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Home » Chili Pepper Recipes » Seasonings » Homemade Fajita Seasoning

Homemade Fajita Seasoning

by Mike Hultquist · Feb 19, 2024 · 21 Comments

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Homemade Fajita Seasoning Recipe

This fajita seasoning recipe is the perfect blend of spices for steak, shrimp, or chicken fajitas, easy to make and customize, and keeps for months. You can make it as spicy as you want!

Homemade Fajita Seasoning Recipe

Homemade Fajita Seasoning Recipe

We're making homemade fajita seasoning in the Chili Pepper Madness kitchen today, my friends.

Ever get a wild craving to suddenly make fajitas? I do!

Fajitas are one of my favorite meals. I'll take steak, chicken, pork, shrimp, you name it when it comes to fajitas. Toss it together with bell peppers and onions in a pan and sear them up. It doesn't get any better. Don't forget the lime juice.

This fajita seasoning blend will become your new family favorite, especially after you make your own personal adjustments to taste. It's so easy to make extra spicy if you'd like, or dial it back to focus on your own favorite ingredients.

What Ingredients Go Into Fajita Seasoning?

Fajita seasoning consists of chili powder, cayenne powder, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, brown sugar, cumin and black pepper.

I sometimes like to include corn starch as well, which acts as a thickener, depending on how you're using it. This is especially useful when making braised fajitas, like these Beer Braised Chicken Fajitas, as it thickens up the braising liquid into a nice sauce.

I urge you to skip the grocery store spice mix and make this blend for your next fajita dinner or party and see how you like it. Then, experiment.

Let's talk about how to make fajita seasoning, shall we?

Fajita Seasoning Ingredients 

The ingredients you need to make homemade fajitas seasonings include:

  • Cayenne Pepper. You can omit for a milder version.
  • Paprika. Smoked paprika is great for this recipe, though you can use sweet paprika or hot paprika as well.
  • Garlic Powder.
  • Onion Powder.
  • Died Oregano.
  • Brown Sugar. Or use white sugar. Optional.
  • Cumin.
  • Salt and Ground Black Pepper.
  • Chili Powder. Try my homemade chili powder blend, which is very similar to this recipe. You can omit it and use more of the other ingredients.
  • Optional: Corn Starch. As a thickener.
A list of Homemade Fajita Seasoning Ingredients

How to Make Fajita Seasoning Mix

Mix together the chili powder, cayenne, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, brown sugar, cumin and black pepper in a bowl until well combined.

You can also include corn starch if you'd like a bit of a thickener for your fajitas.

Boom! Done! Quick and easy, isn't it? This will make you about 1/4 cup of seasoning.

You can easily double or even triple the recipe to make a larger batch. Great if you like to make a lot of homemade fajitas!

How Much Fajita Seasoning To Use

Use 1-2 tablespoons of fajita seasoning for every pound of meat as a rub for making steak, shrimp or chicken fajitas. This is roughly equivalent to 1 packet of seasoning mix.

Rub the seasoning into the meat, then sear it in a hot pan with olive oil until cooked through.

You can also use fajita seasoning to season ground meats for making easy homemade tacos, or use it as a general seasoning. I have enjoyed the flavor in soups, stews, and other grilled foods.

Recipe Tips & Notes

  • Adjust to Your Personal Tastes. Adjust the spice blend ingredient ratios to your own personal preference, like extra garlic or less cayenne. I sometimes add a touch of superhot chili powder, like ghost or 7-pot. I like mine extra spicy.
  • Make a Fajita Marinade. Combine 2 tablespoons of this fajita seasoning with 3 tablespoons of oil and the juice from 1 lime. Marinate your chicken, shrimp or steak before cooking them. Chicken and steak should marinate longer, at least several hours or overnight. Shrimp can marinate for 1 hour. You can also marinate fish with this fajita marinade.

Storage

Store fajita seasoning in spice containers in a cool, dry place. It will last at least 6 months stored in an airtight container, but tends to lose potency after that.

I hope you enjoy my homemade fajita seasoning mix recipe. It's my personal favorite blend. Now, go make some fajitas!

Homemade Fajita Mix in a bowl with a spoon

Try this Fajita Seasoning on Some of These Recipes

  • Steak Fajitas
  • Grilled Tri-Tip Steak Fajitas Recipe
  • Chicken Fajitas
  • Beer Braised Chicken Fajitas

Check Out Some of My Other Homemade Seasoning Blends

  • Steak Seasoning Mix. A little of this takes your steak to the next level.
  • Homemade Cajun Seasoning Blend. This is one of the go-to blends in my kitchen.
  • Homemade Taco Seasoning. So much better than store bought packets.
  • Homemade Rib Rub. For rib lovers!
  • Turkey Rub Seasoning. You'll want this for the holidays.
  • Elote Seasoning. Great for Mexican elote, but so much more.
  • Beef Stew Seasoning. Make some beef stew with big flavor!
  • Homemade Seasonings/Powders Recipes

If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you'll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don't forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I'll be sure to share! Thanks! -- Mike H.

