Wondering if taco seasoning is gluten-free? The answer is most of the time – yes it is! Find out which brands are gluten-free and what to look for.
Plus a recipe for homemade gluten-free taco seasoning that’s flavorful and delicious!
Table of Contents
- What Is Taco Seasoning Mix Made Of?
- Is Taco Seasoning Gluten-Free?
- Which Brands of Taco Seasoning Are Gluten-Free?
- How Much Taco Seasoning for 1 Pound of Meat?
- Taco Seasoning FAQs
- Gluten Free Taco Seasoning Recipe
- Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- How to Make this Recipe
- Storage Instructions
- Expert Tips & Tricks
- MORE GLUTEn-FRE RECIPES
- Easy, Gluten-Free Taco Seasoning
What Is Taco Seasoning Mix Made Of?
Taco seasoning mixes vary slightly from one brand to another, but most contain a few common ingredients. Some of the most traditional taco seasoning spices include:
- Paprika
- Oregano
- Cumin
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Pepper
Is Taco Seasoning Gluten-Free?
It depends. Not all taco seasoning is gluten-free, since some brands add wheat flour or other gluten-containing ingredients. It’s best to read the ingredients list and look for a “gluten-free” label on the package.
You also might like these articles on is worcestershire sauce gluten-free, is soy sauce gluten-free and gluten-free stir-fry sauce.
Which Brands of Taco Seasoning Are Gluten-Free?
It can be tricky to know which taco seasonings contain gluten, and which do not. Some taco seasonings are made with naturally gluten-free ingredients, but have the chance of cross-contamination with gluten in the manufacturing process.
If you have an extreme gluten allergy, it’s best to only buy taco seasoning that has a gluten-free label. Or, you can make your own!
Here are some brands that make gluten free taco seasoning:
- McCormick Taco Seasoning (not certified gluten-free but no gluten-containing ingredients)
- Old El Paso Taco Seasoning Mix Original (not certified gluten-free but no gluten-containing ingredients)
- Ortega (not certified gluten-free but no gluten-containing ingredients)
- Trader Joe’s Taco Seasoning (not certified gluten-free but no gluten-containing ingredients)
- Durkee Taco Seasoning
- Pioneer Taco Seasoning
- Spice Island Taco Seasoning
- Thrive Market Taco Seasoning
You also might like this chicken taco seasoning.
How Much Taco Seasoning for 1 Pound of Meat?
As a general rule of thumb, use one taco seasoning packet or 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning for one pound of ground meat.
Taco Seasoning FAQs
While it is not labeled gluten-free, it is free from gluten-containing ingredients. McCormick taco seasoning contains the following ingredients: Spices (Including Chili Pepper, Paprika, Oregano), Corn Starch, Salt, Onion, and Garlic.
While it is not labeled gluten-free, it is free from gluten-containing ingredients. Ortega Taco seasoning contains the following ingredients: Yellow Corn Flour, Salt, Maltodextrin, Paprika, Spices, Modified Corn Starch, Sugar, Citric Acid, Yeast Extract, Natural Flavors, Rosemary and Green Tea Extract, Silicon Dioxide.
While it is not labeled gluten-free, it is free from gluten-containing ingredients. Old El Paso taco includes the following ingredients: Chili Pepper, Maltodextrin, Salt, Onion Powder, Spice, Corn Starch, Sea Salt (Potassium Magnesium Chloride, Salt). Contains 2% Or Less Of: Vegetable Oil (Canola, High Oleic Soybean And/Or Sunflower Oil), Corn Flour, Silicon Dioxide (Anticaking Agent), Citric Acid, Sugar, Natural Flavor.
No, Lawry’s taco seasoning is made with wheat flour and is not gluten-free. It contains the following ingredients: Spices (Including Paprika and Chili Peppers), Onion, Salt, Lactose (Milk), Sugar, Garlic, Enriched Wheat Flour (Flour, Niacin, Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Cocoa Powder Processed with Alkali, Citric Acid, and Natural Flavor.
