Homemade Fajita Seasoning Mix (Ready in 5 Minutes)

Skip the store-bought packets and make your own fajita seasoning in just a few minutes using pantry staples. This homemade blend is packed with bold Tex-Mex flavor, costs less than pre-made mixes, and lets you control the amount of salt and spice. Keep a batch in your pantry so dinner comes together even faster on busy weeknights.

I love making homemade seasoning blends because they save money and eliminate those last-minute trips to the grocery store. Whether you’re making chicken fajitas, steak fajitas, shrimp, vegetables, tacos, or sheet pan dinners, this easy seasoning mix adds plenty of flavor with ingredients you probably already have..

This recipe is one of homemade spice blends recipes. Making your own seasonings are a great way to save some cash.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Ready in about 5 minutes
• Uses common pantry spices
• Much less expensive than seasoning packets
• No preservatives or fillers
• Easy to customize

Like my homemade taco seasoning, this fajita mix has so much flavor and the great thing is it only costs pennies. You can even make your own seasoning packets as gifts.

Ingredients for the Best Fajita Seasoning Recipe

Chili Powder. I just use regular chili powder but you can spice things up a little bit by adding a dash or two ancho chili powder or chipotle chili powder to the mixture. If you choose this route, proceed with caution.
Smoked Paprika. You can use plain paprika if you want but the smokey flavor definitely adds something.
Cumin. Makes sure your spices are fresh. If you don’t use this one very often, buy new and discard anything over six months old.
Granulated Garlic. Dried minced garlic will also work. If you don’t have either, you can use garlic powder.
Salt. Fine sea salt works best. This intensifies all of the other flavors and helps the meat along. This homemade fajita seasoning has less amount of salt than the store-bought versions.

How to Make Homemade Fajita Seasoning Mix

Good rule of thumb is to use a tablespoon of fajita seasonings per pound of meat..

Tips for Best Results

Make note that I use American chili powder. Chili powder will vary in flavor depending on where it’s from.

Be sure to grab quality spices for your fajita seasoning. This ensures optimum flavor. Cheaper seasonings often lack in flavor and quality, making the seasoning taste weak and lacking.

You can use normal paprika in place of smoked paprika, but I highly suggest smoked paprika as it adds a delicious component to the mixture. 

Fine sea salt is my favorite when it comes to this seasoning, but any salt that isn’t coarse salt is great. Coarse salt might make it too salty, so proceed with caution if using it. 

Store in an airtight container

Variations

• Mild Fajita Seasoning – Reduce or omit cayenne.
• Spicy Fajita Seasoning – Double the cayenne or add chipotle powder.
• Low Sodium Version – Reduce the salt and season food after cooking.

Storage

Store it your spice cabinet in a glass jar with lid and add a label so you know exactly what it is. Keep it in a cool, dark place. Use it for weeks! You can also use old spice jars for storing your own seasoning mixes if you want. Just make sure to label them.

Ways to Use Fajita Seasoning

• Chicken fajitas
• Steak fajitas
• Shrimp tacos
• Sheet pan fajitas
• Grilled vegetables
• Taco soup
• Mexican rice
• Roasted potatoes
• Chicken marinade
• Fajita Quesadillas

Recipe FAQs

Is fajita seasoning mix gluten-free?

Store-bought fajita seasoning mixes often contain MSG, which is a preservative sometimes containing gluten. If the package is not labeled gluten-free chances are good they did not use a gluten-free MSG. That being said, our homemade fajita seasoning mix recipe is 100% gluten-free. It’s a great reason to make your own!

Is fajita seasoning and taco seasoning the same?

No. While these two seasoning mixes are very similar and can be used interchangeably they are not exactly the same. Store bought fajita seasoning usually contains citric acid or tomato powder to help soften the meat used for steak fajitas.

How do I store homemade seasoning mixes?

Store in a sealed jar or dish in the pantry or cool, dry place for up to three months. If you save old spice containers those work especially well. You can also freeze the seasoning mix for up to six months. After three to six months, discard the seasoning mix and make fresh for the best flavor.

How long does homemade seasoning last?

Up to 6 months when stored properly.

More Great Homemade Seasoning Mixes

• Best Italian Seasoning
• How to Make Lemon Pepper Seasoning
• All Purpose Seasoning Recipe
• Make Your Own Taco Seasoning
• Rosemary Salt

Storage Suggestions

Store in an airtight spice jar.
Keep in a cool, dark pantry.
Best flavor for 6 months.

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