Learn how to make Homemade Fajita Seasoning recipe from scratch to keep in your pantry. Use it for steak fajitas, chicken enchiladas, taco salads, 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 I made a lot throughout college is fajitas, whether it’s beef, chicken, or shrimp.
My secret weapon to making a quick and easy dinner 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.
What are fajitas?
Fajitas are a Tex-Mex dish of grilled meat (usually steak or chicken), bell peppers, and onions served in a tortilla.
Fajita seasoning is the spice mix used to flavor the meat, as you can see with my steak fajitas and chicken fajita salad.
What is in fajita seasoning?
Typically the spices in fajita seasoning are 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 or even cayenne pepper to your fajita mix.
If you have a well stocked spice pantry, why go out and buy a packet of fajita seasoning when it’ll take 5 minutes to make this easy fajita seasoning recipe at home?
Not to mention you can control the amount of heat and salt in your fajita seasoning.
For the best fajita seasoning recipe, you want to use the high quality spices.
I’ve made it with cheap chili powder from the dollar store and with top quality chili powder. Huge difference with both taste and spice level (no surprise there).
Don’t get me wrong – if all you have is the cheap dollar spices, by all means it still makes a great dinner.
Trust me – I didn’t have the money to splurge on high quality ingredients until after college, and I’ve been making this recipe longer than that.
What is the 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 my seasoning for both fajitas and tacos. I don’t think there’s any hard rule to follow.
How To Make Fajita Seasoning
Making fajita seasoning is the easiest recipe ever!
Measure all of your spices into a bowl, stir them together, then store in a glass or plastic container in your pantry.
How To Use Fajita Seasoning
Use a tablespoon or two for every pound of meat, depending on personal preference.
You can make Chicken Fajita Pasta or spice up Slow Cooker Beef Enchiladas.
Throw it in some taco meat or cook up some Fajita Shrimp Tacos.
You can also make Fajita Veggies and add them to your meals.
Be sure to gradually add some so you can taste and adjust as necessary.
How To Season Chicken For Fajitas
To season chicken for fajitas, pat your chicken dry with paper towels then cut your chicken into 1-inch pieces.
Next, evenly sprinkle fajita seasoning over your chicken then mix (with your hands or a spoon) until coated.
Your fajita chicken is now ready to cook.
How long will fajita seasoning last?
Your fajita mix will last up to 6 months.
You want to store it in a cool, dry place away from direct light. Heat will diminish your spices, so you don’t want to store it near your hot stove or window.
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
- 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!
Homemade Fajita Seasoning
Learn how to make Homemade Fajita Seasoning recipe from scratch to keep in your pantry. Use it for steak fajitas, chicken enchiladas, taco salads, and more!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon ground chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt (preferably kosher)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper or cayenne pepper (optional - add for extra heat)
Instructions
- Stir together all of the spices. Store in an airtight container in a dry, cool place for up to 6 months.
Notes
- Not sure what to make with your seasoning? Check out Chicken Fajita Salad, Steak Fajitas, Chicken Fajita Pasta, and Crockpot Beef Enchiladas.
Alex says
Beautiful, beautiful combination!
Renee says
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!!
diabeticFoodie says
Great way to control sodium!
Miriam @ overtimecook says
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!
Gina says
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-
Angie @ Big Bears Wife says
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
[email protected] says
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!
Caroline says
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!
Tracy says
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?
Carla says
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.
Corrine says
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 :)
Carla says
It’s so simple, isn’t it? Happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe!
Donna says
I was so glad I didn’t have to run out to the store for fajita seasoning! This was awesome!!!!!
Alex S. says
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!
Kellie Grady says
Very yummy….. but very hot!!!
Carla says
The spice level depends heavily on the type of chili powder you use. Some are spicier than others.
Anh says
Really awesome recipe. Thank you.
Now please tell me how to cook the meat so it comes out tender and not chewy.
Thank you.
Carla says
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/
Tanya says
Try useing boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Doesnt take long to cook, absorbs flavor wonderfully and less trans fat.
Maryanne says
Made this tonight after googling “Fajita seasoning.” It was a huge hit! Thank you!!
Carla says
Glad you enjoyed it!
Leah says
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!
Carla says
Yes! Glad the whole family enjoyed.
Katie says
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!
Carla says
Excellent! Glad you both enjoyed it.
Karen says
No more packages for me … easy and delicious! We had pork fajitas tonight.
Carla says
Glad you enjoyed the recipe!
J says
Threw this together for a last minute meal tonight. Great taste. Thanks for the recipe.
Carla says
Glad you liked it!
Sandi says
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.
Carla says
Smart! You never know about cross contamination with packaged goods.
Aimee Shugarman says
LOVE the jar :) And homemade seasonings are the bomb.
Carla says
Thanks!
Sues says
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 :)
Carla says
Yes it makes for a pretty presentation, especially if you gift them for Christmas!
Danielle says
We always have a jar of this in the cupboard. It’s so good sprinkled on salmon before grilling.
Carla says
Oh I haven’t tried it with salmon. Great idea!
Stephanie says
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.
Carla says
Once you make and keep this in your pantry, you’ll be having fajitas every night! ;)
Katie says
This is a great recipe! I love mixing my own blends of spices for things, and this could even make a great gift!
Carla says
I love the gift idea! Especially if you package it in a thoughtful way.
kim says
Love this! I always keep it on hand!
Carla says
Happy to hear that!
Marjory says
Love this fajita blend…and the red pepper flakes are a must at our house!
Carla says
Yes! The best part is you can add as many (or as little) red pepper flakes as you want based on preference.
jessica thompson says
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!!!!
Carla says
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.
arj says
Thanks for the recipe. Taco and fajita seasoning are so high in sodium I can’t use them. I’m happy to have a recipe where I can adjust or eliminate the salt. Thank you!
Carla says
Yes that’s the benefit of making your own! You can adjust the amounts to fit your lifestyle.
Carol says
I’ve been making my own taco seasonings for years. The one thing I noticed is that yours calls for paprika, mine doesn’t. I liked the homemade so much that I expanded and make others as well…. like pumpkin spice mix. Homemade is definitely the way to go.
Carla says
The paprika helps add another layer of flavor. Hope you give my version a try!
Madeleine Long says
Hi Carla, how would you suggest I turn this mix into a paste?
Thank you 🙏
Carla says
I never tried it, but usually you can add some water to make a paste. If that doesn’t work, maybe try some tomato paste.