This tried-and-true fajita seasoning is packed with bold ingredients that bring vibrant, restaurant-quality results right to your kitchen!
Living in San Diego, California, where flavorful, authentic Mexican-inspired cuisine is a way of life, has made me a true fajita connoisseur. Iโve tasted and tested countless fajita seasonings, and this recipe results from years of perfecting the ultimate blend of smoky, savory, and zesty flavors. Whether youโre grilling steak, chicken, shrimp, or veggies, this seasoning guarantees vibrant, mouthwatering fajitas every time.

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WHY HOMEMADE FAJITA SEASONING IS THE BEST
This homemade fajita seasoning is delicious, quick, easy, pantry-friendly, versatile, and inexpensive! I’ve experimented with different ratios and spices to bring you the best foolproof recipe! Here’s why it’s the best:
DELICIOUS!ย Itโs bursting with complex flavor from the robust chili powder, smoky paprika, kicking chipotle chili powder, earthy cumin, aromatic oregano, garlic and onion powder. It infuses every dish with its symphony of herbs and spices so every bite is dripping with deliciousness. ย
QUICK, EASY, PANRY FRIENDLY.ย This homemade fajita seasoning recipe allows you to make super tasty recipes with pantry friendly spices any time. ย All you need is a handful of spices you likely already have in your spice rack and 5 minutes.ย
MAKES EVERYTHING BETTER. I use this fajita seasoning recipe as a spice rub for chicken thighs, shrimp, veggies, to flavor Mexican rice or a side of black beans; or even add it to ground beef (yes, itโs different than taco seasoning, Iโll explain below).ย
100 % CUSTOMIZABLE.ย Adjust the ingredients and proportions according to your taste.ย Donโt like heat โ reduce the chipotle chile pepper.ย Watching your sodium?ย Reduce the salt.ย Make this fajita seasoning perfect for YOU!
AVOIDS FILLERS.ย You get to make YOUR best homemade fajita seasoning all while avoiding unnecessary fillers and additives in store-bought versions such as commonly included corn maltodextrin, modified corn starch, caramel coloring, and lecithin.
LESS EXPENSIVE. ย Tablespoon for tablespoon, homemade fajita seasoning can actually beย lessย expensive than buying a store-bought packet!ย This is especially true if you purchase bulk spices from Costco.
Iโm excited to share this homemade fajita recipe with you, letโs get whisking! You can read on or use the โjump to recipeโ button at the top of the page to skip to the recipe.
What is in Fajita Seasoning?
Fajita seasoning is one of the most flavorful seasonings out there made of chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper and either chipotle chile pepper or cayenne pepper.ย Each herb and spice adds character to the seasoning. Hereโs the breakdown:
How to Make Fajita Seasoning
Homemade fajita seasoning couldnโt be any easier!ย You simply:
- Gather seasonings. Measure out the seasonings and add them to a small bowl. This is the step when you can double or triple the recipe โ measure once and enjoy many times over!
- Mix the seasonings. Whisk the seasonings together with a fork or wire whisk.
- Store or use! Proceed to use in your favorite recipe or transfer to an airtight container.
Fajita Seasoning Recipe Variations
How to Store Fajita Seasoning
Store homemade fajita seasoning in any airtight container.ย If youโre making a single batch, then a plastic sealable bag will suffice, if youโre quadrupling the recipe, store tightly sealed in your favorite glass spice jars. ย Once your seasoning is secure, label and store it in a cool, dry place like the pantry.
How Long Does Fajita Seasoning Last?
Fajita seasoning does not spoil, but the spices will lose their potency over time.ย If you make fajita seasoning with fresh spices, it can last up to a year; if you make fajita seasoning with spices that have been sitting in your pantry for a while, it will last closer to 6 months. ย
How to use Fajitas Seasoning
This fajita seasoning is my go-to seasoning mix for just about any Mexican or Tex-Mex recipe. Here are just a few was to use it:
Fajita Seasoning Mix FAQs
This mix is gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar free, paleo, vegan, and Whole30 friendly.
Store-bought fajita seasoning packets contain sugar as do many homemade fajita seasoning recipes, but it is not necessary.ย Sugar is added to balance the acidity of the presumed citrus marinade, but when youโre using the seasoning in other applications, it is not necessary.ย If using in a marinade, you can add sugar directly to the marinade.
Taco seasoning and fajita seasoning are extremely similar with almost identical ingredients, but the proportions vary. Hereโs the breakdown:
Taco seasoning only contains trace amounts of onion powder and garlic powder (about 75% less) because itโs expected to be cooked with fresh onions and fresh garlic.ย This is one of the reasons I love fajita seasoning for lazy days – no chopping but all the flavor!
