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Make homemade chili lime seasoning (Tajin) with just 5 ingredients โ a vibrant, savory, spicy, salty, zesty addition to fruit, salads, pasta, vegetables, proteins, snacks, and more!

Table of contents
What is Tajin Seasoning?
Tajin (originally called Tajรญn Clรกsico โ pronounced ta-heen- named after the brand) is a popular Mexican chili lime seasoning blend with vibrant color and flavor. It combines dehydrated lime and chile peppers (usually chili de arbol, which are mild-moderately spiced) with salt for a seasoning that’s savory, slightly spicy, and salty, with a zesty kick.
It contains no artificial colors or flavors and is sugar-free, too. The flavor combination is well-balanced and adds a spicy, refreshing kick, particularly to sweet ingredients โ like pineapple, watermelon, and mango. However, this tajin seasoning recipe also complements/elevates savory ingredients and dishes like cucumber slices, grilled vegetables, over snacks like crispy chickpeas, etc.
Why Make Homemade Chili Lime Seasoning?
Obviously, itโs simple enough to wander into a store and buy Tajin powder. However, we love making homemade tajin seasoning now that weโve realized:
- You have 100% control of the ingredients (which means you can adjust it to your desired heat, sodium amount, and overall flavor)
- Itโs additive-free (just natural pantry ingredients โ no preservatives, additives, MSG, or other chemicals)
- Itโs quick and simple (you only need a few pantry ingredients and a few minutes of hands-on prep time)
- The seasoning tastes fresher (because it is! Make sure to use fresh spices)
- Making homemade spice blends can also be more cost-effective in the long run, especially if theyโre made from spices you already have at home.
Tajin Ingredients
- Limes: Itโs best to use unwaxed limes since weโre using the zest for this tajin recipe. Alternatively, you could use dehydrated lime powder (about โ the amount). This adds a bright and tangy flavor to the chile lime seasoning.
- Chile powder: You can use either mild red chile powder (traditionally, chile de arbol, which are mild-moderate heat) and/or guajillo (earthy, slightly fruity, with mild-medium spice).
- Cayenne powder: To increase the heat. Add it to taste.
- Paprika: (optional) You can use sweet or hot paprika for extra flavor.
- Salt: Adjust the amount to taste.
What could I add To This Chili Lime Seasoning Recipe?
- Other chiles: Feel free to experiment with dried peppers/powder, like guajillo, ancho, chipotle (which are slightly smoky), chile California, etc. Process them in a spice grinder (after removing seeds/ribs) if using whole peppers.
- Fine sugar: Optional for a little sweetness. A sugar alternative will work, too.
- Citric acid: For extra tart flavor minus the bitterness of lime.
- Cumin: A pinch of cumin will add a savory, earthy flavor to the chilli lime seasoning.
How to Make Tajin (Chili Lime Seasoning)
- 1) First, use a micro plane to zest the limes and spread the zest across a plate covered with parchment paper. Leave them to sit overnight and โdry out.โ
Alternatively, use the oven or a dehydrator to dehydrate the lime, then optionally grind it in a spice grinder for a finer powder.
- 2) The following day, combine all the tajin ingredients in a jar, stir/shake well, and then store.
FAQs
Traditionally, Mexican Tajin uses milder chiles for a mildly spicy flavor. However, adjust this with your choice of chile powder and optional additional cayenne pepper.
Acidic ingredients can neutralize the โburnโ in chilies slightly, yes.
For the best flavor, toast the chilies in a skillet until aromatic (after removing the seeds/ribs). Then grind them in a spice grinder.
The ingredients themselves are fine, though, like anything, itโs best to consume this _ in moderation (especially if youโre watching your sodium consumption levels). Having said that, when making homemade tajin, you can use as much salt as you want in the recipe.
Storage Information
Itโs important to ensure the lime zest is dry. Store the jar of chile lime seasoning (homemade tajin) in a cool, dark location (like your pantry or a kitchen cupboard) for up to 6 months, though it will be best in the first 3.
How to Use Tajin Seasoning?
