Homemade fajita seasoning is a flavorful blend of spices crafted with paprika, cumin, garlic powder, and chili powder.

This combination of flavorful herbs and spices is perfect for fajitas with chicken, shrimp, or pork.

plate of mixed Fajita Seasoning

Ingredients in Fajita Seasoning

Fajita seasoning is similar to taco seasoning but is a bit bolder. Preparing your own seasoning mixes allows you to adjust the ingredients according to your tastes, and we like the flavor better than store-bought.

The recipe below is a blend of chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and other basic pantry spices.

Smoked paprika is different from regular or sweet paprika. It has a very smoky fragrance and will give the fajitas an extra boost of flavor. A pinch of sugar helps caramelize the meat or veggies as they cook.

Substitutions & Variations

The best thing about making seasoning mixes is that it allows you to unleash your creativity. Add more ingredients or subtract others to bring as much or as little heat or complexity as you desire. Consider adding or substituting oregano, celery salt, cocoa powder, turmeric, coriander, or chipotle powder.

spices in a bowl to make Fajita Seasoning

How To Replace a Packet of Fajita Seasoning

To replace fajita seasoning packets, use 1 ½ to 2 tablespoons of this homemade spice blend. This will season 1 pound of meat such as chicken, beef, shrimp, or pork. I always add a squeeze of fresh lime juice for serving.

Other Uses For Fajita Seasoning

  • This spice mix can be used as a rub for beef, fish, or chicken.
  • Make chicken, steak, pork, or shrimp fajitas or tacos.
  • Stir it into a marinade for a boost of flavor.
  • It’s a great addition to homemade chili, soups, and rice.
  • Stir extra seasoning into refried beans, guacamole, or sprinkle over corn on the cob.
Fajita seasoning in a glass jar with peppers and onions on a wooden board

Storage

This fajita seasoning will last up to 6 months. Store it in a tightly covered jar to ensure the herbs and aromatics retain their oils.

Fajita Favorites

Fry up an onion and a handful of bell peppers and stir in a tablespoon of fajita seasoning for a dinner!

Did you make this homemade Fajita Seasoning? Leave a rating and a comment below.

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Fajita seasoning in a wooden bowl with limes in the background
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Fajita Seasoning

This combination of classic herbs and spices is simple to make and keeps in the pantry for months.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 5 tablespoons

Equipment

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Ingredients  

  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar optional
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt to taste
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions 

  • In a small bowl combine chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, sugar, salt pepper, and cayenne pepper, and whisk together.
  • Store in a spice jar or an airtight container.
  • To use fajita seasoning, combine 1 pound of meat and 1 ½ tablespoons of seasoning mix (or more to taste). Grill or cook in a cast iron skillet with sliced onions and bell peppers.

Notes

This recipe can made in a big batch and stored for up to 6 months.
Use 1 ½ tablespoons of homemade fajita seasoning mix to replace 1 packet of fajita seasoning.
4.98 from 145 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 20 | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 959mg | Potassium: 78mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 962IU | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Pantry, Seasonings, Spices
Cuisine Mexican
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easy Fajita Seasoning with a title
simple Fajita Seasoning in a jar with writing
fajita seasoning in a jar and in a bowl with a whisk and writing

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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. With a passion for nostalgic flavors and simplified techniques, Holly helps busy home cooks create delicious meals that always work. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
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Comments

  1. Love this recipe. Perfect blend of spices. I use 3 x the serving and store to use as needed.5 stars

  2. It is excellent seasoning for chicken fajitas. I actually pat dried my chicken tenders then put the seasoning mix with the chicken in a bag for a few hours to allow the magic to work. I thank you for another wonderful recipe and may I say I trust in your site to find a recipe my family and I can enjoy. The bonus is my family thinks I can really cook! LOL5 stars

    1. I’m so glad you loved this and have loved my recipes – your comment made my day Eileen! LOL – sounds to me like you really CAN cook!

  3. Do you have a LOW sodium fajita seasoning recipe

    Really any low sodium recipes would be great, love your recipes and always trying to figure out how to make them low sodium.

    Thanks

    1. Hi Bernice, we don’t specifically cook low sodium so I am not sure what substitutes you would need to make. Maybe another reader can assist you!

    2. Hi Bernice , I believe I can help . My husband & I are low sodium diet as well and few products like , Hunts no sodium Tomato sauce , stewed Tomatoes, chopped tomatoes and no salt tomato paste as well as , Swanson has a no salt chicken , vegetable and Beef broth . Great value more affordable price with their no salt Broths too . There is a product made by Frenches ..no salt sodium-free but be careful with Potassium intake. Herb Ox also makes no sodium powder broths . I may be missing a product but I hope this helps :)

  4. My husband and I love this. I make a double batch of the seasoning and it lasted for 3 dinners. So easy and so yummy Thanks for sharing5 stars

  5. didn’t have any seasoning packets but wanted to make fajitas. I found your recipe and believe me your seasonings took it to another level. thank you for sharing a 5star recipe.5 stars

  6. I tried this seasoning tonight on chicken & veggies. It was so good! I will definitely make this again! It will go in my recipe box.5 stars

  7. Fabulous! Add a TBSP of cornstarch if you want it to thicken up like the store bought packages. (Mix in half a cup of hot water then add to veggies or meat).5 stars

  8. Not sure if I rated this yet but thank you!!!! This is my go to for quesadillas, tacos, anything Mexican-ish! It has the perfect amount of seasoning and I actually love that it’s not spicy so that we can control that with toppings. Keep a batch on hand at all times.5 stars