Several brands make gluten free taco seasoning mix, including Durkee,
Pioneer, Thrive Market and Spice Island.
For more gluten-free basics, check out these posts on gluten-free breadcrumbs, gluten-free roux, and gluten-free bbq sauce.
Gluten Free Taco Seasoning Recipe
If your family is anything like ours, tacos are on a steady rotation for weeknight dinners. They’re easy, delicious, and everyone loves them. They can be customized a million ways, and the come together in under 30 minutes.
After a busy weekday, there’s nothing better than gluten-free tacos!
Homemade taco seasoning mix may sound like a way to complicate the process, but it’s actually incredibly easy to make. And if you’re on a gluten-free diet, it’s totally the way to go.
Seasoning mix found at the local grocery store may not be gluten-free. Even if you don’t see any gluten ingredients on the list, there could be trace amounts due to cross-contamination in the manufacturing process.
Need another good reason to make your own taco seasoning blend?
The store-bought version often has preservatives and other ingredients that totally unnecessary when you make it yourself. Better yet, homemade taco seasoning just tastes better!
Add this homemade gluten free spice mix to your spice cabinet and you’ll always be ready for Taco Tuesday.
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- Made with simple ingredients
- Easy to make
- Comes together in minutes
- Use for a variety of recipes
- Perfectly balanced flavor
You also might like these recipes for chicken fajitas, gluten-free enchiladas, slow-cooker pinto beans, gluten-free enchilada sauce and our favorite sweet pork tacos.
You also might like these gluten-free breakfast tacos.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to make this taco seasoning:
- Oregano + cayenne: Dried oregano works great for this recipe. A pinch of cayenne adds a tiny bit of heat (but not too much).
- Chili powder: Dried chili powder is the basis of all great taco seasoning. It gives it the Mexican flavor you know and love!
- Onion + garlic powder: These aromatics are essential to balancing the smoky flavor of the chili powder and paprika.
- Paprika: Paprika gives the taco seasoning warmth and flavor. Used smoked paprika for a stronger smoky flavor.
- Cumin: Dried cumin is a classic pairing with chili powder and garlic powder.
- Salt + pepper: Salt and pepper enhance the flavor of all other seasonings in the mix!
Use it to make these loaded taco fries!
How to Make this Recipe
Mix all spices together until well combined.
Use immediately or store in an airtight container and use as needed.
Storage Instructions
Store in an airtight container (such as a Mason jar) for up to one month.
Expert Tips & Tricks
- I use one recipe of this seasoning per pound of ground beef or ground turkey. You could also use this to make chicken tacos or taco salad!
- This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled! Make a large batch and you’ll always have pre-made taco seasoning on hand for any Mexican dish.
MORE GLUTEn-FRE RECIPES
I hope you love this recipe as much as we do! If you try this taco seasoning, be sure to leave me a comment/rating below. I’d love to hear from you!
Easy, Gluten-Free Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon table salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Mix all spices together until well combined.
- Use immediately or store in an airtight container and use as needed.
Do you need to add water like you do with the packets?
Yes! I like to add 1/2 cup of liquid. My favorite is to use 1/2 cup of tomato sauce like this recipe: https://meaningfuleats.com/easy-gluten-free-tacos/
Wife and kids love it. Simple ingredients. Nice salt balance. Winner!
So glad you enjoyed it!
Looking forward to try your Taco Seasoning. Why buy packages when have all the spices in my cupboards. Thank you soo much.
I hope you enjoy it!
Love to make a large batch of this so I always have it on hand! It’s so much better than the store bought kind in packet. So easy to add to your meat to make tacos.
I love making a big batch of this, because I use it in so many recipes!! It’s one of my favorite seasonings!!
I never realized there’s a chance that seasoning blends could contain gluten, but that makes sense. I made this one for tacos last night and it was perfect! Way better than the store bought variety.
Is this mild enough for kids or should I lower the chilli powder amount?
It depends on what kind of chili powder you use! I use McCormick and it’s not too spicy at all!