My family loves both chicken fajitas and beef fajitas, so I use this homemade fajita seasoning recipe to keep a batch of fajita spice mix on hand to speed up the cooking process.
I like to have a jar of fajita spice mix on hand because it saves time. I don’t have to add each individual spice to the meat every time I want to make fajitas. Instead, I can spoon several teaspoons of my homemade seasoning on to the meat.
It can be tempting to pick up a packet of fajita seasoning from the store to save time, but I don’t like the additives found in store-bought seasonings. I don’t want cornstarch, sugar, or other preservatives in my spice mixes.
How to Make Fajita Seasoning
All you have to do to make this homemade spice mix is add the spices to a bowl. Then stir to combine.
A note about the spices used in the Fajita Seasoning:
I like to use two types of chili powders: ancho chili powder and chipotle chili powder. If you don’t have either of these on hand you can use regular chili powder.
Smoked paprika adds a nice smoky flavor, but if you don’t have any on hand, you can use plain paprika.
If you can find it, Mexican oregano will add notes of citrus to your seasoning. If you can’t find it you can use Italian oregano which is generally just labeled oregano in our stores.
When I have it on hand, I like to use smoked sea salt for the delicious smoky flavor. However, I was out when I made my last batch so I just used sea salt.
I use onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper from my pantry.
Some people like to add dried lime peel to their fajita seasoning. I usually add fresh lime juice to the meat instead of adding lime to my seasoning recipe.
How to Store Fajita Seasoning
You can store the fajita seasoning in a sealed mason jar or container for up to a year.
How to Use Fajita Seasoning
I use 2 teaspoons of seasoning per pound of meat and 1 teaspoon per pound of vegetables.
Brush 1 pound of skirt steak or boneless/skinless chicken breasts with the juice of one lime and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Then sprinkle the seasoning over the meat. Let in marinate in the refrigerator for 2 – 24 hours. Then cook the meat either on the grill, oven, broiler, skillet, slow cooker, or Instant Pot.
You don’t have to limit yourself to using this spice mix for traditional fajitas. You can use it to add a punch of flavor to roasted vegetables. Coat the vegetables with olive oil, then sprinkle the veggies with 1 teaspoon of seasoning per pound of vegetables.
You can also add 1 teaspoon of seasoning to 1 cup of Ranch Dressing to create a Fajita Ranch Salad.
Homemade Fajita Seasoning Recipe
This makes almost 1/2 cup of the fajita spice mix.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon ancho chili powder
- 1 tablespoon chipotle chili powder
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon Mexican oregano
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse-ground pepper
Directions:
1. Add the ancho chili powder, chipotle chili powder, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, Mexican oregano, sea salt, and cayenne pepper to a bowl.
2. Stir well to mix.
3. Store in a lidded container or a mason jar.
Fajita Seasoning Video Tutorial
In this video, I show you how easy it is to make Fajita Seasoning at home using common spices from your pantry.
Printable Recipe for Fajita Seasoning
Homemade Fajita Seasoning Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon ancho chili powder
- 1 tablespoon chipotle chili powder
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon Mexican oregano
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse-ground pepper
Instructions
- Add the ancho chili powder, chipotle chili powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, Mexican oregano, sea salt, and cayenne pepper to a bowl.
- Stir well to mix.
- Store in a lidded container or a mason jar.
Nutrition
More Homemade Seasoning Recipes
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Rebecca says
I love making my own seasonings. My girls and I thought this was extremely spicy. Is there a way to tone it down but still have a little heat and flavor fajitas are suppose to have?
Alea Milham says
You can leave the cayenne pepper out to reduce the heat.