What to use instead of taco seasoning
Quick answer
The closest option is American chili powder with Cumin, rated good. These are close relatives and the swap is a good one. Taco seasoning is essentially American chilli powder with extra cumin, garlic powder, salt and usually a thickener. Adding cumin closes most of the gap; the thickener is what you will miss, since taco seasoning is designed to bind a pan sauce.
It will not do for: Recipes relying on the packet to thicken the pan — add a little flour or cornflour; Dishes where the salt content was being counted on, since this version has none.
All recorded options
Ranked by suitability. Ratios are given only where they are defensible, and always with their basis — by weight or by volume — because spice densities differ.
American chili powder with Cumin
Good matchUse: ~1× by volume — Roughly three parts chilli powder to one part cumin, at the same total volume. Salt separately — most taco seasoning is substantially salt.
These are close relatives and the swap is a good one. Taco seasoning is essentially American chilli powder with extra cumin, garlic powder, salt and usually a thickener. Adding cumin closes most of the gap; the thickener is what you will miss, since taco seasoning is designed to bind a pan sauce.
| Flavour | Aroma | Colour | Heat |
|---|---|---|---|
| close | close | very close | similar |
Works for
- Tacos, fajitas, chilli and seasoned mince generally
- Anywhere the packet was going to be used for convenience rather than for a specific flavour
Does not work for
- Recipes relying on the packet to thicken the pan — add a little flour or cornflour
- Dishes where the salt content was being counted on, since this version has none
Worth knowing that a packet of taco seasoning is mostly things you already own. This substitution is closer to a recipe than to a compromise.
Fajita seasoning with Cumin
Good matchUse: ~1× by volume — Equal volume with an extra half-teaspoon of cumin per two tablespoons, which is most of what separates them.
These two packets are near neighbours and the swap is the easiest on this page. Fajita seasoning leans on paprika and taco seasoning on chilli powder and more cumin, so adding cumin closes most of the distance. Both already carry salt and a thickener, so nothing else needs adjusting.
| Flavour | Aroma | Colour | Heat |
|---|---|---|---|
| very close | close | very close | similar |
Works for
- Tacos, seasoned mince, fajitas, grilled chicken and peppers
- Any recipe that names a packet rather than a flavour
Does not work for
- Someone who dislikes cumin, for whom this makes it worse rather than better
The other direction works equally well, using slightly less and leaving the cumin out.
Where taco seasoning stands in for something else
The reverse view of the same graph.
- Instead of American chili powder — acceptable
- Instead of Cajun seasoning — situational