Homemade Fajita Seasoning is such an easy recipe. Making your own spice mix at home will save money, but also allow you to control the ingredients, making as much or as little as you like.
Did you know that most packaged, store bought seasoning mixes contain salt and sugar? It is one of the things people doing the Whole30, keto, and paleo diets find to be the most surprising: hidden sugars. Homemade does not.
This fajita seasoning mix is great for chicken fajitas, steak fajitas, and even shrimp fajitas and a chicken fajita salad. It can also be used as a homemade taco seasoning or for grilled meat, seafood, and vegetables or veggie fajitas!
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Fajita Seasoning
Making homemade seasonings has numerous advantages over buying store-bought mixes.
- Control: When making your own fajita seasoning, you have full control over the ingredients, ensuring there are no additives or preservatives. This also includes salt if you are watching salt intake.
- Heat & Spice: You can customize the spice level to your liking, making it as mild or as fiery as you desire for your family’s fajita night. If you like spicy fajita meat, add more spice!
- Budget Friendly: Making homemade fajita seasoning mix is a more cost-effective option, allowing you to whip up multiple batches at a fraction of the cost of store-bought packets. Most of the ingredients you probably already have in your spice cabinet.
What Does Fajita Seasoning Contain?
All of these simple ingredients can easily be found at your local grocery store- that is, if they aren’t already in your spice cabinet or pantry!
- Garlic powder – A convenient alternative to fresh garlic, offering a concentrated and mellow garlic flavor. Fresh garlic can also be used, but it not shelf stable, so this is a winner.
- Onion powder – A concentrated onion flavor that is both sweet and savory without the sharpness of fresh onions.
- Oregano – Dried oregano brings a distinct herbal flavor to dishes and is commonly used in Latin cuisines.
- Smoked paprika – Made from dried and ground sweet red bell peppers or mild chili peppers. It offers a sweet and mildly smoky flavor with a vibrant red color. While it adds a hint of spiciness, its primary contribution is the rich, sweet undertones it imparts to dishes.
- Chili powder – A blend of ground dried chili peppers, it offers a rich, earthy, and slightly smoky flavor with a moderate level of heat, adding depth and warmth to dishes. Chili powder is a blend of different chiles meant to season the stew dish, chili. If you prefer a particular type of chile, like chipotle or ancho, feel free to use those instead of a blend. Cayenne pepper can also be used.
- Cumin – Cumin boasts a warm and aromatic taste with a slightly nutty undertone. It is a key spice in many cuisines worldwide and provides a unique combination of earthiness and citrusy notes, adding a distinct and flavorful touch to various dishes.
- Coriander– A small amount goes a long way and provides cilantro flavor.
- Black pepper – Ground black pepper a staple spice known for its pungent and warm flavor with a subtle earthiness.
- Salt – Less salty than table salt due to its larger crystal size. It offers a clean and pure salty taste without any bitterness, enhancing the natural flavors of the ingredients in a dish while providing a satisfying seasoning effect. It is also naturally preserves this blend so it is shelf stable for long periods.
- Cornstarch – A little bit of corn starch helps to thicken the fajita sauce once liquid is added. This is optional or your can use alternatives like arrowroot.
- Sugar – I like to add a touch of sweet to my seasoning. Just plain white granulated sugar is perfect here.
If you want a super fine blend, like you would get in a packet, place it all in the spice grinder (or clean coffee grinder) and give it a few whirls. Store in a small bowl with a lid.
How to Use Fajita Seasoning
While this seasoning blend is perfect for fajita recipes, it’s incredibly versatile and can be used to enhance a wide array of great recipes; much more than just Mexican food. Try it in:
- Tacos
- Burritos
- Enchiladas
- Soups like Taco Soup or Tortilla Soup
- Stews
- Roast potatoes
- Steamed shrimp
- Rice
- Salads and salad dressing
- Instant pot chili
- 7-Layer Dip (Taco Dip)
- Taco salad
- Roasted Vegetables
- Popcorn
- French fries
- Tater tots
- Eggs
- Fish
- Crab boil
- Taco Pasta Salad
- Refried beans, pinto beans or black beans
- Chicken nachos
- Roast Sweet Potatoes
- Any beef roast
Use this recipe to seasoning meat, seafood and vegetables for the best fajitas! Also combine it with a small amount of oil and use it as a marinade for skirt steak or chicken thighs on the grill.
Is there a difference between taco seasoning and fajita seasoning?
Although the two can be used interchangeably, there are some subtle differences. Taco seasoning doesn’t usually contain onion, cumin or coriander.
Best Fajita Topping Ideas
And don’t forget about your favorite toppings! Here are some of our favorites:
- guacamole
- fresh lime wedges
- pico de gallo
- fresh cilantro
- iceberg lettuce
- sour cream or crema
- fresh lime juice
- red pepper flakes
- hot sauce
Fajita Seasoning Packet Equivalent
Typically, a standard store bought seasoning packet from the store contains about 2 tablespoons of seasoning. So, for a recipe that calls for one packet, you can use approximately 2 tablespoons of your homemade fajita seasoning recipe.
The general rule is 2 tablespoons of fajita seasoning for every 1 pound of meat.
You can really make any kind of fajita you want with this seasoning. It adds great flavor to flank steak, chicken breasts or even red onion and bell peppers for vegetarian fajitas.
Storage and Freezing
Storage: This homemade seasoning mix can last for several months when stored in an airtight container, small mason jar or glass spice jar in a cool, dry place. Remember that any dried and ground herb and spice starts to lose potency around 6 months and so will this zesty blend.
Make ahead: This fajita mix is easy to make into a large batch so you always have some made. Our recipe cards allow you to change the serving sizes and the volumes of ingredients will automatically populate so you can make as many as you need to replace store-bought fajita seasoning packets.
Freezing: To extend its shelf life even further, consider storing it in the freezer, where it can stay fresh and flavorful for up to a year.
More Homemade Seasonings
Making your own spice blends not only saves you money, it puts you in control of the flavor.
Homemade Brown Gravy from Scratch (Mix)
Homemade Ranch Mix
Homemade Italian Seasoning
Homemade Fajita Seasoning Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons chile powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander
- ½ teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon sugar
Instructions
- Whisk or blend together the garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, smoked paprika, chile powder, cumin, coriander, black pepper, salt, cornstarch and sugar. Use immediately or store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.
Notes
Nutrition
The best Fajita Seasoning. I know because I didn’t like store bought and then tried this.
Awesome! Thanks for the feedback!
How much of the seasoning do you use per pound of meat to make your fajitas?
Hi CS, that is a great question and I’ll add it to the post. You can use 1-2 tablespoons per pound of meat. The range depends on how much flavor you want them to have.
I need this ASAP. I haven’t had fajitas in so long and I much prefer a homemade seasoning.
This is definitely something I’m going to have to have at the ready in my pantry. Great recipe!
Love this! I would say 80% of my spice rack consists of homemade seasoning and this one sounds like a keeper.
Great way to mix-up our family Taco Tuesday! Love the idea of making a homemade mix instead of buying!
I’ve never tried making homemade fajita seasoning. I really have to try fajitas.
Homemade seasonings are the best! Especially since I probably have most of the ingredients anyways, and I love to know exactly what I’m putting on my food 🙂
This looks so easy and delicious! I can’t wait to try it!