• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Bake It With Love

  • Grilling
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Cookbooks
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Grilling
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Cookbooks
  • Subscribe
×
Home » Recipes » Spice Blends & Seasoning Mixes

Last Updated: Apr 12, 2023 by Angela Latimer · 2 Comments

Southwest Seasoning

Jump to Recipe
Pin image with text of Southwest seasoning ingredients on a white background.

This Southwest seasoning is the perfect homemade spice blend to use in Tex-Mex and Southwestern-style cooking! It has a bold and savory flavor that can truly transform a dish. Plus, you have complete control over the spice level, so you can easily adjust it to suit your taste!

Homemade Southwest Seasoning Mix

I'm a huge fan of making my own seasoning blends at home, and this Southwest seasoning mix is one of my favorites! It's super versatile and has all the flavor of the popular store-bought brands without the preservatives or the price tag.

You can use it to give flavor to vegetables, such as grilled corn or sautéed squash, or add it to your favorite Tex-Mex recipes like chicken fajitas or beef tacos. Not to mention, it can also be used to make an excellent rub or marinade for chicken, pork, beef, or fish!

Square image of Southwest seasoning ingredients on a white background.
Southwest seasoning will add a bold and zesty flavor to all your favorite recipes!
Jump to:
  • Homemade Southwest Seasoning Mix
  • 🥘 Southwest Seasoning Ingredients
  • 🔪 How To Make Southwest Seasoning
  • 💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
  • 🥡 Storing
  • ❓ Recipe FAQs
  • 🌮 Tex-Mex Recipes To Try
  • 📖 Recipe Card
  • 💬 Comments & Reviews

If you're ready to ditch store-bought seasonings, my full collection of homemade spice mixes and seasoning blends is a great place to start!

🥘 Southwest Seasoning Ingredients

If you keep your spice cabinet stocked, then you may have these ingredients at home already! This recipe is a little spicy as it is written, so adjust the cayenne and red pepper as needed.

  • Chili Powder - 2 tablespoons of chili powder, ancho chili powder, or a chili powder substitute.
  • Cumin - 2 tablespoons of ground cumin.
  • Paprika - 2 tablespoons of paprika, smoked paprika, or a paprika substitute.
  • Garlic Powder - 1 ½ tablespoons of garlic powder.
  • Oregano - 1 tablespoon of dried oregano or a dried oregano substitute.
  • Ground Coriander - 1 tablespoon of ground coriander. If you have whole coriander, then you can grind it down with a spice grinder.
  • Salt - 1 tablespoon of salt.
  • Cayenne Pepper - 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper. Cayenne pepper adds the most spice to this seasoning, so adjust it as needed.
  • Red Pepper Flakes - 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes.
  • Black Pepper - ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper.
  • Ground Turmeric (optional) - ½ teaspoon of ground turmeric.

*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*

🔪 How To Make Southwest Seasoning

Making your own Southwest seasoning is as easy as combining the ingredients! Grab your measuring spoons, a small mixing bowl, and an airtight storage container or spice jar to get started.

This recipe makes about ¾ cup of seasoning.

  1. Combine. Put all of the seasoning ingredients into a small mixing bowl and then stir to combine. (2 tablespoons chili powder, 2 tablespoons ground cumin, 2 tablespoons paprika, 1 ½ tablespoons garlic powder, 1 tablespoon dried oregano, 1 tablespoon ground coriander, 1 tablespoon salt, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon ground turmeric)
  2. Put in a spice jar. Transfer your Southwest seasoning to a spice jar with a lid or another airtight container.
  3. Use or store. Use right away to season your favorite recipes, or store somewhere dark and cool to be used later.

I most recently used this seasoning to make Southwest dressing for a quick salad, and it was delicious! Additionally, you can use it to add flavor to steak quesadillas, ground beef taquitos, or any of your favorite Tex-Mex recipes. Enjoy!

Wide image of Southwest seasoning ingredients on a white background.

💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes

  • This recipe yields about 11.5 tablespoons, just under ¾ cup of seasoning, or approximately 8 1.5 tablespoon servings.
  • If you like your Southwest seasoning to have a smokey flavor, then opt for smoked paprika in place of regular paprika.
  • You can easily adjust the spiciness of this seasoning by increasing or decreasing the amount of cayenne pepper and/or red pepper flakes you use.
  • Before each use, shake your seasoning to redistribute all the ingredients that might have sunk to the bottom of the jar.

🥡 Storing

Keep your homemade Southwest seasoning in an airtight jar or container somewhere cool and dark (such as a cupboard or pantry). For the best flavor, use it within 6 months though it will be safe to use for much longer.

>>>>See all of my recipes here<<<<

❓ Recipe FAQs

Is Southwest Seasoning Spicy?

It depends on the brand and the recipe. Some Southwest seasoning blends can be quite spicy, while others are milder. This recipe is a little spicy as it is, but you can easily adjust the heat level by using more or less cayenne and red pepper flakes.

What Types Of Food Can I Use Southwest Seasoning On?

Southwest seasoning can be used on a variety of dishes, including tacos, fajitas, chili, roasted meats, grilled vegetables, and even popcorn! You can use it to make salad dressings, marinades, and dry rubs, too. It's full of flavor and incredibly versatile!

What Are The Main Ingredients In Southwest Seasoning?

The main ingredients in this Southwest seasoning are chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, coriander, oregano, and salt. I also included some cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes for heat.

Tall image of Southwest seasoning ingredients on a white background.

🌮 Tex-Mex Recipes To Try

  • Steak Burrito Bowl - Juicy slices of steak on a bed of rice with all your favorite Tex-Mex toppings.
  • Ground Beef Mexican Casserole - Layers of tortilla chips, beef, beans, corn, and cheese come together in this easy-to-make comfort food.
  • Mexican Cornbread Casserole - Perfectly seasoned ground beef with cheese, tomatoes, and chiles sandwiched between two fluffy slabs of cornbread.
  • Taco Pasta - A mouthwatering fusion of both classic Italian pasta and Mexican spices and flavors.
  • Chicken Burrito Bowl - This satisfying chicken and rice bowl makes a great lunch or dinner any day of the week!
  • Breakfast Quesadillas - Start your day off right with a cheesy and protein-packed breakfast quesadilla!

Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
Stay in touch with me through social media @ Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! Subscribe to the newsletter today (no spam, I promise)! Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!

📖 Recipe Card

Wide image of Southwest seasoning ingredients on a white background.
Print Recipe Leave A Comment
Love This Recipe?Click On A Star To Rate It!
5 from 4 reviews

Southwest Seasoning

This Southwest seasoning is the perfect homemade spice blend to use in Tex-Mex and Southwestern-style cooking! It has a bold and savory flavor that can truly transform a dish. Plus, you have complete control over the spice level, so you can easily adjust it to suit your taste!
Author | Angela Latimer
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 26kcal
Prep 5 minutes minutes
Cooking 0 minutes minutes
Total Time 5 minutes minutes
Pin Recipe Share on Facebook

Ingredients
 

  • 2 tablespoon chili powder (or ancho chili powder)
  • 2 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 2 tablespoon paprika (or smoked paprika)
  • 1½ tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon ground coriander
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon ground turmeric (optional)

(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)

Help Us Out!If you love a recipe, be sure to come back and share your ratings. This helps future users, and allows me to continue sharing free recipes! Angela

Instructions
 

  • Put all of the seasoning ingredients into a small mixing bowl and stir to combine.
  • Transfer your Southwest seasoning to a spice jar with a lid or another airtight container.
  • Use right away to season your favorite recipes, or store somewhere dark and cool to be used later.

Notes

  • This recipe yields about 11.5 tablespoons, just under ¾ cup of seasoning, or approximately 8 1.5 tablespoon servings.
  • If you like your Southwest seasoning to have a smokey flavor, opt for smoked paprika in place of regular paprika.
  • You can easily adjust the spiciness of this seasoning by increasing or decreasing the amount of cayenne pepper and/or red pepper flakes you use.
  • Before each use, shake your seasoning to redistribute all the ingredients that might have sunk to the bottom of the jar.
  • To store: Keep your homemade Southwest seasoning in an airtight jar or container somewhere cool and dark (like a cupboard or pantry). For the best flavor, use it within 6 months though it will be safe to use for much longer.

