Fajita Seasoning – Slender Kitchen

Skip the store-bought fajita seasoning, and make your personal with easy, healthful elements you. Selfmade fajita seasoning shouldn’t be solely more healthy – freed from preservatives, extra sodium, and hidden sugars – but it surely additionally offers you full management of the flavour! 

Whether or not you are making ready traditional chicken fajitas, sheet pan steak fajitas, easy shrimp fajitas,, and even these ingenious salmon fajitas, this do-it-yourself fajita spice combine is the key to a burst of scrumptious taste.

What is precisely is fajita seasoning? It is fairly just like taco seasoning, however much less spicy. It is made with a mixture of chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

Whereas the plain use is for fajita recipes and Mexican meals, it additionally makes the perfect spice rub for grilled meats, makes wonderful grilled or roasted greens, could be added to soups and stews, and even tastes good sprinkled on recent popcorn.

In search of extra do-it-yourself spice mixes? Do this fish taco seasoning, chicken taco seasoning, and blackening seasoning.

Elements: Make Fajita Seasoning

A store-bought packet of fajita combine will include a whole lot of the identical elements as this recipe, but additionally some added ones which can be regarding.

Relying on the model these embrace; corn maltodextrin, corn syrup solids, modified corn starch, and caramel coloration. That is why I prefer to make my very own seasoning mixes and management the elements.

This is what I embrace in my fajita seasoning:

• Chili powder: This provides a light spiciness and smokiness to the seasoning mix. Most chili powder is gentle when it comes to spice stage so this may not make something too spicy. For a spicier choice, you need to use a spicier chili powder like ancho chili powder or among the scorching chili powders in the marketplace.
• Floor cumin: This provides smokiness and taste to the spice mix.
• Paprika: This provides the normal coloration to the spice mix and provides a barely candy, nutty taste. You should use candy or smoked paprika, however I choose candy paprika.
• Garlic powder and onion powder: These aromatics add a lot taste to the spice mix and likewise assist to mellow out the smokiness and spice.
• Salt and pepper: Any good spice mix wants kosher salt and black pepper to steadiness the flavors.
• Further choices: Some folks like including pink pepper flakes or cayenne pepper for a spicier fajita spice combine. You might even see some sugar in some blends so as to add a contact of sweetness. Different choices embrace oregano (I like Mexican oregano for this) or coriander. Lastly, some folks embrace cornstarch however I discover it is not wanted. 

Ten Recipes Utilizing Fajita Seasoning

There are such a lot of methods to make use of this do-it-yourself spice mix! Make a giant jar and maintain it within the pantry floor meat, grilled proteins, veggies, rice, or any of the recipes beneath. 

1. Ground Beef Fajitas
2. One Pan Shrimp Fajitas
3. Baked Eggplant Fajitas
4. Baked Chicken Fajitas
5. One Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta
6. Chicken Fajita Bowls
7. Slow Cooker Chicken Fajita Soup
8. Chicken Fajita Casserole
9. Pork Fajitas
10. Portobello Fajitas

How A lot Fajita Seasoning to make use of per pound?

A very good place to begin is 1-2 tablespoons of fajita seasoning per pound of meat or greens. This strikes the right steadiness, giving your dish daring taste with out overwhelming the pure style of the elements. You may all the time regulate the quantity based mostly in your spice choice—add somewhat extra for further kick or scale back it for a milder taste.

This recipe yields about 6 tablespoons of seasoning, sufficient for a number of meals. In contrast to store-bought packets, which regularly solely cowl one dish, you will have loads left over to make use of in future fajita nights or for seasoning grilled meats, veggies, and extra!

Make Fajitas

Now that you’ve some fajita seasoning, you’ll in all probability wish to make fajitas. Here’s a fast conventional recipe that may be made with any protein you want. Regulate the cooking time relying on what protein you might be utilizing.

1. Seize a pound of rooster breast, rooster thighs, steak, or shrimp. Reduce the protein into skinny strips, except you might be utilizing shrimp. Add the juice of 1 lime and 1 tablespoon of fajita seasoning. Let the whole lot marinate and relaxation for at the least 10 minutes.
2. Thinly slice 1 yellow or pink onion and 2-3 bell peppers. Use a mixture of inexperienced, pink, orange, or yellow bell peppers. Toss with one other tablespoon of fajita seasoning. 
3. Possibility 1: Warmth a forged iron skillet over medium excessive warmth. Add the greens and prepare dinner for 5-7 minutes till simply tender-crisp. Set on the facet and add the meat to the pan. Cook dinner for 3-6 minutes, relying on the protein and the thickness of the meat till it’s cooked via and golden brown. The meat and veggies ought to have some charred edges. Add the peppers and onions again to the pan and serve. SEason and serve in heat tortillas with all of your favorite fajita toppings.
4. Possibility 2: Preheat the oven to 450 levels. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Unfold out the protein, peppers, and onions on the baking sheet in a single layer. Cook dinner for 8-12 minutes, relying on the protein, till it’s cooked via and golden brown,

Suggestions and Tips for Selfmade Fajita Seasoning

Observe the following pointers for probably the most scrumptious fajitas and seasoning mix. 

• Select the Proper Containers: Put money into clear glass jars or spice containers for storing your do-it-yourself seasoning. Label every jar with the spice identify, the date it was made, and beneficial utilization directions to maintain your spice cupboard organized.
• Marinate for Most Taste: For deeper taste, marinate your meat or veggies with the seasoning earlier than cooking. Combine your spice mix with lime or lemon juice and olive oil to create a marinade that tenderizes the protein whereas including taste. Let it sit for at the least half-hour for the perfect outcomes.
• Combine with a Whisk: Use a whisk or fork to mix your spices collectively in a bowl. This helps break up any clumps and ensures even distribution, providing you with a constant taste in each chunk.
• Regulate Spice Ranges: Customise your seasoning to fit your style. In the event you choose a milder mix, scale back the quantity of chili powder or cayenne pepper. For further warmth, add extra spice or embrace crushed pink pepper flakes.
• Experiment with Elements: Be happy to get inventive together with your spice combine! Add dried herbs like oregano or thyme for extra depth, or attempt smoked paprika for a smoky twist.
• Retailer in a Cool, Darkish Place: To delay the freshness of your seasoning, retailer it in a cool, darkish cabinet away from warmth sources and direct daylight. This helps preserve the efficiency of the spices.
• Use in Different Dishes: Don’t restrict your seasoning to fajitas! This mix works superbly for tacos, grilled rooster, roasted greens, and even as a flavorful addition to soups and stews.
• Batch Make for Comfort: Think about making a bigger batch of seasoning to save lots of time sooner or later. Retailer it in a labeled jar, and you will all the time have a fast seasoning choice available for weeknight meals.

Instructed Sides for Fajitas

Relating to fajitas, many individuals take pleasure in sticking to the tried-and-true classics: Mexican rice, beans, and heat tortillas. Whereas these staples, there’s a lot room to get inventive with sides and toppings. 

One in every of my favourite methods to serve fajitas is to arrange a fajita bar with corn and flour tortillas, the place everybody can customise their very own plates, tacos, or bowls with scrumptious toppings. Add bowls of guacamole, bitter cream or Greek yogurt, shredded cheese, crisp lettuce, recent tomatoes, diced onions, cilantro, jalapenos, salsa, and recent lime wedges.