasons ground meat for tacos, and works as a dry rub when you want more flavor without a sauce.
• It's a small-batch recipe. Make it fresh when you need it, in five minutes, from spices already in your pantry.
• No fillers, no starch, no anti-caking agents. Just pure spice.

What Is Tomato Powder?

Tomato powder is made from dried tomatoes that are ground into a powder. It has a concentrated, savory-sweet flavor with the same umami depth you'd get from tomato paste.

• Blends seamlessly into spice mixes without adding moisture.
• Mix with warm water to make tomato paste.
  • 1 tablespoon powder to 1 tablespoon water
• Mix with warm water to make tomato sauce.
  • 1 tablespoon powder to 2 tablespoons water
• Works well in dry rubs, dips, casseroles, and soups.

I use it in my thick homemade chili for extra savory depth without opening a can of tomato paste. If you make your own tomato paste and are running low, this is a great way to get the same flavor from a dry ingredient.

Ingredients

Here are the 8 ingredients you will need to make this small-batch taco seasoning.

• Tomato Powder: This is the optional ingredient that makes the biggest difference. It adds umami and a savory richness that dried spices alone can't deliver. Order it online if you can't find it locally. It's worth the effort.
• Chili Powder: Standard grocery store chili powder works well here. It is already a blend of peppers and spices, which adds complexity without requiring multiple separate ingredients.
• Ground Cumin: I tested this blend with less cumin and even tried leaving it out entirely. Without it, the seasoning tastes more like a BBQ rub than a taco seasoning. Cumin is what pulls it toward that familiar Tex-Mex flavor. Keep it in.
• Ground Coriander: When cilantro goes to seed, those seeds are coriander. This one is easy to skip but worth keeping in. It adds a subtle citrusy, floral note.
• Sweet Paprika: Adds color and a mild, slightly sweet pepper flavor. Swap it for smoked paprika if you want a smokier profile.
• Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: The backbone of the blend. Use powder so everything stays uniform and coats the meat evenly.
• Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt: If you are using Morton kosher salt, cut the volume in half.

See the recipe card below for ingredient measurements.

How To Use Taco Seasoning

This recipe makes 2 tablespoons, which is enough to season 1 pound of ground meat or about 3 pounds of chicken.

For ground meat tacos: Brown the meat in a skillet. Add 2 tablespoons of seasoning per pound of meat and stir in ¼ cup of water. Simmer over medium heat until the water is mostly absorbed.

For burrito bowls: Brush the meat with olive oil first, then apply the seasoning at about 2 teaspoons per pound. Works on chicken, steak, and pork before grilling or searing.

In casseroles: Use 1 tablespoon in my taco casserole with tortilla chips in place of the store-bought packet.

For dinners, browse my sauce recipes for salsa ideas that pair well with this seasoning, from tacos to burrito bowls to grilled chicken.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Add all ingredients to a small bowl: salt, cumin, chili powder, sweet paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, ground coriander, and tomato powder, if using.

Step 2: Whisk to combine and break up any clumps.

Step 3: Use immediately or transfer to a small jar or storage bag. Use a small piece of parchment paper as a funnel to move it cleanly into the container.

Variations

Want to adjust the blend to fit your preferences? Here are a few easy ways to do that.

No tomato powder: Skip it. The blend is still good. You just won't get that extra umami layer.

More heat: Add ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper or ½ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes.

Smokier flavor: Substitute smoked paprika for sweet paprika.

Less salt: Reduce the kosher salt to ½ teaspoon or season the meat separately at the end.

Storage Information

Store taco seasoning in a small airtight jar or zip-top bag at room temperature for up to 1 year, away from heat and direct sunlight. Write the date on the container.

FAQ

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