Fajita Seasoning is a quick and easy way to give your cooking some South of the Border flair. This combination of classic Mexican herbs and spices is super simple to make and keeps in the pantry for months.
Smoked paprika is just one of the secret ingredients in this DIY seasoning mix that will give your fajitas that extra flavor bump. A little sugar adds a touch of sweetness to the heat and helps caramelize the meat or veggies in the fajitas as they cook.
Why Homemade?
Sure, you can easily find readymade fajita seasoning in stores. However, making your own allows you to adjust the ingredients and proportions according to your taste.
Homemade seasoning mixes are a lot cheaper too, like chili powder and taco seasoning, which are slightly different from Fajita seasoning.
- Chili powder puts the emphasis on sweet paprika which is made from sweet peppers and is frequently used to flavor dishes like homemade chili of course!
- Taco seasoning is similar to fajita seasoning but is a bit bolder! This is great sprinkled on chicken or added to soups and of course in traditional ground beef tacos!
What to Use Fajita Seasoning For
This is an excellent fajita seasoning and can be used in just about any Tex-Mex recipe. Use it as a rub for steak or poultry, or add it into Spanish rice. Stir it into refried beans or sprinkle over buttered corn on the cob. Everything tastes better with a little fajita seasoning!
You can also mix it with sour cream topping or guacamole. Give your cornbread some zing by adding a teaspoon or two into the batter.
How Long Will It Last?
Chicken fajita seasoning will last up to six months. Store it in a tightly covered glass jar to ensure the herbs and aromatics retain their volatile oils. For best quality, keep it in a cool cupboard, not next to the stove.
Delicious Substitutions
The best thing about making your own seasoning mixes is that it allows you to unleash your creativity. Add more ingredients or subtract other, to bring as much, or as little heat or complexity, as you desire. Depending on your preference, consider adding or substituting oregano, celery salt, cocoa powder, turmeric, coriander or chipotle powder.
Who knows? You might wind up developing a signature fajita seasoning! It may even become a cherished family recipe for generations!
Easy Fajita Recipes
-
- Oven Fajitas – easy to prep & loaded with flavor
- Easy Chicken Fajitas – ready in 30 mins!
- Skillet Shrimp Fajitas – perfect weeknight meal
- Grilled Steak Fajitas – fresh, easy & delicious
- Crockpot Chicken Fajitas – just set it & forget it!
Fajita Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt to taste
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a small bowl and whisk together.
- Store in an airtight container.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Seasonings
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Great rub! I doubled it and still used almost all for 10 chicken thighs. I put thighs in large ziplock, included olive oil, rub, and left in fridge all day. Threw them on the grill that evening and they tasted wonderful. Thanks!
My family love this, easy to throw together at home.
I saw your comment about roughly 2 tbsp per pound, but what about the other things (the oil, lime juice, etc?). Is there a rough idea of what you’d recommend for those ingredients per pound as well?
Hi Curtis, you can take a look at these recipes for ideas for the other ingredients:
Enjoy!
This was perfect! I used seasoned salt instead of kosher, and I had to keep the cayenne pepper out due to allergy, but it was great!!
This seasoning mix is Wonderful. My family love it.
Great recipe easy to assemble, tastes great!
How much homemade fajitas seasoning should you use
This would depend on the amount of ingredients you use. I use about 2 tablespoons per pound of meat, you can adjust this to taste.
Delish!!! I only had ancho Chili powder so subbed it. Definitely will make again!
I love reading through a recipe and finding I have all the ingredients. I can’t wait to try this!
Let us know how it works out for you!
Thanks. But you would save your readers some arithmetic if you could list the ingredients from scratch (rather than assuming they would first concoct a 1 Tbs batch of chili powder and then add to it many of those same ingredients (cumin, paprika, garlic and onion powder) etc.).
Chili powder is a staple in my cabinet so I like to add it in. It can be purchased already prepared or can be homemade. Hope that helps!
Wonderful!! Thank you!!
You’re welcome!
Great recipies!
Thank you Linda, happy cooking!
Great flavor and mild enough for my sensative bride.
I literally just put double this recipe in with 2 diced chicken breasts and some peppers and it’s the perfect amount of spicy and flavorful!
Easy and fast
It’s great!!!
Excellent flavor! We had your chicken fajitas and it was superb. A new family favorite!
So happy to hear that Tammy!
I made this and used it on chicken and steak fajitas. I am on a low sodium restriction and Though I love Fajitas I cannot order them at most restaurants because they are way over salted. This had the perfect blend of taste and light salt. It turned out wonderful and I will definitely keep this one for future use.
How much water for 2 tbsp?
Hi Sara, there is no water added to this recipe. I hope that helps!
How much seasoning should be used per pound of meat?
I use about 2 tablespoons per pound.
Made the fajita seasoning and it was a huge with my teenage son. Mild enough to still taste the beef and veggies, but strong enough to give a terrific fajita experience. Thank you!