Fajita Seasoning is your go-to spicy Mexican blend that really brings fajitas to life and kicks up the flavor in so many other dishes. Making it at home lets you tailor it just right, so every meal can have your special touch.
What You’ll Find On This Page
Fajita Seasoning is not only for chicken, shrimp, and steak fajitas, but it also does wonders in burritos, tacos, and quesadillas. Plus, it's great on baked meats and seafood too.
Just a heads up—this mix is pretty strong, so start with a small amount and adjust to taste. And if you make a big batch, it'll keep fresh for up to six months at room temperature, making it super convenient to have on hand.
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Ingredients and Substitutions Overview
To make Fajita Seasoning, you'll need some common kitchen staples that you probably already have. This makes it really easy to put together this flavorful blend anytime you like. Here's what you'll need:
- Chili Powder: Adds a spicy kick that turns up the heat in your dishes.
- Paprika: Brightens with its vibrant red hue and offers a sweet, mild flavor.
- Onion and Garlic Powder: These bring warm, rich tones, enhancing the seasoning with their savory sweetness.
- Cumin Powder: A staple in many global cuisines, cumin delivers a nutty, earthy taste that boosts the overall flavor profile.
- Black Pepper: It contributes a woody aroma and a sharp, piney taste, adding complexity.
- Cayenne Pepper: It's quite storng, so adjust the amount based on how spicy you like your food.
- Sugar: Just a hint helps balance out the spiciness with a touch of sweetness.
- Salt: You can add this to your fajitas or dishes as you cook, so it's optional in the mix depending on your preference.
How to Make Fajita Seasoning at Home?
Now, let’s make our homemade Fajita Seasoning with this super simple recipe. It's just two steps: gather your ingredients and mix them all together. That’s all there is to it. Let’s get started!
Explore a World of Seasoning Recipes:
- Taco Seasoning
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- Chili Seasoning
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- Blackened Seasoning
- Chicken Seasoning
- Steak Seasoning
- Everything Bagel Seasoning
- BBQ Spice Rub
- Lemon Pepper Seasoning
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, optional
- 2 tsp Sugar
Instructions
Making Fajita Seasoning
- Gather all the listed ingredients and place them in a mixing bowl.
- Stir the mixture thoroughly to ensure all the spices are well combined and evenly distributed, free from any lumps. Your homemade fajita seasoning is now ready to add a delicious twist to your favorite dishes.
Using
- This homemade fajita seasoning is versatile and perfect for a range of dishes, including chicken, shrimp, and steak fajitas. It also works wonderfully as a seasoning for baked chicken breasts, thighs, wings, and seafood like baked salmon. For more pairing ideas, be sure to check out our 'How to Use' section below.
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Recipe Video
Chef's Notes and Tips
- Spice Proportions: Striking the right balance is crucial for the best flavor. Use precise measurements to ensure each spice contributes equally to the blend, creating a perfect harmony of flavors.
- Sugar: Including a touch of sugar not only offsets the heat but also deepens the flavors, giving your dishes a well-rounded taste with just a hint of sweetness.
- Custom Spice Levels: Create a mild base for your Fajita Seasoning without hot spices like cayenne pepper. For those who like it spicier, make a separate batch with added heat. This lets you easily adjust the spice level to individual tastes without multiple full batches.
- Herbs Addition: Although not included in the basic recipe, consider adding dried oregano or even a pinch of thyme to introduce more depth and aromatic complexity to your seasoning.
- Note on Salt: If you include salt in your Fajita Seasoning, be mindful of additional salt in your dishes to avoid over-seasoning. Alternatively, you can leave salt out of the seasoning mix entirely, which allows for better control when seasoning your dishes during cooking.
- Usage Amount: For every pound (450 gms) of chicken, shrimp, or steak, starting with about 2 tablespoons of this seasoning mix is ideal. Feel free to adjust this based on how flavorful and spicy you prefer your dish.
Nutrition Info
Disclaimer
We're not nutrition experts, and the nutritional information provided is an estimate. Please use it as a guide. For precise details, it's best to consult a professional. To learn more, please view our Detailed Disclaimers.
Looking for new flavors? Explore our extensive selection of seasonings and marinades from around the world, perfect for chicken breast, shrimp, and salmon. These flavorful blends are sure to elevate your favorite dishes.
How to Use this Seasoning?
This Fajita Seasoning is incredibly versatile and adds a punch of flavor to a variety of dishes. Here are some great ways to use it:
- Fajitas: Naturally, it's perfect for beef, chicken, or shrimp fajitas. Simply sprinkle the seasoning over your chosen protein and vegetables before cooking.
- Marinades: Enhance your marinades by adding a tablespoon of this seasoning to help tenderize and flavor meats like chicken breasts, steak, or pork.
- Roasted Vegetables: Toss vegetables like bell peppers, onions, and zucchini with olive oil and a generous amount of seasoning before roasting.
- Grilling: Elevate your grilling by rubbing this seasoning on meats or seafood before they hit the grill for an extra layer of flavor. For example, try it on salmon fillets or chicken thighs to add a smoky, spicy edge.
- Soups and Stews: Stir a teaspoon into your favorite soups and stews to deepen their flavors with a Mexican twist. It works wonderfully in dishes like chicken tortilla soup or beef chili.
Storage Suggestions
To store a larger batch of this Fajita Seasoning, simply double or triple the ingredients and combine them in a large mixing bowl. Transfer the blend to an airtight container or jar and keep it in your pantry away from sunlight or heat sources. It will stay fresh and retain its flavors for up to 6 months, ensuring you always have this delicious homemade seasoning on hand for your cooking needs.
Difference Between Fajita and Taco Seasoning
Fajita and Taco Seasonings are both staples in Mexican cuisine but have distinct flavor profiles.
Taco seasoning usually includes chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper, and it may also have oregano, red pepper flakes, or cayenne pepper for extra kick. This blend is known for its bold and savory taste, perfect for traditional Mexican-style tacos.
Fajita seasoning, while sharing many of the same ingredients, includes sugar and is generally milder than taco seasoning. This addition gives it a unique flavor profile, ideal for seasoning meats and vegetables in Tex-Mex favorites like chicken and steak fajitas.
Though similar, the slight variations in spices make fajita seasoning particularly well-suited for fajita dishes, offering a slightly sweeter and less intense flavor compared to taco seasoning.
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