Homemade Fajita Seasoning is quick and easy to make and tastes so much better than store-bought! It's cheap, healthy, and easy to change to your personal tastes!
Homemade Fajita Seasoning
I've been making my own taco seasoning for a long time. Like since high school long. I liked it so much better than store bought seasoning packets that it inspired me to make this Homemade Fajita Seasoning.
It's awesome and you'll love it. For the same four reasons that I love both seasonings.
- It's cheap. Even cheaper than the stuff you buy from the store.
- It's easy. Just whip it all up in a bowl with ingredients that are probably already in your pantry!
- It's healthy. It's naturally gluten and dairy free, and you get to control exactly what's in it. No weird additives or preservatives.
- It tastes amazing. Better than store bought. 100%.
I was trying to figure out the difference between taco and fajita seasoning because they taste kind of the same but also a little different, you know? It turns out that the one main difference between taco and fajita seasoning is a citrus element, usually lime when making it fresh.
What's the Difference Between Taco Seasoning and Fajita Seasoning?
When I decided I wanted to make my own fajita seasoning, this was my first question. It turns out they're extremely similar, with just a few subtle differences.
Store bought fajita seasonings contain citric acid, where taco seasoning does not. The citric acid is meant to mimic the citrus flavors and fresh lime typically used in the marinade for the meat.
In our version today, the lemon pepper seasoning will fulfill the citrus requirement and give this fajita seasoning a classic tang. Or you can some tajin or chile lime seasoning for the same effect.
Taco seasonings also often contain Mexican oregano, while fajita seasonings do not.
What's in Fajita Seasoning?
The ingredients in homemade fajita seasoning are pretty much the usual suspects in classic Tex-Mex food.
The majority of the mixture is chili powder and cumin. Chili powder is a classic southwestern flavor and is used in my common dishes, such as chili!
Cumin has a nutty, earthy flavor, and a strong smell. It's also used in tacos.
The rest is made up of salt, paprika, lemon pepper seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and a little cayenne pepper for spice.
Why is There Cornstarch in Fajita Seasoning?
The cornstarch is there to simply act as a thickener, which helps the meat juices stay more with the meat instead of run off.
A better question in my opinion is, "Is the cornstarch necessary?"
And to that I say, NO. This recipe totally works without it. So if you're doing keto or low carb, just skip it and don't even worry about it.
What Can You Make with Homemade Fajita Seasoning?
Oh, so many things! You can use it with any meat to make fajitas.
Chicken, steak, shrimp, fish. You can even make vegetarian fajitas with black beans, sweet potatoes, bell peppers, and onions tossed in fajita seasoning. Check out my favorite easy chicken fajitas and easy steak fajitas recipes to get the how-to.
You can also season quesadillas and casseroles. Mix it into sour cream for fajita dip. Or into salsa or sauces for a tangy kick.
More Mexican-Inspired Recipes You'll Love
- Easy Chicken Fajitas - use your fajita seasoning on these!
- Easy Steak Fajitas - my all-time favorite food. Ever.
- Homemade Taco Seasoning - when you're done making fajitas, try out these tacos!
- Homemade Corn Tortillas - take your fajitas to the next level with warm fresh tortillas
- Homemade Restaurant Style Salsa
- Homemade Pico de Gallo - put it on everything!
Fajita Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.
- Use immediately or store in a small container.
Notes
- Lemon pepper seasoning: You can also use chile lime seasoning, also called tajin.
- This recipe is gluten free and dairy free! (Just check the labels of your spices to make sure there are no weird additives)
- I store my fajita seasoning in cute little spice jars like these. You can also store it in zip baggies or any container with a lid (like an empty jelly jar!)
- Please note that the cornstarch is optional. I rarely use it. But they do usually have some type of thickener in a store bought packet.
- Homemade fajita seasoning fits keto and low carb lifestyles if you omit the cornstarch.
- Don't forget to give your fajitas a fresh squeeze of lime juice when they're finished cooking. It will take them from "good" to "blow-your-mind amazing!"
- To use this Homemade Fajita Seasoning with the protein (or veggies) of your choice: Use about 1 tablespoon of seasoning per pound of meat. If you did not use cornstarch, use 2 teaspoons of seasoning per pound of meat.
- Check out my favorite Easy Chicken Fajitas and Easy Steak Fajitas recipes to get cooking!
Nutrition
UPDATE INFO: Originally published in May 2019. Updated and republished in May 2020.
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Dannii says
We always make our own seasoning - it saves us so much money!
Helen @ family-friends-food.com says
This looks great - a delicious blend of flavours and so easy to make. Thanks!
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
We love fajitas in our house so I am definitely going to be giving your seasoning a try!
Alina | Cooking Journey Blog says
Thanks for sharing! I love blending spices to make delicious dishes. That chicken pot looks so good!
Lesa says
I made last night, it taste better than store brought, thank you for sharing
Claudia Lamascolo says
what a great idea instead of having to shake all those different spices into the pan to have it all in one container great job!
Elle says
Nice idea for the addition of lemon pepper. I was wondering where to get that tartness that fajitas have that tacos don't. I was considering lemon pepper seasoning and glad to find you had already tried it. If only they made a lime pepper seasoning!
Michelle says
Yes! Lime seasoning would be perfect! lol
Cookilicious says
I love making spice mixes at home! It's so much easier, cheaper, and tastier. Saving this recipe.
Anita says
I'm super happy I have all the individual spices at home to make my own fajita seasoning. I guess my family is going to have some fajita for dinner. 🙂
Alison @foodbymars says
Love a good spice blend!! This is so easy and I have all the ingredients.
Dannii says
We get through so much of it, we always make our own to save money.
Monica | Nourish and Fete says
Making your own seasonings and spice mixes is totally the way to go - healthy, economical, and SO easy! This inspires me to have some fajitas ASAP!
Lisa says
I wish I'd see this on Tuesday -- I made chicken fajitas, but used packaged mix. Boo! Next time!
Mary Crumbacher says
There is a lime seasoning. It is called Tajin. Pronounced Taheen
Michelle says
Oh, thank you! I'll definitely try it out!
Anjali says
This recipe is great!! It was so much more flavorful than store bought seasoning and easier/cheaper to make it at home too!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
I made your recipe for a gathering the other day and everyone kept asking for the recipe. It was totally a hit!
Capri says
I love homemade fajitas! Such a great recipe that feeds the whole family!
Vicky says
Adding this to my arsenal of recipes to replace all the "pack" mixes.
Neha says
Wow I never tried to make my own seasoning ever. And now I am very excited to do it as it looks super easy and fun!