Easy Homemade Fajita Seasoning (2024)

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by Whitney Bond
January 17, 2024

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4.44 stars (53 ratings)

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This homemade Fajita Seasoning recipe is the perfect spice blend to add flavor to any kind of fajitas. Whether you’re making shrimp or chicken fajitas, steak or vegetable fajitas, this easy seasoning mix will add just the right amount of spice to liven up any fajita recipe! Mix it up in just 5 minutes, with 8 simple ingredients, and use it to make the best fajita marinade!

Easy Homemade Fajita Seasoning (1)

Table of contents

  • Why you should make homemade seasoning
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • How to store it
  • Taco seasoning vs fajita seasoning
  • Tips and tricks
  • How to make fajitas
  • Other ways to use the seasoning
  • More homemade seasoning mixes

When I met my husband, he lived on a cereal and fajitas diet most of the time. Needless to say, his diet has gotten quite the upgrade over the last few years! Even though I’ve incorporated a lot of new recipes into his weekly meal plan, he still loves fajitas.

We make chicken fajitas, beef fajitas and veggie fajitas regularly for dinner. With this homemade fajita seasoning, it’s easy to make any night fajita night!

I love making my own seasonings at home! It has so many benefits vs. buying store-bought pre-made seasonings.

Why you should make homemade seasoning

  1. It’s cheaper! Check out the bulk spice section at your local grocery store for spices at a fraction of the cost. The commercial size spices at Costco, Smart and Final, or Amazon are also great for making your own seasoning blends. You can then make spice blends for an entire year at a fraction of the cost!
  2. You know exactly what’s in it! No hidden ingredients, like in the packets at the store. No secret products that I can’t pronounce containing gluten or sugar!
  3. Making a big batch of your own seasoning blends at home means you always have them on hand.
  4. It tastes better! This seasoning blend has been tested and perfected in my kitchen and I’ve been using it in recipes since 2019. It’s a staple in my pantry and the taste cannot be beat!
Easy Homemade Fajita Seasoning (2)

Ingredients

  • Ground cumin– cumin pairs perfectly with the chili powder and cayenne pepper in this fajita seasoning. It boosts the natural spicy flavor of these dried chili powders. And it adds a rich, earthy, and nutty element to the spice blend.
  • Chili powder– be sure to use chili powder, NOT chile powder! Chili powder is a blend of ground dried chili peppers with other spices. Chile powder is straight blended dried chiles and ismuch spicierthan chili powder.
  • Paprika – while I use traditional paprika to make this homemade fajita seasoning, if you’d like to add a little smokiness to the flavor, feel free to use smoked paprika instead.
  • Dried oregano – feel free to use traditional or Mexican oregano in this recipe. Both add a wonderful peppery flavor to the mix, with the Mexican version having a slightly stronger flavor than the traditional oregano.
  • Garlic powder(or granulated garlic) – the only difference between granulated garlic and garlic powder is that the powder has been ground finer, than the granulated garlic. I prefer to use granulated garlic because it’s less likely to clump over time, than garlic powder.
  • Onion powder(or granulated onion) – the only difference between granulated onion and onion powder is that the powder has been ground finer, than the granulated onion. I prefer to use granulated onion because it’s less likely to clump over time, than onion powder.
  • Sea salt(or kosher salt) – both sea salt and kosher salt can be used interchangeably when cooking. I prefer either kosher or sea salt, over table salt, in this seasoning mix because of their coarse texture and superior flavor.
  • Cayenne pepper– this adds most of the spice to the seasoning mix. Feel free to add more or less, depending on your spice preference.

Instructions

  1. Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl.
  2. Store in an airtight container in the pantry for up to 6 months.

Easy as that, in 5 minutes or less, you have a flavorful fajita seasoning, ready to spice up all your favorite fajita recipes!

Easy Homemade Fajita Seasoning (3)

How to store it

I store all of my seasoning mixes inhalf pint mason jars. You can double this recipe and it will fit perfectly in the half pint jars.

If you want to multiply the recipe by 5, use a pint size mason jar. If you want to multiply it by 10, use a 32 oz mason jar.

