Fajita Seasoning
This Fajita Seasoning brings the best flavor to fajitas! It’s quick and easy to make using ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.
Love fajitas? You might also enjoy my Fajita Marinade recipe.
My family loves fajitas for dinner, and this homemade fajita seasoning makes all the difference when it comes to making sizzling fajitas with big, bold flavors. It’s the seasoning I use when I make sheet pan fajitas, and it’s also a delicious way to season chicken fajitas or steak fajitas.
I love making homemade seasoning blends because they always taste so much better than anything you can buy at the store. By making your own fajita seasoning at home, you can control the ingredients, salt content and spice level. Plus, this fajita seasoning recipe is so easy to make, there’s really no reason not to make it yourself!
The Best Fajita Seasoning
There’s so much to love about this fajita seasoning!
- Simple Ingredients: This fajita seasoning is made with simple spices and seasonings that you likely keep on hand in your kitchen. It’s healthier than many store-bought seasoning packets, and it tastes better, too.
- Quick and Easy: It takes less than 5 minutes to stir together the spices for this recipe.
- Stores Well: You can make the seasoning ahead of time and store it in your pantry for about 6 months. It’s a great way to save time with dinner prep!
- Versatile: Use this fajita seasoning on chicken, beef, pork or vegetables. It works for a variety of cooking methods, from baking in the oven, to cooking in a skillet, on the grill or even in the air fryer.
Fajita Seasoning Recipe Ingredients
This fajita seasoning is a savory blend of spices with a touch of sweetness. The sugar is optional but so good if you want that classic fajita flavor. Feel free to omit the sugar if desired.
- Chili Powder: For mild spice.
- Paprika: I usually use sweet paprika. Use smoked paprika for a bolder, smoky flavor.
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: I use these in many of my homemade spice mixes. They add mild onion and garlic flavor.
- Ground Cumin: Cumin is a common, earthy spice that is often used in Tex-Mex and Mexican cuisine.
- Dried Oregano: Dried oregano adds another layer of flavor. While it’s often used in Italian cuisine, oregano is also commonly used in Tex-Mex and Mexican dishes.
- Salt: Adjust the amount to your tastes and preferences.
- Sugar: I usually use granulated sugar, but brown sugar is also delicious here.
- Cayenne Pepper: Optional, for spice. Adjust the amount to your tastes.
How to Make Fajita Seasoning
- Combine the fajita seasoning ingredients in a small bowl.
- Use a small whisk or spoon to mix the spices together until everything is well combined, breaking up any clumps.
- Use right away or store in an airtight container.
How to Make Fajitas
Now that you have fajita seasoning ready, how do you use it to make fajitas? This recipe makes about 3 tablespoons of seasoning, which is enough to season about 2 pounds of chicken breasts, chicken thighs or steak. I often use a single recipe of this seasoning to season 1.5 pounds of meat plus some peppers and onions to serve with the fajitas. You can scale the recipe up as needed.
There are many ways to cook fajitas! Here’s a guide on how to use this seasoning to cook Chicken Fajitas in a skillet. Refer to these recipes for other cooking methods: Sheet Pan Fajitas, Grilled Chicken Fajitas. (If the recipe includes a marinade, you can use this fajita seasoning instead.)
- Slice the chicken into thin strips before seasoning. This way, the spices coat more surface area on the meat which means you get more flavor.
- Season. Put the sliced chicken in a bowl, sprinkle on the seasonings and mix until well coated.
- Marinate (optional). If you have time, let the seasoned chicken rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes and up to 24 hours to get even more flavorful. (This is a great option if you want to get some dinner prep work done ahead of time.)
- Cook. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large nonstick skillet. Add the chicken and cook for about 4 minutes, flipping the pieces over once the underside browns (it won’t be fully cooked at this point). Then add two sliced bell peppers and 1 sliced red or yellow onion to the skillet. Continue cooking until the chicken is cooked through and the peppers and onions have softened, about 5-8 more minutes. Alternatively, you can cook a batch of Fajita Veggies in a separate pan.
- Serve in warmed tortillas with toppings as desired. We like to add avocado, sour cream, fresh cilantro and Pico de Gallo.
Storage Instructions
Store fajita seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, such as a cupboard or spice drawer. I usually store it in a small jar or small zip-top bag. Label the container with the name of the seasoning and the date that you made it.
Assuming that the spices used are fresh and won’t soon expire, homemade fajita seasoning will last for about 6 months when stored properly.
More Homemade Seasonings
Fajita Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar, optional
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk or stir until mixed well. If there are any clumps of seasonings, break them up with the back of a spoon.
- Use immediately or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 6 months.
Notes
- Yield: Recipe makes about 3 tablespoons of seasoning, which is enough to season about 2 pounds of chicken breasts or thighs.
- How to cook fajitas: See these recipes for Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas, Chicken Fajitas, Grilled Chicken Fajitas and Steak Fajitas. If the fajita recipe includes a marinade, you can use this fajita seasoning instead of the marinade.
