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November 1, 2012

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 Enchilada Sauce – A tomato-based sauce for enchiladas
  • Salsa Chicken Enchiladas – Chicken enchiladas with a homemade enchilada sauce
  • Slow Cooker Beef Enchiladas For Two – Spiced up beef enchiladas
  • Fajita Shrimp Tacos – Spicy shrimp tacos made easy
  • Chicken Enchilada Dip – When you’re tired of buffalo chicken dip
  • Chicken Fajita Dip – A different take on eating fajitas. The dip also makes a great quesadilla filling!
  • Chicken Fajita Fettuccine – When you’re in the mood for Tex Mex but you also want pasta
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.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

© Carla Cardello

Filed Under: Condiments + Sauces Tagged With: chili powder, cumin, oregano, paprika

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alex says

    November 1, 2012 at 7:59 AM

    Beautiful, beautiful combination!

    Reply
  2. Renee says

    November 1, 2012 at 8:26 AM

    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
  3. diabeticFoodie says

    November 1, 2012 at 9:07 AM

    Great way to control sodium!

    Reply
  4. Miriam @ overtimecook says

    November 1, 2012 at 6:29 PM

    I’m loving this mix and I need to make some because having things done beforehand is my idea of awesome. Also love how you layered it!

    Reply
  5. Gina says

    November 2, 2012 at 10:53 AM

    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
  6. Angie @ Big Bears Wife says

    November 5, 2012 at 11:59 AM

    I am with you on that, why go out and buy when you can make it at home. I always make taco seasoning, but don’t ever to think to make Fajita Seasoning. Saving this recipe now

    Reply
  7. [email protected] says

    November 5, 2012 at 2:13 PM

    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
  8. Caroline says

    March 16, 2013 at 11:28 AM

    This sounds great! I like to make my own too. It’s so much better and no chemicals! I’m going to give your version a try this weekend!

    Reply
  9. Tracy says

    May 2, 2013 at 2:53 AM

    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
    • Carla says

      May 2, 2013 at 5:42 PM

      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. Corrine says

    May 31, 2013 at 4:47 PM

    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
    • Carla says

      June 1, 2013 at 7:16 PM

      It’s so simple, isn’t it? Happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe!

      Reply
  11. Donna says

    July 6, 2013 at 2:50 PM

    I was so glad I didn’t have to run out to the store for fajita seasoning! This was awesome!!!!!

    Reply
    • Alex S. says

      December 14, 2017 at 10:24 PM

      Not so much a reply but a reiteration, we just got home with everything except the seasoning so you’re about to be a life saver! Mwah!

      Reply
  12. Kellie Grady says

    September 17, 2016 at 5:41 AM

    Very yummy….. but very hot!!!

    Reply
    • Carla says

      September 17, 2016 at 9:24 AM

      The spice level depends heavily on the type of chili powder you use. Some are spicier than others.

      Reply
  13. Anh says

    June 23, 2017 at 1:00 AM

    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
    • Carla says

      June 23, 2017 at 10:35 AM

      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
    • Tanya says

      October 7, 2018 at 9:24 PM

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

      Reply
  14. Maryanne says

    September 10, 2017 at 9:50 PM

    Made this tonight after googling “Fajita seasoning.” It was a huge hit! Thank you!!

    Reply
    • Carla says

      September 11, 2017 at 9:50 AM

      Glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  15. Leah says

    December 6, 2017 at 6:01 AM

    Magical fajita seasoning. All three of my kids went back for seconds and they are so picky! I didn’t add red pepper flakes for that reason but the seasoning was so flavorful. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Carla says

      December 6, 2017 at 11:17 AM

      Yes! Glad the whole family enjoyed.

      Reply
  16. Katie says

    February 27, 2018 at 9:20 PM

    I made this tonight for fajitas and it was great! My husband even asked me “what seasoning did you use? Those were really good” and he never normally does that! Thanks for the great recipe!

    Reply
    • Carla says

      February 28, 2018 at 9:45 AM

      Excellent! Glad you both enjoyed it.

