This homemade Southwest spice mix loads loads of vibrant, smoky taste! It’s the ideal spices recipe for chicken, beef, pork, and Tex-Mex meals like tacos, chili, and more.

Recipe Summary.

Why you’ll enjoy it: Bring smoky, hot Southwestern style to all your preferred meals with homemade Southwest spices.

For how long it takes: 5 minutes

Devices you’ll require: a determining spoon and a little container for storage

Portions: about 1/4 cup

Easy Homemade Southwest Spices

Giddy up, ’cause we’re going South! Southwest, that is. I enjoy making my own spices blends, and this sizzle-y, smoky Southwest spice mix is my most current summertime fascination. Homemade spices are such a simple method to remove all the synthetic “fluff’ from your preferred spice blends. No unpronounceable ingredients, no ingredients. Simply pure, tasty taste that you can spray over whatever Utilize this Southwestern spice on meats, veggies, and all of your preferred south-of-the-border-inspired meals. It’s the very best!

Why You’ll Love This Southwest Spice Blend

  • Easyingredients There’s no right or incorrect method when it concerns selecting spices for your homemade spice blends. Purchase the very best that you can get in regards to texture, taste, color, and quality that’s budget-friendly to you. Then, simply blend them up!
  • Much Healthier. Making your own spice blends implies that you remain in control over what enters into them. No odd secret ingredients or anti-caking representatives. Plus, you can keep the salt levels to a minimum.
  • Personalize to your tastes. The taste of homemade spices is so far better than store-bought. The very best part? You can make your Southwest spices precisely the method you like it by tweaking the ingredients and totals up to match.

What Makes a Meal “Southwest”?

Southwestern is a design of food motivated by foods consumed by Spanish and American inhabitants, Native Americans, and Mexicans. Corn, beans, and squash are popular ingredients, however Southwestern food is incredibly varied, understood for its vibrant, smoky tastes thanks to chili peppers and spices. Tex-Mex is a popular variation of Southwest cooking (think: nachos and enchiladas, and chicken fajitas).

Ingredients You’ll Require

So, what remains in Southwest spices? Listed below, I have actually consisted of some notes on the herbs and spices that provide this homemade mix its signature kick. Scroll to the recipe card with the complete ingredients list, quantities, and recipe information.

  • Chili Powder— Depending upon the mix of chili powder you utilize, it might include salt included. Keep this in mind, or (preferably) try to find a mix without any included salt.
  • Paprika— I enjoy the taste of smoked paprika, however routine sweet paprika works terrific, too.
  • Cumin— It would not be a Mexican spice mix without ground cumin. This tasty, pungent spice is essential to this mix’s south-of-the-border taste.
  • Garlic Powder and Onion Powder— Make certain you’re purchasing 100% dehydrated and ground garlic powder and onion powder and not garlic salt or onion salt. They’re not the exact same!
  • Oregano— You’ll in some cases discover Mexican oregano in the spice aisle, and if you do, get it! Mexican oregano is a more pungent range that sets completely with Mexican and Southwest cooking. Otherwise, go with routine Greek oregano.
  • Salt and Pepper— Kosher salt and coarse ground black pepper, to stabilize the tastes.
  • Cayenne— For a spicy kick. You can consist of as much or just you choose.

How to Make a Southwest Spice Blend

Are you all set for the most convenient recipe of your life? To make this Southwest spice mix, integrate all the spices, and provide a mix. Voilà! Shop your homemade spice mix in an airtight container, like a container, and get spices. Keep checking out for simple methods to utilize your spices mix and comprehensive storage guidelines.

Tips for Success

Making spice blends from scratch is quite failproof, however here are some last ideas for the very best homemade spices, each time:

  • Usage fresh spices. While you do not need to go on a shopping spree for brand-new spices, whichever spices you utilize to make your mix, ensure they’re fresh! If your herbs and spices have actually remained in the kitchen for years, think about beginning fresh.
  • Shop spice mixes airtight. Shop your Southwest spice mix in containers or recycled spice containers, far from direct sunshine. See even more on for more storage information.
  • Double or triple therecipe Love Southwest spices? Just double or triple the ingredients to make a BIG batch to have on hand for all your favorite recipes.
A spoonful of Southwest spice blend held over a bowl of seasoning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Southwest spice the like taco spices?

