Fajita Seasoning is a classic Mexican spice mix renowned for its bold and spicy flavor profile. Typically made with chili powder, paprika, cayenne, cumin powder, onion powder, garlic powder, sugar, and salt. This homemade blend is often used to make chicken, shrimp, and steak fajitas, as well as roasted or baked meats and vegetables. The best part? When made in bulk, this Homemade Fajita Seasoning remains fresh for up to six months at room temperature.
In this recipe, I will guide you through the simple step-by-step instructions to make your own Homemade Fajita Seasoning. For added convenience, I've included a detailed recipe video to provide visual clarity to the process.
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What is Fajita Seasoning?
Fajita seasoning is a bold and flavorful spice blend that is widely used in Tex-Mex cuisine. It typically includes ingredients such as chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and sugar that are combined in just the right proportions to create a perfectly balanced flavor. It is one of the best seasonings and is most commonly used to make chicken fajitas, steak fajitas, and shrimp fajitas.
One of the main benefits of making Fajita Seasoning at home is that you have complete control over the ingredients and the flavor. When you make it yourself, you can adjust the amounts of individual spices to suit your own tastes and preferences.
This seasoning blend is a great way to add depth and complexity to your dishes. Not only fajitas but you can also use it in other Mexican dishes such as burritos, tacos, and quesadillas. You can also add it to most baked recipes such as chicken breasts, chicken wings, and even seafood recipes.
When using this seasoning blend, it's important to remember that a little goes a long way. It's best to start with a smaller amount and adjust the quantity based on your preference for flavor and heat. With a little experimentation, you can find the perfect balance of spices to take your fajita dishes to the next level.
Ingredients and Substitutions
To prepare Fajita Seasoning, you will require a set of common kitchen ingredients, many of which are likely to be already available in your pantry. However, if you don't have them, they can be easily obtained from most grocery stores. The ingredients include:
- Chili Powder: Adds a spicy kick to dishes
- Paprika: Provides a red hue and a mild, sweet flavor
- Onion and Garlic Powder: Add a warm, sweet, and garlicky taste
- Cumin Powder: A spice with a nutty and savory taste that is commonly used in Mexican, Indian, and Middle Eastern cuisine. It adds a savory and aromatic flavor when combined with other spices
- Black Pepper: Imparts a woody aroma and a piney flavor
- Cayenne Pepper: Delivers nice heat, so use it in smaller quantities or adjust accordingly
- Sugar: A sweetener that adds a mild sweetness to the seasoning and helps to balance other flavors
- Salt: you can add or skip the salt, as you can always add it while making chicken fajitas, shrimp fajitas, steak fajitas, or other recipes, as desired
For a detailed ingredients list, please check out the recipe card below.
How to Make Fajita Seasoning at Home?
The recipe that I have shared here is for a Homemade Fajita Seasoning, a vibrant and flavorful blend of spices that elevates the taste of chicken, shrimp, or steak fajitas. This seasoning mix not only adds depth to fajitas but also enhances the flavor of other recipes.
Below are the high-level instructions for this recipe, but for detailed step-by-step instructions with photos and a video, please see the recipe card below.
- Add the spices - start by getting a mixing bowl and gathering all the ingredients you'll need. The recipe card has all of the ingredients and their respective measurements, so double-check to ensure that you have everything on hand.
- Mix - Once you have everything ready, add the ingredients to the mixing bowl. Next, use a mixing spoon or spatula to mix everything well. You'll want to make sure that all of the ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the mixture. Your homemade fajita seasoning is now ready to use in your recipes
- Use - You can use this versatile seasoning mix in various dishes, such as chicken fajitas, shrimp fajitas, and steak fajitas, or even as a seasoning for baked chicken breasts, chicken thighs, chicken wings, or seafood like baked salmon. The possibilities are endless!
- How much to use - When using this homemade fajita seasoning, you can use 2 tablespoons of seasoning per pound of chicken, shrimp, or steak. However, you can adjust the amount to your personal preference, depending on how much heat and flavor you desire in your dish. It's best to start with a smaller amount of seasoning and gradually add more as needed. This will help you achieve the perfect balance of flavors and ensure that your dish isn't too overpowering or too bland
Tips
- Using Spices - It's crucial to use the correct proportion of spices to create a perfectly balanced flavor blend
- Sugar - Adding sugar helps to balance out the complex and spicy flavors in the mix
- Herbs - Although this recipe does not include any dried herbs, you can feel free to add some dried oregano to the blend to add extra flavor and aroma
- How much to use - A recommended amount of 2 tbsp of this fajita spice mix per pound of chicken, shrimp, or steak is suggested. However, feel free to adjust the quantity according to your taste preferences
- Storage - If you are planning to make the spice mix in bulk, it can be stored in a closed, airtight container for up to 6 months while retaining its freshness
Taco vs Fajita Seasoning
Taco seasoning and fajita seasoning are both spice blends used in Mexican cuisine, but they have some differences in their ingredients and flavors. Usually, Taco seasoning includes chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. It may also include other spices such as oregano, red pepper flakes, or cayenne pepper. It has a bold, savory flavor that is often associated with traditional Mexican-style tacos.
