How To Make Fajita Seasoning (With Pantry Ingredients)
Create the best Tex-Mex fajita seasoning mix from what you have in your pantry. Spice up your fajitas with this delicious homemade fajita seasoning blend! It’s quick and easy and so much better than store-bought.
Why Homemade Fajita Seasoning?
I love making my own seasoning mixes. It’s more economical than store-bought packets. And they last long too. These individual spices are always in my pantry since Mexican cuisine is one of our favorites. So it’s easy to whip up a batch from scratch that’s so flavorful and makes your tastebuds sing.
I can mix and match the spices to suit my family’s needs. My toddler loves fajitas so I go easy on the cayenne pepper. If it’s just for adults I add more to spice it up. This convenience alone makes it worthwhile to make homemade seasonings.
This homemade fajita seasoning recipe is healthy and free from preservatives, artificial flavors and gluten. The same cannot be said for the store-bought mixes.
The fajita seasoning comes in handy when the fajita cravings hit, saving you a trip to the store. Also they’re great to have on hand for quick dinners like these 15 Minute Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas.
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Ingredients
Fajita seasoning is a spice blend made up of spices, dried herbs and other condiments. It gives an authentic Mexican flavor to chicken, steak and shrimp fajitas and tastes amazing.
- Mexican chili powder – preferably ancho chili powder. This is different from the Asian chili powders as in, this chili is mild.
- Smoked paprika – gives that extra smokiness and color to this mix.
- Cayenne pepper – for heat and to spice things up. Increase if you want more heat.
- Cumin powder – for authentic flavor
- Garlic powder and onion powder – adds more flavor
- Oregano – Mexican oregano if it’s available for the citrusy flavor. Or else substitute with regular oregano or marjoram.
- Brown sugar – brown sugar works best for a subtle hint of sweetness. Skip for low carb or keto diets.
How To Make Homemade Fajita Seasoning Mix
*Scroll below for the printable recipe card and ingredient measurements.
It’s so easy to make this seasoning mix. Collect all the fajita spices in a small bowl and give them a good stir to combine. Make sure to smooth out lumps if any.
Transfer the fajita mix to an airtight container or jar.
Recipe Tips
- Make sure the ingredients are fresh.
- check that herbs and spices are not stale before mixing them. Ground spices tend to lose their freshness after 6 months. Give a whiff and if it smells like nothing it’s better to discard them.
- Store properly.
- Store fajita seasoning mix in a cool, dark, dry place like a kitchen cupboard or pantry; away from direct heat or sunlight. Keep tightly closed when not in use.
- Make it your own.
- If you like spicy food, add more cayenne pepper. Leave out the sugar if you want to.
What To Use Homemade Fajita Seasoning On
Now that you have your own fajita seasoning, use it to flavor your favorite proteins. I like to use this fajita seasoning on chicken, skirt steak, shrimp and also on vegetables and rice.
This Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas, Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas and steak fajitas are few of the dishes I use my fajita seasoning mix on.
To make chicken fajitas, use 2 to 3 tablespoons of seasoning mix to a pound of chicken along with vegetables.
To make a marinade, mix the fajita seasoning with lime juice and olive oil and marinade your preferred protein for 1 to 4 hours.
How Long Does Homemade Fajita Seasoning Last?
This spice mix will last up to 3 to 5 months when properly stored. Store them in a cool, dark place like the pantry or kitchen cupboard; away from direct heat or sunlight. Keep tightly closed when not in use.
How Is Fajita Seasoning Different From Taco Seasoning?
Fajita seasoning is subtle in flavor with a hint of sweetness. Taco seasoning, on the other hand, is bold and spicy. These two mixes are often used interchangeably, and you can definitely use taco seasoning in your fajitas too.
More Homemade Seasoning Recipes
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Recipe
How To Make Homemade Fajita Seasoning
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp chili powder ancho
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1½ tsp cayenne pepper
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 2 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp oregano
- 2 tsp brown sugar
- 2 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Stir all the ingredients together. Store in an airtight container.
- Use 2½ tablespoons of Fajita seasoning for a pound of meat.
Notes
- Increase cayenne pepper for more heat.
- Leave out the sugar if you want to.
- Add more salt if needed.