Not only is this tajin seasoning recipe simple to prepare, but itโs super versatile.
- As a fruit topping: Enjoy Tajin seasoning on fruit like mango, pineapple, watermelon, and oranges for a vibrant contrast and kick to their natural sweetness.
Likewise, this chili and lime seasoning will taste delicious in fruity popsicles, mangonada, dairy-free yogurt bowls, etc.
- In salad/salsa: Add a tangy, spicy kick to cucumber salad and other leafy green/veggie-heavy salads, fruit salad, and fruity salsa, like this mango salsa.
- Over corn: i.e., Vegan elote (Mexican street corn) or regular corn on the cob.
- Grilled/Roasted vegetables: For a savory, spicy kick โ like cauliflower, carrots, sweet potato, etc. Grilled pineapple or mango will be delicious, too.
- BBQ: Keep this Mexican lime seasoning on hand on grilling days to sprinkle over kebabs, tofu steaks, etc.
- With avocado: To add depth to creamy, tangy avocado-based guacamole, sauce, or avocado crema. Itโs also great to sprinkle over avocado toast.
- Over savory snacks: Like chips, popcorn, roasted chickpeas (or nuts/seeds), etc.
- For glass rims: i.e., for mocktails like this Virgin Bloody Mary.
You could also sprinkle this chili lime powder over vegan burgers, nachos, pizza, scrambled tofu, ramen, pasta salads, use it to make Chamoy sauce and more!
More Mexican-Inspired Vegan Recipes
- Cucumber Salsa [Cucumber Pico de Gallo]
- Plant Based Street Tacos with Lentils
- Vegan Chilaquiles [Rojos or Verdes]
- Frijoles de la Olla [NO SOAK| Stove, Crockpot, IP]
- Vegan Bean Quesadilla
- Sopa de Fideo (Mexican Noodle Soup)
Photos by Alfonso Revilla
Homemade Chili Lime Seasoning (Tajin)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 limes, washed and dried
- 1 tablespoon of mild red chile powder or guajillo powder
- ยฝ teaspoon of cayenne powder
- ยฝ teaspoon of paprika
- ยฝ teaspoon of salt
Instructions
- Zest the limes and spread it on a plate covered with parchment paper. Allow to sit overnight.
- Combine all the ingredients and store in a spice jar.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Although plantbasedonabudget.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Plantbasedonabudget.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.
What a delicious spice mix! I never thought to mix these together. It’s so good!
Nothing like a homemade spice!
This homemade chili lime seasoning is perfectly balanced. I put this tajin on so many things!
It’s such a great topper!
This homemade tajin is amazing! I love tajin but hate all the unnecessary additives in the store-bought kind. This is the perfect solution!
Right?! Nothing like a homemade seasoning recipe to skip out on all the bad stuff!
What โunnecessary additivesโ are you talking about? Thereโs literally nothing in commercial Tajรญn that could be called an โadditiveโ, unless youโre referring to silicon dioxide, which is just a fancy name for silica, a natural mineral, also known as SAND.
It occurs naturally in THOUSANDS of things, including your own body.
Itโs in bananas.
Itโs in WATER, for Peteโs sake!
A TINY amount of it is added to Tajรญn to prevent it from clumping together, thatโs all.
When people glibly toss around terms like โunnecessary additivesโ where they donโt apply, it makes everyone who cares about healthy eating look like idiots.
Itโs great that youโre making your own spice mixtures, but thereโs no need to malign a perfectly healthy commercial product while doing so.
CL
Exactly!
love this seasoning on everything!
So easy and I love the kick of lime!
Right?! Adds such a nice touch to the mix!
Your Homemade Chili Lime Seasoning recipe has truly won me over! It’s an impeccable blend of zest and spice, reminiscent of Tajin but with a unique flair of its own that leaves my tastebuds singing. Your attention to detail in explaining each step is much appreciated and ensures a perfect batch every time. A kitchen essential, it’s hard to imagine my meals without it now. Thanks for sharing this gem!
So glad you enjoyed this recipe! It’s a great one to have on hand!