Taco seasoning is a spice blend, usually cumin, chilli, paprika, garlic and onion, used to season mince, steak, chicken or pork for tacos. This page gathers taco and fajita seasonings, carne asada rubs, birria bases, hot sauces and pickled toppings from Fancy Hanks, Taipan BBQ, Meat Mitch, Gran Luchito, BBQ Mafia, Nomad Chilli Co and more. Flat $10 shipping anywhere in Australia.
Which taco seasoning should I buy?
| Product | Maker | Style / heat | Best on |
| Taco Rub Seasoning | Fancy Hanks | Cumin-paprika taco rub / mild (2/11) | Mince, chicken thighs |
| Mexicana | Taipan BBQ | Taco seasoning / mild (2/11) | Mince, burritos |
| Taco Rub | Emus Rub | Savoury taco spice / mild (3/11) | Mince, fish tacos |
| Hatch Chili & Taco Seasoning | Meat Mitch | Green chilli taco mix / medium (5/11) | Tacos, nachos, fajitas |
| 8 Second Ride Carne Asada | Cattleman's Grill | Carne asada rub / medium (5/11) | Skirt and flank steak |
| 'Ritas & Fajitas | Blues Hog | Zesty fajita seasoning / mild (2/11) | Chicken, steak fajitas |
| Chipotle Fajita & Taco Mix | Gran Luchito | Smoky chipotle mix / mild (3/11) | Tacos, fajitas |
| Birria Taco Broth Base | BBQ Mafia | Birria consommé base / mild (2/11) | Quesabirria |
| Birria Taco Seasoning | Four Saucemen | Birria spice mix / mild (2/11) | Slow-cooked beef |
| Pickled Jalapeño Onions | Acide | Pickled topping / mild (3/11) | Tacos, nachos |
| Jalapeño Verde | Nomad Chilli Co | Fermented green sauce / medium (5/11) | Fish tacos, chicken |
| Dia De Los Muertos | Heavenly Hell | Habanero margarita sauce / hot (7/11) | Fish tacos, prawns |
How to use taco seasoning
- Mince: brown it, drain most of the fat, then stir through the seasoning with a splash of water and simmer until it coats the meat. Follow the pack for how much to use.
- Steak: rub skirt or flank with carne asada seasoning, sear hot and fast, rest it, then slice thin across the grain.
- Chicken: toss thighs in seasoning and a little oil, grill or smoke them, then chop.
- Fajita seasoning works as a dry rub or mixed with oil and lime as a quick marinade.
- Every product page shows its Hub Heat rating out of 11.
Taco vs fajita vs carne asada vs birria
Taco seasoning is earthy and cumin-led, built for mince and shredded meat. Fajita seasoning is brighter and zestier, made for strips of chicken or steak with capsicum and onion. Carne asada seasoning is a steak rub for a fast, hard sear. Birria is beef slow-cooked in a spiced chilli broth, with the broth kept for dipping. See Tex-Mex and Mexican for the wider range.
What goes on a taco?
Meat first, then crunch, acid and heat. Pickled onions bring crunch and tang, a green sauce like El Chori's Zesty Coriander Chimichurri adds fresh herbs, and a hot sauce sets the heat. Keep it gentle with Cobra Chilli's Jalapeño Pepper Sauce, mild (2/11), or go big with Nomad Chilli Co's Reaper Roja, extreme (9/11). More in hot sauce and chimichurri.
Keep taco night going with the Fancy Hanks and Nomad Chilli Co ranges, or find fillings in chicken and seafood.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I buy taco seasoning in Australia?
The Rub Hub stocks taco and fajita seasonings, carne asada rubs, birria bases, hot sauces and pickled toppings from Australian, New Zealand, US and Mexican makers. Orders ship Australia-wide for a flat $10.
What is in taco seasoning?
Most taco seasonings are built on cumin, chilli, paprika, garlic and onion, with salt and sometimes oregano or smoked chipotle. Recipes vary by maker, so check the ingredient list on each product page.
How much taco seasoning should I use?
It depends on the blend and its salt level, so follow the directions on the pack. Start with a little less, taste once the meat has simmered, then add more if needed.
What is the difference between taco and fajita seasoning?
Taco seasoning is usually earthier and cumin-heavy, for mince and shredded meat. Fajita seasoning is brighter and zestier, for strips of chicken or steak cooked with capsicum and onion.
What is birria?
Birria is a Mexican dish of beef slow-cooked in a spiced chilli broth. The meat goes into tacos and the broth is served on the side for dipping, as with quesabirria tacos.