This Low Sodium Taco Seasoning gives you all the classic taco flavor without the excess salt found in store-bought packets. It’s quick to mix, easy to customize, and perfect for seasoning everything from ground meat to roasted veggies.
Making your own seasoning blends is a real-life, real-kitchen hack that I highly recommend. The simple dried spices needed for this Low Sodium Taco Seasoning are probably already sitting in your pantry, and together they result in a blend that’s fresher, more flavorful, and much lower in sodium than store-bought packets.
I’ve been mixing up my own taco seasoning for decades now for all the recipes that call for it (including several here on WME). I keep a jar in my pantry, and every time I make a fresh batch, I think about how much sodium we’ve cut from our diets with this one simple habit. It’s these small choices in the kitchen that really add up to something meaningful.
Table of contents
Ingredients
- Chili powder: Be sure to use standard American-style chili powder, not chile powder, which is much spicier.
- Paprika: Stick with regular paprika for a classic taco seasoning flavor.
- Salt: Fine ground sea salt blends evenly, making it a great choice for spice mixes. Using less keeps this mix much lower in sodium than store-bought packets.
- Sugar: A little sugar helps balance the flavors in recipes like this without adding sweetness. You can omit it if you’d like.
- Red pepper flakes: Use the amount stated in the recipe for a mild to medium result. Use more or less to suit your taste, or omit it altogether if you don’t want any spice at all.
Salt-Free Option
You can eliminate the salt in this blend and season individual recipes to taste as you cook. I prefer including a small amount in the mix to round out the flavors, but it’s completely optional.
Kitchen Tips
Subbing for the Packet: Use 2 tablespoons to replace one store-bought packet, then adjust to taste. Because this mix contains much less salt than standard packets, you can add a little additional salt as you cook, if needed. This is especially helpful if you’re using other ingredients that contain sodium, like broth, canned tomato products, canned beans, etc.
Save Time Tip: This Low Sodium Taco Seasoning can be used in recipes that call for a list of similar spices, like our Turkey Tacos. Simply swap out the individual spices for a similar amount of this mix.
Storage: Store the seasoning in an airtight container (like a small jar with a tight fitting lid) in a cool, dry place. For the best flavor, use it within 6 months.
How to Use Low Sodium Taco Seasoning
Because this seasoning is lower in salt than store-bought packets, you have a little more flexibility to adjust it to your taste.
- Taco or Burrito Filling: Start with 1 tablespoon per pound of ground beef, turkey, or chicken. Add up to 1 additional tablespoon if you like a bolder flavor. Stir in ¼ to ⅓ cup water while the meat simmers to help the spices bloom and coat the meat evenly. For a saucier filling, add ¼ to ½ cup tomato sauce and simmer briefly until thickened.
- Beans: Add flavor to canned pinto or black beans that have been well rinsed and drained. Use 1 teaspoon per can, along with about ¼ cup water, then adjust as needed.
- Roasted Vegetables: Toss veggies with olive oil and 1 to 2 teaspoons of seasoning before roasting.
- Easy Dinners: Try it in our Air Fryer Beef Taquitos, Air Fryer Cream Cheese Chicken Taquitos, or Beef and Vegetable Taco Bake.
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Low Sodium Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
- ¼ cup chili powder
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or ¼ teaspoon for mild
- ½ teaspoon granulated sugar, optional
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients in a small bowl until well combined. Transfer the seasoning to an airtight container or small mason jar and store in a cool, dark place. Shake or stir before each use.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated using generic ingredients, and is an estimate not a guarantee. For more accurate results, please refer to the labels on your ingredients at home. All information provided regarding nutrition on this website is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Content related to nutrition is not medical advice nor is it intended to replace medical advice. The website is not intended to diagnose, prescribe, or treat any disease, condition, illness, or injury. Before beginning any diet program, modifying your diet, or making changes to the diet of a child in your care, including following the nutrition information available on the website, you should seek advice from a licensed professional.
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Air Fryer Mini Tacos
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