This fajita seasoning recipe is a must-have for bold, smoky, and savory meals—and making your own at home is easier than you think. This DIY fajita spice mix is bursting with flavor and made from 8 easy-to-find pantry herbs and spices. It’s flexible, budget-friendly, and works with everything from chicken to roasted vegetables. Bonus: it’s naturally gluten-free, vegetarian, sugar-free, low carb!
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The backstory.
Okay, real talk: I have a weird personal obsession with recreating healthy spice mix versions of store-bought seasoning packets. It’s like my culinary superpower-slash-quirky challenge. There's just something deeply satisfying about decoding those little packets and turning them into something even better—with real ingredients and none of the junk. Think of it as my version of a DIY scavenger hunt... but with spices. 🤓
I started with taco seasoning, then white chicken chili mix, and before I knew it, I had a whole shelf full of custom blends. Fajita seasoning? Oh yeah. This one was a must—and honestly, it's become one of my go-to mixes for quick, flavorful meals.
xoxo Kori
A must-make recipe for fajita seasoning.
- Super Easy: A homemade seasoning with just 8 pantry staples + 1 bowl = done.
- So Much Flavor: Smoky, savory, and balanced—no added sugar or preservatives.
- Flexible & Family-Friendly: Use it on fajitas, tacos, casseroles, soups, or as a dry rub.
- Health-Conscious: Naturally vegetarian, gluten-free, sugar-free, and low carb.
- No Weird Ingredients: Just real spices. That’s it.
Looking for other spice blends? Try my Chicken Taco Seasoning or Beef Taco Seasoning—both perfect for easy flexitarian meals!
What you'll need.
These are the key fajita seasoning ingredients that bring bold, smoky flavor to every bite:
- Dry Mustard Powder – Brings a subtle tang that balances the rich spices.
- Chili Powder – Ground chili powder adds mild heat and warmth, with a little smokiness.
- Garlic Powder – Adds depth and savory flavor.
- Smoked Paprika or Regular – Sweet or smoky, it adds both color and a warm finish. I usually use smoked but either is great!
- Dried Oregano – Earthy and herby, for a classic Tex-Mex touch.
- Ground Cumin – Warm, nutty, and totally essential in fajita blends.
- Salt – Brings everything together—start light and adjust to taste.
- Black Pepper – Adds just the right amount of bite.
- Optional Cayenne Pepper – Kick up the heat if you’re feeling bold.
- ✅ For a zesty bonus, add a pinch of dried lime peel to brighten things up!
For exact ingredient quantities, please see the recipe card below!
Make it yours.
Here are several ideas for customizing your homemade fajita seasoning recipe:
- Swap in onion powder for a bit more depth.
- Add cayenne or red pepper flakes for more heat.
- Stir in dried cilantro or a touch of ground coriander.
- Reduce salt if you’re watching sodium.
How to make fajita seasoning.
This is as easy as it gets—just a handful of everyday pantry spices and a bowl to make fajita seasoning from scratch!
Mix
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl or jar.
Use
Add 1 batch per 1 lb of meat, tofu, or veggies. Meal idea: try this crockpot chicken fajita soup!
Store
Keep in an airtight container in a cool, dry spot for up to 1 year.
Tip: Double or triple the batch so you’ve always got some ready!
Ways to use it.
This homemade fajita seasoning mix goes way beyond fajitas:
- Mix with a splash of oil and lime juice for a quick marinade.Recipes that use this homemade fajita seasoning mix:
- Use as a dry rub for chicken, steak, pork, or tofu.
- Sprinkle over roasted veggies (try bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini).
- Add to soups, casseroles, or grain bowls for a Mexican-inspired twist.
Recipes that use this seasoning mix:
- Chicken Fajita Casserole
- Chicken Fajita Soup - my favorite soup!
- Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas - an easy way to make chicken fajitas!
- Fajita Spiced Chicken Wings
If you love to make your own seasoning mixes, be sure to make this Chicken Taco Seasoning Recipe and this version for beef tacos! Both are low-carb, gluten-free, keto-friendly, and can be made sugar-free.
Kori's tips.
- Use the freshest dried spices and herbs as possible—flavor fades over time.
- Make extra and store it in a small glass jar with a tight lid.
- Adjust the heat (any other seasoning) to fit your family’s taste.
- Label (and date) the jar—trust me, future-you will thank you!
FAQs
Make extra for later use! Transfer the spice blend to an airtight container. Store in a cool dark place for up to 1 year.
Here's a quick and easy recipe for making beef or chicken fajitas from scratch:
1 recipe of our fajita seasoning mix (see recipe card below)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound chicken or beef skirt steak cut into ½" strips
1 medium onion, sliced
1 bell pepper, sliced
¼ cup water
8 flour tortillas
Heat oil over medium-high heat. Add meat and cook for 3 minutes or until no longer pink. Remove from skillet then add onion and bell pepper. Saute until tender.
Return meat to skillet, add seasoning mix, and water. Cook and stir until meat is cooked through and water has reduced. Serves 8
Serve with sour cream, salsa, shredded lettuce, a drizzle of lime juice, and any other favorite fajita topping.
There are a couple of ways to marinate and season meat for fajitas. First, you can follow our simple fajita recipe above, or you can use the seasoning mix as a dry rub.
You can dry rub 1 pound of meat whole, or cut into pieces. Place in a plastic bag or an air-tight container and refrigerate for a few hours before cooking the meat. From there you can saute in a skillet until done, or you could even grill your meat.
Your mix will keep for up to 1 year if stored in an airtight container. Depending upon how fresh your dried herbs are.
This fajita seasoning mix is gluten-free, but other recipes and store-bought fajita seasoning packets may contain gluten.
Both fajita seasoning and taco seasoning are very similar actually and cuuld really be used interchangeably. Fajita seasoning is typically less spicy than taco seasoning, using very little to no cayenne pepper. Fajita seasoning has less chili powder and sometimes contains dry mustard powder (depending upon which recipe you use).
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📖 The recipe.
Homemade Fajita Seasoning Mix
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon dry mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon sweet or smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients in a small bowl. Use immediately or store for later.
Video
Kori's Tips
- Save some time later and mix several batches. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 year.
- Customization ideas: Add in onion powder for a bit more depth. Stir in dried cilantro or a touch of ground coriander.
- This recipe is mild. Use ¼ to ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper to increase heat.
- Use 1 recipe for every 1 pound of meat or poultry
- Recipes that use this fajita seasoning: Chicken Fajitas Bake and Chicken Fajita Soup, Fajita Spiced Ninja Foodi Chicken Wings, and Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas.
Nutrition
© 2025 Seeking Good Eats™
Keep the good eats coming.
There's nothing better than homemade seasonings. Be sure to try these recipes next:
- Chipotle Seasoning - bold and smoky
- Copycat White Chicken Chili Seasoning - a reader favorite!
- Pork Dry Rub - Sweet, smoky, and perfect for ribs or chops.
- Lamb Rub - the perfect pairing for just about all roasted or grilled lamb.
- Dry Rub For Chicken - perfect for grilling!
- All Purpose Easy Marinade for Steak - savory, simple, and super versatile.
- Vegan Miso Tofu Marinade
- Mediterranean-Style Chicken Marinade with Yogurt
- Citrus-Garlic Soy Salmon Marinade Recipe
- Copycat Montreal Chicken Seasoning Recipe
- Homemade Roasted Vegetable Seasoning
- Citrus and Herb Seafood Seasoning Recipe
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