Fajitas are a popular Tex-Mex dish consisting of grilled meat, peppers, and onions served with warm tortillas. While fajitas and tacos share some common ingredients, they are prepared differently and have distinct seasoning mixes. So do you use taco seasoning packets for fajitas? The short answer is no, fajitas have their own unique blend of spices that differ from taco seasoning.
What’s in Taco Seasoning vs Fajita Seasoning
Taco seasoning is a pre-made blend of spices designed to flavor ground beef or shredded chicken to make tasty tacos. The typical ingredients in packaged taco seasoning mixes are:
- Chili powder
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Ground cumin
- Oregano
- Salt
- Cornstarch
This combination of spices imparts a familiar Tex-Mex taco taste. The chili powder provides rich chili flavor, the red pepper flakes add heat, and the cumin offers an earthy, aromatic note. Oregano and garlic powder round out the blend with herbal and savory flavors. Cornstarch thickens the ground meat mixture while also helping the seasoning adhere.
Fajita seasoning, on the other hand, relies on different proportions of spices to flavor the grilled meat and vegetables. Common ingredients in fajita seasoning blends include:
- Chili powder
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Ground cumin
- Paprika
- Black pepper
- Oregano
- Cayenne pepper
- Ground coriander
You’ll notice fajita seasoning contains more chili powder for extra smoky chili flavor. It also has warm spices like cayenne and black pepper to add additional heat. The paprika lends a subtle sweetness and beautiful red color while coriander provides a citrusy, floral note.
Why Not Use Taco Seasoning for Fajitas?
While taco seasoning and fajita seasoning share some base ingredients like chili powder, cumin, and oregano, using taco seasoning on fajitas would not provide the intended flavor.
Here’s why taco seasoning isn’t the best choice for fajitas:
- Not enough chili flavor – Fajitas need more chili powder for the authentic charred, smoky taste.
- Lack of paprika – The paprika in fajita seasoning gives the meat and veggies a rich red-orange color.
- Missing depth of flavor – Additional spices like cayenne, black pepper, and coriander provide a deeper, more complex taste.
- Too much cumin – Taco seasoning leans heavily on cumin while fajita seasoning uses a lighter hand.
- Not designed for grilling – Taco seasoning is made for ground beef, not grilled steak, chicken, or veggies.
Taco seasoning would overpower the natural flavor of grilled meat and vegetables. Using a blend with the proper proportions of spices is key to getting that true fajita flavor.
How to Make Homemade Fajita Seasoning
While you can purchase pre-made fajita seasoning mixes, it’s easy and more flavorful to make your own at home. This allows you to customize the amounts of each spice to suit your individual taste.
Try this homemade fajita seasoning recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and mix thoroughly.
- Store homemade fajita seasoning in an airtight container.
- Makes about 3 tablespoons, enough for 1-1.5 pounds of meat.
- For best flavor, rub seasoning mix generously onto steak, chicken or shrimp before grilling.
Adjust amounts of dried herbs, chili powder, and cayenne to suit your tastes. Use extra on meats that can handle more heat and spice.
What to Serve with Fajitas
One of the best parts of fajitas is wrapping all the delicious fillings in warm tortillas. Here are some tasty items to serve alongside the grilled meat and veggies:
- Flour tortillas – The most authentic wrapping for fajita fillings.
- Corn tortillas – A gluten-free tortilla option.
- Refried beans – Spread on tortillas and add fajita filling for more texture.
- Mexican rice – Rice cooked with tomato sauce and spices.
- Pico de gallo – Fresh salsa made with chopped tomato, onion, cilantro and lime.
- Guacamole – Cool, creamy avocado dip.
- Sour cream – For a tangy contrast to the spice.
- Shredded cheese – Popular choices are Monterey Jack, cheddar, or Mexican-style cheeses.
- Lime wedges – Brightens up the flavors when squeezed over fajitas.
Allow guests to build their own custom fajita wraps with their choice of meat, veggies and toppings.
Fajita Recipe Ideas
Here are some tasty options for fajita recipes made extra flavorful with a homemade fajita seasoning rub:
Chicken Fajitas
Marinate chicken breasts in fajita seasoning, lime juice and oil. Grill slices with peppers and onions for classic chicken fajitas.
Steak Fajitas
Coat skirt steak with fajita spice mix and marinate overnight. Grill with vegetables for robust steak fajitas.
Shrimp Fajitas
Rub large shrimp with fajita seasoning and quickly grill. Fill tortillas with shrimp, sautéed peppers and onions.
Veggie Fajitas
Toss sliced zucchini, bell peppers, mushrooms, and red onion with oil and fajita spices. Grill vegetables to serve as an entree or side.
Breakfast Fajitas
Make morning fajitas with scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes and bacon. Top with pico de gallo and avocado.
Fajita Tips
- Look for skirt steak for authentic beef fajitas with robust meaty flavor.
- Cut chicken and steak across the grain into thin slices so it cooks quickly.
- Char vegetables over high heat until lightly charred but still crunchy.
- Mix and match fillings like steak and shrimp for fajita variety.
- Serve fajitas family-style in a hot cast iron skillet.
- Let guests build their own fajitas for an interactive meal.
- Have extra tortillas handy since fajitas often disappear quickly!
Conclusion
While taco seasoning and fajita seasoning share some common ingredients, they have distinct spice blends designed for different dishes. Fajitas require a special blend with the right amounts of smoky chili powder, sweet paprika, zesty cayenne and black pepper, and earthy cumin and coriander to give that signature fajita flavor. For the most authentic taste, make your own homemade fajita seasoning to coat the meat and veggies before grilling up these tasty Tex-Mex classics.