12 Packaged Taco Seasonings, Ranked Worst To Best
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It's easy to see why tacos are such a popular dish. For starters, they are relatively simple to prepare and easy on the wallet, but more importantly — they're absolutely delicious. There's nothing quite like sinking your teeth into that luscious blend of taco meat and shredded cheese along with a mix of toppings like shredded lettuce, diced onions, sour cream, and fresh salsa. And no matter what tortilla team you're on, the reality is that both corn and flour are equally scrumptious vessels that bring their own tasty advantages to the table.
Tacos are also highly versatile. Whether you load them up with steak carne asada style, succulent shredded chicken, juicy pulled pork, or classic ground beef, there's no doubt that you're in for a mouthwatering meal. For a little extra heat, tacos are also the perfect opportunity to drizzle on some of your favorite hot sauce or enjoy the tangy sparkle of pickled jalapenos.
While you could always blend your own customized mix of seasonings, sometimes that requires extra time and ingredients that you may not have at the moment. There's absolutely nothing wrong with cutting some corners and taking advantage of packaged taco seasoning. That said, the truth is that there can be noticeable differences in quality between brands. Luckily for you, we're here to steer you in the right direction. Here are 12 packaged taco seasoning blends, ranked leading up to some of our favorites.
12. Taco Bell original
Taco Bell has its time and place. When a serious case of the munchies strikes, there's no doubt that a burrito supreme or cheesy gordita crunch can really hit the spot. On the other hand, sometimes it's better to skip the drive-through and save a few bucks by just making some tacos at home. The good news is that when you're craving that classic Taco Bell flavor but you don't want to leave the comfort of home, you can always take advantage of the company's original taco seasoning packet.
The bad news is that people tend to be divided over how tasty this blend actually is. Some claim that Taco Bell's original seasoning blend lacks flavor via Reddit. However you feel about Taco Bell's menu, there's usually one thing we can all agree on: The seasoning is typically very distinct and noticeable. So there's a chance that if you use this seasoning packet expecting that same level of flavor you experience at the restaurant, you might end up a little disappointed.
Of course, you could always double up and add extra Taco Bell seasoning packets to the mix or supplement it with other spices. But at the end of the day, we're judging these taco seasonings by their level of deliciousness without having to rely on any reinforcements. And the truth is that there are much better-tasting taco seasonings out there so it's hard to really consider this praise-worthy.
11. Old El Paso
Old El Paso is another popular brand with some major name recognition. But in this case, its prevalence on the market is merited. Offering everything from chopped green chiles and refried beans to salsa verde and enchilada sauce, the company is basically a one-stop shop for taco night. At the center of Old El Paso's expansive inventory is its ubiquitous taco seasoning.
There are a few reasons that fans of this taco seasoning tend to prefer Old El Paso over some other brands via Reddit. For starters, it's reasonably priced — and you get even more bang for your buck in the bigger bottles. But even beyond its affordability, Old El Paso's taco seasoning has a simple flavor that's just downright comforting. Perhaps it's the simple powdered chili pepper in the ingredients or maybe it's just a classic case of nostalgia, but the fact is that Old El Paso always comes to mind when we think of tasty and unpretentious homemade tacos.
The addition of corn starch in the ingredients also makes it easy to thicken up those extra drippings in the pan to create a rich, almost gravy-like meat sauce. No matter what type of meat you're working with, Old El Paso will add a layer of familiar tastiness that's simple but undeniably delicious. At the same time, there are plenty of other taco seasoning brands that offer a more depth of flavor, making this one pretty easy to stray away from.
10. Lawry's taco seasoning
Walk down the spice aisle at any grocery store and you're pretty much guaranteed to spot some Lawry's seasoning blends on the shelf. The company also offers some marinades but typically focuses on different mixes of seasoning salts. And it seems as though the company's concentration on salts may have carried over a little too much into its taco seasoning.
According to some customers on Amazon, this stuff is just way too salty. Don't get us wrong: Salt certainly has its place in taco seasoning. But as always, it needs to be mindfully used with a judicious hand. There's no doubt that just the right amount of salt can pleasantly amp up the flavor, but an overzealous dose seriously risks overpowering your food to the point of rendering it inedible. And we don't know about you, but we're not fans of tacos that taste like they were rubbed on a salt lick.
Considering that using this whole 1-ounce packet contains 90% of your recommended daily sodium intake, it's safe to say that its reputation for being overly salty isn't unfounded. Once again, this is a case of falling short — and there are just too many other tasty taco seasoning options on the market to justify allegiance to this one.
9. McCormick original taco seasoning
There's a lot to appreciate about McCormick's original taco seasoning. There's the fact that it features a short, refreshingly simple list of ingredients with familiar spices like paprika and oregano. While featuring a straightforward list of ingredients may seem relatively unimpressive, we think it's well worth noting. Many other big brands offer packaged seasonings that tend to include a scroll of artificial additives and preservatives, but McCormick manages to keep it fairly uncomplicated.
