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Tajín Seasoning + Recipe

Tajín seasoning is described on the official site as a blend of mild chili peppers, lime, and sea salt. This is a seasoning you can use on both fruits and vegetables and the combination of sweet and spicy you get from Tajín adds a fun twist to familiar flavors.

Tajín is pronounced tuh · heen see · zuh · nuhng.

For those who enjoy Tajín seasoning but prefer a more intense spicy kick, try this Takis Powder Seasoning.

What Is Tajín Seasoning?

The basic ingredient list for Tajín includes:

  • Ground dried chile peppers
    • Chiles de árbol (same name dried or fresh form, slender 2-3 inch long pepper)
    • Guajillo (dried mirasol chiles)
    • Pasilla (dried form of the chilaca chili pepper)
  • Dehydrated lime
  • Sea salt
Tajin Seasoning Recipe

Tajín is Kosher, sugar free, gluten free and has no artificial colors or flavors added.

Tajín spice comes in multiple varieties. We’re discussing Tajín Clásico, the original recipe seasoning. But you can also get a lower-sodium version as well as a spicier Tajín that contains habanero. Those products are clearly marked, but if you are not a fan of the habanero pepper’s respectable kick, it’s smart to double-check the label before you buy.

Ways to Use Tajín Seasoning

Some compare the heat level of Tajín to paprika; Tajín is flavorful but doesn’t make you regret adding it because of heat. You can use it in guacamole as a flavor enhancer, and it’s great for raw fruit and vegetables, too.

Basically, any food you can add salt, chili pepper flakes, or other seasonings to could also be a great pairing with Tajín. Planning an avocado toast brunch? Tajín is well-suited to take that classic up a notch. Adding it to raw pineapple or shrimp? Likewise. And dusting Tajín on ceviche is also a a tasty choice.

Fruit with Tajín seasoning is very popular and many consider a game changer. Tajín dust on oranges, watermelon, mango, and pineapple adds a tasty twist. Additionally, Mexican street corn, potatoes, avocados, cucumbers, and carrots are delicious vegetable options. A marinade on poultry, meats, and fish is also a common use.

Add a layer of spice into your favorite drink with Tajín as a seasoning ingredient in a Michelada, Clamato, as a rimmer on a Bloody Mary, or add an extra something to a margarita. There is even Tajín Clásico Chile Lime Seasoning Rimmer for seasoning the rim of your drink.

Mores Ways to Use Tajín:

  • Nuts or Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
  • Popcorn
  • Chips
  • Beans, Rice or Noodles
  • Mac and Cheese
  • Ramen
  • Pickles
  • Yogurt
  • Eggs (scrambled, boiled, etc.)
  • Shrimp Tacos
  • Candy
  • Quesadillas, Nachos or Fajitas
  • Burgers or Steaks
  • Pizza
  • Chicken Wings
  • Fruit popsicles (e.g. mango Tajín popsicles)
  • Lime Seasoning
  • Taco Seasoning
  • Sugar
  • Butter
  • Ice Cream e.g. vanilla ice cream
  • Candy
  • Jello Shots
  • Tequiila Rimmer
  • Beer
  • Cucumber Water

Tajín Flavor Varieties

  • Tajín Clásico Seasoning–the original.
  • Tajín Clásico Seasoning Reduced Sodium–less salt, same flavor.
  • Tajín Mild Hot Sauce–not a powder!
  • Tajín Fruity Chamoy Hot Sauce – features a hint of apricot.
  • Tajín Habanero Seasoning – a spicier Tajín
  • Tajín Clásico Seasoning Rimmer–custom made to make margaritas with.

Snak Club Tajín Products

Snak Club is a maker nuts, dried fruits, trail mixes, candy, and other snack items that also carries a line of Tajín products:

  • Tajín Clasico Chili & Lime Peanuts
  • Tajín Fiesta Snack Mix
  • Tajín Seasoned Toasted Corn Nuts
  • Tajín Crunchy Peanuts & Almonds
  • Tajín Sunflower Kernels
  • Tajín Gummy Bears
  • Tajín Gummy Mango, Peach, Apple, & Watermelon Rings
Tajin Bottle

Origins Of Tajín

Mexico has a rich food culture, and Tajín powder is one of those amazing Mexican spice exports. It was formulated in Guadalajara in 1985, but today some 40% of Tajín sales happen in North America. The New York Times reported that in years past more than 20 million pounds of the seasoning were exported to 35 countries.

Who Invented Tajín?

The true innovator behind Tajín is, according to some sources, the grandmother of company founder Horacio Fernandez. The recipe was hers, but it was a sauce and not a powder. The name Tajín refers to an archeological site called El Tajín; according to an article published by Mental Floss, Fernandez paid a visit there and learned the Uzo-Aztecan word for chile was aji.

Tajín may have been invented in the mid-1980s  but it didn’t debut in America until 1993. Over the years popularity of the seasoning grew, but since 2012, Tajín seems to have gone viral, as much as a seasoning can. It is now available all over the world.

Where To Buy Tajín

Tajín is popular enough to be found in many mainstream American grocery stores but the Tajín official site provides a helpful store locator if you aren’t sure where to go. You can search by zip code and find locations on a map. The Tajín official site also links to Amazon where all of its current products may be found.

Tajín Seasoning on a Table

Easy Tajín Seasoning Recipe

Yield: 3 tablespoons
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 2 minutes

This quick and easy homemade Tajín seasoning is great if you're out of Tajín and need a DIY solution in a pinch.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons red chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons dried lime zest
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon sugar

Instructions

    1. Measure and add ingredients to a bowl
    2. Mix ingredients in a bowl
    3. Use to season your food, drink or add to a recipe

Notes

Substitute chili flakes and grind them up if you're out chili powder or paprika.

You can substitute chili powder for paprika by substituting paprika.  For every 1 tablespoon chili powder, use 2 teaspoons paprika, 1 teaspoon cumin, and a ¼ teaspoon cayenne.

Monique McArthur
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