This homemade Green Taco Seasoning recipe is my Chi Chi’s taco seasoning copycat, and it’s so easy to make. It’s super flavorful and instantly boosts any recipe for tacos, nachos, or quesadillas to the next level!
Easy Green Taco Seasoning
My family prefers this flavorful Green Taco Seasoning recipe over any other red taco seasoning. It’s my easy copycat Chi Chi’s taco seasoning. (Chi-Chi’s was a Mexican restaurant chain founded here in Minnesota back in the 70’s – and boy oh boy, did I love their chimichangas. I heard they’re making a comeback – I sure hope so!) This homemade blend combines dried herbs and spices like onion and garlic powders, cumin, green bell pepper flakes, jalapeño, and more. It’s great for tacos, enchiladas, and nachos – and to stir into pots of chili and soup. We make this seasoning in bulk, to always have on hand – my family wouldn’t have it any other way!
Why You’ll Love This Copycat Chi Chi’s Taco Seasoning
Growing up on a rural South Dakota farm, it was always a treat to eat at Chi-Chi’s restaurant in Fargo, about 75 miles north on I-90. This green taco seasoning is my nod to those Mexican meal memories, and a recipe that my family has fully embraced. Here’s why we think you’ll love it too:
- Adjustable. Homemade spice mixes are infinitely adaptable, which is a top reason to make them yourself. For example, our family really likes cumin and black pepper – so I often add more of those two ingredients.
- Awesome chili powder alternative. When our daughters were younger, they would only eat Mexican dishes made without chili powder (red taco seasoning mixes). And they LOVED anything I made with this green taco seasoning. My seasoning mix does include very small amounts of dried jalapeno, cayenne, and chili flakes – but if you’d like a taco seasoning recipe without chili powder (for dietary reasons or you don’t like the flavor), simply eliminate them. The seasoning mix will still be very good and flavorful!
- Versatile. Of course, this seasoning blend is perfect for any Mexican meals – it’s easy to season ground and shredded meats perfectly. It also gives great flavor to soups, stews, and roasts.
- Money-saving. I’m guessing you have nearly all the dried seasonings for this recipe already in your spice drawer, and probably only need to grab one or two from the store or online. This method saves money in the end (versus purchasing pre-made spice packets).
- Keeps well. Once you have all the individual dried seasonings, it’s easy to make this green taco seasoning mix in bulk whenever you’re running low. When stored properly, in a cool, dark place, it’ll keep very well for at least 6 months!
“This is the only taco seasoning recipe we use at our house. Excellent!!!! Thank you for taking the time and interest in figuring out the ingredients and quantities and for sharing your recipe with others.”
Teresa
Recipe Ingredients
To make this seasoning mix, grab these dried herbs and spices. Find the printable recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredient amounts.
- Dried green bell pepper flakes – This is the main ingredient. It adds sweet bell pepper flavor, no heat at all!
- Dried minced white onion – This is different from onion powder – look for “minced onions” in the spice aisle.
- Garlic & onion powder – For delicious, earthy flavor notes.
- Cumin – One of my family’s spice drawer favorites!! This adds a ton of flavor, without heat.
- Dried cilantro – Or substitute dried parsley.
- Salt & pepper
- Mexican oregano – Or use regular oregano.
- Dried jalapeño pepper – Use dried, crushed jalapeño pepper.
- Cayenne pepper – Adjust the amount of cayenne to your taste.
- Dried red pepper flakes – Again, adjust to your liking.
How To Make Green Taco Seasoning
The Chi-Chi’s seasoning mix was my inspiration for my homemade green taco seasoning recip. And it’s so easy to make! Find the detailed instructions in the recipe card lower down.
- Assemble. Add the dried herbs and spices to a bowl.
- Mix. Stir them together until well combined.
- Use or store away. You can use the seasoning mix right away or store it for a later time.
Tips & Variations
Make this recipe as-written for that familiar Chi-Chi’s flavor, or play around with some of the ingredients to tailor it more to your liking. Here are a few of my best tips and variations:
- Try different herbs & spices. Feel free to adjust any of the ingredients. I already mentioned that our family likes to add more cumin and black pepper. If you like smoky flavors, think about adding some chipotle pepper (has some heat!), ancho chili pepper (little to no heat), or smoked paprika. If you can find Mexican oregano, awesome! If not, simply substitute with regular oregano.
- Make it in bulk. Go ahead and double or triple (or more!) the quantity of your spice mix to save yourself some time later.
- Use a spice grinder. Store-bought Chi Chi’s mix has dehydrated onions and green chiles left in larger flakes. There are 2 reasons you might want to think about running this blend through a spice grinder:
- If you prefer a finer-ground mix.
