Easy DIY Southwest Spice Blend
A homemade Southwest spice blend will transform your favorite dishes with savory and smoky elements! Use this healthy DIY option to infuse flavor into meats, veggies, soups, and more!
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What’s To Love About This Recipe
- If you have a few extra minutes in the kitchen, I will always recommend mixing up your own spice blends! The benefit of making these mixes at home is that you get to control every aspect – the ingredients, the combinations, and the ratios. You can make it spicier, saltier, smokier, etc.
- When you get out your spices all at once, it’s so easy to mix up several batches of either the same or different spice blends. You can prep plenty of seasoning mix to last for several different recipes!
- This Southwest blend is delicious on chicken, fish, and more. Add it to beans, rice, corn, or even soups for a rich, smoky flavor.
- The respective spice measurements in this recipe bring the perfect hint of smoky heat that is mild enough for everyone to enjoy. It’s a classic mix for Southwest cooking!
What is a Southwest flavor?
Southwest flavor is a combination of Latin American and Tex-Mex flavors, as well as other elements from the Southwest region of the United States. Southwestern flavors will incorporate a variety of dried and ground peppers, smoky herbs, and a hint of heat, typically from jalapeño or ancho chili peppers.
The overall flavor is recognizably bold and aromatic. The complex flavors are usually brought out in hot dishes such as meats, beans, roasted veggies, and soups – comfort foods of their own unique region!
Ingredients Needed
- Chili powder – This is the key ingredient in Southwest seasoning since it brings the signature flavor of ground peppers. Chili powder includes several spices mixed into one powder, so it creates a nice, complex taste.
- Ground black pepper – A bit of pepper brings a little heat to the mix.
- Smoked paprika – The difference may seem minimal, but smoked paprika definitely varies from regular ground paprika. Smoked paprika is made from red peppers that were dried over a flame-producing smoke.
- Garlic powder – Just about every savory spice blend is better with garlic powder!
- Onion powder – And onion powder adds another layer of depth.
- Salt – Be sure to include the salt to round out the spice blend.
- Chipotle chili powder – Last but not least, chipotle chili powder (dried ground peppers) adds the final smoky and slightly spicy element to the mix.
How To Make Homemade Southwest Spice Blend
It’s simple to mix up your seasonings at home. While you have everything out, you might just want to go ahead and make an extra batch or two! Mixing up spice blends in advance will save you time when it comes to recipe prep later on.
- Simply measure the spices, add all to a bowl, and stir to combine.
- Store the spice blend in a clean, dry container for up to 6 months.
Pro Tips
- If you are fortunate enough to have access to a store where they grind fresh spices, this would obviously be a great option. You really can taste the freshness!
- The goal here is to make a quick spice blend using things that you already have easy access to. Ultimately, any store-bought spice is fine.
- It’s best to use spices of a similar age in shelf-life so you can judge how long to keep the spice blend as a whole.
- Smoked paprika and chipotle chili powder are meant to impart that smoky flavor to the spice, but feel free to swap out for the regular versions.
How To Use Southwest Spice Blend
This Southwest spice blend can be added to so many of your favorite Tex-Mex or Latin-inspired foods to give them that signature burst of flavor. Use it to season shredded chicken made in your slow cooker or Instant Pot, or add it to Slow Cooker Shredded Beef and serve in tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and more!
A Southwest blend is also delicious with fish, rice, or pinto beans. Add it to soups with a tomato or broth base and instantly elevate the flavor profile!
You could even use it to mix up a sour cream dip and serve with tortilla chips. There are so many savory options you can transform with a fresh, homemade blend!
Storage Instructions
When making your homemade spice blends, store them in a dry container with a tight seal to prevent any moisture from seeping in. I like to use glass Mason jars after they are washed and fully dried. You can also purchase replacement lids to keep the seal fresh and tight.
Store the seasoning blend in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months. Be sure to use clean and dry utensils when measuring from the container.
Easy DIY Southwest Spice Blend
Equipment
- measuring cups and spoons
- storage container
Ingredients
- ¼ cup chili powder
- 2 tablespoons ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons chipotle chili powder
Instructions
- Measure and add all spices to bowl, and stir to combine
- Store in clean, dry container for up to 6 months
Notes
- Southwest seasoning contains similar ingredients to other Latin-inspired blends like taco and fajita seasoning and can be used as a substitute if you prefer.
- The Southwest spice blend will be smokier, while fajita seasoning contains cilantro, which pairs well with lime juice. Taco seasoning will highlight cumin and oregano for a deep, earthy taste.
- Generally, you can use 1 tablespoon of spice mix to season 1 pound of meat. Increase the amount for extra-bold flavor!