Made with a mix that includes garlic and chili pepper, McCormick's original taco seasoning carries a lot of flavor without tasting too spicy or overly salty. Yes, there's still a good amount of salt in this — but the spice blend is so well-balanced that it doesn't feel overwhelming. Instead, the dominant flavor in this taco seasoning has a zesty, herbaceous taste thanks to the chili pepper powder and oregano. To be totally honest, this is very much on par with Old El Paso's taco seasoning and has an equally simple, comforting flavor profile. McCormick ends up edging out Old El Paso a bit simply due to its mass appeal. Considering this blend has a perfect five-star rating on Amazon after more than 11,000 reviews, McCormick's taco seasoning is clearly a crowd-pleaser.
8. Ortega chipotle taco seasoning
If you're looking for a taco seasoning that offers a slightly more complex flavor, Ortega's chipotle taco seasoning is a great choice. Let's be honest: Most taco seasonings are like one-trick ponies; you get some cumin and plain chili powder and maybe a bit of garlic. But the addition of chipotle pepper in this taco seasoning is a nice touch that deliciously amplifies and deepens the taste of this blend in a noticeable way.
That said, Ortega's chipotle taco seasoning isn't necessarily overly spicy, either. There's no need to worry about it scorching your tongue off. The chipotle pepper in this blend is present without being too assertive, striking a perfect balance between heat and flavor. As you'd expect from a chipotle-flavored taco seasoning, there's also a lovely sparkle of smokiness. The addition of dried red bell pepper and sugar also adds a touch of peppery sweetness that perfectly compliments the spice of the dried chipotle pepper.
One great use of this chipotle-flavored taco seasoning is enchiladas. You can easily use some of this seasoning to flavor up the meat as well as make a quick homemade enchilada sauce. Once your onions and garlic are sauteed, sprinkle in some of this taco seasoning and deglaze with a little chicken broth. Then add tomato paste and season to taste, using a cornstarch slurry to thicken. Pour the enchilada sauce over the rolled up corn tortillas in the casserole dish, top with shredded cheese, and bake until melted and bubbly.
7. Tajín chile lime
Citrus and tacos go hand-in-hand. A little squeeze of fresh lime over your tacos adds a burst of brightness that helps cut through all the spices and richness. Tajín's chile lime seasoning capitalizes on a taco's need for citrus with its seasoning blend that includes a simple mix of chili peppers, lime, and sea salt.
Because Tajín prominently features citrus, it's the perfect seasoning for seafood tacos — which is something you can't really say for other taco seasonings on the market. Try sprinkling some fish or shrimp with a healthy rub of Tajín, olive oil, and fresh lime juice, then cook it in a hot cast iron skillet along with some peppers and onions. The refreshing flavor of the added lime in this seasoning produces a truly delicious taco that's sure to have you coming back for more.
Tajín's distinctive seasoning elevates tacos in a way that some other big brands just can't compete. This seasoning is also very mild, which makes it a great choice for anyone who likes to steer clear of heat. All things considered, Tajín is a wonderful seasoning mix that deserves a spot in your kitchen.
6. Flavor God Taco Tuesday
With a name like Flavor God, this company is definitely setting up some high expectations. While we wouldn't necessarily consider it divine or worth worshiping, Flavor God's Taco Tuesday seasoning is still an impressively delicious offering that's worthy of some praise. Don't just take our word for it — this seasoning blend has a nearly perfect rating after more than 4,560 reviews on Amazon.
There are a few things about this taco seasoning that set it apart from the pack. It boasts a pleasantly smoky flavor profile thanks to the smoked paprika in the ingredients. This taco seasoning also contains cracked fennel seeds, which is a bit unconventional when it comes to the typical flavorings you find in most taco seasoning blends. The addition of fennel doesn't work against it, though — it actually expands and brightens up the flavors in a unique way that makes it quite delicious. In fact, the addition of fennel seed makes this taco seasoning an excellent choice when you're cooking with pork, since fennel often compliments pork so well.
The heat level in this taco seasoning blend is mellow, which makes it an agreeable choice for a wide range of palates. Just don't mistake its lack of spice as a sign that this stuff isn't flavorful. Flavor God's Taco Tuesday seasoning blend may not really bring the heat or speak in tongues with the holy spirit — but it will definitely have you licking your plate clean.
5. Spiceology taco seasoning
Between Spiceology's name and overall aesthetic, the company presents itself as a culinary laboratory that whips up all kinds of creative concoctions. And to be honest, it does a great job of matching the hype of its clever marketing to deliver the goods.
Spiceology's taco seasoning has a relatively short list of ingredients that includes chili peppers, salt, brown sugar, garlic, red pepper flakes, and other spices. The main lure in choosing Spiceology is that the company grinds all of its spice blends fresh in small batches. Grinding spices fresh brings out a more vibrant flavor that can add some delicious depth to your food — including your tacos. The company is also owned and operated by actual chefs, which makes sense when you look at some of the deliciously inventive flavor combinations that Spiceology has come up with.
