Skip the store-bought stuff – this Southwest Spice Blend packs a punch that’ll make your tacos, grilled meats, and roasted veggies taste like they came straight out of a Tex-Mex restaurant.

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Prep Time5

Total Time5

Servings cup

Table of Contents

Ingredients Overview for A Southwest Seasoning
How to Use A Southwest Spice Blend
How to Store Spices
More Seasoning Recipes
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Skip the store-bought stuff – this Southwest Spice Blend packs a punch that’ll make your tacos, grilled meats, and roasted veggies taste like they came straight out of a Tex-Mex restaurant. It’s smoky, bold, a little spicy, and ridiculously easy to throw together with pantry staples.

Overhead image of a white bowl filled with neatly arranged piles of colorful spices used to make a Southwest spice blend. Each spice is placed side-by-side in a circular pattern, including paprika, chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, chipotle powder, turmeric, black pepper, coriander, and kosher salt. Above the bowl, bold text reads “Southwest Spice Blend” with playful hand-drawn stars and a chef hat illustration. The background is a light marble surface.

Our #1 Tip ➡️ Keep a jar of this southwest blend in your spice drawer at all times – it’s the secret weapon for turning “meh” meals into “wait, what’s in this?” moments. Rub it on chicken, toss it with potatoes, or sprinkle it over popcorn (yes, really). Once you taste it, you’ll never go back.

Ingredients Overview for A Southwest Seasoning

Flat lay photo of labeled ingredients for a homemade Southwest spice blend. Each ingredient is placed in a small clear glass bowl on a white marble surface. The ingredients include 3 tablespoons paprika, 2 tablespoons chili powder, 1½ tablespoons ground cumin, 1 tablespoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, dried oregano, and coriander powder, 1 teaspoon each of black pepper, ground chipotle powder, and ground turmeric. The setup is clean and organized, perfect for a spice blend recipe card or food blog.

➡️ Try Our ➡️ Taco Seasoning

🌶️ Southwest Seasoning is not quite taco seasoning and not exactly fajita seasoning either — it’s a bit more complex, thanks to additions like coriander, turmeric, and chipotle powder. 🌶️

What’s In This Blend?

This recipe has the perfect balance of smoky, savory, herby, and spicy. Here’s what goes into it:

3 tbsp paprika
2 tbsp chili powder
1½ tbsp ground cumin
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp kosher salt
1 tbsp dried oregano
1 tbsp coriander powder
1 tsp ground chipotle powder (for smoky heat)
1 tsp black pepper
2 tsp ground turmeric (adds earthy depth + color)

A four-step photo collage showing how to make Southwest seasoning. The first image, labeled “Scoop,” shows individual spices arranged in a white bowl. The second image, labeled “Stir,” shows the spices being mixed with a spoon. The third image, labeled “Store,” features the blended seasoning in a glass jar. The final image, labeled “Serve,” displays the seasoning in a ceramic spoon surrounded by herbs and spices.

Customize It!

This blend is totally tweakable:

🌿 Milder: Skip the chipotle powder or reduce chili powder
🌶️ Spicier: Add more chipotle or a pinch of cayenne
🔥 Smokier: Try smoked paprika instead of sweet
🚫🧂 Salt-free: Leave out the salt and add it to taste later

How to Use A Southwest Spice Blend

This spice blend isn’t just for tacos (though it’s amazing on those too). It’s a total flavor booster that works across proteins, veggies, grains, and even snacks. In fact, it’s one of the best spices for chicken.

Close-up image of a spoon heaping with homemade Southwest spice blend, sitting on a dark slate board. A glass jar filled with more spice mix is visible in the background, along with two metal mason jar lids. Some spice is scattered around the spoon, adding a rustic, homemade touch. Text at the top of the image reads: “The best spice blend for: Chicken, Steak, Pork, Tofu” in a combination of script and bold fonts. The scene is bright and styled to highlight the rich, reddish-orange color and texture of the spice mix.

Here are some easy ways to use it:

Dry Rub: Rub it generously onto chicken, steak, tofu, or pork before grilling, roasting, or pan-frying. Try it with our Shake and Bake Chicken.

Roasted Veggies: Toss with olive oil and coat potatoes, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, or corn before roasting. Try it with our Roasted Vegetables recipe.

Beans & Rice: Stir into black beans, lentils, or rice while they cook for extra depth and warmth. Try it with our Red Beans and Rice.

Soups & Stews: Add a spoonful to chili, tortilla soup, or any stew for a bold, savory kick. Try it with our 7 Can Chicken Taco Soup.

Snack Hack: Sprinkle over popcorn, roasted chickpeas, or nuts for a smoky-spicy twist. Try it with our Cheese Popcorn.

👉 How much to use: Start with 1 to 2 tablespoons per pound of meat or per large pan of veggies, then adjust to taste.

How to Store Spices

To keep your Southwestern spice blend fresh and flavorful for as long as possible, follow these simple tips:

Use an airtight container: A small glass jar with a tight-fitting lid works best. Mason jars or old spice jars are perfect.

Keep it cool and dark: Store in a pantry or cupboard away from heat and sunlight. Avoid keeping it near the stove.

Label it with the name and date: Spices lose potency over time, so it helps to know when you made it.

Shelf life: Southwest seasonings won’t go “bad,” but the spices will start to lose their punch after that. Give it a quick sniff before using — if the aroma is strong and vibrant, it’s still good to go.

Overhead image of a bowl filled with Southwest spice blend, with a white ceramic spoon resting on top, also holding a scoop of the seasoning. The spice mixture has a deep reddish-orange color and coarse texture. Surrounding the main bowl are smaller bowls containing individual spices, including paprika, garlic powder, and oregano. A white cloth with black crosses and a small rocket ship icon is partially visible in the corner, adding a playful touch to the scene.

There’s something satisfying about having a homemade spice blend on hand that makes dinner taste like you actually planned it. This Southwest seasoning does exactly that.

Keep a jar on standby, and you’ll never be more than a spoonful away from turning plain ol’ chicken, veggies, or even a can of beans into something that tastes like it came from your favorite Tex-Mex spot. Homemade just hits different, doesn’t it?

More Seasoning Recipes

Southwest Spice Blend

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Skip the store-bought stuff – this Southwest Spice Blend packs a punch that’ll make your tacos, grilled meats, and roasted veggies taste like they came straight out of a Tex-Mex restaurant.

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Servings cup

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Review Recipe

Ingredients

3 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 ½ tablespoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon coriander powder
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons fresh cracked black pepper
2 teaspoons ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground chipotle powder

Instructions

Add all of the spices to a small (3-4 cups) bowl. Ensure that the bowl is clean and absolutely dry.
Stir thoroughly to combine the spices.

Notes

Ground ancho chili powder can replace the plain chili powder.
½ – 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes can be added for a spicier option.
Substitute dried ground mustard can be substituted for ground turmeric, but note that it may add some bitterness to the blend.

Nutrition

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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

Stephanie Keeping Publisher
Layne Kangas Marketing
Lenore Ortyl
Lexus Monroe Editorial Assistant
Amy Tandiko Graphic Designer

Southwest Spice Blend