Want to take your tastebuds on a culinary trip South of the Border? This one-step Mexican seasoning recipe makes it simple!
Mexican seasoning is a quick and easy way to make any dish more flavorful. It’s packed with delicious, aromatic herbs and spices and can amplify any recipe.
It’s a delightful mix of sweet, savory, spicy, and smoky ingredients. It’s so easy to make, too!
All you need is a bowl, a mixing utensil, and a fully stocked spice rack. It’s effortless and tastes fantastic. You’ll never buy store-bought Mexican seasoning again after trying this homemade version.
Mexican Seasoning
This recipe is called Mexican seasoning, but some insist it has more of a Tex-Mex flavor. Either way, it’s delicious and perfect for so many dishes.
Use it in everything from tacos and burritos to dry rubs and chili. Making your own Mexican seasoning is the way to go.
First of all, it tastes fresher. You use the freshest ingredients when preparing it. As a result, the overall seasoning is bolder and more flavorful.
Also, you can better tailor the ingredients to suit your preferences. For instance, many store-bought Mexican seasonings don’t have enough cinnamon. When you make your own, you can remedy that.
Or if cinnamon isn’t your thing, you can leave it out entirely. Make the seasoning as smoky, savory, sweet, or spicy as you want. That’s what makes it so perfect.
Ingredients
As long as your spice rack is full, you should have everything you need for this seasoning mix.
- Chili powder. Chili powder is one of the most essential ingredients in this seasoning. It adds the heat, the smokiness, and the Mexican pepper kick. So be sure to use fresh chili powder.
- Garlic powder. Garlic adds rich umami notes to the blend.
- Onion powder. Fresh onion powder works fine. However, you could substitute 2 teaspoons of crushed dried onions instead. Both taste great.
- Crushed red pepper flakes. Trust me, you can’t have too much pepper in a Mexican seasoning blend. If you like extra spicy seasoning, opt for cayenne pepper instead.
- Dried oregano. If you can find Mexican oregano, use it. It tastes slightly different from traditional oregano. And it fits better with the other flavors in this seasoning.
- Paprika. The recipe calls for regular paprika. If you want a smokier flavor, use smoked paprika instead.
- Ground cumin. Cumin is another staple of Mexican and Tex-Mex flavorings. It’s almost as important to this recipe as the chili powder, so be sure it’s fresh.
- Sea salt and black pepper. The recipe calls for half a teaspoon of each. But you can adjust it to suit your specific tastes.
- Cinnamon. You only need a pinch of cinnamon for the blend. However, I typically add a generous pinch because I enjoy the flavor. It adds a warmth and sweet spiciness that really takes the seasoning up a notch.
- Ground cloves. Cloves are pretty potent, so use a small pinch of those.
How to Make Mexican Seasoning
This recipe is impossibly easy to follow because it only has one step:
1. Mix the ingredients. Measure out all the ingredients and pour them into a bowl. Then, mix them thoroughly, and transfer them to an air-tight container. That’s all it takes.
Tips and Tricks
- Save your bottles. Plenty of spices and seasoning blends now come in glass bottles. These are perfect for storing DIY Mexican seasoning. The Great Value Organic line bottles should fit perfectly in your spice rack. (They do in mine – the KitHero Magnetic Spice Rack from Amazon.)
- Grind fresh spices. Doing this won’t save time, but it’ll give you the best flavor possible. All you need is a good mortar and pestle.
- Adjust the ingredient amounts. As I mentioned, the best thing about DIY seasoning is you can tweak it to suit your tastes. If you don’t like something, use less of it or leave it out entirely. And add more of what you love.
Variations
- Use Chipotle chili powder for a smokier flavor.
- If you don’t have cumin, coriander makes a decent substitute.
- Add some cayenne or ancho chile powder for more heat.
- Add a Mexican bay leaf if you have them on hand.
Ways to Use Mexican Seasoning
Here are a few of my favorite recipes that benefit from this Mexican seasoning blend:
- Easy Taco Casserole. Use the seasoning in place of the chili powder and cumin. Two tablespoons should suffice.
- Quick and Easy Nachos. Sprinkle it on top of the finished product.
- Walking Taco Casserole. Don’t use this instead of the taco seasoning packets but in addition to them. An extra teaspoon or two gives the casserole a ton of flavor.
- Mexican Meatloaf. Use it instead of the taco seasoning packet.
- Taco Soup. Use the seasoning to replace the taco seasoning packet.
- Mexican Cornbread. Add two teaspoons of seasoning to the batter before baking.
How to Store
Transfer your seasoning blend to an air-tight glass container. Then, place it somewhere cool, dark, and dry. (Your spice rack or kitchen cupboard should suffice.)
It should remain fresh for up to 4 months. If you want to extend its life further, freeze it in a glass, air-tight, freezer-safe container. It’ll last 6 to 8 months this way.
Remember to shake it vigorously before each use.
Homemade Mexican Seasoning Mix Recipe
1
servings10
minutes57
kcalThis Mexican seasoning mix is perfect for tacos, fajitas, nachos, soup, and more! You’ll love this easy, homemade recipe.
Ingredients
1 teaspoon chili powder, or more to taste
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder*
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
2 teaspoons paprika
1 -1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 pinch ground cinnamon, or more to taste
1 pinch ground cloves
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Then, transfer the seasoning to an air-tight container and store it in a cool, dark place.
Notes
- You can substitute 2 teaspoons of crushed dried fried onions for the onion powder.
