Easy homemade Fajita Seasoning with simple spices that pack big flavor! Whip up a batch and keep it in your cabinet as your go-to for delicious fajitas and other delicious Mexican-inspired recipes like tacos, burritos, bowls, and more.
Homemade seasonings are so easy. Make a big batch, put in a jar with a lid, and enjoy for meals to come. If you’re looking for more spices and seasonings, consider these options: Cajun Seasoning, Taco Seasoning, and this Simple Grilled Chicken Dry Rub.
Why This Recipe Works
So easy — Way easier and more convenient than adding to your shopping list, hunting for it up and down the grocery store aisle and all it takes is a mixture of eight spices you most likely already have in your spice drawer. Add them together and — tada — now you have another spice mix in your arsenal making dinner prep that much easier.
Budget-friendly — Make this fajita seasoning yourself instead of buying it from the grocery store. You’ll save money and time!
Versatile — I use this simple fajita seasoning recipe on fajitas but it can also be used in a number of other recipes. Sprinkle it on rice, mix it in with ground beef or turkey for burgers, add it to chicken breasts before grilling, mix it in with tomatoes, onions, and peppers for a salsa…the list goes on and on!
Make more, make less, just make it — Only need a little? Just make enough fajita seasoning to get you through a few meals. Feel like you’ll be using it more (aka, have an army to feed?), make lots and use it often!
Fajita Seasoning Ingredients
- Chili powder — Chili powder adds a hint of spice to this simple fajita seasoning. Don’t sleep on adding this key ingredient.
- Salt — Any type of salt will work, however, I usually cook with sea salt.
- Sugar — Regular, granulated sugar is fine. Just a little bit goes a long way.
- Smoked paprika — I prefer smoked paprika for just that little hint of smoky flavor but you can substitute regular paprika if that’s what you have. No need to run to the store!
- Garlic powder — Any good brand of garlic powder is fine in this fajita seasoning recipe.
- Ground cumin — Like the chili powder, cumin is key here too. Any brand of cumin will work well, but a name brand will be best.
- Onion powder — Onion powders don’t vary much, in my opinion. Use what you have.
- Cayenne pepper — Here’s another ingredients I love. Just a leeeetle more kick from that cayenne is what this seasoning blend needs. But if you don’t think you can handle the heat, you can skip it
Here’s How You Make It
It’s impossible to make the instructions for putting together this simple, authentic fajita seasoning any easier. Truly. Are you ready for this?
- First, add all the ingredients together and stir.
- Next, store it in an airtight container at room temperature (with my spices is where I keep mine).
That’s it!
While fajita seasonings can vary from brand to brand and recipe to recipe, I’ve found most have similar ingredients, including: cumin, chili powder, paprika, garlic and onion powder, and cayenne. Store-bought brands may also include more salt and preserving agents so that the seasonings stay shelf-stable longer.
What varies most in the recipes are the amounts. Some are sweeter, some spicier, some saltier, etc. I’ve found this one to be the perfect amount of every spice and oh-so-tasty! Seriously unreal flavor, friends!
While you might think taco and fajita seasonings are interchangeable, I beg to differ. While both are similar, and recipes vary, here’s what I have found to be the major differences between taco seasoning and fajita seasoning.
First of all, taco seasoning has more chili powder and also often contains oregano, which I do not use in my fajita spices. Also, I use more cumin and cayenne in fajita seasoning versus taco, and also more chili powder compared to most taco seasonings I’ve come across.
Let’s say you’re making these deliciously easy Sheet Pan Fajitas. What would you put on them once they were done? Let’s talk toppings, one of my favorite food groups (yes, I consider it a food group).
· Sour cream
· Salsa
· Avocado
· Chopped cilantro
· Lime wedges for squeezing on top of the fajitas
· Tortillas (technically, these go under the fajitas)
· Pickled or fresh jalapenos
· Corn
· Black beans
· Cheese — shredded cheddar, Monterey jack, or queso fresco are my favorites.
You can make fajitas out of any meat you like. I make chicken fajitas most often, but you can also make beef, fish, or shrimp.
If using chicken, I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. For beef, I chose a skirt or flank steak. Shrimp, I tend to go shelled and raw.
You can also make fajitas out of thick cuts of portobello mushrooms or even cauliflower steaks.
Expert Tips + Tricks
- If you like your fajita seasoning even spicier, add about ¼ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to the mixture as well.
- This recipe makes enough for about two batches of fajitas for four people. Scale it up for more and half it for less.
- This fajita seasoning recipe will keep at room temperature for up to three months.
More Recipes
- Best Easy Chicken Fajitas
- Meal Prep Chicken Fajitas
- Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
- Sheet Pan Chili Lime Shrimp Fajitas
- Best Mexican Salsa Recipe for Canning
Did you make this recipe? FANTASTIC. Please rate the recipe below and be sure to tag me on social when you share a photo on social – I love seeing what you’re up to in the kitchen!
Fajita Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon chile powder
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika - or regular paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Stir together all ingredients.
- Store in airtight container at room temperature up to three months.
Wow these burritos look fantastic! My mouth is watering! Totally craving now! 🙂
Thanks Jessica! They are so yummy you should try them!!
YUM. All I am craving is Mexican right now! These burritos look so spiced, flavoursome and delicious. Mouthwatering shots!
Sounds like my entire life – always craving Mexican!! You’ll love these burritos Thalia!!
Making these for dinner tonight!
Looks so delicious and easy to cook!
Very delicious and very easy! 😉
Taco seasoning is missing from the ingredients
Oh my! Thank you for pointing out that error. It should be fixed now!