This simple Fajita Seasoning Recipe is inspired by the much-loved Tex-Mex Fajita. It’s easy to make at home and is great in many recipes. Yum!
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Who doesn’t love some delicious fajitas? This Tex-Mex-inspired seasoning can be easily modified to suit your tastes.
The most common ingredients in fajita seasonings include chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and cayenne. It’s also common to see onion powder, sugar, pepper, and/or oregano.
How is fajita seasoning different than taco seasoning? Fajitas are typically milder, contain more cumin, and are finished with an acid. Tacos are usually spicier, without (or with less) cumin, and use less acid in the finished dish.
Here’s my version of fajita seasoning. Enjoy!
Ingredients, Substitutions, & Budget
This total recipe costs $0.39 to make. It yields 6.5 tsp (about 2 tbsp). I usually use 1-2 tbsp per pound of meat (so 1 or 2 servings) which works out to $0.20 to $0.39 per serving.
Your grocery costs are probably different than mine. Location, shopping habits, seasonal availability, and other things can all have a major impact on the cost of food. Find out how I calculate what a recipe costs.
Fajita Seasoning Ingredients
There are 8+ ingredients in this dish.
I don’t put salt into any of my seasoning mixes. I like to salt my dishes as I’m cooking them and know exactly how much salt they contain. You could add 1 tsp of salt to this seasoning.
Paprika (1 tsp)
Should you use sweet, smoked, or spicy paprika? There’s no wrong choice!
I usually do half smoked paprika and half sweet paprika for fajita seasoning because I like a hint of that smokey flavor but don’t want to overpower the seasoning.
Cayenne Pepper (1/2 tsp)
Cayenne is typically a medium-hot pepper but is also often the hottest spice in a cabinet (I mean, not mine, but maybe yours).
Cayenne will add a spicy kick. You can change the amount of cayenne: use less for a milder seasoning or add more for extra heat.
Sometimes I use a different hot pepper powder (either replacing the cayenne completely, or doing half and half). Different hot peppers will give your cajun seasoning different flavors. Some options to try:
- Jalapeno Pepper Powder (mild)
- Chipotle Pepper Powder (mild & smokey)
- Habanero Powder (spicier)
- Carolina Reaper Powder (hottest spice in the world)
Sugar (1/2 tsp)
Sugar plays a few roles in fajita seasoning. First, it adds some sweetness for balance. Sugar also helps caramelize your meats when cooking which makes them extra good.
I prefer dark brown sugar but you can use any dry sugar you’d like. I’ve successfully used both white sugar and golden sugar.
You can skip the sugar if you want.
6 More Ingredients
- Chili Powder (1.5 tsp)
- Cumin (1 tsp)
- Garlic Powder (1 tsp)
- Onion Powder (1/2 tsp)
- Oregano (1/2 tsp)
No Rules!
There aren’t any rules when making Fajita Seasoning. Seriously, nobody is going to grade you on it! Add more or less of any ingredient that you love (or hate). Add something else to really customize the recipe (black pepper, thyme, basil, whatever).
This is YOUR seasoning so do what YOU like!
Equipment & Storage
You only need two things to make fajita seasoning: measuring spoons (1 tsp + ½ tsp) and a jar with an airtight lid (if you want to store it).
Looking to stock your kitchen with the best equipment? Learn about the best kitchen tools you should own!
Got Extra Seasoning?
Fajita seasoning can be stored in an airtight container (ideally in a dark area away from heat) indefinitely. However, spices and herbs will become less flavorful over time. Ideally, you’ll use them up in 3 to 6 months.
Fajita Seasoning
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1.5 tsp Chili Powder ($0.09)
- 1 tsp Cumin ($0.06)
- 1 tsp Paprika ($0.06)
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder ($0.06)
- ½ tsp Onion Powder ($0.03)
- ½ tsp Sugar ($0.03)
- ½ tsp Cayenne Pepper ($0.03)
- ½ tsp Oregano ($0.03)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a jar with an airtight lid.1.5 tsp Chili Powder, 1 tsp Cumin, 1 tsp Paprika, 1 tsp Garlic Powder, ½ tsp Onion Powder, ½ tsp Sugar, ½ tsp Cayenne Pepper, ½ tsp Oregano
- Shake well to mix.
Enjoy Your Fajita Seasoning!
Did you make this fajita seasoning recipe? How did it turn out? What changes did you make? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Until next time. Xoxo