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I absolutely love to cook and experiment with different spices in my dishes. Recently, I stumbled upon a old recipe for making homemade fajita seasoning. Not only is it healthier and free from all the additives found in store-bought packets, but it’s also super easy to make! I highly recommend making a larger batch and storing it in an airtight container for future use. Trust me, this versatile spice blend is a game-changer and can be used on everything from fajitas to grilled veggies.

Why bother making your own fajita seasoning?

Well, for starters, when you make your own seasoning, you have complete control over what goes into it and how much you use. If there’s an ingredient you don’t like, you can leave it out or adjust the amount to suit your taste. On the other hand, if you prefer your fajita seasoning to be extra spicy, you can add more chili powder or cayenne pepper to your blend.

In addition to giving you more control over the flavor of your seasoning, making your own spice blends at home can be more cost-effective in the long run. Even if you have to purchase all of the individual spices for the first time you make the blend, once you have them on hand, you’ll save money over time by making your own seasoning rather than buying pre-made blends. Try our homemade taco seasoning!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

What are Fajitas?

Fajitas are a delicious Mexican dish that consist of marinated strips of beef, chicken, or shrimp that are grilled or broiled to perfection. They are typically served with a soft and warm flour tortilla, along with bell pepper strips, onion slices, and other savory toppings to enhance the flavor. Fajitas are a popular choice for those who enjoy a tasty and filling meal that is both easy to make and enjoyable to eat.

Who Created Fajitas?

Who created Fajitas? Fajitas originated in South Texas and northern Mexico, where skirt steak was used to pay cowboys. They have now become a popular Mexican dish.

Ingredients in Homemade Fajita Seasoning:

Chili powder – I prefer chipotle chil1 powder. Chili powder tastes like a spice blend that happens to feature a heavy dose of ground chili pepper. It’s earthy, mildly spicy, and pungent. Chipotle powder is earthy, too, but there’s a deep earthy smokiness to this spice that’s created during the drying and smoking process
Cayenne pepper powder – cayenne brings some heat to the seasoning.
Cornstarch – Cornstarch is used to help the spice adhere to the food and thicken the marinade slightly when water is added.
Ground Cumin – ground cumin adds pepperiness and smokiness to fajitas.
Garlic & Onion powder
Smoked Paprika – For this recipe, you can use either regular or smoked paprika. Smoked paprika has a more intense and smoky taste compared to regular paprika, which has a more mild and neutral taste.
Chicken Bouillon – chicken bouillon powder, I use this chicken bouillon powder.
Mexican oregano – Mexican oregano is more pungent that regular oregano. Mexican oregano pairs better with chiles and meat with a lemony taste.
Salt – Kosher, sea salt or regular table salt
Sugar – Sugar is not necessary for fajita seasoning, but white granulated sugar will help balance the spices. Brown sugar can be used instead of white sugar to caramelize the fajita meat .

TIP – One packet of store-bought fajita seasoning is typically equal to 3 tablespoons of homemade fajita seasoning depending on store brand.

Marinade – For 2 pounds of meat – 3 tbsp of seasoning to 1/3 cup of water or orange juice.

How To Use Fajita Seasoning

Cut meat* into thin strips. Heat oil in 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add meat; cook and stir until no longer pink.
Stir in water and the homemade fajita seasoning; add bell pepper and onion.
Cook uncovered over medium heat 4 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are crisp-tender. Refrigerate leftovers.

*Chicken – Cut boneless chicken breast or boneless thighs into strips.
*Seafood – Leave shrimp whole… I use raw medium-size shrimp for fajitas.
*Beef – I love skirt steak, but flank is a little less in cost, and is just as delicious.
*Veggies – Mushrooms, and potatoes

Try Homemade Fajita Seasoning on these dishes

Fajita seasoned fried chicken: Add 1 tbsp into the flour mixture when coating the chicken.

Homemade Fajita Fries: Sprinkle fajita seasoning on cut fries before frying or baking.

Veggies: Before grilling veggies, sprinkle with seasoning.

How to Store Fajita Seasoning

Store homemade fajita seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dry place — like your spice cabinet or pantry. It should stay fresh for up to six months.