Homemade Fajita Seasoning

February 1, 2025

Skip the store-bought blends and make this Homemade Fajita Seasoning instead. It’s cheaper, delicious, and you can customize it to your own taste!

The post Homemade Fajita Seasoning appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Homemade seasoning mixes are my jam! They’re just so easy to make and way cheaper than buying store-bought seasoning. This Homemade Fajita Seasoning uses a simple mix of common spices that you probably already have in your spice cabinet! You can make one single batch, but I like to make a big batch and store it in an air-tight container for later.

Ingredients for homemade fajita seasoning on a plate.

I know premade seasonings from the store are super convenient, and I’m all about that convenience sometimes. But there are times when making something from scratch just makes sense. This homemade fajita mix is so simple to make, doesn’t have any hidden nasties (like preservatives and fillers), and you have complete control over the spice and salt levels. It’s just pure, wholesome ingredients that I can feel good about feeding my family.

Not to mention, making your own spice blends, especially if you use them often, can work out way cheaper in the long run. And because this seasoning mix uses very similar ingredients to our taco seasoning, you could stock your cupboard and make both mixes at once. Saving you even MORE time and money!

Get ready to have your mind blown at how delicious these 6 simple seasonings will make your fajitas taste. Spoiler alert: it’s AMAZING. Here’s what you’ll need to make this homemade fajita seasoning mix:

Chili powder
Ground cumin
Smoked paprika
Garlic powder
Salt
Freshly cracked black pepper

Recipe Variations

As written, my recipe for homemade fajita seasoning is well-rounded and perfect for adding to any Tex-Mex or Mexican-inspired dish. However, there are a few ways you can tweak the recipe to suit your tastes or dietary needs. Here are some ideas:

Want a little more heat? Swap out the black pepper for ¼ tsp of cayenne pepper!
For a less smoky flavor, use regular paprika instead of smoked paprika.
Turn this seasoning blend into a delicious marinade by mixing it with olive oil. You could also add some lime juice for a little tang.
If you’re watching your salt intake, feel free to decrease the amount of salt in this recipe. You can always add more to taste when you’re cooking.

This is a small-batch fajita seasoning recipe. It makes about 1.25 oz. or 7.5 teaspoons of seasoning. The premixed packets at the store are usually 1-1.25 oz., so this recipe makes enough to substitute one store-bought packet! This means one batch of my homemade fajita seasoning mix is enough to season 1 lb. of beef, chicken, fish, or veggies. But, you can make as much of this blend as you like and store the rest for whenever you need it!

How to Use Homemade Fajita Seasoning

Let’s talk about how to use this seasoning mix because there are lots of delicious ways to incorporate it into your cooking! Here are a few of my favorites:

Fajitas, of course! I use this seasoning blend to season my ground beef fajitas, but it’s delicious in any steak and chicken fajita recipe. Our sheet pan chicken fajitas have been on rotation in my house for a while now, and our portobello mushroom fajitas are an easy veggie alternative.
Mix it into any creamy pasta dish for a kick of spice.
Use it to season pork chops or air fried chicken drumsticks!
Sprinkle it over vegetables before roasting. This works especially well with potatoes, onions, bell peppers, and zucchini.
Add it to soups or stews! I love my butternut squash and black bean soup recipe, and it’s made with all the seasonings I use here.
Use it in any recipe that calls for taco seasoning (they’re slightly different but often interchangeable).

Storage Instructions

It’s unlikely you’ll need to store this recipe (as written) for long because it only makes a small amount. But, if you’re like me and know you’ll use this seasoning blend all the time, it’s a good idea to make a bigger batch and store it for easy use later. To store, transfer your homemade fajita mix to a clean, air-tight container or jar with a lid. Store in a cool, dry place like your pantry or spice cabinet. This blend should stay potent for at least 6 months if stored properly.