Homemade Fajita Seasoning

By Becky Hardin

Updated Aug 6, 2026

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I love making my own Homemade Fajita Seasoning because it’s packed with a bold blend of spices that I usually already have in my kitchen. It comes together with ingredients like brown sugar, smoked paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, and a few other pantry staples. Once I started making my own blend, I quickly realized store-bought blends just can’t compare to its fresh, mouthwatering flavor.

Fajita Seasoning Recipe

This fajita seasoning is a delicious blend of dried herbs and spices made from pantry staples I always have on hand. I created this simple combination for a flavor profile that takes any dish to the next level. I know it’s super convenient to pick up a packet of seasoning at the grocery store, but once you try this fragrant and flavorful homemade version, you’ll be sold too. Now, my spice rack is never without a batch, making it easy for me to add a burst of flavor to my Mexican-inspired dishes. Though I did use a touch of red pepper flakes, the blend is not at all spicy, but the great thing about custom blends is you can modify them to your liking.

Tips for Beginners

• Make a marinade. Whisk together 1 tbsp of fajita seasoning, 3 tbsp of canola oil, 1 tbsp of low-sodium soy sauce, and 1 tbsp of fresh lime juice until well incorporated. Use it on shrimp, chicken, or steak. Depending on the amount of time I have, I’ll refrigerate for 1-8 hours to marinate.
• Use fresh spices. For the most flavorful fajita seasoning, make sure your spices haven’t been sitting in the back of your pantry for years. Ground spices lose their potency over time, so using fresh seasonings will give your homemade blend a much brighter flavor.
• Test if your spice mix is still good. Grab a little between your fingers and rub it. If it has a strong aroma, you are good to go.

Recipe Card

Homemade Fajita Seasoning Recipe

Difficulty: Easy

4.62 from 104 votes

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Total: 5 minutes mins

Servings: 12 tablespoons

Author: Becky Hardin

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This homemade fajita seasoning is quick and easy to prepare and will make your fajitas sing! A delicious blend of fresh herbs and spices, this authentic mix is so much better than store-bought.

Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.

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Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 3 tbsp dark brown sugar
• ▢ 1 tbsp ground cumin
• ▢ 2 tsp kosher salt
• ▢ 2 tsp smoked paprika
• ▢ 1 tsp black pepper
• ▢ 1 tsp dried oregano
• ▢ 1 tsp garlic powder
• ▢ 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• ▢ ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ▢ ¼ tsp dried thyme
• ▢ ¼ tsp dried rosemary

Video

Instructions 

• Add all of the spices to a small bowl and mix thoroughly until everything is evenly combined.
  3 tbsp dark brown sugar, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 2 tsp kosher salt, 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, ¼ tsp ground nutmeg, ¼ tsp dried thyme, ¼ tsp dried rosemary
• Store in an airtight container.

Becky’s Tips

• Yield is ¾ cup. I use about 1 tbsp per pound of meat. 
• Combine 1 tbsp of fajita seasoning with 3 tbsp of canola oil, 1 tbsp of low-sodium soy sauce, and 1 tbsp of fresh lime juice and marinate shrimp, chicken, or steak.
• Pinch a touch of seasoning between your fingers. If it gives off a strong aroma you blend is good to use. 
• Make sure your spices are fresh so you get the best flavor.
• Keep seasoning in an airtight container or jar, in a moisture-free environment, up to 4 months.

Serving: 1tbspCalories: 17kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 392mgPotassium: 27mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 220IUCalcium: 11mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

How to Make Homemade Fajita Seasoning Step by Step

Combine the ingredients: Combine 3 tbsp dark brown sugar, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 2 tsp kosher salt, 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, ¼ tsp ground nutmeg, ¼ tsp dried thyme, and ¼ tsp dried rosemary in a bowl.

Mix: Mix until well combined.

Use or save: Use on your favorite fajitas (see serving suggestions below). Transfer to an airtight container and save for future use.

How to Store

I find that store-bought spice blends tend to go stale and lose their flavor and aroma pretty quickly, but no such worries with this homemade fajita seasoning. Make sure the spices and herbs you use have a long shelf life, and store the mix in the cupboard in an airtight container; it will last for up to 4 months.

Serving Suggestions

I always keep a jar of this homemade seasoning in my pantry because it makes every fajita night even better. I pull out my homemade seasoning to use on shrimp fajitas, grilled steak fajitas, or chicken fajitas, and so much more—the flavor is so much fresher and bolder than store-bought blends. Plus, this recipe makes a generous batch, so once I mix up a jar, I’m stocked for plenty of easy, flavorful meals.

More Homemade Seasoning Recipes To Try

• Chicken Seasoning is a blend of spices, sugar, and herbs that add loads of flavor to all my favorite chicken recipes.
• For this Burger Seasoning, I combine a few herbs and spices to create a savory and smoky flavor.
• This Homemade Chili Seasoning is the perfect balance of heat and flavor, packed with all the good seasonings, like smoked paprika, dried lemon peel, and cumin.

more pantry staple recipes

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Homemade Ranch Dressing Recipe

Homemade Marinara Sauce Recipe

Homemade Everything Bagel Seasoning (Everything But The Bagel!)