Fajita Seasoning (the best homemade recipe) – with Video!
Learn how to make homemade fajita seasoning in minutes using ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. Ditch the packet of unrecognizable ingredients.
For quite awhile, I’ve been on a mission to get back to the basics. I always do what I can, when I can. Meaning, if I can make something from scratch, I do. But if I’m tired and would rather read a book to my kids than make something from scratch, you won’t find me beating myself up about it.
If I choose 30 minutes outside soaking up some sun while frozen lasagna cooks over slaving away in the kitchen over from-scratch lasagna, I won’t be losing sleep over it.
But, here are some simple things I do choose to do:
- Read ingredients and nutrition labels – this one is pretty much a sure thing, because my kids have food allergies, so it’s not only a nutritional thing but also a matter of safety.
- Make spice mixes from scratch, when I can.
- Work out, when I can.
- Eat unprocessed foods, as often as I can.
As you can see, I’m not perfect. (Probably not all that hard to believe). Sometimes I skip a tortilla with my fajitas and swap it out for a lettuce wrap. But then I’ll probably have wine and popcorn later to make up for those calories I saved with that lettuce wrap.
I try to take care of myself, both in terms of my physical body and health, but also in terms of my mental health and happiness.
If making homemade pasta and from-scratch ketchup is going to take away from the time I can spend playing my kids, I will probably choose not to do it. Because my mental health and happiness (and more importantly, that of my kids) is more important than making something from scratch that really is good enough from the store.
Why you should make this fajita seasoning:
However, I’ve found that spice mixes such as this homemade fajita seasoning are a really simple way to be conscious of your health. No anti-caking aids, no ingredients you can’t pronounce, no sky-high sodium. You throw a few ingredients into a jar and shake.
Have your kids shake the jar and then you’re totally killing two birds with one stone – you’re having fun with your kids and you’re making simple and effective health changes. Plus, it tastes WAY better than that icky store-bought stuff.
We love this fajita seasoning and we go through our taco seasoning like water – I put the stuff in everything.
It’s great on chicken, steak, shrimp and fish! Perfect for any kind of fajita you’re craving, and it’s so easy. It’s absolutely perfect for my sheet pan fajitas!
Tip: Want to make this Paleo? Use coconut sugar instead of brown sugar. Want to make it Whole30 compliant? Omit the sugar and it will still taste fantastic!
Another great thing about learning how to make homemade fajita seasoning is that the taste is in your hands. If you’re watching your sodium intake, feel free to decrease the amount of salt in this spice mixture.
If you’re a wimp when it comes to spicy food (it’s okay, I am too!), decrease or omit the cayenne. If you need to keep an eye on your sugar intake, omit the brown sugar or substitute with another (dry) sweetener — I’d recommend coconut sugar. You are in control of this homemade fajita seasoning – make it your own!
Ready to DIY a little more? Try making your own beef stew seasoning mix, homemade mild curry, herbes de provence, chai spice mix, pumpkin pie spice, or homemade Bisquick mix. Don’t miss my complete list of homemade spice blends!
Hi, I'm Rachel! This site features a wide variety of recipes with one common thread: easy preparations. I love creating accessible and delicious food that will please the whole family. Hope you enjoy! (
why brown sugar?
It helps the meat caramelize and adds a nice crust to the meat and a little sweetness to balance out the spice. :) You can leave it out if you want, but I love the flavor and texture it adds.
I made a batch up a while ago from your recipe. It is really very good. I don’t have garlic powder so use fresh garlic which is no problem. I won’t use a packet version again. I’ve just made up a double batch this time. Thank you
I’m so glad you like this recipe and it’s become a staple in your home! Thank you for taking the time to come back and leave a comment!
I don’t leave comments often but I had to thank you for the recipe. I have always made a marinade but when I forgot to make it and had a beautiful flap steak, I found your recipe. Hmmm, why not? Thirty minutes later we were wrapping tender, fragrant and flavorfull strips of steak into warm tortillas. Add a few pan seared onions and red bells, also sprinkled with your seasoning, some avo and we were very happy. So thank you.
Your comment made my night! Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and share your thoughts. I’m so glad you liked the recipe – now I’m suddenly craving fajitas!