It’s really easy to change the amount of seasoning that you want to make, since all of the ingredients are measured in tablespoons or teaspoons, simply use 5 tablespoons, or teaspoons, of each seasoning to make 5 times the amount. You can also use 2 tablespoons, or teaspoons, of each seasoning to make double the amount.

The fajita seasoning will stay good in the pantry for up to 6 months. After that the spice blend will not “go bad” but as spices sit longer, they begin to lose their flavor.

Lucky for you, I can pretty much guarantee that you’re going to fall in love with this seasoning mix and you’ll be using it up in way less than 6 months. I know that I’m refilling a pint jar of the seasoning at least once a month in our house!

Taco seasoning vs fajita seasoning

The portions of spices are different in taco seasoning and fajita seasoning. In a pinch you can use them interchangeably, but I recommend making both to keep on hand.

The fajita seasoning contains more dried oregano and salt, with less garlic powder and onion powder than the taco seasoning.

Tips and tricks

  • I recommend using 2 tablespoons of seasoning per pound of protein used to make fajitas. For example, if making chicken fajitas with bell peppers, onions, and 1 pound chicken. I recommend using 2 tablespoons of the spice mix to season the chicken.
  • To make the fajita seasoningspicy, use 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper. To make it medium, use 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, and to make it mild, use no cayenne pepper in the spice blend.
  • This recipe is gluten free, and contains no added sugar,making it perfect for awhole30, paleo or keto diet.
Easy Homemade Fajita Seasoning (4)

How to make fajitas

This fajita seasoning makes the best fajita marinade. Combine two tablespoons of fajita seasoning mix with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 tablespoons lime juice. Use this to marinate 1 pound of meat, either chicken breasts or thighs, sirloin, flank or skirt steak, or shrimp. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 8 hours.

When ready to prepare the fajitas, add 1 tablespoon olive oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 or 2 sliced bell peppers and 1 sliced red onion to the skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes. Remove the vegetables from the skillet and add the marinated meat.

For chicken breasts or thighs, cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. For steak, cook for 4-5 minutes per side, for a 1 inch thick steak. If using a thinner steak, like a flank steak or skirt steak, cook for 3 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 135°F for a medium to medium-rare steak.

For large shrimp, cook for 2-3 minutes per side. For smaller shrimp, cook for 1-2 minutes per side.

Fajita marinated chicken, steak or shrimp can also be grilled, instead of cooked on the stove. If using this method, simply cook the bell peppers and onions in a skillet on the stove, then remove them from the heat and set them aside while grilling the protein.

To make vegetable fajitas, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet, add two sliced bell peppers and one sliced onion. Cook for 4-5 minutes, then add 1 cup of sliced baby bella mushrooms, 2 tablespoons fajita seasoning and 2 tablespoons lime juice. Cook for an additional 4-5 minutes, then serve.

Serve the fajitas in tortillas or over rice for fajita bowls. For low carb fajita bowls, serve with Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice. My go-to fajita toppings are fresh sliced avocado and cilantro. You can also add cheese, sour cream, guacamole, salsa or hot sauce.

For more detailed instructions, and tips and tricks, head to this blog post for Chicken Fajitas.

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Other ways to use the seasoning

In addition to traditional fajitas, this homemade fajita seasoning mix adds delicious flavor to these other fajita-inspired recipes!

  • 7 Layer Fajita Dip (pictured above)
  • Veggie Fajita Rice Bowls
  • Chicken Fajita Burritos
  • Sheet Pan Salmon Fajitas
  • Fajita Meatball Sliders
  • One Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta
  • Low Carb Vegan Fajita Bowls
Easy Homemade Fajita Seasoning (6)

More homemade seasoning mixes

Stock your pantry with all of my homemade spice blends to add flavor to every meal!

Easy Homemade Fajita Seasoning (13)

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4.44 stars (53 ratings)

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Fajita Seasoning

This homemade Fajita Seasoning recipe is the perfect spice blend to add flavor to any kind of fajitas. Whether you're making shrimp or chicken fajitas, steak or vegetable fajitas, this easy seasoning mix will add just the right amount of spice to liven up any fajita recipe! Mix up in just 5 minutes, with 8 simple ingredients, and use it to make the best fajita marinade!

