Homemade Tajin Inspired Seasoning
Craft your own homemade Tajin inspired seasoning right in your kitchen, outshining the store-bought version. The seasoning is a simple blend of zesty lime crystals with a duo of ground peppers, salt, and sugar that is for enhancing various meats, elevating side dishes, adorning fruit, and beyond!
I love sprinkling it over freshly chopped fruit and even my Instant Pot cilantro lime rice to lend it a spicy and tangy kick.
Bursting with vibrant flavors and endless versatility, this DIY blend promises to kick the store-bought varieties to the curb.
I've recently tried making chicken Tinga at home, and I absolutely loved the bold flavors it had. That made me think about trying my hands at a spice blend that packed in that punch. And that's when I tried out this seasoning blend.
Quick Look: Homemade Tajin Inspired Seasoning
- ⏱ Prep Time: 5 minutes
- 🔥 Cook Time: 0 minutes
- ⏳ Total Time: 5 minutes
- 🧉 Serving: 8 servings
- ⚡ Calories: 16 calories per serving
- 🍂 Flavor Profile: Tangy, spicy and salty- perfect to sprinkle over fresh fruit or pineapple Pico de Gallo.
- 👌 Difficulty: Easy, great to make and store for use for weeks.
SUMMARIZE & SAVE THIS CONTENT ON
Jump to:
Why You'll Love this Recipe
- The spice blend has a great balance of tart lime, spicy peppers, salt, and sugar, making it super versatile.
- It's actually really easy to make- just like my homemade Chipotle mayo. You'll just need 5 minutes in the kitchen.
Recipe Ingredients
- Dried lime zest: The hero ingredient! This adds that bright, citrusy zing to the seasoning. You can use True Lime Crystals too.
- Smoked paprika: For that depth of flavor. I love using it for my homemade taco seasoning that I use to season my taco pretzel bites.
- Guajillo powder: For the heat.
- Salt + sugar: To balance the other flavors.
How to Make Homemade Tajin Inspired Seasoning
- Combine all ingredients in a small mixing bowl.
- Whisk all of the ingredients until all lumps are gone and everything is fully combined.
3. Store in an airtight container in a cool dry area for up to 5 weeks.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Experiment with different types of ground peppers, such as Chile de Arbol or Chipotle, to customize the heat level and flavor profile of your seasoning.
- Don't hesitate to taste the seasoning as you mix it, making adjustments to the ingredients to achieve your desired flavor profile.
- Use a clean, dry container, ideally an airtight jar to store it. Keep it away from moisture and direct sunlight to increase its shelf life. I always do this when I make my homemade apple cider mix too.
- Make sure all the ingredients you're using (especially the salt and sugar) are finely ground and not coarse.
Serving Ideas & Suggestions
Sprinkle the Tajin inspired seasoning over freshly cut fruits like mango, watermelon, or pineapple for a zesty and tangy flavor boost. I like to dust it over grilled corn on the cob for a spicy and citrusy twist on a classic summer favorite.
You can also mix it into homemade guacamole or salsa for an extra kick of flavor that will tantalize your taste buds. Another great idea is to rim cocktail glasses with the seasoning for a unique and flavorful twist on classic margaritas or micheladas. I love sprinkling it over the appetizers on my taco charcuterie board.
And of course, every time I make my beef taco salad or my one-pan Huevos Rancheros, I always sprinkle some of this Tajin inspired seasoning right before serving.
Recipe FAQs
You can use moisture packets inside the storage jar to keep the True Lime crystals fresher longer. Moisture can cause the crystals to harden and clump together.
You can store the Tajin inspired seasoning for up to 6 weeks at room temperature, or even longer. Just make sure you keep it away from moisture and direct sunlight.
More Mexican Recipes
If you tried this homemade Tajin inspired seasoning or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the comments. I love hearing from you!
Homemade Tajin Inspired Seasoning
Equipment
- Small Mixing Bowl
- Measuring Spoons
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons True Lime Crystals or Dried Lime Zest
- 1 Tablespoon Salt
- 1 Tablespoon Smoked Paprika
- 1 Tablespoon Guajillo Powder
- ½ Tablespoon White Granulated Sugar
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a small mixing bowl.
- Whisk all of the ingredients until all lumps are gone and everything is fully combined.
- Store in an airtight container in a cool dry area for up to 5 weeks.
Notes
- You can use moisture packets inside your jar to keep the True Lime crystals fresher longer. If any moisture is introduced to this specific ingredient, it will cause it to harden and clump together.
- You can swap out the True Lime crystals for dried lime zest in the same amount. The lime taste will be a bit stronger and the size of the ingredient a bit bulkier, but this is all preference based. The True Lime crystals are 100% lime and are a finer consistency, allowing them to mix into the spice blend better.
- Use regular table salt and not coarse salt. Coarse salt doesn't mix into the seasoning as well and tries to separate itself.
- Do not leave the spice uncovered for even a few hours or it will harden.
Nutrition
