Homemade Fajita Seasoning Recipe (2024)

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by Mike Hultquist · · 17 Comments · Jump to Recipe

This fajita seasoning recipe is the perfect blend of spices for steak, shrimp, or chicken fajitas, easy to make and customize, and keeps for months. You can make it as spicy as you want!

Homemade Fajita Seasoning Recipe (1)

Homemade Fajita Seasoning Recipe

We're making homemade fajita seasoning in the Chili Pepper Madness kitchen today, my friends.

Ever get a wild craving to suddenly make fajitas? I do!

Fajitas are one of my favorite meals. I'll take steak, chicken, pork, shrimp, you name it when it comes to fajitas. Toss it together with bell peppers and onions in a pan and sear them up. It doesn't get any better. Don't forget the lime juice.

This fajita seasoning blend will become your new family favorite, especially after you make your own personal adjustments to taste. It's so easy to make extra spicy if you'd like, or dial it back to focus on your own favorite ingredients.

What Ingredients Go Into Fajita Seasoning?

Fajita seasoning consists of chili powder, cayenne powder, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, brown sugar, cumin and black pepper.

I sometimes like to include corn starch as well, which acts as a thickener, depending on how you're using it. This is especially useful when making braised fajitas, like these Beer Braised Chicken Fajitas,as it thickens up the braising liquid into a nice sauce.

I urge you to skip the grocery store spice mix and make this blend for your next fajita dinner or party and see how you like it. Then, experiment.

Let's talk about how to make fajita seasoning, shall we?

Fajita Seasoning Ingredients

The ingredients you need to make homemade fajitas seasonings include:

  • Cayenne Pepper. You can omit for a milder version.
  • Paprika. Smoked paprika is great for this recipe, though you can use sweet paprika or hot paprika as well.
  • Garlic Powder.
  • Onion Powder.
  • Died Oregano.
  • Brown Sugar. Or use white sugar. Optional.
  • Cumin.
  • Salt and Ground Black Pepper.
  • Chili Powder. Try my homemade chili powder blend, which is very similar to this recipe. You can omit it and use more of the other ingredients.
  • Optional: Corn Starch. As a thickener.
Homemade Fajita Seasoning Recipe (2)

How to Make Fajita Seasoning Mix

Mix together the chili powder, cayenne, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, brown sugar, cumin and black pepper in a bowl until well combined.

You can also include corn starch if you'd like a bit of a thickener for your fajitas.

Boom! Done! Quick and easy, isn't it? This will make you about 1/4 cup of seasoning.

You can easily double or even triple the recipe to make a larger batch. Great if you like to make a lot of homemade fajitas!

How Much Fajita Seasoning To Use

Use 1-2 tablespoons of fajita seasoning for every pound of meat as a rub for making steak, shrimp or chicken fajitas. This is roughly equivalent to 1 packet of seasoning mix.

Rub the seasoning into the meat, then sear it in a hot pan with olive oil until cooked through.

You can also use fajita seasoning to season ground meats for making easy homemade tacos, or use it as a general seasoning. I have enjoyed the flavor in soups, stews, and other grilled foods.

Recipe Tips & Notes

  • Adjust to Your Personal Tastes. Adjust the spice blend ingredient ratios to your own personal preference, like extra garlic or less cayenne. I sometimes add a touch of superhot chili powder, like ghost or 7-pot. I like mine extra spicy.
  • Make a Fajita Marinade. Combine 2 tablespoons of this fajita seasoning with 3 tablespoons of oil and the juice from 1 lime. Marinate your chicken, shrimp or steak before cooking them. Chicken and steak should marinate longer, at least several hours or overnight. Shrimp can marinate for 1 hour. You can also marinate fish with this fajita marinade.

Storage

Store fajita seasoning in spice containers in a cool, dry place. It will last at least 6 months stored in an airtight container, but tends to lose potency after that.

I hope you enjoy my homemade fajita seasoning mix recipe. It's my personal favorite blend. Now, go make some fajitas!

Homemade Fajita Seasoning Recipe (3)

Try this Fajita Seasoning on Some of These Recipes

  • Steak Fajitas
  • Grilled Tri-Tip Steak Fajitas Recipe
  • Chicken Fajitas
  • Beer Braised Chicken Fajitas

Check Out Some of My Other Homemade Seasoning Blends

  • Steak Seasoning Mix
  • Homemade Cajun Seasoning Blend
  • Homemade Fajita Seasoning
  • Homemade Taco Seasoning
  • Homemade Rib Rub
  • Turkey Rub Seasoning
  • Homemade Seasonings/Powders Recipes

If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you'll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don't forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I'll be sure to share! Thanks! -- Mike H.

