Fajita Seasoning is a rich blend of flavors with a hint of heat and a touch of sweetness, perfect for adding zest to all of your fajita recipes! Making homemade seasoning allows you to customize it based on your preference for heat and flavor intensity. And, it’s convenient, too, with everything already mixed together! Use it on my Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas and Chicken Fajita Pasta.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Cornstarch: Cornstarch is used in the seasoning mixture to help create a coating when added to the meat and vegetables. This gives them a slight crust when cooked.
Chili Powder: This is a key ingredient for flavor and heat. Chili powder is a blend of spices, typically containing ground chili peppers, cumin, oregano, and garlic.
Paprika: Paprika is made from ground bell peppers or other sweet peppers. It adds a mild, sweet flavor and contributes a vibrant red color to the seasoning.
Sugar: Granulated sugar adds a little sweetness, helping to balance out the heat of the spices.
Onion Powder & Garlic Powder: Both the onion powder and garlic powder add concentrated flavor to the seasoning.
Cumin: Cumin is a common ingredient in many Mexican and Southwestern dishes and adds a distinct aroma to the seasoning.
Cayenne Pepper: Cayenne pepper brings the heat! You can adjust the amount used to reach the heat level you prefer.
Why You Will Love Homemade Fajita Seasoning
There are many reasons why you will love (and appreciate) making your blends of seasonings at home. Here are a few reasons that stand out:
- Save Money: It is cheaper to make your own seasoning blends since you more than likely already have everything you need!
- Customization: When you make your own seasoning, you control the ingredients and their proportions. You can adjust the level of heat, salt, or other spices to suit your taste. This is especially useful if you have specific preferences or dietary requirements.
- Quality of Ingredients: Homemade seasoning allows you to use fresh, high-quality spices and avoid preservatives or additives that might be present in store-bought mixes.
- Reduce Sugar/Salt Content: Some commercial seasonings contain higher levels of sugar or salt than desired. By making your own, you can control these ingredients and create a healthier seasoning option.
- Ready To Use: Once you’ve made a batch, you can store it in an airtight container for future use. This can be more convenient than buying individual packets or containers from the store, as you always have a ready-to-use mix on hand.
How To Store Fajita Seasoning {Glass vs. Plastic Storage}
Store homemade fajita seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. A pantry or kitchen cabinet is ideal. An airtight glass container will extend the shelf-life of your seasonings and spices longer than an airtight plastic container. Glass is less porous, so less air can enter the container which can damage spices. A lid of a glass container also gives a tighter seal. Also, keep light exposure to your spices to a minimum, especially if you do not store them in a cabinet. Label the container with the name of the seasoning and the date it was made. It will last up to 6-12 months.
Fajita Seasoning
Ingredients
- ¼ cup (32 g) cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine all ingredients. Use immediately or store in an airtight container.
Did you make this recipe?
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What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
I love the convenience of having spice blends that I can make myself. I already have most of the ingredients, so I just pop them into a jar so it is ready when I need it!
Elizabeth
I make fajitas enough, I need this fajita seasoning! It would be so convenient (rather than gathering all of the spices each time). And, it's the perfect balance of spice with a hint of sweetness.
Annabelle
Easy to make and less than 10 ingredients! This will elevate your at-home fajitas for sure!
Bella
This is a flavorful seasoning mix that would be tasty on so many things, such as chicken and shrimp! Plus, most of these ingredients are already in my spice cabinet which makes it more convenient!
Selena
Easy to whip together with spices from your cupboard. This has a lot of flavor! I really liked it.
Yes, I tried it, because I wanted to try something other than the jarred fajita seasoning I had in my spice rack! I happened to have all the ingredients on hand so I thought, why not? It’s better than the jarred and I had some left over to save and use next time we make fajitas or maybe rub a pork loin with it and put in the air fryer!
Looks good. I thin I’m going to try smoke paprika.