Stop buying the packet of high sodium taco seasoning and try my perfect Mexican Spice Blend to make your favorite dishes like tacos and enchiladas. My Mexican Spice Mix recipe is the best homemade spice blend with just six flavorful ingredients. Healthy and delicious!
Love DIY spice blends? Try my 10 Healthy Homemade Seasoning Mixes to Spice Up Your Pantry.
Homemade Mexican Spice Blend Mix Recipe
There is nothing like a good Mexican Spice Blend Mix. I love making healthy Mexican food at home and making them with good Mexican Seasonings makes all of the difference. I make it so much that I got tired of constantly blending my favorite spices together for that PERFECT Southwest flavoring in dishes. Sure I could buy a taco seasoning packet at the store, but it often has extra sodium or preservatives that aren't really necessary.
My version is the perfect blend of familiar flavors you love in a much healthier and homemade package. This simple Homemade Mexican Spice Blend recipe comes together with just six easy-to-find ingredients you probably already have in your pantry- chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne or chipotle pepper.
Plus it just happens to be vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, keto, and low-carb.
I love mixing up a big batch of my favorite Mexican spices. Whether I use it on tacos, enchiladas, fajitas or other fiesta inspired dishes, it always amps up the flavor of my meals with practically no work. I use this homemade blend in my kitchen every couple of days and adore it.
Why you'll love this Mexican Spice Blend recipe...
- This Mexican Spice Blend recipe is super easy and uses only 6 spices that you most likely already have in your pantry. The base is chili powder but I add cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and SMOKED paprika. It's super simple!
- It's healthier than packaged taco seasoning. No high-sodium seasonings here.
- The smoked paprika gives the mix the perfect subtle flavor and is my secret ingredient. BOOM!
- This Mexican Spice Mix is a flavor bomb like no other- way better than a package of Mexican Seasonings and taco packets.
- To kick it up another notch I add chipotle pepper. The smokiness of the paprika and the chipotle pepper is sheer perfection. If you can't find chipotle you can also do any hot pepper you like or leave it out if you want it mild. This is a fabulous recipe because you can customize it to your taste.
- This version has just a tiny kick of flavor... nothing serious at all. If you like your food spicy add more cayenne pepper for some easy heat!
What is Mexican Spice Blend?
Here's an overview of what you'll need to make this Mexican Spice Blend. Keep reading for the full amounts.
A Mexican Spice Mix is like a homemade taco seasoning but without the added sodium and preservatives. It's a great spice blend to make at home because it's super versatile and goes with any Mexican or Latin inspired dishes. For the best flavorful spice blend, be sure to use spices that are fresh and haven't been sitting in your pantry for years. Here's what's in my version.
- Chili Powder: Chili Powder provides the perfect base for a homemade Mexican spice blend. The combination of flavors is the perfect place to start.
- Cumin: Cumin provides a distinctive earthy, nutty, and robust flavor that is distinctive in fajitas and other Mexican cooking. Many Tex-Mex recipes feature this flavor.
- Garlic Powder: Garlic Powder provides a distinctive garlic flavor while keeping this seasoning blend shelf-stable. No need to peel garlic cloves for this one.
- Onion Powder: Onion Powder gives this Mexican Spice Blend a rich onion flavor without having to add the onion.
- Smoked Paprika: Smoked Paprika is my special ingredient that adds a deep rich color and a naturally smoky flavor to this blend.
- Chipotle Powder: I love the distinctive smoky flavor of Chipotle Chile Pepper powder in Mexican recipes. This is my favorite addition to my homemade spice mix.
Instructions:
This is an overview of the recipe instructions for my Mexican Spice Blend. Keep scrolling for the full printable recipe.
- Find the spices in the cabinet or buy them on Amazon.
- Measure the spices.
- Put all the spices together in a mason jar and mix or stir until well combined.
- Store in an airtight container or old cleaned-out spice jar in your pantry for up to a year.
Substitutions and Variations
- You can use granulated onion or garlic instead of powder.
- If you can't find smoked paprika you can use regular paprika but I like smoked so much more.
- If you don't have chipotle powder you can also use cayenne pepper powder.
- If you like your blend spicy, add more chipotle or cayenne pepper.