Homemade Fajita Seasoning Recipe (4)

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Homemade Fajita Seasoning Recipe

This fajita seasoning recipe is the perfect blend of spices for steak, shrimp, or chicken fajitas, easy to make and customize, and keeps for months. This is my personal favorite blend.

Save Recipe

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: jamaican, seasoning, spicy

Prep Time: 1 minute minute

Cook Time: 1 minute minute

Total Time: 2 minutes minutes

Calories: 11kcal

Author: Mike Hultquist

Servings: 4

Tap or hover to scale

5 from 5 votes

Leave a Review

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne powder (use 1/2 teaspoon for less spicy)
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon brown sugar (optional - or use white sugar)
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Mix all ingredients together in a mixing bowl. Mix to combine.

  • Use as a rub for steak, chicken or shrimp fajitas.

Video

Notes

Makes a bit less than a quarter cup.

Use 1-2 tablespoons of fajita seasoning for every pound of meat as a rub for making steak, shrimp or chicken fajitas. Store remaining seasoning in a sealed container.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 11kcalCarbohydrates: 2gSodium: 583mgPotassium: 30mgVitamin A: 455IUVitamin C: 0.4mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 0.5mg

Homemade Fajita Seasoning Recipe (5)

Did You Enjoy This Recipe?I love hearing how you like it and how you made it your own. Leave a comment below and tag @ChiliPepperMadness on social media.

NOTE: This recipe was updated on 2/19/24 to include new information and photos. It was originally published on 9/21/16.

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply

  1. Kristen says

    Homemade Fajita Seasoning Recipe (6)
    Your recipes are delicious, accessible and spot on every time. This one is a pantry staple.

    Reply

    • Mike H. says

      Thank you so much. I hope you will enjoy them all!

      Reply

  2. Lou Martinez says

    In the written list of ingredients, first ingredient is 2 tsp Chili Powder but in your video, you neglected to include the Chili Powder. Why

    Reply

    • Mike Hultquist says

      It's optional. The homemade chili powder includes most of the ingredients already going into this seasoning, but I added it in the written recipe for an added blast. I go back and forth. I talk a bit about this in the body of the post.

      Reply

  3. Ramya says

    Cant wait to make this soon for me i never had homemade fajita seasoning before perfect for snacks love your recipes as always brightens up my day everyday after work

    Reply

    • Mike Hultquist says

      Enjoy, Ramya.

      Reply

  4. Tricia says

    Homemade Fajita Seasoning Recipe (7)
    It's delicious! Super simple and easy to make. Definitely, give it a try.

    Reply

    • Mike H. says

      Appreciate it, Tricia. Enjoy!

      Reply

  5. Michael MacInally says

    Homemade Fajita Seasoning Recipe (8)
    Good. And easy.

    Reply

    • Mike Hultquist says

      Glad you enjoyed it, Michael!

      Reply

  6. Bradley Hoekstra says

    Homemade Fajita Seasoning Recipe (9)
    Previously used another recipe until I tried this one. This is now my go to for all fajita's Beef, shrimp, and chicken. Thank you

    Reply

    • Mike Hultquist says

      Nice! Glad you like it, Bradley!

      Reply

  7. Bill Williamson says

    I was wondering if you had any suggestions on making a thicker pepper mash. I'm talking about the stuff that you see in the barrels for tobasco sauce before being mixed with vinegar. Do you have a recipe for this thanks bill.

    Reply

    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      Bill, take a look at this page and review the first method for making a mash with only salt and peppers: https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/cooking-with-chili-peppers/how-to-make-fermented-pepper-mash/

      Reply

  8. Peggy says

    Homemade Fajita Seasoning Recipe (10)
    I sprinkled some in my egg salad. Delicious!

    Reply

    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      I love it!

      Reply

  9. Larry Joseph Morgan says

    Have you tried this with smoked paprika, and, if so, does it give it a better flavor?

    REPLY: Larry, you can use smoked paprika. I have that in my pantry as well. I wouldn't say better, but sure, it will affect the flavor. It's more about personal preference. I enjoy adding dehydrated habanero or ghost powder to my own. -- Mike from Chili Pepper Madness.

    Reply

Homemade Fajita Seasoning Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What does fajita seasoning contain? ›

What Is in Fajita Seasoning? Most fajita seasoning mixes are made up of a few simple Mexican spices, like cumin and chili powder, plus some additional spices, like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.

