Fajita Seasoning – Slender Kitchen

Skip the store-bought fajita seasoning, and make your personal with easy, healthful substances you. Do-it-yourself fajita seasoning just isn’t solely more healthy – freed from preservatives, extra sodium, and hidden sugars – but it surely additionally provides you full management of the flavour! 

Whether or not you are getting 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 much like taco seasoning, however much less spicy. It is made with a mix of chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

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

Searching for extra do-it-yourself spice mixes? Do that fish taco seasoning, chicken taco seasoning, and blackening seasoning.

Elements: The way to Make Fajita Seasoning

A store-bought packet of fajita combine will comprise plenty of the identical substances as this recipe, but additionally some added ones which are 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 substances.

This is what I embrace in my fajita seasoning:

• Chili powder: This provides a gentle spiciness and smokiness to the seasoning mix. Most chili powder is delicate when it comes to spice degree 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 sizzling chili powders in the marketplace.
• Floor cumin: This provides smokiness and taste to the spice mix.
• Paprika: This provides the standard coloration to the spice mix and provides a barely candy, nutty taste. You should utilize candy or smoked paprika, however I desire 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 stability the flavors.
• Extra choices: Some individuals like including purple pepper flakes or cayenne pepper for a spicier fajita spice combine. You may 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 individuals 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 an enormous jar and maintain it within the pantry floor meat, grilled proteins, veggies, rice, or any of the recipes under. 

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 great place to begin is 1-2 tablespoons of fajita seasoning per pound of meat or greens. This strikes the right stability, giving your dish daring taste with out overwhelming the pure style of the substances. You possibly can all the time alter the quantity primarily based in your spice desire—add a bit of extra for further kick or cut back it for a milder taste.

This recipe yields about 6 tablespoons of seasoning, sufficient for a number of meals. Not like store-bought packets, which regularly solely cowl one dish, you may have a lot left over to make use of in future fajita nights or for seasoning grilled meats, veggies, and extra!

The way to Make Fajitas

Now that you’ve some fajita seasoning, you’ll most likely need to make fajitas. Here’s a fast conventional recipe that may be made with any protein you want. Alter the cooking time relying on what protein you’re utilizing.

1. Seize a pound of rooster breast, rooster thighs, steak, or shrimp. Lower the protein into skinny strips, until you’re utilizing shrimp. Add the juice of 1 lime and 1 tablespoon of fajita seasoning. Let all the pieces marinate and relaxation for no less than 10 minutes.
2. Thinly slice 1 yellow or purple onion and 2-3 bell peppers. Use a mix of inexperienced, purple, orange, or yellow bell peppers. Toss with one other tablespoon of fajita seasoning. 
3. Choice 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. Prepare dinner for 3-6 minutes, relying on the protein and the thickness of the meat till it’s cooked by 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. Choice 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. Prepare dinner for 8-12 minutes, relying on the protein, till it’s cooked by and golden brown,

Suggestions and Methods for Do-it-yourself Fajita Seasoning

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

• Select the Proper Containers: Spend money on clear glass jars or spice containers for storing your do-it-yourself seasoning. Label every jar with the spice title, the date it was made, and really useful 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 no less than half-hour for one of the best 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 chew.
• Alter Spice Ranges: Customise your seasoning to fit your style. In case you desire a milder mix, cut back the quantity of chili powder or cayenne pepper. For further warmth, add extra spice or embrace crushed purple pepper flakes.
• Experiment with Elements: Be at liberty to get artistic 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 keep the efficiency of the spices.
• Use in Different Dishes: Don’t restrict your seasoning to fajitas! This mix works fantastically for tacos, grilled rooster, roasted greens, and even as a flavorful addition to soups and stews.
• Batch Make for Comfort: Contemplate making a bigger batch of seasoning to avoid wasting time sooner or later. Retailer it in a labeled jar, and you may all the time have a fast seasoning choice readily available for weeknight meals.

Steered Sides for Fajitas

In relation to fajitas, many individuals get pleasure from sticking to the tried-and-true classics: Mexican rice, beans, and heat tortillas. Whereas these staples, there may be a lot room to get artistic with sides and toppings. 

One among 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, contemporary tomatoes, diced onions, cilantro, jalapenos, salsa, and contemporary lime wedges.