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Fajita Seasoning Recipe

4.88 from 31 votes
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posted: 08/15/23

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy
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This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy

This Fajita Seasoning Recipe is quick to make and perfect for easy dinners! With this recipe you can make enough for one dish, or make a big batch to keep in your pantry!

This is the best chicken fajita seasoning, try it in my Chicken Fajitas! And find more great recipes to use it in below!

a small jar of fajita seasoning

The first time I made fajitas using this recipe, my husband looked at me and said, “Something is different.” He immediately tasted the difference between this amazing homemade fajita seasoning and the store bought packet, and he thought the fajitas were way better.

There are just a few simple ingredients needed to make this recipe, and I bet you already have them in your pantry. I love this recipe because you get two different sets of measurements. With the small batch, I’m giving you what you need to replace the packet if it is called for in recipes. Or you have the measurements to make a big batch and always keep it on hand.

Reader Review

My husband was doubtful homemade fajitas would be as good as restaurant, but your seasoning convinced!! We love it!

How to Make Fajita Seasoning

This is a brief overview of how to make this delicious recipe. For the full recipe with all of the measurements, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

  1. Choose what size you are making. I always choose to make a big batch (and that is what you will find in the recipe card) and then just use 3 tablespoons of it to replace the packet purchased from the grocery store.
  2. Mix together the spices.
  3. Store it. This recipe can be stored in an airtight container for up to 6 months in a cool dry place.
ingredients for fajita seasoning broken up in small bowls and labeled, "chili powder, oregano, paprika, kosher salt, onion, powder, and garlic powder"

What is in Fajita Seasoning

People make their fajita seasoning all differently, but I was going after the taste you get from a fajita seasoning packet, and based on my family’s reviews, this one is even better.

For the full list of measurements, please scroll to the bottom of the post.

  • Chili Powder comes in both dark and regular. Either one can be used here, it is a matter of personal preference.
  • Kosher Salt is always my go to when it comes to cooking. If you use table salt, make sure to cut the amount by half to start.
  • Paprika also comes in different types. We used regular, but if you like smoked paprika, go for it.
  • Oregano is great in this recipe, and if you grow your own, dry it for the perfect fresh taste.
  • Onion Powder is the perfect addition and brings that onion flavor while skipping over the texture of actual onions for my picky eaters.
  • Garlic Powder is a must here, just make sure to grab the powder and not garlic salt.
fajita seasoning recipe broken down by ingredient in a small white dish

Small Batch Fajita Seasoning

The recipe you find in the recipe card is enough to make 8 batches of fajitas. Once you whip it up, you just use three tablespoons of it per batch. If you would rather test this out with just one batch of fajitas, you will need the following amounts.

  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 2 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Using Cornstarch

When I originally published this recipe, years ago, I had cornstarch in it. It is great in this because it helps the seasonings bind to the meat while cooking. But that being said, it isn’t strictly necessary. I find this revised version works just as great without that added ingredient.

So I will leave it up to you. If you would like in your marinades, add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to the small batch version of this recipe.

Why Make Your Own Seasoning Mixes

If you go to grocery stores in the United States, there is a whole section full of seasoning packets. You can find everything from spaghetti seasoning to taco seasoning to fajita seasoning.

This recipe isn’t meant to be the final word on how to make fajita seasoning. This recipe is meant to replace what you would find in the grocery store. This is a great way for those who like to cook from scratch to use other recipes they find online.

Additionally, making your own seasoning mixes allows you to control the ingredients for particular dietary restrictions like low sodium diets.

homemade fajita seasoning being mixed together in a small bowl

How do you use this Fajita Seasoning Recipe

This recipe can be used as part of a marinade or a sauce that is mixed with meat. Usually I combine three tablespoons of this mix with 1/4 cup olive oil and 1 tablespoon lime juice. With something like skirt steak, you will want to then marinate it for a few hours. When using chicken or shrimp, I typically just toss it all together and cook it in the oven or a skillet.

Steak Fajita Recipe

Steak fajitas are the ideal dinner to make this week. Made with the perfect steak fajita marinade, whip this up the night before for a quick dinner the next day.
Overhead photo of Steak Fajitas in a cast iron skillet.

FAQ

Does fajita seasoning have gluten?

Our recipes does not, but you should always double check the spices that you are using, especially if you are cooking for someone with a gluten allergy.

How much fajita seasoning do you use per pound of chicken?

You need three tablespoons of fajita seasoning for one pound of chicken.

Is this spicy?

