Discover the culinary magic of the Southwest with our homemade seasoning blend. Packed with smoky paprika, zesty chili, and aromatic cumin, it's the secret to turning ordinary dishes into flavor-packed fiestas!
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A close up process shot of spices in a bowl with a gold spoon.

What is Southwest Spice Seasoning?

Yum-O! Alright, folks, let’s talk about Southwest Spice Blend – that’s what I’m talkin’ about! It’s like a little flavor fiesta right in your spice cabinet.

Picture this: you’ve got chili powder bringing some mild heat to the party, cumin with that warm and earthy hug, paprika for color and a smoky wink, garlic powder and onion powder adding savory depth, oregano for that herbaceous twist, and of course, salt and pepper to season things up.

But here’s where the magic happens – you might find a pinch of coriander for extra zing and a kick of red pepper flakes for some extra spice. And hey, don’t be surprised how much flavor this humble southwestern seasoning brings to your dish – it’s all about building layers of flavor, my friends!

It’s a popular choice for those looking to infuse their dishes with a combination of smoky, spicy, and earthy flavors reminiscent of Southwestern American cuisine.

Now, what do you do with this Southwest Spice Seasoning? Well, darlin’, you sprinkle it on your tacos, you jazz up your enchiladas, you give your grilled meats a sizzle, and you turn those roasted veggies into a fiesta of flavor! It’s like a taste of the Southwest right in your own kitchen. So grab that spice blend, give it a whirl, and let’s kick things up a notch with some Southwestern flair! Bam!

Related Recipes: Rougail Saucisse / Za’atar Spice Mix

What You’ll Fall in Love With this Recipe

  • QUICK & EASY – It only takes 5 minutes to make. It truly is such an easy recipe. Nothing needs to be prepared ahead. Just make and serve.
  • VERSATILE – homemade southwest spices are the perfect meat rub, seasoning for vegetables, or added to a simple yogurt dip. Use on everything from chicken to fish, cauliflower to bacon. Use in baking, a crispy seasoning for frying, try it with our crispy wings, or mix in cream cheese or ricotta and smoked on the grill. Use it on everything to find some new favorites.
  • LOW CARB – all my low carb friends will love that this is keto-friendly. No sweetener has been added at all. It is low in carbs and a perfect way to liven up your dish without the added carbs.
Southwest Spice blend Ingredients in small bowls on a tiled backdrop.

The Ingredients

  • Spices – ground cumin, coriander, and smoked paprika and a hint of chili powder and/or chili flakes are essential for this flavorful mixture of spices and herbs inspired by the cuisine of the American Southwest.
  • Additional ingredients might include coriander, red pepper flakes, dried cilantro, and sometimes even a touch of sweetener or cocoa powder for complexity.

JUMP TO the recipe card for all instructions and quantities to make your own homemade southwest seasoning.

How to Make Southwest Spice Blend

A close up process shot of spices in a bowl with a gold spoon.

Step 1. Combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

Process shot of mixing seasoning in a bowl with a plastic labelled container to the left.

NOTE: Adjust the spice level to your preference.

How to Use Southwest Seasoning

  • Meat Rub – use as a dry rub for chicken, beef, seafood, or vegetarian meals.
  • Stir Fry – season thin strips of beef, chicken, lamb or pork with the spices. Heat olive oil in a large skillet or wok and toss the meat (or vegetables) until cooked through. Serve with a squeeze of lemon juice.
  • For a delicious vegetarian salty snack try it with fried chickpeas. I have included a recipe for Lemon Salted Chickpeas in our Mad Jars ebook. The eBook uses the seasoning in quite a few of the recipes.
  • Try it with our Crispy Chicken Wings, Cote de Boeuf, or even sprinkled over baked salmon. It also perfect for vegetarian dishes like our Grilled Zucchini and Yellow Squash.
Southwest spiced crispy chickpeas in a brown bowl.

FAQs

How long will it store for?

You can store south west seasoning for months in an airtight container in the pantry. Alternatively, place into an airtight container and store in the freezer.

Is Southwest spices spicy hot?

No, it is not. It is more fragrant and smoky than spicy.

Next Recipes To Try

Here are just a few more deliciously easy seasoning recipes to try soon.

Southwestern spices in a plastic labelled jar spilled onto a dark cutting board.

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Spice Blend ingredients all in small piles inside a bowl.