      Reply
  17. Karen says

    August 19, 2018 at 8:04 PM

    No more packages for me … easy and delicious! We had pork fajitas tonight.

    Reply
    • Carla says

      August 20, 2018 at 9:56 AM

      Glad you enjoyed the recipe!

      Reply
  18. J says

    September 4, 2018 at 11:09 PM

    Threw this together for a last minute meal tonight. Great taste. Thanks for the recipe.

    Reply
    • Carla says

      September 5, 2018 at 2:30 PM

      Glad you liked it!

      Reply
  19. Sandi says

    October 26, 2018 at 10:33 AM

    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
    • Carla says

      October 26, 2018 at 2:31 PM

      Smart! You never know about cross contamination with packaged goods.

      Reply
  20. Aimee Shugarman says

    October 26, 2018 at 10:49 AM

    LOVE the jar :) And homemade seasonings are the bomb.

    Reply
    • Carla says

      October 26, 2018 at 2:30 PM

      Thanks!

      Reply
  21. Sues says

    October 26, 2018 at 10:53 AM

    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
    • Carla says

      October 26, 2018 at 2:30 PM

      Yes it makes for a pretty presentation, especially if you gift them for Christmas!

      Reply
  22. Danielle says

    October 26, 2018 at 11:42 AM

    We always have a jar of this in the cupboard. It’s so good sprinkled on salmon before grilling.

    Reply
    • Carla says

      October 26, 2018 at 2:26 PM

      Oh I haven’t tried it with salmon. Great idea!

      Reply
  23. Stephanie says

    October 26, 2018 at 11:49 AM

    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
    • Carla says

      October 26, 2018 at 2:24 PM

      Once you make and keep this in your pantry, you’ll be having fajitas every night! ;)

      Reply
  24. Katie says

    October 26, 2018 at 11:54 AM

    This is a great recipe! I love mixing my own blends of spices for things, and this could even make a great gift!

    Reply
    • Carla says

      October 26, 2018 at 2:24 PM

      I love the gift idea! Especially if you package it in a thoughtful way.

      Reply
  25. kim says

    November 15, 2018 at 9:56 AM

    Love this! I always keep it on hand!

    Reply
    • Carla says

      November 15, 2018 at 1:19 PM

      Happy to hear that!

      Reply
  26. Marjory says

    November 15, 2018 at 12:20 PM

    Love this fajita blend…and the red pepper flakes are a must at our house!

    Reply
    • Carla says

      November 15, 2018 at 1:19 PM

      Yes! The best part is you can add as many (or as little) red pepper flakes as you want based on preference.

      Reply
  27. jessica thompson says

    February 15, 2021 at 6:56 PM

    Hello! I’m a retired Army vet of 20yrs. I love to cook and barbeque. My daughter keeps asking me “Mom, can you make homemade Beef Fajitas instead of buying them?” So I have experimented with many fajita seasoning recipes and nothing came close to this one. I did leave it over night in the fridge and the meat came out tender and very flavorful. My husband loves it. Plus, this recipe has saved us so much money. Buying marinaded fajitas is much more expensive. So now I buy the fajita meat from the butcher and marinate it myself. Thank You!!!!

    Reply
    • Carla says

      February 16, 2021 at 11:47 AM

      Oh yes that’s one thing I learned in college – buying the fajita kits is much more expensive, especially on a college budget! Glad you and your family enjoyed the seasoning.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Fajita Seasoning | My Little Family's Favourite Recipes says:
    February 4, 2013 at 8:20 PM

    […] taken from Chocolate Moosey […]

    Reply
  2. Asian Shrimp Taco with Mango Salsa | Chocolate Moosey says:
    February 28, 2013 at 6:34 AM

    […] Homemade Fajita Seasoning (great for quick meals like fajitas or tacos) […]

    Reply
  3. fajita burgers w/ cilantro jalapeno mayo | spill the beans says:
    March 17, 2013 at 4:11 PM

    […] heaping tablespoon fajita seasoning (I used this recipe to make my own, or you could buy a […]

    Reply

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