Growing up, we didn’t eat out often (like never) so it was always a really special treat to go to any restaurant. When we did go somewhere to eat, we often chose Mexican food. Our whole family enjoyed it and it was pretty much the only non-chain decent restaurant in our small town.
I had simple tastes back then and almost always ordered the kids’ tacos. Then one day in high school I decided to branch out and order the fajita salad (I think I was trying to be healthy). The salad I ordered may not have been all that healthy, but it was delicious! I loved the flavors of cumin, chili powder, onions, and peppers.
Reinventing Old Favorites the Healthy Way
As a grown-up, non-kids-meal-eating food blogger, I’ve graduated to grown-up (real food) versions of my old favorites. We still don’t eat out that often, but now I’m the mom insisting we cook at home. My kids skipped the kids’ meal phase altogether and are used to the tastes and textures of real food.
Now that I know spices are about more than just good flavor, I look for every opportunity to work herbs and spices into our meals. Fajitas are the perfect excuse!
Of course, eating healthy rules out not only kids’ meals but also premade store-bought fajita seasoning. These seldom… or never… only contain spices. And I’m not a fan of maltodextrin and MSG in my fajitas thank you very much.
Homemade Seasoning in Bulk
Making a spice mix at home avoids additives and other fillers. Not to mention it’s much more economical.
I’ve found using homemade seasoning can be just as easy and quick if I make them in bulk. I take out my spices and measure and mix just once rather than having to do it each time. You can mix everything in a small bowl first or just shake it together in the jar.
Having a glass jar of fajita seasoning ready to go saves me time when I’m throwing dinner together at the last minute for a hungry brood. It also frees me up from having to look up a recipe each time to remind myself of the ratios.
Just wash and chop veggies and a pound of meat, cook, add spice, and… fajitas! That’s my style of cooking!
Fajita Seasoning Mix from Scratch
This healthy fajita seasoning spice blend is great on my fajita slow cooker chicken, fajita chicken salad, or steak fajita salad recipes. I especially love adding some to omelets for a little kick. This blend is also versatile enough it can be used in place of taco seasoning in a pinch.
Using quality, dried herbs from a reputable company (or, growing and drying them if you have the time and interest!) makes all the difference. I get my spices in bulk since we go through them quickly. See all the links in the recipe for the ones I use.
Unlike the seasoning packets with their mystery ingredients, this uses wholesome herbs. The combination of smoked paprika, cumin, chili, garlic, and onion really packs a punch. Some recipes also add oregano or black pepper but I prefer it without.
I use this spice blend strategy for more recipes than just fajitas and you can find them all here. I made sure to put a few into my cookbook too because these spice blends are some of the most used items in my pantry. I’d be lost without them!
Homemade Fajita Seasoning Recipe
Servings
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼ cup chili powder
- 2 TBSP salt
- 2 TBSP smoked paprika
- 2 TBSP ground cumin
- 1 TBSP onion powder
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Combine all the spices in a jar, put on the lid, and shake to mix.
- Store in an airtight container and use however you’d like.
Nutrition
Notes
Like this recipe? Check out my new cookbook, or get all my recipes (over 500!) in a personalized weekly meal planner here!
More Homemade Seasoning Mixes
Try some more homemade seasoning mixes while you’re at it!
How to Use Your Fajita Seasoning
This recipe combines all of my Tex-Mex favorite flavors for the perfect seasoning blend for fajitas, tacos, and more. Try the fajita mix on chicken fajitas, shrimp fajitas, or quesadillas. You could also add the powder to a meat marinade before cooking.
And don’t forget the toppings like sour cream, cilantro, bell peppers, and lime juice.
Do you enjoy fajitas? Have you perfected the art of making them at home? Share below!
Just want to say I’ve been following Wellness Mama for a few years, a d I just love your blogs, recipes, and all. I’m a 76-year great grandma and I’m still learning from you. Thank you! ??