Taco seasoning contains ground coriander for hints of earthy, tart, and sweet notes; fajita seasoning does not.
Fajita seasoning contains sugar because itโs expected to be combined with an acidic marinade; taco seasoning does not.
Store bought fajita seasoning typically contains citric acid to mimic freshly squeezed lime juice; taco seasoning does not. You can achieve this same fresh pop with a fresh squeeze of lime juice at the end of cooking to avoid any additives.
To see if your fajita seasoning is still fresh, youโll want to pay attention to the appearance and smell. ย The spices should be as vibrant as when it was whisked together. If they are starting to fade and look dull, your seasoning may be starting to go stale.
If you suspect your blend is going stale, itโs time for the sniff-test.ย Rub a tiny bit of fajita seasoning in the palm of your hand.ย Give it a big sniff, it should smell bright and fragrant.ย If it smells dull, then youโll know the seasoning has expired.
This recipe makes approximately 3 tablespoons which will season approximately 1 ½ pounds of protein. You will need 2 tablespoons for 1 pound of protein. Of course, you can always use more or less to taste.
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Fajita Seasoning
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Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 tsp EACH smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt
- 1/2 tsp EACH dried oregano, chipotle chile pepper
Instructions
- Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl.
- Store in an airtight container in a cool place for up to 6 months.
Notes
Yield
One recipe (3 tablespoons) seasons 1 ยฝ pounds of meat. Use 2 tablespoons for 1 pound of meat.ย ยUses
Fajita seasoning can be sprinkled onto ground/chopped meat, on vegetables while cooking or stirred into rice or beans. It can also be used as a meat rub. Drizzle meat with olive oil then rub with seasoning; let rest 30 minutes before cooking. See post for full list of serving ideas.Chicken Fajitas
To make chicken fajitas, use it in this recipe.Tips and Tricksย
- Adjust measurements.ย Make this fajita seasoning your own by playing with the measurements to suite your personal preferences. You may want to reduce the salt, up the heat or tone down the garlic/onion powder if using fresh garlic and onion in a recipe. ย You can even amp up the oregano to give it a sweeter, more herbal profile.
- Scale up or down. This fajita seasoning recipe is perfect to make in bulk because it lasts for so long.ย Double triple, quadruple, the recipe!
- Chipotle chile pepper:ย might be the only seasoning you donโt keep stocked.ย I use it ALL the time in myย Mexican recipes,ย so I highly suggest purchasing it.ย If you donโt have it handy, you may substitute with ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper.
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Katherine Dietz says
Was salt supposed to be in the ingredients twice? What is the total amount used?
Thanks
Katherine
Jen says
Definitely not, thanks so much for catching that! It should be 1 teaspoon salt total. Thanks!
LINDA says
Do you have a cookbook published? Your recipes Iโve seen so far are out of this world
Jen says
You are so thoughtful Linda! I don’t have any plans for a cookbook, but I appreciate you making my recipes!
Jen says
Hi Linda,
It’s finally happening! Thank you so much for your previous interest in a cookbook xo
I’m excited to inform you it’s now available for presale! Copy and paste the following into your browser: https://carlsbadcravings.com/home/cookbook/ OR Google “Carlsbad Cravings Cookbook”:
Happy Cooking!
Jen says
It’s finally happening! Thank you so much for your previous interest in a cookbook xo
I’m excited to inform you it’s now available for presale! Copy and paste the following into your browser: https://carlsbadcravings.com/home/cookbook/ OR Google “Carlsbad Cravings Cookbook”:
Happy Cooking!
Brenda says
I used this on chicken fajitas last night and it was delicious! I never liked the way my husband made fajitas in the past when he used the pre-packaged fajita seasoning. But now when he says he wants fajitas, I’ll be excited if we use this recipe. The recipes on your website are always keepers! Thanks!
Jen says
That is awesome Brenda, thank you! I’m so happy this fajita seasoning was a win and that can now look forward to fajita night!
Michelle says
How spicy is this? My husband does not like very spicy food, but I have had good luck with many of your recipes! Is there a way to make it sweeter? Thank you so much for sharing such great food with us!!
Jen says
Hi Michelle, it is not very spicy but has a little kick – you can reduce the chipotle chile pepper to 1/4 teaspoon or omit it altogether. If you want to make it sweeter, I would add 1 teaspoon brown sugar. Enjoy!
Phyllis Priess says
Can you use the seasoning on chicken or beef and then freeze the meat?
Jen says
Yes!