What Spices Do You Put in Fajitas? (8 Best Spices)

We are all familiar with the traditional fajita ingredients which consist of meat and vegetables.

However, there is a wide array of different spices and herbs to use when cooking fajitas.

Here are my top 8 spices, herbs and seasonings to put in fajitas!

Read Also: What Vegetables Go in Fajitas? (15 Best Veggies)

What Spices Do You Put in Fajitas?

The most common spices you’ll put in fajitas are cumin, garlic, salt, pepper and cayenne. You can also use jalapeño peppers, onions, bell peppers and tomatoes.

However, if you’re serving them as a vegetarian dish, you can leave out the meat and add vegetables like green or red peppers.

Still looking for other options?

Keep reading on, then!

1. Chipotle

Chipotle is a fantastic pair with fajitas.

The smoky, spicy flavor of the chipotle peppers kick your fajitas up a notch and give them that extra kick of heat that you can’t get anywhere else.

If you’re planning on using the chipotle powder to spice up your fajitas, we recommend pairing it with some other spices like garlic powder and cumin to bring out its flavor.

We also like to use fresh herbs like cilantro and basil to add an earthy undertone—it’s soooo good!

Here are three recipes where chipotle and fajitas are both included:

1. Chipotle Chicken Fajitas Recipe
2. Chicken Fajitas With Chipotle
3. Chipotle Chicken and Fajitas

2. Cumin

Fajitas and cumin are two of those foods that just go together.

Fajitas are a Tex-Mex dish that consists of grilled meat, peppers, and onions served on a soft tortilla.

The meat is usually marinated with lime juice and chili powder to give them a great deal of flavor.

Cumin is an herb with a strong aroma that is commonly used in Mexican cooking to add flavor to meats.

Serving fajitas with cumin can really bring out the flavors of both ingredients.

Try adding it directly to the marinade for your fajitas, or sprinkling it on top of your tortilla when you’re ready to eat!

You can also try adding some cumin into your next batch of pico de gallo for an extra kick.

If you’re looking for some new recipes to try out, then we have just what you need!

We’ve got three different recipes that all feature cumin and fajitas:

1. Cumin-Spiced Chicken Fajitas
2. Cumin-Lime Crusted Chicken Fajitas
3. Quick Sheet Pan Fajitas With Chili & Cumin

3. Smoked paprika

You’ve probably had fajitas, but have you ever tried them with smoked paprika?

Smoked paprika is a Spanish spice that elevates the flavor of chicken and peppers to a whole new level.

If you’d like to try it yourself, here are a few tips.

First of all, don’t be shy! Rub your meat liberally with smoked paprika before you cook it.

The smokiness will add a depth of flavor that you’ll be missing out on if you don’t include enough.

Secondly, consider pairing it with other herbs and spices, like garlic powder or cilantro (if you’re feeling brave).

This combination will give your fajitas an extra kick that brings out the best in all the different flavors involved.

Finally, check out these recipes for some inspiration of how to use smoked paprika in combination with fajitas:

1. Baked Chicken Fajitas with Smoked Paprika
2. Easy chicken fajitas
3. Smoked Paprika-Rubbed Steak Fajitas

4. Coriander

Coriander is the perfect spice for fajitas.

It’s a fresh, slightly citrus-y taste that adds a brightness to the spicier flavors like cumin and chili powder, while also complementing the earthy tones of onion, garlic, and red pepper.

The trick to using coriander in your fajita seasoning is to think about it as a final touch—the burst of flavor that really sends the dish over the top.

If your recipe tastes good, but a little flat or one-dimensional… add coriander!

Another great way to use coriander is in combination with other herbs and spices you might not normally think would go together.

Try adding it to an Asian-style dish with garlic, sesame oil, and ginger.

Or add it in small quantities to complement rosemary or oregano for more of an Italian vibe.

The key here is not to overpower your other spices with too much coriander. A little goes a long way!

Of course, if you’re just looking for a go-to recipe where you know these flavors will work well together, we can recommend these:

1. Pork fajitas with coriander salsa
2. Easy Chicken Fajitas with Coriander and Sweet Capsicum
3. Smoky coriander beef fajitas recipe

5. Oregano

Have you ever thought about using oregano in your fajitas? You should!

Oregano is one of the most common spices used in Mexican cooking, so it’s a natural fit for fajitas.

Oregano pairs well with cumin, paprika, and salt, so you can use it in combination with any of those spices to create a perfectly seasoned dish that will be sure to please even the pickiest eaters in your family.

If you’re looking for some recipe ideas that use both fajitas and oregano, try one of these:

1. Flavorful Chicken Fajitas
2. Chicken Fajitas (Easy & Flavorful)

6. Garlic powder

Fajitas are a lot like the wild west—they’re big, they’re bold, and they can be pretty darn unpredictable.

But there’s one spice that always brings fajitas back to their roots: garlic powder.

The reason why garlic and fajitas get along so well is because when you combine the two of them, you get all of the flavors of Mexican cuisine, with a little bit of extra kick.

The best way to use garlic powder with your fajitas is to add it as a finishing touch, right before serving them.

That way you can take advantage of its strong flavor without overwhelming your dish.

Some recipes where these two food items go perfectly together:

1. Easy & Juicy Chicken Fajitas
2. Easy Chicken Fajitas
3. Easy Chicken Fajita Marinade

7. Chili powder

Let’s talk about fajitas and chili powder.

Ever since the first time that Spanish settlers in Texas came across a wild chili pepper, they’ve been fusing this spice into their food culture.

There’s nothing more Tex-Mex than a plate of sizzling fajitas, and there’s no better way to spice these up than with chili powder.

Now some people might think it would be strange to have fajitas without jalapeño peppers, but we’re here to tell you that sometimes the simplest solution is the best one.

You can pair your fajitas with chili powder by mixing it in with your meat and vegetables, or you can add it to your guacamole for a truly mouthwatering taste treat.

Or you can even sprinkle it on top of your already delicious food for a little extra kick!

Now I’m hungry just thinking about it!

If you’d like to try out some recipes featuring both fajitas and chili powder, try out any of these recipes:

1. Chili’s Fajitas Recipe by Phyllis
2. One-Pan Chicken Fajita
3. Mexican Chicken Fajitas Recipe

8. Red Pepper Flakes

You don’t have to look far to appreciate the magic of red pepper flakes.

They pack a punch of heat that’s hard to beat, and they make every dish so much more interesting.

The good news is: there are a lot of ways to incorporate this spice into your cooking.

The even better news is: fajitas are a great place to start!

For starters, if you’re using red pepper flakes in your fajitas, it’s easy to use them elsewhere at the same time.

Try adding the same amount you’d add to your fajita seasoning mix into your guacamole and sour cream dips.

The spicy flavor will complement the saltiness of the dips perfectly, and it might just inspire you with new ideas for how you can use red pepper flakes in other kinds of dips too (think: ranch dressing or hummus!).

Another way you can use this spice while making fajitas is by sprinkling some on top after they’ve been cooked.

This is especially delicious when paired with a bit of shredded cheese—it’ll help the cheese melt evenly and add a nice bit of flavor that isn’t overpowered by the cheese itself.

Finally, if you’re interested in seeing other recipes where red pepper flakes and fajitas are both included, check out these:

1. Chicken Fajitas
2. Chimichurri Steak Fajitas
3. The Easiest Recipe for Chick Fijitas