Fajita seasoning, on the other hand, typically includes many of the same ingredients as taco seasoning, but they vary with their flavor profile with the addition of sugar. It is typically used to season meats and vegetables in dishes like chicken fajitas, steak fajitas, and other Tex-Mex recipes, and has a slightly milder flavor than taco seasoning.
Overall, while both taco and fajita seasonings have similar flavor profiles, the additional spices in fajita seasoning give it a slightly different taste and make it more suitable for use in fajita recipes.
Storage Suggestions
If you want to make a large batch of this seasoning mix, simply double or triple the recipe and mix everything in a large mixing bowl. You can store it in an airtight container or jar and keep it in your pantry for up to 6 months. This way, you'll always have some delicious homemade Fajita Seasoning on hand whenever you need it!
Serving Suggestions
Fajita Seasoning is typically used to season meats or vegetables. It is one of the essential spice mixes in making chicken, shrimp, or steak fajitas. You can also use it to make tacos, burritos, and other Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes. You can also season the following dishes for a savory, and spicy flavor.
- Baked Chicken Breast
- Baked Chicken Drumsticks
- Oven Baked Chicken Wings
- Fried Chicken
- Roasted Vegetables
- Roasted Cauliflower
- Roasted Potatoes
- Baked Salmon
Related Recipes
You could also find similar seasoning recipes below and more at dips & condiment recipes.
- Taco Seasoning
- Cajun Seasoning
- Chili Seasoning
- Italian Seasoning
- Curry Powder
- Garam Masala
- Five Spice Powder
Fajita Seasoning Recipe Video
I have also shared a detailed video of this Fajita Seasoning Recipe, which I hope will help you make the perfect spice mix at home. You can also find this recipe in story format.
📖 Recipe
Fajita Seasoning
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Chili Powder
- 1 tbsp Paprika
- ½ tsp Cayenne Pepper, decrease the quantity or skip it for less heat
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- 2 tsp Cumin Powder
- 1 tsp Salt, or adjust according to the recipe
- 2 tsp Sugar
Instructions
To make Homemade Fajita Seasoning
- In a bowl, add all the ingredients mentioned in the recipe
- Mix well until everything is combined. Now your homemade fajita seasoning is ready for you to use in your recipes
To Use or Store
- You can use this homemade fajita seasoning in various dishes such as chicken fajitas, shrimp fajitas, and steak fajitas, or as a seasoning for baked chicken breasts, chicken thighs, chicken wings, or seafood like baked salmon. You can also make this spice mix in bulk and store it for up to 6 months
Video
Notes
- Using Spices - It's crucial to use the correct proportion of spices to create a perfectly balanced flavor blend
- Sugar - Adding sugar helps to balance out the complex and spicy flavors in the mix
- Herbs - Although this recipe does not include any dried herbs, you can feel free to add some dried oregano to the blend to add extra flavor and aroma
- How much to use - A recommended amount of 2 tbsp of this fajita spice mix per pound of chicken, shrimp, or steak is suggested. However, feel free to adjust the quantity according to your taste preferences
- Storage - If you are planning to make the spice mix in bulk, it can be stored in a closed, airtight container for up to 6 months while retaining its freshness
Nutrition
FAQ
Fajita seasoning is a bold and flavorful spice blend that is widely used in Tex-Mex cuisine. It typically includes ingredients such as chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and sugar. The spice mix is commonly used to make chicken fajitas, steak fajitas, and shrimp fajitas.
Taco seasoning and fajita seasoning are both Mexican spice blends, but fajita seasoning has added sugar, resulting in a milder flavor. Taco seasoning is bold and savory, often including other spices like oregano or cayenne pepper. Fajita seasoning is commonly used to season meats and veggies in dishes like fajitas. While taco seasoning is used for tacos and other Mexican-style dishes.
Fajita Seasoning is typically used to season meats or vegetables. It is an essential spice mix when making chicken, shrimp, or steak fajitas. You can also use it to make tacos, burritos, and other Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes.
I hope you found the recipe enjoyable and I would appreciate hearing about your experience with it.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to comment, and I will do my best to respond promptly. Thank you for reading and happy cooking!
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