Homemade In The Kitchen

A Food Blog With Small Batch Recipes and Recipes For Two Made From Scratch

Header Right

Homemade Fajita Seasoning

Learn how to make Homemade Fajita Seasoning from scratch to use for chicken fajitas, taco salads, soups, and more!


Learn how to make Homemade Fajita Seasoning from scratch to use for chicken fajitas, taco salads, soups, and more!

As a food blogger, I don’t always share every recipe I make, especially when I cook for fun. Sometimes it is someone else’s recipe and I don’t change it enough to reblog. Other times the recipe is so simple, it doesn’t even occur to me about sharing.

I’ve been cooking dinner for myself ever since I studied abroad in Ireland back in 2007. It was my first time with a kitchen and no meal plan on campus. I learned to get over my fear of touching raw meat very quickly (with the help of a housemate).

One dinner that I made a lot throughout college and even now is fajitas, whether it’s beef, chicken, or shrimp. My secret weapon to making dinner quick and easy is having a jar of Homemade Fajita Seasoning ready to go in my pantry.

If you have basic spices in your pantry, you don’t need to run out and buy a packet. You can easily make this fajita seasoning recipe right now.


Learn how to make Homemade Fajita Seasoning from scratch to use for chicken fajitas, taco salads, soups, and more!

Is there a difference between taco seasoning and fajita seasoning?

I’ve been researching this question quite a bit. Turns out nobody really knows the answer!

What I personally concluded is although they contain the same spices, they have a different ratio, which alters the taste slightly.

I personally use this fajita spice mix for both fajitas and tacos. I don’t think there’s any hard rule to follow.


Homemade Fajita Seasoning Recipe to use in chicken fajitas, taco salads, soups, and more!

What spices are in fajita seasoning?

Typically fajita seasoning is made up of chili powder, cumin, black pepper, salt, smoked paprika, dried oregano, garlic powder, and onion powder. If you really like it spicy, you can also add crushed red pepper.

I have a well-equipped spice collection, so why go out and buy a packet of fajita seasoning when it’ll take me 5 minutes to make some at home? Not to mention no funky chemicals or a high amount of sodium.

Fajita seasoning is only as good (and spicy) as your spices. I’ve made it with cheap chili powder from the dollar store and with good quality chili powder. Huge difference (no surprise there).

Don’t get me wrong – if all you have is the cheap dollar spices, by all means it still makes a good dinner. Trust me – I didn’t have the money to splurge on good quality ingredients until after college, and I’ve been making this recipe longer than that.


Homemade Fajita Seasoning Recipe to use in chicken fajitas, taco salads, soups, and more!

Make a big jar of it now, then use a tablespoon or two as you need it. You can make chicken fajitas or spice up some chili. Throw it in taco meat or do a spice rub for chicken. Your limit is your imagination. Be sure to gradually add some so you can taste and adjust as necessary.

Recipes To Make With Homemade Fajita Seasoning

Homemade Fajita Seasoning

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional)

Instructions

  1. Mix together all of the spices. Store in an airtight container.
© Carla Cardello - Homemade In The Kitchen

Did you make my recipe?

Please let me know by sharing a photo in my private Facebook group or uploading and tagging me on Instagram using #HITKrecipes (Note: If your Instagram account is private, I won't be able to see your photo)

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. You are so right that making your own seasoning is the way to go. I like that you can control the amount of sodium and adjust flavors to taste. I love your photos with the spices in layers. So cool!!
    Reply

  5. Hi Carla, found you through Kim. Great looking seasoning. Will have to come back and see what else you are up to soon. Have a great weekend. -Gina-
    Reply

  7. I totally agree! I make a similar version It's been one of my most popluar "recipes". I have never bought a packet again! Your photos are beautiful!
    Reply

  9. I'm excited to find recipes for homemade seasoning mixes because I need to omit salt from my diet. I'd like to know what is the difference between between Fajita & Taco seasoning as the store bought packages seem to list identical spices yet the flavor outcome is different, why?
    Reply

    • I think it's the amount of spices you use. One may have more cumin or chili powder than the other. They are similar enough where if you ran out of one, you can substitute the other.
      Reply

  10. Love this recipe! Found it by googling for a fajita seasoning recipe. My hubby could not believe that made it (he thought it was a pkg). Thank you :)
    Reply

    • Not so much a reply but a reiteration, we just got home with everything except the seasoning so youā€™re about to be a life saver! Mwah!
      Reply

  13. Really awesome recipe. Thank you. Now please tell me how to cook the meat so it comes out tender and not chewy. Thank you.
    Reply

    • Using the right cut of meat and not overcooking the meat are several ways to make the meat more tender. I highly recommend checking out this guide for more info http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/steak_fajitas/
      Reply

    • Try useing boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Doesnt take long to cook, absorbs flavor wonderfully and less trans fat.
      Reply

  15. Magical fajita seasoning. All three of my kids went back for seconds and they are so picky! I didnā€™t add red pepper flakes for that reason but the seasoning was so flavorful. Thank you!
    Reply

  16. I made this tonight for fajitas and it was great! My husband even asked me ā€œwhat seasoning did you use? Those were really goodā€ and he never normally does that! Thanks for the great recipe!
    Reply

  19. We are always making our own seasonings just for safety reasons since we are gluten free. I also think it makes the flavor so much better.
    ★★★★★
    Reply

  21. Homemade seasoning is ALWAYS so much better than store-bought! And I love the way it looks all layered in that jar! Suddenly I'm in the mood for fajitas :)
    ★★★★★
    Reply

  23. These are all of my favorite seasonings. I never think to make a blend and have it ready to go. Need to give this a try especially since I love fajitas and tacos.
    ★★★★★
    Reply

Trackbacks

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate this recipe: ☆☆☆☆☆