What to use instead of fajita seasoning
Quick answer
The closest option is Cumin with Paprika and Garlic and Oregano, rated excellent. Essentially indistinguishable, and generally better, because a commercial packet is substantially salt, sugar and starch. The one thing you lose is the thickening the packet's cornflour provides.
It will not do for: Recipes relying on the packet to thicken a sauce, which will need a little cornflour adding separately.
All recorded options
Ranked by suitability. Ratios are given only where they are defensible, and always with their basis — by weight or by volume — because spice densities differ.
Use: 1× by volume — Equal parts cumin and paprika, half a part each of garlic powder and oregano, used at the same total volume as the packet — plus salt, which the packet already contained.
Essentially indistinguishable, and generally better, because a commercial packet is substantially salt, sugar and starch. The one thing you lose is the thickening the packet's cornflour provides.
| Flavour | Aroma | Colour | Heat |
|---|---|---|---|
| very close | very close | very close | similar |
Works for
- Any fajita or Tex-Mex application
- Anywhere a packet was going to be used
Does not work for
- Recipes relying on the packet to thicken a sauce, which will need a little cornflour adding separately
A rare case where the substitution is the better option. Remember to salt the dish separately.
Paprika with Cumin and Coriander seed and Cayenne pepper
Good matchUse: ~1× by volume — Roughly three parts paprika, two cumin, one coriander and a pinch of cayenne, at the same total volume. Salt separately.
A fajita packet is paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt and a thickener, and the reconstruction is close enough that most people would not identify it blind. The missing pieces are the salt — which is a large share of the packet by weight — and the cornflour that helps the seasoning cling to the meat.
| Flavour | Aroma | Colour | Heat |
|---|---|---|---|
| close | close | very close | similar |
Works for
- Fajitas, seasoned peppers and onions, grilled chicken
- Anywhere the packet was bought for convenience rather than for a specific flavour
Does not work for
- Recipes relying on the packet to thicken a pan sauce — add a little cornflour
- Anyone counting on the packet for salt, since this brings none
Fajita and taco seasoning are close relatives. Fajita leans on paprika and taco on chilli powder and more cumin, which is most of the difference between them.
Where fajita seasoning stands in for something else
The reverse view of the same graph.
- Instead of Taco seasoning — good