Servings: 6 tablespoons

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Total Time: 5 minutes mins

Author: Whitney Bond

Course: Seasoning

Cuisine: Mexican, Tex Mex

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine all of the spices together in a small bowl or mason jar.

  • Store in an airtight container until ready to use.

Video

Notes

  • Store the seasoning in a sealed container in a dry, cool area, like the pantry, for up to 6 months. After that the spice blend will not “go bad” but as spices sit longer, they begin to lose their flavor.
  • I recommend using 2 tablespoons of seasoning per pound of protein used to make fajitas.For example, if making chicken fajitas with bell peppers, onions, and 1 pound chicken. I recommend using 2 tablespoons of the spice mix to season the chicken.
  • To make the fajita seasoningspicy, use 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper. To make it medium, use 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, and to make it mild, use no cayenne pepper in the spice blend.
  • This recipe is gluten free, and contains no added sugar,making it perfect for awhole30, paleo or keto diet.
  • To make fajitas with the seasoning:
    • Combine two tablespoons of the fajita seasoning with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 2 tablespoons lime juice. Use this to marinate 1 pound of meat, either chicken, steak, or shrimp, for at least 30 minutes, or up to 8 hours.
    • Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 or 2 sliced bell peppers and 1 sliced red onion to the skillet. Cook for 4-5 minutes. Remove the vegetables from the skillet and add the marinated meat.
    • For chicken breasts or thighs, cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. For steak, cook for 4-5 minutes per side, for a 1 inch thick steak. If using a thinner steak, like a flank steak or skirt steak, cook for 3 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 135°F for a medium to medium-rare steak. For large shrimp, cook for 2-3 minutes per side. For smaller shrimp, cook for 1-2 minutes per side.
    • Fajita marinated chicken, steak or shrimp can also be grilled, instead of cooked on the stove. If using this method, simply cook the bell peppers and onions in a skillet on the stove, then remove them from the heat and set them aside while grilling the protein.
    • To make vegetable fajitas, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet, add two sliced bell peppers and one sliced onion. Cook for 4-5 minutes, then add 1 cup of sliced baby bella mushrooms, 2 tablespoons fajita seasoning and 2 tablespoons lime juice. Cook for an additional 4-5 minutes, then serve.
    • Serve the fajitas in tortillas or over rice for fajita bowls.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 17kcal (1%)Carbohydrates 3g (1%)Protein 1g (2%)Fat 1g (2%)Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat 0.2gSodium 1188mg (50%)Potassium 97mg (3%)Fiber 2g (8%)Sugar 0.3gVitamin A 1136mg (23%)Vitamin C 0.5mg (1%)Calcium 33mg (3%)Iron 2mg (11%)

Did you make this recipe?Tag @WhitneyBond on Instagram and hashtag it #WBRecipes!

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originally published February 21, 2019 — last updated January 17, 2024 26 Comments

Posted in: Dairy Free Recipes, Gluten Free Recipes, Keto Recipes, Mexican Recipes, Pantry Recipes, Recipe Videos, Recipes, Seasoning Mix Recipes, Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes, Whole30 Recipes

About Whitney Bond

I’m a sports-loving, coffee-drinking, food blogger, the host of “29 Minute Meals”, a contributing writer for TODAY Food, cookbook author and on-camera food and lifestyle expert! Here you’ll find most recipes are made in 29 minutes or less, in one pot, or in a crock pot!

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    26 Comments on “Fajita Seasoning”

  1. Angela March 2, 2024 @ 10:02 AM Reply

    Fantastic array of spices! I use this mixture for tacos too! Fan favorite!

  2. Lisa Bee August 28, 2023 @ 3:58 PM Reply

    This is the only recipe that talked about the marinade! Which is how I use it. Not just marinade but dumped in at the end of cooking.

  3. Karen A Dillon October 11, 2022 @ 11:07 AM Reply

    I keep this spice blend stocked at all times. Great for all kinds of food. Had it on grilled pork chops last night. Yum!!

  4. Pam Blais June 26, 2022 @ 12:40 PM Reply

    This is my go to recipe for fajita seasoning. I’ve used it on chicken, steak and pork.

  5. CSW February 14, 2022 @ 2:07 PM Reply

    We have fajitas a few times a month, this is the best seasoning we have tried. Will never buy prepared again!!!