No, they’re comparable, however not the exact same. Taco spices includes more spices, frequently with additions like chili flakes and coriander. On the other hand, Southwest spices is much heavier on garlic, with basic ingredients.

What can I alternative to a Southwest spice mix?

In a pinch, you can replace fajita spices for Southwest spice. The 2 spices share lots of comparable ingredients.

Close up, full view of Southwest seasoning.

Make This Spice Blend Your Own

Do not hesitate to change the quantity of one spice or another to match your tastes. There’s no limitation when producing your customized Southwestern spices. Here are some basic tweaks that you can attempt:

  • Usage less salt. If you’re seeing your salt levels, do not hesitate to adjust the salt to taste or omit it entirely.
  • Include basically cayenne pepper to change the heat level to your choice.
  • If you’re not keen on a specific component, just leave it out. This Southwestern spice mix will still end up delicious.

Make a Southwestern Marinade

You can utilize your newly minted spice mix to make a tasty Southwest-style marinade. We have actually been making this marinade continuously this summertime. It’s sweet, smoky, tasty … so excellent! I have actually consisted of the complete information in the recipe card. Here’s what you’ll require to make it:

  • Olive Oil
  • Lime Juice
  • Honey
  • Southwest Spice Blend
  • Salt

To make the marinade, just blend together the above ingredients, then include it to a zip-top bag with chicken, pork, or beef. Marinade the meat for 20 minutes or approximately 1 day ahead prior to barbecuing or roasting. Serve Southwestern chicken with your preferred Mexican sides.

Overhead view of grilled Southwest chicken sliced on a white plate.

More Ways to Utilize Southwest Spices

Sprinkle this Southwest spice mix over your preferred meats, veggies, or grains. It’s terrific for including a vibrant, smoky taste to grilled or roasted meats, along with chili, tacos, and other Mexican-inspired meals.

We’ll utilize Southwest spice for whatever from marinading the chicken in this Southwestern barbeque chicken salad (see above) to seasoning the vegetarian filling in our Southwestern packed peppers and loads more.

A bowl of Southwest spice blend in a bowl with a spoon, next to two plates with grilled chicken.

How to Shop

Storage is essential to extending the life span of your homemade spices. Shop this Southwest spice mix in an airtight container or container in a cool, dry location, like a kitchen. Effectively kept, it will keep for approximately 6 months.

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Southwest spice blend on a small measuring spoon.

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Overall Time: 5 minutes

24 portions (about 1/4 cup)

Avoid your screen from going dark

This homemade Southwest spice mix packs loads of vibrant, smoky taste! Perfect for seasoning Tex-Mex meals like tacos and chili, meats, veggies, and more.

Guidelines

  • Integrate all the spices in a little bowl or container and blend well.

  • Shop the spice mix in an airtight container in a cool, dry location for approximately 6 months.

  • Usage this mix to season grilled or roasted meats, veggies, chili, tacos, and more Mexican-inspired recipes.

Notes

Southwest Marinade

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon Southwest spice mix
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Whisk ingredients together. Include it to chicken, pork, or beef, covering all sides. Marinade for 20 minutes or approximately 24 hr prior to barbecuing or roasting.

Nutrition Info

Serving: 0.5 teaspoon, Calories: 3 kcal, Carbohydrates: 1 g, Protein: 0.1 g, Fat: 0.1 g, Hydrogenated Fat: 0.02 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.03 g, Salt: 54 mg, Potassium: 19 mg, Fiber: 0.3 g, Sugar: 0.1 g, Vitamin A: 254 IU, Vitamin C: 0.1 mg, Calcium: 4 mg, Iron: 0.2 mg

This site supplies approximate nutrition details for benefit and as a courtesy just. Nutrition information is collected mainly from the USDA Food Structure Database, whenever readily available, or otherwise other online calculators.

Did You Make This? Make sure to submit a picture & & tag me at @RachelCooksBlog. I enjoy seeing what you made!