Last updated on May 12th, 2023

This post contains Amazon affiliate links for products I use and love. Plated Focus earns a small commission on these links at no cost to you, and they will always be highlighted.

Easy Mexican Spice Blend

I always have this Easy Mexican Spice Blend in my back pocket ( under my poncho) whenever I’m out of taco or fajita seasoning. As a matter of fact, this flavourful spice mix is my go-to blend to flavour Instant Pot Lazy Chicken Soup.

Moreover, I often sprinkle this spice blend excitedly over my poached eggs in Shakshuka for breakfast. I love how its warm fiery red colour and the blend of simple spices come together to perform like a mariachi.

…handy for all-purpose seasoning

I have to say this blend is extremely handy for all-purpose seasoning besides using it for Mexican cuisine. I never put my jar full of this spice away; it just sits out most of the time. And the funny thing is that I don’t recall the last time I used my salt and pepper shakers. Surely, they’re in my spice cabinet somewhere…

…paprika, chilli powder and ground cumin

Undoubtedly, I hoard spices, as I have a ton of store-bought spice packets in my cupboard right now. Having an abundance of paprika, chilli powder, and ground cumin ensures I never run out for making Indian dishes like Eggplant Curry Salsa and Chicken Korma.

…garlic powder, dried oregano, and onion flakes

Likewise, I also have a good amount of garlic powder, dried oregano, and onion flakes for Greek recipes, which results in the fact that I even have more than one packet of the SAME spice! 

…favourite spices

So amigos! My point is that this Easy Mexican Spice Blend is conveniently made up of many of my favourite spices. And I feel a bit of a relief knowing that I don’t have to dig out individual spices when making enchiladas and make a mess all over my countertop. This often happens when I rush to get dinner on the table.

…savoury blend

To summarize, this savoury blend is the result (and godsend) of mistakenly collecting many spices over a lot of grocery store trips.

…homemade Easy Mexican Spice Blend!

To put it another way, on my last shopping trip, I hesitated to buy a packet of Tex-Mex seasoning, adamant that I already had some at home, only to come home and find that I had run out of it!

And that, my friends, is how I came up with homemade Easy Mexican Spice Blend!

Why you’ll love this Mexican Spice Blend

• It’s smoky and spicy, with just enough heat to marinate well with chicken, pork and shrimp.
• Never buy store-bought packets again, which have much more sodium than this spice mix.
• This recipe uses simple spices you may already have in your cabinet, so there’s no hunting around for ingredients at the store.
• This superb spice mix allows you to control the amount of spices, salt and heat to match your desired taste.
• One tablespoon packs a lot of flavour, so you only need a couple of tablespoons.
• It’s perfect for spicing various dishes, including soups, gravies and marinades.
• This recipe takes 10 minutes to make!
• Easily store the blend in an empty spice or mason jar.
• The blend has no unfamiliar ingredients, and it uses low-carb spices.
• It makes half a cup, but you can double or triple the recipe for a bigger batch.
• Whether vegan, low-carb, keto or gluten-free, this blend works with your dietary needs.
• You’ll save money by using up the ingredients you already have and making this spice mix at home.
• Adjusting the recipe allows you to control the amount of ingredients that go into it.

Carbs and Servings in Easy Mexican Spice Blend

This recipe makes a one-third cup of Mexican Spice Blend, which is 7g of carbs and 2.3g of fibre for the entire recipe.

…under 1g of net carbs per tablespoon

You only need 1-2 tablespoons of this mix to add to your cooking to make it flavourful and aromatic, making each tablespoon under 1g of net carbs.

Adding a bit of water to the blend forms a thick paste that you can use to marinate meats and vegetables, which further reduces the amount of carbs in your meals without adding too much seasoning.

Ingredients in this Easy Mexican Spice Blend

Paprika – is the main component in this recipe to boost the colour of your dishes and make them smoky.

Chilli powder – is a must if you love spicy Mexican meals, omit it if you prefer a milder version.

Ground Cumin – is commonly used in Mexican cuisine and gives them an earthy, robust taste.

Onion Flakes – makes the mix richer and besides adding an onion flavour which also replaces the need for real onions in your recipe.

Garlic Powder – helps the mix create an aromatic flavour to the cooking sauces in any cuisine.

Dried Oregano – adds depth and balances the strong onion and garlicky flavours.

Salt – brings out a tart flavour that enhances the flavours of each spice, and you can add less or more of it in the mix itself or control the amount while making your dish.

Black Pepper – adds another level of spice, but you can omit or add less or more while cooking,

Arrowroot Powder – helps to thicken the spice when it comes in contact with moisture, resulting in a thick gravy or sauce.

Lemon Salt (Citric Acid) – also known as sour salt. Look for it at Indian grocery stores or online on Amazon or at Spice World, which carries many spices that are hard to find elsewhere.