- If you’re making this in bulk, to keep on hand for future use. You’ll find that the smaller granules want to settle to the bottom, while the larger flakes float to the top. Grinding achieves a uniform size for all ingredients, and keeps the mix evenly incorporated. If you choose not to grind the mixture, just be sure to stir it very well before using it – it’ll still work great!
- Make it more or less spicy. There is very little heat in this mix, but feel free to omit the small amounts of dried jalapeno, cayenne, and chili flakes. Or add more!
Ways To Use This Seasoning
We use this green taco seasoning every single week, in a variety of ways:
- How to season meat. To add a punch of flavor to meats: In a skillet, brown 1 pound of ground or shredded meat, such as beef, turkey, chicken, or pork, until cooked through. Drain away any excess fat, then sprinkle 1/4 cup of green taco seasoning (a single recipe) over the cooked meat and add ⅓ cup of water to the skillet. Stir well, then simmer on medium-low until the liquid is absorbed.
- Ways to use the seasoned meat. Use the seasoned meat for tacos, nachos, enchiladas, quesadillas, breakfast burritos, and so much more! My sister’s Dorito taco salad has been a longtime favorite. You could add 1-1/2 tablespoons of green taco seasoning to taco stuffed sweet potatoes, instead of the spices listed in that recipe. Or flavor ground meat for macho nachos!
- Add to burgers. Mix some green taco seasoning into ground meat for burgers, like my mushroom and cheddar sliders recipe.
- Stir into soup. Stir into any soup with Tex-Mex flavors, such as my easy slow cooker chili, this end of summer chicken chili, or chicken tortilla soup!
- Nachos. Sprinkle green taco seasoning over pulled pork nachos.
Proper Storage
Place the seasoning mix in an airtight container such as a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid or a spice container, and store it in a cool, dark spot for up to 6 months.
More Seasoning Mixes
Green Taco Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon dried green bell pepper flakes
- 2 teaspoons dried minced white onion
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried cilantro
- ½ teaspoon Morton kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon Mexican oregano (or regular oregano)
- ¼ teaspoon dried crushed jalapeño pepper
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
- 1 pinch dried red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Measure all ingredients into a small bowl, then stir to combine. Use immediately, or store in an airtight jar or container in a cool, dark spot for up to 6 months.
We love traditional taco seasoning, but this green version looks just as good! I can not wait to give it a try on our weekly tacos this week!
Thanks, Tieghan – I hope you like this {green} version, too!
I don’t know if I’ve actually ever eaten at a chi chi’s but boy do I want to! I love this “no red stuff” seasoning!! I think my kids would too, I seriously can’t wait to try it for our next turkey taco night.
I can remember the handful of times we actually were allowed to eat at a Chi Chi’s with my grandparents. Each one was a treat. Since we can’t do premade seasoning packets because of Kjell, I can’t wait to try this out. I always just turn to my red taco seasoning, but I love changing it up.
I totally need to make this. Sounds fantastic!
Now I wish we were having tacos for supper tonight!
I usually make a red seasoning but I’m going to have to give this one a try!
I grew up with Chi-Chi’s so I knew I was going to love this post. Thanks for sharing, I’m going to try this. Throwing some salsa verde on top might add to the green love!
So awesome, I love this! We make tacos at home all the time and it’s about time to change up the flavorings! Thanks, Brenda!
This spice mix looks fabulous! :)
I love making homemade taco seasoning, it’s so convenient!
I, too, don’t really care for packaged taco seasonings and I make my own. I’ll DEFINITELY give your “green” seasoning a try!!
Have I asked you where in South Dakota you grew up? I’m from South Dakota!!
Hi Roberta – I grew up in the NE corner of the state!
I’m totally craving tacos now and it’s all your fault ; )
This seasoning is such a fantastic idea… I love the green stuff over the red. Making soon!
Thanks, Stephanie – hope you had a great weekend! :)
I do love traditional taco seasoning but I love the idea of switching it up a bit. This sounds incredible!!
Looks like a must try. I’ve never used a green taco seasoning before.
So glad to have found this recipe! I love taco seasoning and homemade is even better!
ChiChis! Wow, does that bring back memories! This seasoning sounds fantastic Brenda.
This sounds wonderful. I am so forgetful at the grocery store and never remember to buy the packets of seasonings so I end up doing like you with a little of this and that. I haven’t ever tried a Green taco seasoning but now I must!
I want tacos for dinner now!
Thanks for sharing! Great recipe! Beautiful images!