The addition of brown sugar in this taco season may not seem exceptionally notable at first glance, but it really does make a difference. Compared to plain sugar, the taste of brown sugar has a much deeper flavor that includes notes of toffee and molasses. These flavors carry over to tacos beautifully, adding a touch of rich sweetness that helps balance out the salt and spices. There's no doubt that Spiceology is whipping up some of the most interesting spice blends on the market right now, including this tasty taco seasoning. Give it a try and see what you've been missing out on.
4. Newman's Own mild taco seasoning
Newman's Own is a company with a wide range of products that donates its profits to good causes that help children around the world. But beyond its commendable mission, Newman's Own really does offer some great stuff, featuring everything from organic salad dressings to frozen cheese pizzas with cauliflower crust. Newman's Own mild taco seasoning is another big hit from this impressive company.
There are a few things about this particular taco seasoning that make it special. Sure, it delivers that classic taco flavor we all know and love, but it also has a few other twists that give it a pleasantly surprising taste. The inclusion of turmeric, though a bit unconventional for a taco seasoning, undeniably elevates the blend with an earthy pepperiness. The turmeric also adds a vibrant color that can give your taco filling some serious visual appeal. Another unexpected yet successful addition here is a hint of rosemary. The rosemary extract contributes a subtle hint of pine that adds some lovely woodsiness to this taco seasoning.
Notably missing from this taco seasoning is the presence of dried chili flakes or chili powder. Considering this is a mild taco seasoning, this should be somewhat expected. But what's truly remarkable is how tasty this taco seasoning manages to be without having to lean on those more assertive ingredients.
3. Riega taco seasoning
Some of the best things in life are simple. And if there's one thing that Riega's taco seasoning has going for it, it's beautiful simplicity. With only six organic ingredients, this taco seasoning skips all the weird fillers, thickeners, and additives that you see in a lot of other brands. Instead, all you get here is the good stuff, with an uncomplicated yet high-quality blend of organic chili peppers, cumin, sea salt, onion, garlic, and oregano. Nothing more, nothing less. This taco seasoning proves that you don't need a lot of fancy ingredients to pull off a delicious blend.
Some fans on Amazon have gone as far as to say that it's straight-up the best taco seasoning they've ever used. That's quite a bold statement, but we feel it's well-deserved, considering the deliciously striking flavor it supplies with only a handful of simple ingredients. The spice level on this taco seasoning is moderate — certainly present, but not overwhelming. There's also no sugar in it, which makes it a great choice for health-conscious folks looking to cut back on the sweetness.
Once you give this stuff a try, you're bound to find yourself questioning your allegiance to other brands. Simple yet flavorful, Riega's taco seasoning is one of the tastiest blends that your money can buy.
2. Kinder's The Taco Blend (lime and ancho chili)
There's lots to love about this taco seasoning blend from Kinder's. The fact that it features ancho chili powder definitely gives it an edge over other seasonings. Ancho chilis don't have much in the way of heat, but they do retain a complex flavor profile that tastes smoky with some subtle sweetness. The sweet smokiness from ancho chilis works wonders in tacos, which is why this particular seasoning blend is situated so high on our ranking. But there's more going on here besides just the ancho chilis that justifies Kinder's respectable seat on this list.
This taco seasoning also boasts lime juice, which gives this blend a citrusy pop that beautifully shines through. At the same time, that limey flavor isn't too overpowering and has a surprisingly fresh taste. The combination of ancho chili and lime also works on virtually every type of filling you can imagine, adding a sparkle of smoky citrus to every bite. This is a taco seasoning blend that really doesn't need any doctoring, since it's so tasty and well-balanced.
In fact, this blend has earned a perfect five-star rating from countless customers on Amazon, some of which consider this their "go-to" taco seasoning. When a seasoning blend is good enough to deserve a spot in your regular rotation on taco night, you know you've found something truly special.
1. Flavor Seed Rock Yo Taco seasoning
Taking the crown for the best taco seasoning on the market right now is Flavor Seed's taco seasoning. There are plenty of reasons that this taco seasoning is one of the very best out there. There's the fact that it only contains high-quality, organic ingredients. There's also the fact that it includes both New Mexico chilis and ancho chilis. But one of the things that really give this taco seasoning an edge is the addition of organic cocoa powder, which imparts an almost mole-like taste and texture to anything it touches. As one fan of this taco seasoning put so perfectly, "This seasoning is awesome, flavorful, complex, and downright delicious" via Amazon.
For us, what truly defines an excellent taco seasoning is its ability to provide a punch of complexity and richness without having to add any other ingredients. Flavor Seed's Rock Yo Taco seasoning delivers in spades on that front — all you have to do is shake some of this magical stuff over your meat once it's browned, add a little water, and simmer until it's all fully thickened. Each bite carries notes of chili peppers, garlic, paprika, and coriander. The cocoa powder adds a creamy, chocolatey richness while the oregano infuses a touch of herbaceousness into the mix. If you're on the prowl for a taco seasoning that has it all, the search is over — just be sure to spread the word.