Homemade Fajita Seasoning Recipe
Print

Homemade Fajita Seasoning Recipe

This fajita seasoning recipe is the perfect blend of spices for steak, shrimp, or chicken fajitas, easy to make and customize, and keeps for months. This is my personal favorite blend.
Save Recipe Saved!
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: jamaican, seasoning, spicy
Prep Time: 1 minute minute
Cook Time: 1 minute minute
Total Time: 2 minutes minutes
Calories: 11kcal
Author: Mike Hultquist
Servings: 4
Tap or hover to scale
5 from 7 votes
Leave a Review

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne powder (use 1/2 teaspoon for less spicy)
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon brown sugar (optional - or use white sugar)
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Mix all ingredients together in a mixing bowl. Mix to combine.
  • Use as a rub for steak, chicken or shrimp fajitas.

Video

Notes

Makes a bit less than a quarter cup.
Use 1-2 tablespoons of fajita seasoning for every pound of meat as a rub for making steak, shrimp or chicken fajitas. Store remaining seasoning in a sealed container.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 11kcal   Carbohydrates: 2g   Sodium: 583mg   Potassium: 30mg   Vitamin A: 455IU   Vitamin C: 0.4mg   Calcium: 8mg   Iron: 0.5mg
Homemade Fajita Seasoning Recipe
Did You Enjoy This Recipe?I love hearing how you like it and how you made it your own. Leave a comment below and tag @ChiliPepperMadness on social media.

NOTE: This recipe was updated on 2/19/24 to include new information and photos. It was originally published on 9/21/16.

Reader Interactions

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Kels says

    March 08, 2025 at 3:14 pm

    5 stars
    Made amazing chicken fajita for bowls! Going to try the marinade next time!

    Reply
    • Mike H. says

      March 08, 2025 at 4:08 pm

      Sounds like a plan. Enjoy!

      Reply
  2. Vera Leitow says

    June 18, 2024 at 12:46 pm

    5 stars
    Definite keeper and pantry staple. I’ve tried several different recipes for this but they didn’t come close to what I wanted. You nailed it, thank you!

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      June 18, 2024 at 1:05 pm

      Excellent!!! Thanks, Vera! Glad you like this one!

      Reply
  3. Kristen says

    March 19, 2024 at 5:01 pm

    5 stars
    Your recipes are delicious, accessible and spot on every time. This one is a pantry staple.

    Reply
    • Mike H. says

      March 20, 2024 at 4:38 am

      Thank you so much. I hope you will enjoy them all!

      Reply
  4. Lou Martinez says

    February 19, 2024 at 12:07 pm

    In the written list of ingredients, first ingredient is 2 tsp Chili Powder but in your video, you neglected to include the Chili Powder. Why

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      February 19, 2024 at 12:44 pm

      It's optional. The homemade chili powder includes most of the ingredients already going into this seasoning, but I added it in the written recipe for an added blast. I go back and forth. I talk a bit about this in the body of the post.

      Reply
  5. Ramya says

    February 19, 2024 at 8:27 am

    Cant wait to make this soon for me i never had homemade fajita seasoning before perfect for snacks love your recipes as always brightens up my day everyday after work

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      February 19, 2024 at 8:33 am

      Enjoy, Ramya.

      Reply
  6. Tricia says

    December 30, 2023 at 2:09 pm

    5 stars
    It's delicious! Super simple and easy to make. Definitely, give it a try.

    Reply
    • Mike H. says

      December 31, 2023 at 7:32 am

      Appreciate it, Tricia. Enjoy!

      Reply
  7. Michael MacInally says

    December 16, 2023 at 11:20 am

    5 stars
    Good. And easy.

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      December 16, 2023 at 12:27 pm

      Glad you enjoyed it, Michael!

      Reply
  8. Bradley Hoekstra says

    September 04, 2022 at 11:06 am

    5 stars
    Previously used another recipe until I tried this one. This is now my go to for all fajita's Beef, shrimp, and chicken. Thank you

    Reply
    • Mike Hultquist says

      September 04, 2022 at 11:14 am

      Nice! Glad you like it, Bradley!

      Reply
  9. Bill Williamson says

    May 02, 2021 at 6:07 pm

    I was wondering if you had any suggestions on making a thicker pepper mash. I'm talking about the stuff that you see in the barrels for tobasco sauce before being mixed with vinegar. Do you have a recipe for this thanks bill.

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      May 05, 2021 at 7:51 am

      Bill, take a look at this page and review the first method for making a mash with only salt and peppers: https://www.chilipeppermadness.com/cooking-with-chili-peppers/how-to-make-fermented-pepper-mash/

      Reply
  10. Peggy says

    May 01, 2021 at 9:13 am

    5 stars
    I sprinkled some in my egg salad. Delicious!

    Reply
    • Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says

      May 03, 2021 at 7:44 am

      I love it!

      Reply
  11. Larry Joseph Morgan says

    October 05, 2016 at 7:22 pm

    Have you tried this with smoked paprika, and, if so, does it give it a better flavor?

    REPLY: Larry, you can use smoked paprika. I have that in my pantry as well. I wouldn't say better, but sure, it will affect the flavor. It's more about personal preference. I enjoy adding dehydrated habanero or ghost powder to my own. -- Mike from Chili Pepper Madness.

    Reply

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