Nutrition

Calories: 26kcal (1%) | Carbohydrates: 5g (2%) | Protein: 1g (2%) | Fat: 1g (2%) | Saturated Fat: 0.1g (1%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Sodium: 914mg (40%) | Potassium: 158mg (5%) | Fiber: 2g (8%) | Sugar: 0.5g (1%) | Vitamin A: 1678IU (34%) | Vitamin C: 2mg (2%) | Calcium: 41mg (4%) | Iron: 2mg (11%)
Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!
Course Seasoning Mixes
Cuisine American
« Ground Venison Recipes
Tex-Mex Seasoning »

Share This Recipe!

  • Share
  • X
  • Flipboard
  • Threads
  • WhatsApp
  • Email

Reader Interactions

Comments

    5 from 4 votes (3 ratings without comment)

    Thanks for coming! Ask anything - or let me know what you think: Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Anonymous says

    August 30, 2023 at 6:04 pm

    5 stars
    Fabulous recipe. Nice blend of spices. Thanks!

    Reply
  2. Sandra says

    August 24, 2023 at 12:53 pm

    I will be using this recipe! Thank you!!

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Author bio photo with cake.

Hi there, I'm Angela

I am an avid vintage cookbook collector, cook, baker, and total foodie. I love sharing new, fun, creative recipes and great classic recipes, just like my Grandma used to make! Every recipe on BIWL is tested to ensure that cooks of any experience level can succeed.

Welcome to Bake It With Love. Enjoy!

More About Me ->

Grilling Recipes

  • Tasty, easy cookout food ideas to make and feed a crowd this summer.
    Easy Cookout Food Ideas: Best Dishes To Bring To A Cookout
  • Square image of sliced Arrachera steak on a cutting board.
    Arrachera (Mexican Steak for Tacos)
  • Square image of sliced Denver steak on a cutting board.
    Denver Steak
  • Square image of grilled ostrich steaks.
    Grilled Ostrich Steaks
  • Square image of grilled pineapple.
    Grilled Pineapple
  • Square image of sliced grilled skirt steak.
    Grilled Skirt Steak
See more Grilled →

Tasty Dinner Ideas

  • A square image showing tender wok-fried strips of chicken breast with peppers (firecracker chicken) in a black bowl over white rice with a set of chopsticks.
    Panda Express Firecracker Chicken Breast
  • A square collage of four images showing easy summer crockpot meals including tender London broil pot roast, green beans and potatoes, grape jelly meatballs, and pork carnitas tacos.
    Summer Crockpot Meal Ideas
  • Panda Express honey sesame chicken copycat recipe plated with rice and garnished with more white sesame seeds.
    Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken
  • A square image showing a bowl of tender wok fried marinated chicken with celery, onions, and black pepper sauce.
    Panda Express Black Pepper Chicken
  • Best leftover lobster recipes page image featuring four favorite dishes in a square collage.
    Leftover Lobster Recipes
  • Square collage image featuring 4 tasty recipes using leftover hard boiled eggs.
    Leftover Hard Boiled Eggs Recipes
See more Main Dish →

Footer

As Seen On

As seen on these popular sites: Mashed, Tasting Table, Parade, MSN, Yahoo, Delish, The Pioneer Woman, Today, Taste of Home, and more.

↑ back to top

About

  • Meet The Team
  • Photo Sharing
  • Privacy Policy
  • Work With Me
  • Accessibility Statement

Recipes

  • Dinners
  • Desserts
  • Breakfasts
  • Cookies & Bars
  • Videos
  • Articles

AI-Free

Everything on Bake It With Love is created by me, where I share my experiences, with help from my team members and family.

I promise that BIWL is 100% free of AI content.

Get Social

Visit us on your favorite social media platforms!

Copyright © 2016-2025 Bake It With Love

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

This worked exactly as written, thanks!
My family loved this!
Thank you for sharing this recipe

Or write in your own words:

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.