Homemade Fajita Seasoning
Make your own Homemade Fajita Seasoning and skip the store-bought packets. It’s super simple and can be mixed together in just a few minutes. A warm blend of six spices and herbs for any kind of fajitas or to use as a delicious marinade. You’ll get all the flavor without any fillers or preservatives, and you can adjust the spice level to suit your taste.
Creating your own Homemade Seasoning Recipes is not only easy but saves time and money. I use my DIY Fajita Seasoning often so it made sense to make my own blend to use in Mexican-inspired dishes. It brings bold, fresh flavors to your table.
My family prefers my spice blends over the store-bought packets now that I have been adding them to our meals. They instantly know with one bite if I used one of the homemade mixes or a packet. I love making my Homemade Taco Seasoning and Homemade Chili Seasoning so it was easy to see that I would make a Tex-Mex seasoning, too. It’s so good in a variety of dishes, especially Baked Chicken Fajitas, Slow Cooker Beef Fajitas, and Slow Cooked Chicken Fajitas.
Homemade Fajita Seasoning
When you buy the seasoning packets you’re getting ingredients you don’t need or even know what they are. This recipe uses wholesome spices and herbs. The combination of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, coriander, and salt really packs a punch. Some recipes also add onion powder, paprika, or black pepper, but I choose not to do so.
You can omit the salt if you prefer, and sometimes I do just that when I whip a batch up. Of course, you can add more heat by using red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper. That’s the beauty of creating your own spice mixes. You control what you put in them.
Timesaving Tips and Variations
- I like to double the recipe and store it in small mason jars.
- To keep your blends fresh for months, store it in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Glass jars are ideal.
- Always check the expiration dates of your spices and herbs to ensure you’re using the freshest ingredients.
- Remember to label your containers with the name of the blend and the date you made it.
- Feel free to adjust the spices to suit your taste—if you prefer a milder flavor, you can reduce the heat, and you can control the amount of salt as well.
- This is a fantastic alternative to your favorite store-bought Mexican blends!
- Incorporate chipotle powder for a smoky and spicy flavor.
- Add in dried lime or lemon zest for a refreshing citrus kick.
By following these tips and variations, you can create a delicious blend that suits your taste and saves you time in the kitchen!
Use this flavor profile on a variety of proteins, such as chicken, beef, shrimp, and vegetables to give your dishes a zesty touch.
How to Use Homemade Fajita Seasoning
A typical store-bought packet contains about 3 tablespoons so using the homemade version you would use 3 tablespoons or whatever the measurement calls for in your recipe.
Using the Fajita Seasoning Mix as a Marinade
Combine two tablespoons with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 tablespoons lime juice. This will be enough marinade to marinate 1 pound of meat, like chicken breasts or thighs, flank or skirt steak, or even shrimp. For best flavor and results, marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 8 hours. I like to prepare the marinade and meat in the morning and then place in the refrigerator until it’s time to cook dinner.
Bonus tip: Avoid storing near heat sources as this can affect its flavor. The best place is a dark cool area like in your pantry or a cabinet not near the stove or refrigerator.
How to store fajita mix
I like to use mason jars and depending on whether or not you double or triple your batch will determine what size of jar to use. I’ve used half-pint jars, pint mason jars, and even repurposed coffee beverage glass bottles for storing spices.
How long will the homemade seasoning mix last?
It will stay good in the pantry for up to 6 months. After that the spice blend will begin to lose its flavor but still usable. I usually make a large batch and never even make it to 6 months. That’s how much I use it. We love it.
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Tools Recommended to Make Your Own Seasonings
Creating your own spice mixes uses items you probably already have in the kitchen, but I linked to a couple of my favorites.
- small mason jar with a lid
- medium bowl
- spoon
- measuring cups and spoons
💡Explore my favorite Kitchen Essentials (Amazon affiliate link)
Ingredients
Pro Tip: Sometimes I find my local Asian or Mexican markets to have less expensive herbs and spices without losing their freshness or potency.
- Chili Powder
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Oregano
- Coriander
- salt
Directions to Make Fajita Seasoning
In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients. Pour into a container and store at room temperature. For recipes using the packets, use 3 tablespoons of the homemade mix.
Crafting your own flavor medley allows you to create delicious meals tailored to your taste preferences.
Save and print this recipe out to keep handy to make any time you need it.
Printable Recipe Card
Homemade Fajita Seasoning
Equipment
- Jar with a lid
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons Chili Powder
- 3 tablespoons Cumin
- 2 teaspoons Garlic Powder
- 2 teaspoons Oregano
- 3 teaspoons Coriander
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients. Pour into a container and store at room temperature.
- For recipes calling for this packet, use 3 tablespoons of the homemade mix.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“Blogghetti” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
2024 Alphabet Challenge – “F”
In updating this post, I am sharing it in the 2024 Alphabet Challenge in which fellow foodies will share recipes with the letters of the alphabet. Twice a month we will bring you two letters – recipes that either start with the letter or the main food in the recipe starts with that letter. Today is the letter “F” and I am sharing a DIY seasoning recipe with you. Here is what the others are sharing. To see all the recipes I have shared so far, go here.
- Sneha’s Recipe: French Beans Fry – Andhra Style
- A Day in the Life on the Farm: Chicken Fajita Bowl
- Jolene’s Recipe Journal: Fruity Baked Oatmeal
- Mayuri’s Jikoni: Turkish Fig Pudding
- Palatable Pastime: Fake Fatty Pastrami
- Food Lust People Love: Baked Chicken and Feta Meatballs
- Magical Ingredients: Fava Fennel Paratha
- Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice: Butternut Squash Soup with French Herbes
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Enjoy!
I love making my own seasoning mixes and Mexican foods are some of our favorite. Adding this to my collection! Thanks for sharing.
Welcome Karen! It’s been used in so many recipes lately that I can’t believe I didn’t post it before this!
I was just making up our menu for the next few weeks and added fajitas; then I added buy fajita kit to our grocery list. I make my own taco seasoning and just buy shells but never thought to do that with fajitas! This is a great idea. Pinned! Please feel free to share with us over at: http://www.ourunschoolingjourney.com/2016/08/wonderful-wednesdays-first-week-of.html
SO much easier to make your own, Joanne! You can control the heat this way. I have some in the family who desire their fajitas and tacos very spicy so I add more of the chili powder and red pepper to their portions!
Perfect to have on hand, especially with grilling season nearly upon us.
I love the colors in your fajita spice mix, Lisa! We’ve been watching our sodium intake so it’s super helpful to be able to adjust the salt in a homemade spice mix.
I’m a huge fan of homemade seasoning mixes…there’s always too much salt in the store-bought versions for me. I’ll definitely have to give this fajita seasoning recipe a try…perfect for grill season!
Lisa I am not ever going to buy ready made fajita and taco seasoning. They both taste the same with different labelling. Going to follow your easy peasy recipe and make both at home. Love the suggestion of using fajita seasoning as a marinade.
Homemade Fajita seasoning definitely has great flavors.