Lemon salt helps to keep this Mexican spice blend fresher longer and provides a tangy flavour to your Mexican dishes. If you cannot find lemon salt in stores, here are two ways to add tanginess to your cooking.

• Mix a couple of teaspoons of fresh lemon juice with the spice blend while cooking.
• Grind 2 teaspoons of fresh lemon zest with 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt, then add it to the spice blend just before cooking.

Organic Cocoa Powder – adds a silky texture to your Mexican recipes and is commonly used to make Mole and Chilli con carne. It also adds a depth of flavour and is worth adding to this spice mix.

Equipment Recommendations for making your own Mexican Spice Blend

Spices obviously take centre stage in this recipe, but if you don’t have all the spices, do your best to use whatever you have at home. Experimenting with a few is okay to see how you like the taste.

• Jars and labels or spice tins aid in keeping spices organized. So, if you need to update your spice jars, these modern square jars fit side by side in the cabinet. What’s great about them is that the lids flip off quickly for easy access.

• A spice grinder is essential for powdering whole spices to a finer ground, and sometimes I use my coffee grinder will work as well.

• A Mortar and pestle is a handy kitchen tool for manually crushing herbs as well as spices if you intend to make your own spices more often.

• Measuring spoons are perfect for accurately measuring each ingredient and preventing over-adding spices that usually change the flavour of the overall spice blend.

How to Make Easy Mexican Spice Blend at Home

1. Gather all the spices required or buy them online from Amazon or a local grocery store.
2. Clean and dry a 2-3 ounce spice jar or a larger one if doubling the recipe to make a bigger batch.
3. Grind the onion flakes with the lemon salt (if they are in granule form) using a mortar and pestle, then add them to the bottom of the jar.

1. Measure the rest of the spices individually, and drop them into the jar one by one. Pro Tip: Mix the spices into a large bowl if you make a bigger batch. Then use a funnel to transfer them into the jar.
2. Close the jar lid and shake the spice blend until thoroughly mixed. Store the spice blend tightly covered in a cool, dry place.

Best Tips for Mexican Spice Blend

• Use measuring spoons to measure each amount of spice accurately so that the correct flavours of the blend shine through.

• Use a coffee grinder to blend whole spices (if using), which also helps to bring out their natural aromas.

• Experiment with using this spice blend for various dishes to use it to its full potential.

• It’s best to use the mix within 3 months to benefit from its fresh taste. Remember to shake it before every use if some ingredients, like the onion flakes, settle to the bottom.

• Add the Mexican spice blend while cooking or roast it in a shallow pan to wake up the flavours. You’d be surprised by how much the flavour kicks in from the heat.

• Mix the spices with a whisk in a bowl for larger batches, then transfer them into the jar using a funnel. 

• This Mexican spice blend is a wonderful gift when presented in a fancy jar with a pretty ribbon.

Ways to use Easy Mexican Spice Blend

The versatility of this seasoning extends beyond Mexican cuisine and your favourite tacos, fajitas or burritos. Here are some ways you can use this awesome seasoning:

Make a marinade:

Mix 1-2 tablespoons of seasoning with one tablespoon of olive oil and coat meat (about 1lbs) or vegetables for roasting, sauteeing or BBQ.

A condiment for the table:

To boost the flavour of your meals, sprinkle it over salads, soft-boiled eggs, or bland dishes needing some kick.

Make a Mexican-flavoured dressing:

Mix 1-2 teaspoons with a 3:1 ratio of olive oil and vinegar for a dressing to drizzle on salads.

Make a Mexican dip:

Mix 1 tablespoon of the blend with 1/2 cup of sour cream or mayo to make a creamy dip. It’s great for low-carb nachos or veggies.

Make a spread:

Add 1 tablespoon of Mexican seasoning to 1/2 cup of cream cheese for spreading over low-carb tortillas for wraps.

Flavoured crumb coating:

Mix 1 tablespoon of the seasoning into your go-to keto crumb coating to make crispy hot Nashville-style chicken or wings.

Season a chicken sandwich filling:

Mix 1 tablespoon of the seasoning with cubes of cooked chicken breast, mayo, diced peppers, onions and green onions. It makes for a delicious filling for low-carb tortilla wraps, or you may like to try it with mini keto bagels or buns.

Storage Tips

Store the seasoning in a clean spice jar or container with an airtight lid, preferably in a cool dark place.

Store a larger batch of Mexican Spice blend in a bigger container, then use a smaller jar to fill it as needed for easy access.

This Mexican Spice Blend can be stored for up to one year, but use it within 3 months to give your dishes maximum flavour.

Did you make this recipe?

If you have a moment, please rate us below. Your feedback is greatly appreciated!

Tag your creation

Tag @platedfocus on Instagram and hashtag it #platedfocus

Follow

• Instagram
• Pinterest