Excellent. Exactly what I wanted and craved for my chilli bean tortilla. Thank you!
I’m so glad to hear that! Thanks for taking the time to come back and leave a comment!
I have been LOVING this seasoning. I just graduated and moved out this past year, and my thoughtful Christmas gift from my mom was a comprehensive spice collection. Making my own rubs has become one of my favorite activities, and this takes the cake!! I just hosted a make-your-own fajita night for my small group at church last evening and the seasoned chicken and veggies were a hit. My only modifications are using garlic salt instead of regular salt and adding a hit of red pepper flakes for extra spice. SO good! :) Thank you for this forever-addition to my spice cabinet.
This comment made me so happy! Thank you for the kind words and for leaving a comment – I’m so happy you like this seasoning. I love the idea of a make-your-own-fajita night – how fun!
what can I use in place of the Mexican Oregano?? Thanks
You can use regular oregano :)
Hi…just a heads up. Videos don’t play. The upfront ads do but with no picture.
Hmmm, it’s working for me! Sorry that it wasn’t working for you, could you tell me what browser you’re on and if you were on mobile or desktop? Thanks!
Not only is this the best seasoning I’ve used but it has replaced about 4 other recipes! When my chicken was finished I added a tspn of corn starch with 2 tspn of heavy cream. Can’t wait to make this with steak as well. Love love love!
Wow, thank you! I’m so glad you like it! Thanks you SO much for taking the time to come back and leave a comment!
What type of paprika – sweet of spicy?
Sweet!
I put this on chicken and peppers/onions. Omitted the brown sugar, and added lime juice when I marinated. It was fantastic! The whole family loved it, especially my in laws! I can’t wait to put this on roasted potatoes — with a little olive oil, I bet they would make a yummy side dish!
So glad you liked this (always nice when you get a win with the in-laws, too!). Love the idea of putting it on potatoes!
This was my first time making my own seasoning for fajitas and this was amazing! Loved it, although I didn’t have Mexican oregano so I used Italian seasoning and it worked great! Thank you for posting this!! I will NEVER use a packet spice again!
I’m so happy to hear that, Crystal! Thanks for taking the time to come back and leave a comment, it means so much to me!
How many teaspoons should I used for 4lbs of meat, please?
Start with 1 tablespoon (not teaspoon) per pound of meat, so four tablespoons for four pounds of meat.
This seasoning was amazing on elk! Left out the peppers as my daughter doesn’t like the heat…she’s a picky eater but kept snagging bites of the cooked meat off the plate before it was served! We adults enjoyed the seasoning as well and will add it to the trusty recipe box. Thank you!
I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed it, especially your daughter! I have a picky eater too so I know how difficult that can be. Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and leave your feedback – it means the world to me!
This is amazing! My family and I are big on authentic Mexican dishes and this is as close as you can get being at home! We will be using this over and over. We only enough ingredients for a half batch, but it was still amazing. I also will try this with other meats and fish. Thank You!
So happy to hear you liked it! Thank you for taking the time to come back and leave your thoughts!
Used this to marinate the flank steak, and seasoned the shrimp and chicken right before cooking… and used the same seasoning on the peppers and onions. What a great meal. Thank you!
So glad you enjoyed this! Thanks for coming back to leave your feedback :)
Hi,
Found this seasoning online and after comparing this to several, decided to go with this mixture for our dinner the other night. Made a delicious rub for the proteins, even shrimp. Thanks!
So glad you liked it! I haven’t tried it with shrimp yet.
Hi Rachel,
I try to keep away from jars and packets where possible. Your fajita mix looks so simple. I will definitely be be trying this one the next time I make them.
Thanks! I do too. Hope you love this!
Hi Rachel! Just popped over from Aggie’s Kitchen. I’m so happy she linked to this seasoning mix. I always keep homemade taco seasoning on hand and I’m definitely going to give this a try too!
Love this, I hate using those seasoning packets. You never know what’s in them! :)
I usually just add this and that until I get a blend I like–but it’s nice to have a written recipe if I want to make it in large quantities!
These photos are awesome! I love the fajita writing :)