Every morning, I reach for some sort of caffeine on autopilot. This may be in the form of hot coffee, cold coffee, tea (iced or hot), a crafty little big name bottled Frappuccino, cocoa, or sometimes, I pregame my coffee with cold coffee. This morning routine is as ingrained as getting those steps in everyday, cleaning the hatbox, and ensuring everything is as orderly in the house as I can make it before the day is off running. These little bitts of ingrained routine help balance the crazies of the day, whether it be situations, people, or more than occasionally, animals.

There are times, the day gets away from me and I find I haven’t managed my time well for creating a well balanced meal. I think everyone has been there at some point or another, either for a day, a week, or sometimes a season, depending on whatever life circumstances are surrounding you. Sometimes, dinner ends up being a banana and some peanut butter with a handful of pretzels. It’s not all champagne cocktails and canapés everyday. That’s called life balance.

On those days I don’t plan ahead well, I have a few go-to spice mixes I’ve shared already to help set myself up for success. The All-Purpose BBQ Seasoning Mix and my beloved Cajun Seasoning Mix are both incredibly delicious used in a variety of ways, and I love them both dearly. However, I realized recently that I haven’t shared the one that I use the most often, the one that gets remade on the regular, and the one that is undeniably my number one go to for shortcuts in the kitchen for dinners. That indispensable spice mix is my Fajita Seasoning Mix, and it is the best thing since sliced bread in terms of saving the day for dinner.

I find the flavor profile of this homemade Fajita Seasoning Mix is balanced really beautifully, the Cumin laying the groundwork for earthy undertones mingling with the Chili powder. Smoked Paprika adds an extra oomph and depth fort hose proteins that may not necessarily get grilled or smoked. I kept my hand light with the Cayenne pepper, though you can certainly adjust it to be a higher amount, therefor a spicier mix, if you prefer. The single teaspoon I’ve found works well for adding just a touch of heat, but keeps the spice level mild enough for young palates or those who are sensitive to spiciness.

Essentially, this Fajita Seasoning Mix is a homemade version of those fajita spice packets you find at the supermarket, only with no preservatives, less sodium, and a lip smacking amount of flavor that blows you away. I use this as a base for taco meat, for shrimp, chicken, and in a variety of ways that make it indispensable in my kitchen. That Crockpot Salsa Chicken that everyone and their cousin has made? Use this Fajita Seasoning Mix. The taco meat (beef, chicken, or turkey) you want to use for Tex Mex style tacos or quesadillas? Use a pound of ground meat and this spice mix with added salt, onion, and garlic. Make a black bean enchilada filling with this seasoning mix, or marinate or crust some chicken for some epic fajitas. I’ve sprinkled it in my scrambled eggs. It really is incredibly versatile for those last minute meals.

Fajita Seasoning Mix

Author: Iris Anna Gohn

This Fajita Seasoning Mix is almost ridiculously easy to throw together, and it stores for as long as your spices stay fresh or you use it up. My rule of thumb is using roughly about 2 heaping TBSP of the mix per pound of meat, and taste and season the meat with additional salt depending on what protein you have used. I purposely used a lower amount of salt in this for that very reason.

I will also often squeeze some fresh lime juice over the cooked protein, as I think the zing of the lime juice really helps make the spices sing in tandem with the added salt.

This is such a go to in our household that I often make a double batch of it, as that saves time to remix a fresh batch if you accidentally run out as you’re making dinner.Of all the seasonings I make in my arsenal, this is hands down the one I reach most often for.

Ingredients

4 Tbsp Chili Powder
2 Tbsp + 2 Tsp Ground Cumin
2 Tsp Granulated Garlic
2 Tsp Onion Powder
2 Tsp Dried Oregano
2 Tsp Sweet Paprika
2 Tsp Smoked Paprika
1 Tsp Cayenne Pepper
1 Tsp Fresh Cracked Black Pepper
1 1/4 Tsp Sea Salt

Directions

In a small bowl, add the chili powder, cumin, garlic, onion powder, oregano, paprika, smoked paprika, black pepper and salt. Whisk together until everything is combined.
Store in an airtight container, such as a small mason jar.