Fajita spice mix is a combination of spices that add authentic Mexican flavor to fajitas. While you can always buy the mix at the store, it’s easy to make your own and you’ll know exactly what’s in it.
Ingredients:2 tablespoons chili powder1 teaspoon ground cumin1 tablespoon paprika3 teaspoons dried oregano1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder1 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions:Combine all ingredients in an airtight container and shake well. Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months. To use as a rub, use 1 tablespoon per pound of meat. Stir into the meat so it is evenly coated. To use as a marinade, cut back on the amount of spices used to more closely match the amount of meat being marinated. The spice ratio should be 1 part fajita spice mix to 3 parts liquid (water, beer, oil).
Mixing:Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.*
A good fajita recipe is one of the best things you can have up your sleeve when you entertain. It’s good to serve a crowd and they’re pretty enough to impress. They’re also a great dish to make in advance, since the marinade gives the meat such great flavor that it doesn’t need much more than a quick char on the grill at serving time. This homemade fajita spice mix makes a perfect addition to your butcher shop or grocery store spice aisle collection – just add cayenne pepper and chili powder!
A lot of people are intimidated by the idea of grilling their own food, but I hope that these step-by-step photos will help you feel confident enough to try it. Take your time and be patient, and you’ll be rewarded with tasty, tender beef and veggies that are better than anything you can get from your favorite Tex-Mex joint!
You could also add a ½ teaspoon of chili powder if you like.
*To make this fajita spice mix recipe gluten free, use 1/4 cup of cornstarch instead of flour and use GF all-purpose seasoning.
**This fajita spice mix recipe is vegetarian, vegan, dairy free and Paleo friendly.
Though each of the ingredients is readily available, you’ll have to head to an Asian market for the fish sauce (I use Red Boat brand) and omit it if you’re making this vegetarian.
Fajitas, as we know them today, were popularized by restaurants in Texas in the 1970s; before that, they were more often called vaquitas, after the dish’s city of origin. But fajita spice has been around much longer than that; recipes for it can be found online going back at least to the early 1990s. Though I don’t remember seeing it before then, I’m sure it existed in some form long before then.
Tagged: cooking , spice mix , Mexican , fajitas , spices
Although it may seem strange at first, the combination of spices in a fajita spice mix is really no more mysterious than the combination of spices in an Italian or Cajun seasoning mix. The difference is that the Mexican versions are designed to be mixed into meat before cooking, while Italian and Cajun mixes are designed to be sprinkled on food after it has been cooked.
The Mexican method of preparing food is different from the Italian or Cajun methods. Italians season their food with salt, pepper and a little bit of garlic. Cajuns use plenty of black pepper and some onion and paprika. Mexicans prefer not to use salt at all until the end of preparation. Then they season with a spice mixture that includes chile powder, salt, cumin and oregano, plus a bit of garlic if they have it.
And since they don’t cook with salt, they need a source of flavor beyond what comes from the chicken or beef itself. That’s where the spices come in.
Fajitas are an ideal party food. They require little cooking, so you can focus more on the social and refreshment aspects of the party. And they’re fun to eat; no one gets tired of fajitas.
The ingredients in this recipe are simple and easy to find, but the spice mix has a surprisingly complex flavor that works especially well with steak. Try it on chicken or pork as well!
Make this just before serving; it loses its flavor quickly.
I make my own fajita seasoning mix and use it for a variety of dishes. Here is my recipe.
1 tbsp cumin
2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp black pepper
Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl, stir well, and store in an airtight container. To make fajitas, saute 1 lb. cubed beef or chicken with 1/2 tbsp vegetable oil until browned. Place meat in a tortilla and top with onion, tomato, sour cream or guacamole, cheese, and salsa. Sprinkle on some fajita spice mix to taste and enjoy!
