This is my "always works" burrito seasoning-the kind you mix once and keep in the pantry for busy nights. It's warm, savory, and just a little spicy. No packets, no mystery ingredients, no "why is this so salty?" surprises. Just the good stuff.
At a glance
- Recipe: Burrito Seasoning for Ground Beef
- 🕒 Ready in: 2 minutes
- 🍽️ Makes: enough for 1 lb (450-500 g) ground beef
- ⭐ Difficulty: Easy
- 🌶️ Heat level: Mild (easy to adjust)
Jump to:
Homemade Burrito Seasoning Mix From Scratch
One batch is sized for 1 lb ground beef (about 450-500 g). That's perfect to flavor burritos, tacos, nachos, taco salads, or quick rice bowls. Brown the beef, add the seasoning, and everything tastes delicious in a moment.
Flavor-wise, think cumin and paprika as the base: warm and bold without being hot. Onion powder and oregano make it taste more "real food" and less like plain chili powder. And that tiny pinch of cayenne gives a gentle kick-enough to wake it up, not enough to scare anyone off.
Best part: this mix makes weeknights easier. Keep a little jar ready, and you're one pan away from burrito night whenever you feel like it. Which… will probably be often.
Why this works
- Cumin and paprika deliver that classic burrito flavor.
- Onion powder and oregano make it taste savory and gives extra flavor depth.
- Cayenne adds a mild kick.
- Salt pulls everything together so it tastes like "burrito beef," not plain ground meat.
What You'll Need
Exact amounts are in the recipe card below.
- Ground cumin: Warm, earthy, and the main "Tex-Mex" note.
- Paprika: Adds a slightly sweet, savory flavor.
- Onion powder: Gives flavor depth to this spice mix (without chopping an onion).
- Dried oregano: That familiar taco vibe in one teaspoon.
- Salt and black pepper: Base seasoning.
- Cayenne pepper: Mild heat.
- Make it milder: use half or skip it.
- Make it hotter: double it.
How to Use It
- Brown 1 lb ground beef in a skillet. Drain excess fat if you want.
- Sprinkle in the seasoning and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add a small splash of water and stir until the beef looks evenly coated.
- Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes.
Top Tips
- Can I use this on chicken? Yes, it's great on chicken strips or shredded chicken.
- Is it spicy? Mild. Adjust the cayenne to taste.
- Can I double or triple it? Absolutely. Make a bigger batch and save future-you some time ;-).
Did you make this delicious recipe? Tag #byandreajanssen via Instagram! I love to see what your creation looks like and regularly share the most beautiful photos of you! Did you like this recipe? Then leave a rating on the recipe card! Your feedback helps other home cooks and me enormously.
Need more inspiration?
- You can find video recipes on my YouTube channel.
- And don't forget to save the recipes on Pinterest, so you can easily find them again next time!
📖 Recipe
RECIPE CARD
Recipe Help
Two easy tools to make cooking even easier. Cooking mode keeps the screen on. The easy-step recipe displays the recipe step by step, including the ingredients needed. And you can adjust servings easily
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons paprika powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper ground
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
Instructions
- Add all spices to a small bowl or jar.1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoons ground cumin, 2 teaspoons paprika powder, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper ground
- Mix well.
- Use the seasoning for 1 lb (500 grams) ground beef
Notes
- Store in a clean, dry jar with a lid, away from heat and light.
- Best within: about 3 months (it'll last longer, but the flavor fades over time).
Nutrition
Leave a Reply