Say hello to Low Sodium Taco Seasoning: a perfect blend of spices that delivers bold, Mexican-inspired flavor without excess salt! This easy DIY taco seasoning results in a great-tasting taco night with less sodium but all the deliciousness. Whip it up in minutes and savor healthier, homemade flavor!

Approximate sodium content: 5mg per serving

What Makes This Recipe So Great

We all love tacos, right? Sure we do. Tacos are all fun and games until you check out the salt content, and let’s just say it’s not for the faint of heart—or the low sodium diet.

But this doesn’t mean you have to give up your favorite filling, tasty soft tortillas, or fresh toppings forever. In fact, one great way to cut your sodium intake while enjoying tacos is to break up with that store-bought taco seasoning mix and make your own taco seasoning!

What makes this low-sodium taco seasoning so great is that it not only has less salt, but delivers bold, natural flavor with just a few common spices. Seriously, once you try this stuff (and realize how crazy easy it is to make), you’ll never resort to store-bought packets again. Because let’s face it: you and your tacos deserve better.

Sodium Notes By Alex G., Registered Dietitian

This Low Sodium Taco Seasoning is the key to enjoying some of your favorite Mexican flavors without setting aside your low-sodium goals. The low-sodium flavors that combine in this recipe to give the expected taste include the savory onion powder, the earthy, rich flavor of cumin, brightness from the paprika, and herby oregano.

A very popular packet of typical taco seasoning ends up adding about 300 mg of sodium to a serving of tacos before adding in any other ingredients like the tortilla or shell, cheese, or hot sauce. If you add the sodium from a typical seasoning packet, taco shell, or tortilla, along with any other toppings, even a homemade taco made in a traditional American style is very high in sodium.

A single fast-food restaurant taco could have as much as 490 mg of sodium. By starting your meal prep with this seasoning, you’ll be much closer to your lower-sodium diet goals.

Ingredients for Low Sodium Taco Seasoning

You may be surprised, but you likely already have most of these ingredients in your pantry or spice rack!

Chili powder (no-salt): Believe it or not, regular chili powder can often contain salt. Make sure you use chili powder with no added salt. One popular brand, Morton & Bassett, has a chili powder labeled “salt-free” on the front and is available in most supermarkets.
Onion powder: Be sure to reach for onion powder, not onion salt. The two can look very similar, but the onion salt will be clearly labeled as such.
Cumin: The signature flavor of most Mexican and Latin cuisine, as well as taco seasoning.
Dried oregano: Often included in taco seasoning, it adds a savory, earthy note to the mix.
Paprika: Made from a variety of dried and ground peppers (Capsicum annum). Paprika has a very mild flavor and is especially prized for its red color.
Freshly ground black pepper: While it may seem like a minor ingredient, freshly ground black pepper adds a subtle but important kick to any spice blend.
Red pepper flakes: These dried and crushed red peppers are a common ingredient in Mexican dishes, adding both heat and flavor to the mix.
Hot smoked paprika (optional): Provides a slightly smokier heat than regular paprika for extra flavor.

Spices needed for low sodium taco seasoning.

How to Make Low Sodium Taco Seasoning

Now that we have all of our ingredients measured out, here’s the simple part: mix them all together.

No need to crush, grind, cook, toast, or anything like that. The best way to do this is to:

Put all the ingredients in a mason jar
Whisk them together
Seal the jar
Shake it up!

Now you already have your taco seasoning in its container and ready to go whenever you need it.

How much taco seasoning for a pound of ground meat?

The serving size for our low-sodium taco seasoning is 2 tablespoons. When preparing taco meat, simply add 2 tablespoons of the spice blend per pound of ground meat for the perfect flavor. Each batch of our recipe yields approximately 12 tablespoons, giving you plenty to enjoy for multiple meals.

Graphic for low sodium taco seasoning featuring three hard shell tacos on a serving plate.

Try Your Homemade Taco Seasoning with These Awesome Recipes!

Now that you’ve mixed up your low sodium taco seasoning, it’s time to put it to work! This flavorful spice blend isn’t just for your favorite taco recipes; it adds a delicious kick to all kinds of dishes. Here are a few ways to use your homemade seasoning:

Low Sodium Slow Cooker Mexican Chili – Add bold Mexican-inspired flavors to this hearty, slow-simmered chili!
Low Sodium Meatloaf – Give classic meatloaf a tasty twist with a hint of taco seasoning.
Low-Sodium Stuffed Peppers – Elevate this classic dish by seasoning the ground meat with taco seasoning.

Storage

This low sodium taco seasoning can be kept in an airtight container, preferably a glass jar, for up to 3 months. It is best to store it in a cool, dry, and dark place, away from direct sunlight.