Make your own fajita seasoning mix for your next plate of sizzling hot fajitas at home! Homemade seasonings are one of the simplest and healthiest ways to make delicious, restaurant-worthy meals in your own kitchen without any compromise on taste. This quick and easy recipe takes only a few minutes to mix and store!

fajita spices in a mason jar open on top

What is a fajita?

A fajita is typically defined by its strips of grilled meat (beef, chicken, or pork) served with sliced grilled peppers and onions on a soft taco shell. While tacos or burritos contain similar ingredients, those dishes will typically include ground or finely chopped meat.

Authentic fajitas can be served with a variety of toppings which traditionally include cheese, sour cream, or guacamole with a side of corn or flour tortillas and a few lime wedges. If you’ve ever ordered fajitas at a restaurant, you can likely already hear that sizzling hiss of a cast iron pan and taste the citrusy tang of the lime drizzled over the meat!

Other dishes can also include strips of fajita meat which explains menu items such as a crunchy fajita taco or a grilled fajita salad.

What is in fajita seasoning?

Fajita seasoning includes many of the spices traditional to Latin and Tex-Mex cooking. Some of the primary flavors are from these spices: chili powder, cumin, onion, and garlic powder.

Just a few slight variations distinguish fajita seasoning from a standard taco seasoning. My recipes for both are very similar but the main difference is that taco seasoning uses oregano and fajita seasoning uses cilantro for a brighter, more citrusy flavor.

blue mixing bowl with fajita seasoning mixed with gold fork

Typically, taco meat includes tomatoes which pair well with the herbal taste of oregano. Cilantro in fajita seasoning goes hand-in-hand with the lime often used in fajita marinades or served on the side.

Ingredients Needed

Now, shop your spice cabinet for the simple ingredients needed to make the best preservative and additive-free fajita seasoning mix! The healthy benefits of your own easy mix will outweigh the convenience of packets available at the store.

The mix includes:

Chili powder – Chili powder is a mixture of ground chile peppers along with a combination of other spices, depending on which brand you buy.
Garlic powder and onion powder – Both of these are ground dehydrated basics that work with just about anything!
Kosher salt – Kosher salt is coarsely ground which resembles the texture of a seasoning rub for larger pieces of meat.
Cumin – Cumin is a must with just about any type of Latin or Tex-Mex cooking and comes from toasted, ground cumin seeds.
Paprika – Paprika brings a “warm” heat – not too spicy but adds depth to the overall flavor.
Pepper – Regular ground black pepper will work.
Cilantro – The dried herb that sets this seasoning apart from others!

Possible variations: You can reduce the chili powder and add more cumin if you prefer a less spicy yet more smoky flavor. And, one more option – you can try smoked paprika instead of regular paprika!

How To Make Homemade Fajita Seasoning

The few minutes of prep here will make your next fajita night (or nights!) so much simpler! Gather all your ingredients, measuring spoons, and a sealed container. As long as you have everything out, I recommend making a double or triple batch!

Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl.
Store in a dry airtight container.

ramekins with dried spices including garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, paprika, cilantro, black pepper, salt and chili powder

spices in a blue mixing bowl next to empty ramekins

Most standard store-bought packets are packaged to season 1 pound of meat. You can use 2 tablespoons of this fajita seasoning to replace 1 packet or to season 1 pound of meat.

Tip: Write this on a container label for easy reference during recipe prep!

Best Ways to Use Fajita Seasoning

Fajita seasoning works for any fajita recipe – whether you prepare your meat via stovetop, slow cooker, or grill. This all-purpose mix works with beef, chicken, and pork, and can even work with shrimp or a veggie mix.

If you want to use fajita seasoning with an alternate variation of meat, try seasoning a batch of Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken. This would be an easy option for a meal prep protein and would be versatile to use with sides like rice, tortilla chips, grilled veggies, or served over salads.

How To Best Store Homemade Spices

Proper storage of homemade spices is key to preserving freshness! Here are a couple of tips for storing and keeping your seasoning mixes ready to use for multiple dishes:

Store fajita seasoning in a sealed container or jar that is completely airtight – no cracks or other openings! A jar with a lid that twists on or a container with a snap-lock lid will work great.
Be sure your storage container is completely clean and 100% dry. Any added moisture can cause your spices to clump and lose freshness.
Measure out your fajita seasoning away from hot or steaming pots and pans. This is a simple way to keep moisture from steam and evaporation from creeping into your spice containers.

looking into a glass jar filled with homemade fajita seasoning

mason jar with homemade fajita seasoning

Follow these tips and your mix should stay fresh and maintain a shelf-life for at least several months!