Skip the store-bought packets and make your own homemade Fajita Seasoning! It’s incredibly simple and can be mixed together in minutes (and you can reduce or omit the salt and the sugar if you want to).
This versatile spice blend is great on fajitas and grilled veggies alike. Round out your menu with cilantro-lime rice, guacamole, corn salsa, and a big batch of margaritas!
What is fajita seasoning made of?
Fajita seasoning is a blend of chili powder, salt, paprika, sugar, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and a bit of cayenne pepper.
I included salt and sugar in my Fajita seasoning, but you can reduce or omit them as you see fit.
If you buy Fajita seasoning in a packet, it might contain ingredients such as maltodextrin, modified corn starch, caramel coloring, and yeast extract. Why not skip all that and just add flavor?
Is there a difference between taco seasoning and fajita seasoning?
Taco seasoning contains a higher proportion of chili powder, as well as the addition of oregano and red pepper flakes, to give it more of a punch, whereas fajita seasoning is more subtle in flavor and softer on the palate.
How do you make Fajitas with Fajita Seasoning?
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil or vegetable oil until shimmering. Add 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken and cook, without moving, until crispy and blackened on one side, about 8 minutes. Flip and cook 8 minutes longer on second side. (To substitute steak, cook to desired doneness).
- Transfer chicken to a cutting board and rest for 5 minutes before cutting into strips.
- Meanwhile, add onions and peppers to skillet and cook until blackened and cooked through, about 5 minutes.
- Return chicken to skillet and add fajita seasoning (the full recipe below) and 1/3 cup water. Bring to a boil and simmer 1 minute or until heated through.
What spices do you put in quesadillas?
Fajita seasoning, of course! For every individual 8-10 inch quesadilla, add ½ teaspoon of fajita seasoning mix to your fillings of choice.
What is good in a quesadilla?
For a basic quesadilla, add shredded chicken or sliced steak, black beans, onions, peppers, tomatoes, corn, and pepper jack cheese, along with the fajita seasoning. If you would like a vegetarian version, omit the meat and substitute rice and beans instead. Fresh herbs are always a nice addition and a dollop of sour cream when serving will round out all the flavors.
How do you make quesadillas in the oven?
Coat one side of your tortillas with cooking spray. Lay coated side down on an ungreased baking sheet, top with seasoned filling of choice, top with another tortilla, and coat with cooking spray. Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and filling is warmed through. Cut into wedges.
Fajita Seasoning Recipe
- 4 teaspoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoon Salt
- 2 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- In a small bowl, stir chili powder, salt, paprika, white sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne and ground cumin together. Store in an airtight container.
I’m curious what the sugar does for the seasoning and if it’s necessary. I’ve been making my own taco seasoning for years now and greatly prefer it to the store bought packets. I have omitted the salt from my seasoning, so I feel comfortable reducing or removing the salt, but I’m curious about the function of the sugar.
Hi Yardley, the sugar is something you could easily leave out. The sugar doesn’t have much of a function other than it tastes good (I don’t know if it’s because I grew up in the Midwest, but sugar shows up in a lot of recipes where other people might be like… why did you add sugar?!). It might help brown the chicken, too, but I add it for the flavor. Take it out if you want to, no problem at all! Thanks. -Meggan
Love this. Use it for all Mexican type recipes., fajitas, tacos, quesadillas.
Yeeeess! Was great. Definitely saving this for next time. I’ve honestly never put sugar in any other mixture I’ve made for fajitas but this was very good.
This is great!! Then topped with guacamole..even better. Added lemon juice when chicken was done cooking.
My family loved this seasoning and fajita recipe. It’s super easy and quick (approx. 30 mins). I’ve added it to my recipe folder! Thank you!
Hi Amanda! I’m glad you liked it! :D
This recipe is a keeper! My husband said that this was the best fajitas dinner he has ever had :)
Hi Meggan, my family loves your fajitas seasoning. I made a flank steak fajitas with jalapeño wrap. It was delicious. Gave you a shout out in the blog!
Excellent! Delicious and easy. Thanks for sharing.
How much of the seasoning mix (e.g. how many teaspoons) do you use for roughly 2 lbs of chicken thanks
Hi Stacey, here’s the recipe I worked up to use the seasoning. I decided I should add it because it calls for adding 1/3 cup of water with the seasoning. If you missed that, your chicken would probably be overly salty/seasoned! I don’t want that to happen.
1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil or vegetable oil until shimmering. Add 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken and cook, without moving, until crispy and blackened on one side, about 8 minutes. Flip and cook 8 minutes longer on second side. (To substitute steak, cook to desired doneness).
2. Transfer chicken to a cutting board and rest for 5 minutes before cutting into strips.
3. Meanwhile, add onions and peppers to skillet and cook until blackened and cooked through, about 5 minutes.
4. Return chicken to skillet and add fajita seasoning (the full recipe below) and 1/3 cup water. Bring to a boil and simmer 1 minute or until heated through.
Hi Stacey, one batch of this recipe is good for one pound of chicken plus peppers and onions. So I would make double for 2 pounds of chicken plus veggies. If you are doing JUST chicken, no veggies, you could use the recipe as is (without doubling). One thing to note is, everyone has a different taste of what is “too salty.” If you find that you are sensitive to salt, you could use less seasoning blend overall or just reduce the salt in the blend. I hope this is helpful. Thanks! -Meggan
Your directions state to use the full recipe. Did you mean a tablespoon or a couple of tablespoons? Thanks
Hi Carey, the total recipe is 14 1/2 teaspoons I think, or just over 1/4 cup. You would use that whole amount with 1 pound of chicken and 1/3 cup of water. Does that make sense? You could certainly use less if you want to though. I will make sure that is clear in my post. Thanks!
Excellent flavor. My new fajita go to.
I only used the spice mix part of the recipe. It. Was. Awesome. Definitely a keeper.
How many lbs meat is this recipe for? Do I need to add water or oil?
Hi Rachel, thanks for pointing out that a recipe for Fajita Seasoning is useless without a guide as to what to do with it, ha ha! I’ve now updated the post with a recipe to put the seasoning to work. Here it is, I hope this is helpful! I should also say that I ended up doubling the fajita seasoning to make it work for 1 pound of chicken. Thanks for the question. -Meggan
1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil or vegetable oil until shimmering. Add 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken and cook, without moving, until crispy and blackened on one side, about 8 minutes. Flip and cook 8 minutes longer on second side. (To substitute steak, cook to desired doneness).
2. Transfer chicken to a cutting board and rest for 5 minutes before cutting into strips.
3. Meanwhile, add onions and peppers to skillet and cook until blackened and cooked through, about 5 minutes.
4. Return chicken to skillet and add fajita seasoning (the full recipe below) and 1/3 cup water. Bring to a boil and simmer 1 minute or until heated through.
Great recipe! I made this seasoning and used it for dinner. My wife and I loved it and will be making it again soon.
I have been making my own seasoning’s (chili, taco, brown gravy, dried onion soup…I have a very bad heart…and need to stay away from all the extra junk…this is much healthier and I can make as little or as much as I like, I also make my own pasta and pizza sauce too….
I L-O-V-E DIY seasoning mixes. This one definitely goes into my collection!!!
Thank you! I love to make and test my own spice mix! Going to try this one! Love it!