- Oregano, bay leaves, coriander, and cilantro are two other common herbs in Mexican Seasonings. You can add that to this mix.
- I didn't add kosher salt and black pepper to my blend, but you can add it into the mix to keep your meal prep time down.
- If you want more of a powder consistency to the spice blend, use a mortar and pestle or spice blender to grind it down.
- You can easily double or triple this recipe to make more. Store it in a glass jar or old spice container for safekeeping.
This Mexican Spice Blend is the BEST Mexican Seasonings!
If you are looking for a tried and true family spice mix- this Mexican Spice Blend is it. I use it all of time and always have some in my pantry. It's super versatile from adding it to meat, chicken, beef, pork, fish, shrimp, roasted vegetables, roasted potatoes, and more. Use 1-2 tablespoons per pound of meat or vegetables. You can also make this into a marinade by adding it to olive oil and lime. It also can act as a dry rub.
It will also work in any dish where you want homemade Mexican seasoning.
There are literally hundreds of recipes you can use this blend in including my Sheet Pan Shrimp Fajitas I shared just the other day... but I thought I'd leave you with a few to inspire your cooking! I even sprinkle it over my black beans when I'm making a simple Black Bean and Avocado Quesadilla.
I promise this Mexican Spice Blend will become something you reach for often. Enjoy!
FAQ
How do I store leftovers?
After you make this Mexican Spice Blend, you can pour it into an airtight container and store in it your pantry - away from heat and water- for up to six months.
You can also freeze homemade spice blends for up to a year.
Is Mexican Spice Mix the same as taco seasoning?
Yes! This recipe is the same as taco seasoning and can be used in the same way. Often taco seasoning is made with salt and pepper though, so if you are used to adding to a packet, you'll have to get back in the habit of adding salt and pepper to your food individually.
Ways to Use It
- Crock Pot Black Bean Enchilada Casserole
- Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos
- Shrimp Tacos
- Shrimp Tacos Bowl
- Vegetarian Sheet Pan Fajitas
- Roasted Vegetable Enchiladas
- Crock Pot Vegetarian Mexican Quinoa Bake
- Southwest Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
- Vegetarian Crock Pot Taco Soup
- Mexican Stuffed Bell Peppers
- Taco Stuffed Sweet Potato
- Southwest Grilled Sweet Potato Wedges
More Homemade Spice or Seasoning Blends to Try:
- 10 Healthy Homemade Seasoning Mixes to Spice Up Your Pantry
- Everything But the Bagel Seasoning
- Homemade Cajun Seasoning
- Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix
- Homemade Italian Spice Mix
- DIY Pumpkin Pie Spice
- DIY Herbs de Provence
- Homemade Blackening Seasoning
- Homemade Chili Seasoning Mix
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and a star rating ★ below. Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook too!
Mexican Spice Blend recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper or chipotle pepper
Notes
Nutrition
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Beth Neels says
I love the addition of the smoked paprika and the chipotle! Those give it a nice smoky flavor! Very nice!
Corina Blum says
I love the flavours in this Mexican spice mix and it would go perfectly with so many different meals. I'd love it on fajitas or to sprinkle onto potatoes to make spicy fries.
Chef Mireille says
I LOVE smoked paprika and this is such a simple blend I would definitely make this and keep this in my pantry for quick and easy dinners! This is perfect on even simple dishes like grilled chicken.
Lizet Flores de Bowen says
I live in South America and we don't get the packages. So, I'm glad I found your recipe!
Brian Jones says
That sounds so good, we don't get much Mexican food on this side of the Atlantic so this is a nice simple introduction.
Lisa Ballantyne says
My husband the cook makes the most amazing quesadillas and burritos! But he has never mixed his own seasoning before. Your recipe sounds fabulous!
Tobi says
Our favorite Mexican dish to make is quesadillas using caramelized onions and smoked gouda with whatever meat we have in the fridge. Most of my spices come from Penzey's and I'll definitely try yours when my bottle is empty. I do love all of your recipes; thanks for sharing!
Maureen @ Maureen Gets Real says
I've been using a giant thing of taco mix from Costco since it was easier to have that in college than constantly buy the packets (which are expensive to keep buying!). I never thought to make my own but I'm going to have to try this out when my Costco bottle runs out.