This authentic fajita seasoning recipe from scratch is made with classic Mexican spices you probably have in your pantry and takes just 5 minutes to mix homemade instead of buying store-bought.
Mexican is one of my favorite cuisines—my family and I eat it at least once a week. Whether it’s these better than Taco Bell tacos, Mexican stuffed peppers, or taco soup, we’ve always got something yummy in our dinner rotation. When we make Mexican food at home, it’s made even more delicious with the best spice blends. This homemade fajita seasoning recipe features a chili powder, paprika, and cumin base, and is the flavor builder for chicken fajitas or steak fajitas, with a rainbow of vegetables that give sizzling Mexican fajita platters their unmistakeable flavor. You likely have everything in your spice cupboard to make this flavorful mix at home. So why bother with those seasoning packets from the store? By skipping the preservative-heavy, store-bought stuff, you know exactly what whole ingredients are in the mix, and you can control the quality and amount of spices, salt, and sugar in your homemade blend.
What’s the Difference Between Taco Seasoning and Fajita Seasoning?
When making tacos, try substituting fajita seasoning mix for taco seasoning. Since both seasonings have a chili powder base, kosher salt, and cumin, fajita seasoning mix and taco seasoning are interchangeable.
What’s Does Fajita Seasoning Contain
So long as you have the Mexican spice foundation of chile powder and cumin, this fajita seasoning mix recipe is very forgiving, so feel free to tweak it with what you have on hand. Add oregano or try adding some ground coriander. But first and foremost, always use high-quality ground spices for your mix (check those expiration dates!).
What’s in this homemade fajita seasoning:
- Chili powder
- Paprika
- Kosher salt
- Onion powder
- Cumin
- Garlic powder
- Sugar
- Cayenne pepper
How to Make Fajita Seasoning From Scratch
This homemade fajita seasoning mix couldn’t be easier to make.
Simply measure the ingredients in a small bowl or jar fitted with a lid and mix until thoroughly combined.
How Long Does Fajita Seasoning Last?
When stored correctly, fajita seasoning should last at least 6 months, if not longer.
How to Use Fajita Seasoning
- Add oil or water to the spice mix to create a marinade. Add ¼ cup canola or olive oil to the fajita seasoning, then pour over beef, chicken, shrimp, onions, and bell peppers. Marinade for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Add some tang to the marinade with lime or cilantro. Bump up the flavor with lime juice (I recommend the juice of one lime), or add ¼ cup chopped cilantro.
- Keep meats extra tender by adding 1 tablespoon cornstarch to the wet marinade. Cornstarch in the marinade makes a slurry with the juices of the meat, keeping the moisture in the meat and extra juicy.
- Or, skip the oil or water and use it as a dry seasoning. Even as a dry seasoning sprinkled directly on meats, this spice combination adds lots of flavor.
How Much Fajita Seasoning to Add to a Pound of Meat
It’s always good to season to taste, but a good rule of thumb is to use 1 tablespoon of fajita seasoning per pound of meat (or tofu or veg).
How to Store Fajita Seasoning
Like most spices, this homemade seasoning will last longest when stored away from heat in a cool, dark cupboard so the spices don’t dry out.
Double the recipe and keep it in a glass jar with a screw cap for easy accessibility. Keep the jar tightly closed to ensure freshness.
Fajita Seasoning Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon sugar optional
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl. Store in an airtight container for up to six months.