While spice is a matter of taste, I think the average person would not find this seasoning mix spicy. My kids are pretty spice intolerant, and they love this.

a small bottle of fajita seasoning

Recipes that Use Fajita Seasoning Mix

I have so many recipes that call for this great fajita seasoning!

If you make any of these recipes, or this fajita seasoning mix, please leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

fajita seasoning recipe broken down by ingredient in a small white dish
4.88 from 31 votes

Fajita Seasoning Recipe

Serves: 8 servings
(tap # to scale)
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
This Fajita Seasoning Recipe is so simple to throw together and perfect for making easy dinners even easier!  With this recipe you can make enough for one dish, or make a big batch for lots of recipes!  This is the best chicken fajita seasoning!

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup chili powder
  • 1/3 cup paprika
  • 1/3 cup oregano
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt (if you only have table salt, start with half this amount)
  • 4 teaspoons onion powder
  • 4 teaspoons garlic powder

Instructions

  • Combine all of the ingredients.
  • Use 3 tablespoons in place of a packet of seasoning mix or for one pound of meat. (This recipe makes enough for 8 batches of fajitas. If you would prefer to make just one batch worth, you can find those measurements here: Small Batch Fajita Seasoning.)

Notes

Please note that the video shows using cornstarch in the recipe. The recipe has since been updated and there is a note in the post about this.
Author: Lisa Longley
Course: Condiment
Cuisine: Mexican
fajita seasoning recipe broken down by ingredient in a small white dish

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Fajita Seasoning Recipe

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Hi! I'm Lisa Longley, and I am committed to giving you simple dinner ideas and recipes that are easy to make; recipes that will fill your home with joy. I am the owner and author of SimpleJoy.com and I'm so glad that you are here.

Reader Interactions

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  1. Candy says

    We did the crockpot fajitas and this seasoning and we couldn’t taste anything it was really bland. Maybe it was the cooking method.

    • Lisa Longley says

      That’s what I’m thinking. I would need to know more before I could tell you what happened there. Like what type of meat, was it marinated, how much liquid got added to the crockpot, etc.

  2. Elisa Silkwood says

    Hi there,

    I am making chicken fajitas tonight and I wanted to know when adding the 3 Tablespoons to my chicken do I mix the seasoning with water or just put it on the chicken dry?

    Thank you. I’m excited to try this recipe.
    Elisa Silkwood

    • Lisa Longley says

      Hi Elisa! There is actually a section in the post on how to use it where I recommend combining it with 1/4 cup of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of lime juice. Enjoy the fajitas!

  3. Martha says

    I love this. Thank you for sharing. Will sure make this.

    • Lisa Longley says

      I hope you enjoy it!

  4. Stephanie Land says

    5 stars
    I wanted to do a chicken fajita spin of the One pot Cajun chicken pasta recipe from budget bytes so I came looking for a seasoning mix and happened across your site. This mix is very nice and balanced (I did add 1 tablespoon of Chipotle pepper powder to the large batch just to add a bit of extra kick). Use 3 tbsp of the mix in my recipe and added peppers to the original recipe so it would be more like fajitas. My husband said he liked it better than the original so that is definitely a winner! Looking forward to using it for that and for regular fajitas as well going forward!

    • Lisa Longley says

      Hi Stephanie! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave this comment! I’m so glad that you enjoy this seasoning mix as much as I do.

  5. Wendy Schultz says

    I like to add a smidge of cumin and I marinate my chicken using fresh minced garlic and lime juice while I’m cutting the various select peppers onion and Roma tomatoes. I select Anaheim chills, poblano and sweet red and yellow peppers. I then add seasoning to lime juice and a smidge of olive oil. I add the marinade seasoning to chicken then sometimes I let it marinade over night or several hours. I taste each Anaheim chili snd poblano to see how hot they are. Anaheim chilis can surprise so if your cooking for people who don’t like too spicy you can put less in and cut the hotter peppers in smaller pieces. Toma tomatoes are firmer consistency so if cut in small wedges they tend not to fall apart. Thanks for sharing your recipe.

  6. Sue says

    Question: When you say Chili powder, do you mean ground, dried chili peppers, or the store bought chili powder which contains cumin, ground chili peppers, salt, etc?

    • Lisa Longley says

      I mean what is listed at the store as ground chili powder.

  7. Lindy says

    5 stars
    I highly recommend this recipe, it was wonderful to used for chicken fajitas. Thank you for sharing this recipe I am definitely going to make a big Bach to keep on hand.

    • Lisa Longley says

      I’m so glad you like it, Lindy!

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