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
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.
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!
Try this Fajita Seasoning on Some of These Recipes
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
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
Nutrition Information
NOTE: This recipe was updated on 2/19/24 to include new information and photos. It was originally published on 9/21/16.
Kels says
Made amazing chicken fajita for bowls! Going to try the marinade next time!
Mike H. says
Sounds like a plan. Enjoy!
Vera Leitow says
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!
Mike Hultquist says
Excellent!!! Thanks, Vera! Glad you like this one!
Kristen says
Your recipes are delicious, accessible and spot on every time. This one is a pantry staple.
Mike H. says
Thank you so much. I hope you will enjoy them all!
Lou Martinez says
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
Mike Hultquist says
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.
Ramya says
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
Mike Hultquist says
Enjoy, Ramya.
Tricia says
It's delicious! Super simple and easy to make. Definitely, give it a try.
Mike H. says
Appreciate it, Tricia. Enjoy!
Michael MacInally says
Good. And easy.
Mike Hultquist says
Glad you enjoyed it, Michael!
Bradley Hoekstra says
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
Mike Hultquist says
Nice! Glad you like it, Bradley!
Bill Williamson says
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.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
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/
Peggy says
I sprinkled some in my egg salad. Delicious!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
I love it!
Larry Joseph Morgan says
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.