Homemade Southwest Spice Blend

Discover the culinary magic of the Southwest with our homemade seasoning blend. Packed with smoky paprika, zesty chili, and aromatic cumin, it’s the secret to turning ordinary dishes into flavor-packed fiestas!
5 from 40 votes!
Prep Time: 4 minutes
Total Time: 4 minutes
Course: Seasoning
Cuisine: American
Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free
Recipe Category: Low Carb
Calories: 22kcal
Author: Megan Ellam
Servings: 8 tablespoons
Tap or hover over number to scale ingredients
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Equipment

Ingredients 

Instructions

CONVENTIONAL METHOD

  • In a small bowl, combine the ground cumin, smoked paprika, chili flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, coriander, black pepper, salt, and cayenne pepper.
  • Use a whisk or a fork to thoroughly mix all the spices together. Make sure there are no clumps and that the spices are evenly distributed.

THERMOMIX METHOD

  • Place all the spices into mixer; mix 10 sec/speed 3.

Notes

Southwest Spice Ingredients
ADJUST SEASONING Taste a small amount of the spice blend and adjust the salt and cayenne pepper to your preferred level of spiciness. 
Chili flakes can be replaced with smoky chili powders like ancho chili powder or guajillo are delicious.
I use smoked paprika for a delicious smoky southwest flavor.
STORAGE Transfer the Southwest Spice Blend to an airtight container, such as a glass jar with a tight-sealing lid or a spice jar.
Label the container with the name of the spice blend and the date it was prepared.
Store the spice blend in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. It should stay fresh for several months.
WAYS TO USE SOUTHWEST SPICES This Southwest Spice Blend is perfect for seasoning a variety of dishes, including tacos, fajitas, grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, and chili.
Use approximately 1-2 tablespoons of the spice blend per pound of meat or as desired for your recipes.
Feel free to customize the blend by adding more or less cayenne pepper to control the heat level. Enjoy the robust flavors of the Southwest with this homemade spice blend!

Your Own Notes

Click here to add your own private recipe notes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tablespoon | Calories: 22kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Sodium: 292mg | Potassium: 121mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 0.4g | Vitamin A: 1362IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 2mg | Magnesium: 13mg | Net Carbs: 2g
Tried this recipe?Mention @meganellam or tag #madcreations!

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12 responses to “Homemade Southwest Spice Blend”

  1. Varnamala

    5 stars
    This is a delicious combination of flavors! I love it on baked chicken breast topped with sauteed peppers, onions and jalapenos! Will try it on fish. I shared it with my sister, and she loves it on potatoes! Thank you for a great recipe!

    Reply
  2. Jamie

    5 stars
    This is such a perfect spice blend! Every spice complements each other. Definitely, this will boost our dishes’ flavor and taste! Loved it!

    Reply
  3. Amy Liu Dong

    5 stars
    I normally buy spices at stores but I am glad to find your recipe. I am happy because I can make my own spice at home.

    Reply
  4. Hayley

    5 stars
    Homemade spice blends are so good, fresh and free from all the nasty additives. Thanks for this recipe.

    Reply
  5. LaKita

    5 stars
    I love a good spice blend and this one has all of my favorite spices so I could not wait to try it and it was so tasty!

    Reply
  6. silvia

    5 stars
    Making our own blends is easy and more affordable. This recipe is a winner, I added the cayenne amount, we like our food spicy and it was so delish on fried chicken.

    Reply
  7. Loreto and Nicoletta Nardelli

    5 stars
    We love the smoky, spicy, and earthy flavors of this Southwest spice blend! Now we add it to pretty much all of the Mexican dishes we make ;).

    Reply
  8. Katie Crenshaw

    5 stars
    Loved the flavors of this spice blend. I used it as a chicken rub and it turned out great.

    Reply
  9. Jordan

    I’ve been on a homemade spice blend mission lately (because grocery store prices.) This southwest blend is about to go on chicken and seafood dishes ASAP. Thank you so much for the recipe!

    Reply
  10. Sharon

    5 stars
    I always love it when I can find DIY spice blends that I can whip up at home. This Southwest spice blend was the perfect addition to ground beef.

    Reply
  11. Heather

    Such a good spice blend to have on hand. I can think of a variety of dishes I would use it on.

    Reply
  12. Helen

    5 stars
    Yum! I made this today and we seasoned wagyu burgers with it. It was so delicious. Next time I will try southwest seasoned crab cakes. 😍

    Reply

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