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Homemade Fajita Seasoning, using spices easily found in most pantries, is so much better than store bought. Everyone agrees the recipe is fantastic, but you can always modify or adjust the various seasonings and salt levels to your liking.
Use this mix as a marinade or for chicken, steak, or shrimp fajitas. You can also sprinkle it onto meat and vegetables to add amazing flavor to your favorite dinner recipes.
Why this recipe is so great:
- Easy to make. I didn’t have to go out and buy any special spices for this mix. I found them all in my pantry.
- Secret ingredient. Know what it is? Cinnamon. It may sound weird but it works. It works really well.
- The perfect amount. This recipe makes just the right amount for a batch of fajitas that will feed a family of four. You can easily increase the recipe multiple times to fill a jar in your pantry so it’s ready to go for the next batch.
- Marinade or seasoning. Combine with some oil and acid like lime juice and you have a perfect marinade that adds amazing flavor while also tenderizing the meat. This fajita seasoning can also be sprinkles directly onto your meat before cooking.
Ingredients needed:
Exact quantities are listed in the recipe card below, but here is a summary.
- Cornstarch – this not only thickens the sauce while cooking when the fajita seasoning is used as a marinade, but it “velvets” the meat which makes it incredibly tender
- Chili Powder
- Kosher salt
- Paprika – I used smoked paprika
- Sugar
- Onion salt
- Garlic powder
- Cumin
- Cayenne Pepper – just a pinch is needed for a small amount of heat but you can add more if you like it spicy
- Cinnamon – the secret ingredient that gives your fajitas this incredible taste that’s difficult to pinpoint or define
How to make fajita seasoning:
Detailed step by step instructions are listed in the recipe card below, but here is a summary.
- Measure: Portion out each of the ingredients and add them to a bowl.
- Mix: The quickest way to mix the fajita seasoning is to whisk them together.
- Use or store: If using immediately as a marinade, combine with about a half cup of olive oil and the juice of a lime with your favorite meat. Or, sprinkle over protein prior to cooking. If using later, store in air tight container at room temperature.
Recipe tips for perfect results:
- Substitutions: If you’re missing any of the ingredients, you might be able to find a good alternative with a quick internet search. Likewise, you can increase or decrease any of the amounts based on preference, however I found this balance worked perfectly.
- Using whole spices: Out of pure convenience, I almost always use ground spices. Whole spices, however, add the most flavor when ground just prior to adding to the recipe. If you have any of these spices in their whole format, just finely grind before measuring and adding to the seasoning mixture.
Other great seasoning blend recipes:
You can’t beat the convenience of store bought seasoning blends, but homemade is always best because you can customize it to your exact preference. Here are some of my favorites:
- Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe
- Homemade Cajun Seasoning Mix
- One Spoon Dry Rub
- and Italian Seasoning from my friend, Cathy
If you’ve made this or any other recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out. I love hearing from my readers!
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon onion salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to bowl and whisk well to combine.
- Use immediately as a marinade with 3 tablespoons of oil, 1 tablespoon of water, and the juice of one lime with sliced steak, chicken, or shrimp. Otherwise, store in airtight container in pantry for future use. Recipe can easily be increased.
Notes
- Substitutions: If you’re missing any of the ingredients, you might be able to find a good alternative with a quick internet search. Likewise, you can increase or decrease any of the amounts based on preference, however I found this balance worked perfectly.
- Using whole spices: Out of pure convenience, I almost always use ground spices. Whole spices, however, add the most flavor when ground just prior to adding to the recipe. If you have any of these spices in their whole format, just finely grind before measuring and adding to the seasoning mixture.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This was so easy and delicious!! I’ll never use storebought again!
I am so happy I found this! It is so delicious and I can make it with ingredients I always have on hand! Thanks!
Homemade seasonings are always the best! It’s time for me to make a new batch.