Stop buying the packet! My Mexican Spice Mix recipe is the perfect combination of flavors for your cooking.
Hi guys!
I love making healthy Mexican food at home. I do 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 packet at the store, but it often has extra sodium or preservatives that aren’t really necessary.
So instead of buying something new, I decided to mix up a big batch of my favorite Mexican Spice Mix recipe. It turned out so good I had to share it with you guys! I use this blend in my kitchen every couple of days and adore it.
Make your own Mexican Spice Blend! This is THE perfect mix from Running in a Skirt.
Mexican Spice Mix recipe
This Mexican Spice Mix recipe is super easy and uses only 6 spices that you most likely already have!
The base is chili powder but I add cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and SMOKED paprika. It gives the mix the perfect subtle flavor and is my total secret ingredient. BOOM!
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 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!
If you just cook a small amount of Mexican food use the proportions I suggested below but I will actually double or triple the recipe because I go through it so much. Store it in a glass jar or old spice container for safe keeping. 
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 it will become something you reach for often. Enjoy!
Use it in…
- Crock Pot Black Bean Enchilada Casserole
- Vegetarian Sheet Pan Fajitas
- Roasted Vegetable Enchiladas
- Crock Pot Vegetarian Mexican Quinoa Bake
- Southwest Stuffed Spaghetti Squash
Like my Mexican Spice Mix recipe? I’d love it if you could pin this to your favorite Pinterest board! Thank you so much for the support.
The perfect blend for all your recipes... the best Mexican Spice Mix recipe!
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or chipotle pepper
You can easily double, triple or quadruple this to make a big batch to store in your pantry.
Your turn!
What’s your favorite Mexican food dish to cook at home?
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I love the addition of the smoked paprika and the chipotle! Those give it a nice smoky flavor! Very nice!
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.
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.
I live in South America and we don’t get the packages. So, I’m glad I found your recipe!
That sounds so good, we don’t get much Mexican food on this side of the Atlantic so this is a nice simple introduction.
My husband the cook makes the most amazing quesadillas and burritos! But he has never mixed his own seasoning before. Your recipe sounds fabulous!
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!
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.