Fajita Seasoning

This homemade fajita seasoning is spicy, smoky, salty, and the only seasoning you’ll need to make perfect fajitas every time. It’s loaded with onion, garlic, and cumin, and only takes a few minutes to make. 

One of my favorite foods to make is chicken fajitas. What could be better than spicy, juicy meat, loaded with seasonings, onions, and peppers, and served with warm tortillas? Every time I make this amazing Mexican meal, I use my homemade fajita seasoning. It’s truly the only flavor you’ll need to add to your fajitas. 

The secret to this recipe is that it’s so well-balanced. It’s not too spicy, not too salty, and not too smoky. It has the perfect hit of cumin and garlic, and the flavors really stand out when you cook up a batch of chicken, steak, or shrimp fajitas. So the next time you’re making Mexican food, give this spice rub a try. 

Why This Is the Best Fajita Seasoning Recipe

I always have a jar of homemade fajita seasoning on my spice rack. Here’s why I know you’ll love it.

• Fast and easy. There’s nothing easier than making a good spice rub. All you have to do is take seven spices, mix them together, and put them in a jar. That’s literally the entire recipe! 
• Better than store-bought. Most people use a store-bought rub when they make fajitas. But this recipe is so much better. It tastes way more fresh and flavorful than anything you’ll buy in the store. 
• Cheaper. It’s also way cheaper to make your own spice rubs. Fajita seasoning gets really marked up in the store, so you can save a lot of money by making your own. 
• Super versatile. This spice rub is a one-stop shop for when you make fajitas. It’s my go-to shrimp fajita seasoning, steak fajita seasoning, and chicken fajita seasoning recipe. You can also use it to season the meat in any other Mexican recipe. 

Ingredients Needed

Here are the ingredients that you’ll need to make this spicy and smoky homemade rub. Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the page to see the exact amounts for each of the ingredients.

• Chili powder
• Ground cumin
• Paprika – I like to use smoked paprika for fajitas.
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Salt
• Black pepper – For best results, use freshly-cracked black pepper. 

How to Make Fajita Seasoning

Here’s how to make this restaurant-quality fajita seasoning in just a few minutes. It’s as easy as recipes get! 

• Mix. Put all of the ingredients together in a bowl or a jar, and mix until well combined. 
• Store. Transfer the fajita mix to a spice jar or other airtight container. 

Tricks and Variations

Here are a few tips for making the best fajita seasoning, and a few variations you can try. 

• Adjust to your liking. One of the best things about homemade seasoning mixes is that you can adjust them to your tastebuds. If you like your fajitas spicier, you can increase the chili powder and black pepper, or add cayenne pepper or hot paprika. If you don’t like spicy food, just cut back on the chili. You can add chipotle powder for additional smokiness, or dried herbs like oregano, thyme, and rosemary for a fresher flavor. Feel free to add and subtract based on what you like! 
• Use fresh spices. Dried spices don’t expire, but they do lose their flavor over time. For the freshest and most flavorful fajita seasoning, use spices that you’ve purchased within the last year.
• Shake before using. Sometimes homemade spice rubs can separate over time, as the heavier ingredients sink to the bottom of the jar. Before using this smoky and spicy fajita seasoning, give the jar a shake to make sure the ingredients are mixed together. 

What to Make With Homemade Fajita Seasoning

It goes without saying that the best thing that you can do with this spice rub is make fajitas! I use 2 Tablespoons of this recipe for every pound or 1 ½ pounds of meat. You can use it as a dry rub, or mix it with olive oil and lime juice to create a marinade. Then all you have to do is make your favorite fajitas (I’m currently in love with Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas). You can also use fajita seasoning to flavor the meat in any other Mexican recipe, such as Taco Casserole, Mexican Pizza, or Totchos.  

How to Store 

Storing homemade fajita seasoning couldn’t be easier. All you have to do is place it in an airtight container and keep it out of direct sunlight. It will last forever, but I recommend using it within a year or the flavors will grow stale. 

More Easy Homemade Spice Rubs

I love to make my own seasonings and spice rubs. It’s such an easy way to take my cooking to the next level, all while saving money. Here are a few other spice rubs that you can make in just a few minutes.

• The Best Dry Rub
• Italian Seasoning
• Pork Chop Seasoning
• Ranch Dressing Mix
• Taco Seasoning
• Italian Dressing Mix

Continue to Content

Yield: 6 Tablespoons

Fajita Seasoning

Print

This fajita seasoning is smoky, spicy, salty, and way better than a store-bought spice rub. It's perfect for steak, chicken, or shrimp fajitas, and only takes a few minutes to make.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 Tablespoons chili powder
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons ground cumin
• 1 Tablespoon paprika
• 1 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 scant teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Mix all of the spices together.
2. Store in an airtight container out of direct sunlight.

Notes

• Use 2 tablespoons of fajita seasoning for each 1-1 1/2 pound of meat.
• You can use this as a dry rub, or mix it with olive oil and lime juice to make a marinade.
• For best results, use spices that have been purchased within the last year.
• The fajita seasoning will last indefinitely if store out of direct sunlight, but will start to get a little less flavorful after a year.

Nutrition Information

Yield

6

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 22Total Fat 1gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 1gCholesterol 0mgSodium 346mgCarbohydrates 4gFiber 2gSugar 0gProtein 1g

Nutrition Disclaimer: All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on dinnersdishesanddesserts.com should only be used as a general guideline.

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Erin S

Welcome to Dinners, Dishes, & Desserts where my love of food meets my busy life. My name is Erin and I’m a casual home cook who loves to feed people. On this blog, you’ll find hundreds of quick and easy recipes made mostly from scratch. My days are spent in the kitchen, creating new recipes to share with family and friends.

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