    • Whitney Bond February 17, 2022 @ 11:03 AM Reply

      Yay, love to hear that! Thanks for sharing!

  6. Sheila D September 13, 2021 @ 5:47 PM Reply

    Made the spice it was good but a little spicy. I will not put as much cyanne pepper. Next time. The flavor was awesome

  7. Candy Spady May 18, 2021 @ 5:45 PM Reply

    I have been looking for a great fajita seasoning recipe FOREVER and I finally found one that tastes like my favorite restaurant! Thank you!

    • Whitney Bond May 19, 2021 @ 10:55 AM Reply

      Woohoo! So happy to hear that Candy! Thanks for sharing!

    • Laura Louro March 10, 2024 @ 6:23 AM Reply

      Hello. Literally roasting peppers and onions NOW and getting ready to marinate chix strips.
      Have you ever marinated and then throw chicken strips into oven to quickly roast/ char up a bit?
      Or, only in a skillet?

      • Whitney Bond March 11, 2024 @ 5:37 PM

        Yes, you can roast the chicken instead of cooking it in a skillet. If cooking raw chicken strips in the oven with the peppers and onions, I recommend cooking them at 400°F for 20 minutes.

  8. Amanda May 11, 2021 @ 4:22 PM Reply

    Can I sub the cayenne pepper for something else? I don’t have any on hand and already started cooking.

    • Whitney Bond May 11, 2021 @ 5:02 PM Reply

      Hi Amanda, I would use red pepper flakes, or an additional teaspoon of chili powder.

  9. Christina January 27, 2021 @ 9:25 PM Reply

    Ah-Mazing! Thank you for the recipe! It was absolutely PERFECT!

  10. Paul Sheehan January 2, 2021 @ 12:34 PM Reply

    Never fails to put a smile on people’s faces. I doubt I will ever need to find another Fajita recipe again.

    • Whitney Bond January 4, 2021 @ 1:16 PM Reply

      Wonderful to hear Paul! Thanks for sharing!

  11. Mary M Shaulis September 15, 2019 @ 8:29 AM Reply

    This is some of the best fajita seasoning we have ever tried. We have a large family (8 people) so the first time we made it, we doubled the recipe. I have now made a triple batch of the seasoning to keep on hand. I would have made even more but I didn’t realize that I was almost out of paprika when I started. (My 1 and 2 year olds even liked it and asked for more)

    • Whitney Bond September 17, 2019 @ 10:45 AM Reply

      I love to hear that Mary, so glad even the kids are enjoying it! Thanks so much for sharing!

  12. Marianne Maguire August 16, 2019 @ 9:31 AM Reply

    CAN YOU SUB. LEMON FOR LIME JUICE?

    • Whitney Bond August 16, 2019 @ 10:50 AM Reply

      It will give it a different flavor, but if you’re in a pinch, you can.

  13. Jenni August 11, 2019 @ 1:09 PM Reply

    I love a great seasoning mix! Its so much better to make them at home than buy in the store! We tried this fajita one and my whole family loved it! We will definitely be keeping a big jar of this on hand!!

  14. Fiorenza August 11, 2019 @ 10:03 AM Reply

    I really appreciated the mini guide on the differences between taco seasonings and fajita seasonings, now it’s clear to me!

    Fajita seasong on the go! Thank you

  15. Thena August 10, 2019 @ 4:34 AM Reply

    Finally, a seasoning that I can eat without worry. Love that it’s gluten-free. Plus, it tastes so good! I love that little kick of cayenne pepper as well.

  16. Tia August 3, 2019 @ 6:07 AM Reply

    This tastes great, I won’t be buying seasoning packets again. I swapped the paprika with smoked paprika and it took this to another level!

    • Whitney Bond August 4, 2019 @ 9:09 AM Reply

      So glad you enjoyed it Tia! Thanks for sharing 🙂

  17. Ben Stuart February 21, 2019 @ 12:40 PM Reply

    Thanks for the inspiration! I must admit I like to cook from scratch but it did not even cross my mind to be making my own fajita seasoning. Now I’ll definitely be giving it a go

Easy Homemade Fajita Seasoning (2024)
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