What spices are in Old El Paso fajita mix? ›

Ingredients
  • Sugar,
  • Onion Powder (13%),
  • Salt,
  • Hydrolysed Soy Protein,
  • Spices (Black Pepper, Cayenne Pepper, Ginger) (6%),
  • Acidity Regulator (Citric Acid),
  • Flavouring,
  • Smoke Flavouring,

What do you need to add to a fajita kit? ›

Tender pieces of smoky BBQ chicken in a toasty oven baked flour tortilla, packed with crunchy peppers and fried onions. Add a few lashings of Thick 'n' Chunky Salsa, a dollop of soured cream and of course, don't forget your napkins! Then all there is left to do is get stuck in together and enjoy.

Why is there cornstarch in fajita seasoning? ›

Ingredients for Fajita Seasoning

Cornstarch – It's used to help the spice stick to the food and thicken up the marinade just a bit when water is added. Chili Powder – I like Ancho Chili Powder but you can use your favorite.

What is fajita marinade made of? ›

Whisk water, lime juice, olive oil, garlic, soy sauce, salt, and liquid smoke flavoring together in a bowl. Stir in cayenne and black pepper until combined.

What kind of onion for fajitas? ›

There's no one-size-fits-all answer to choosing the right onion for your fajitas. You can go for the traditional white or yellow onions, offering a more savory option, or experiment with sweet onions like Vidalia or Walla Walla to add a subtle sweetness to your dish.

What makes fajita seasoning different from taco seasoning? ›

Fajita seasoning and taco seasoning are very similar, but not identical. The ratios of each individual spice tend to differ. Fajita seasoning often contains more cumin, while taco seasoning contains more chili powder. Our taco seasoning recipe includes coriander and does not contain paprika or chipotle.

Does fajita seasoning mix go bad? ›

Fajita seasoning, like most spices, does not really 'expire' but rather loses its potency over time. Unopened, a commercial packet of fajita seasoning can last about 3-4 years beyond the printed expiration date. Once opened, it's best used within 1-2 years for utmost flavor.

What are the ingredients in El Paso seasoning mix? ›

Ingredients. Corn Starch, Chili Pepper, Maltodextrin, Salt, Spice, Onion Powder. Contains 2% or less of: Vegetable Oil (high oleic canola and/or soybean oil), Silicon Dioxide (anticaking agent), Natural Flavor, Modified Corn Starch.

What is traditionally in a fajita? ›

Fajitas are a popular Tex-Mex dish made from grilled meat, usually beef or chicken, which is served on a sizzling hot skillet along with grilled onions and peppers. The meat and vegetables are served with warm tortillas, guacamole, sour cream, and salsa, allowing diners to create their own unique flavor combinations.

What do people put on fajitas? ›

A few of our favourites include:
  1. A rich, tomatoey salsa.
  2. Smooth and satisfying guacamole.
  3. Cooling and delicious sour cream.
  4. Rice with a spicy kick.
  5. Green jalapenos for some extra heat.
  6. Mellow grated cheese to melt inside.
  7. Cut limes to squeeze over your fillings.
  8. Classic and comforting refried beans.

How much meat do you need for fajitas per person? ›

Fajitas for how many people? Six to eight ounces per person, raw weight, would be a pretty nice portion. Once you include sautéed onions and peppers into the mix, everyone could easily make three to four big fajitas. Three to four big fajitas is plenty of food.

What does cornstarch do to meat? ›

Cornstarch is the foundation of Chinese cooking and this magical pantry ingredient is commonly used to thicken soups, stews and sauces. It's also the primary ingredient in making a slurry to coat the meat. Chen says cornstarch helps the meat retain moisture while it cooks, thus yielding a silkier texture.

Why not use cornstarch? ›

Cornstarch is considered a refined carb, meaning that it has undergone extensive processing and been stripped of its nutrients. Studies show that regularly consuming foods rich in refined carbs, such as cornstarch, may negatively affect heart health.

What does marinating in cornstarch do? ›

Cornstarch: When added to marinades, cornstarch provides a light coating to meat that protects it slightly from the intense heat of the wok. This helps prevent overcooking and toughening of the outer layers of meat.

What does a fajita consist of? ›

Fajitas are a popular Tex-Mex dish made from grilled meat, usually beef or chicken, which is served on a sizzling hot skillet along with grilled onions and peppers. The meat and vegetables are served with warm tortillas, guacamole, sour cream, and salsa, allowing diners to create their own unique flavor combinations.

Does McCormick fajita seasoning have MSG? ›

McCormick Culinary Savory Fajita Seasoning & Marinade is made with no MSG added.

What does Mexican seasoning contain? ›

With garlic and onions as the savory cornerstone, the most common Mexican spices and herbs are coriander, allspice, cloves, thyme, Mexican oregano, Mexican cinnamon (ceylon), cumin and cacao which showcase the breadth of Mexican food.

References

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