Chili Lime Seasoning is a zesty spice blend made with lime zest, two kinds of ground pepper, salt, and sugar, for a perfectly balanced seasoning. This homemade chili lime seasoning is ideal for sprinkling over fresh fruit, rimming cocktail glasses, or jazzing up meats and roasted veggies.
If you're looking to add a burst of tangy, spicy flavor to your recipes and cocktails, Chili Lime Seasoning is a must-have.
Once you try it, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it!
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Chili Lime Seasoning is a zesty, spice blend that needs to be in every pantry. This homemade chili lime seasoning is perfect for sprinkling over fresh fruit, rimming cocktail glasses, or jazzing up meats and roasted veggies.
With the perfect balance of heat, this vibrant seasoning blend is popular in Mexican cuisine and has a citrusy zing and a touch of sweetness, making it a versatile addition to so many foods.
From fresh fruit to grilled meats to the rim of your cocktail glass, this DIY seasoning will make your tastebuds sing with its zesty lime zing and spicy flavor.
Making your own chili lime seasoning at home allows you to personalize the flavor by adjusting the heat or the tanginess.
Drying the lime zest intensifies the lime flavor, giving the seasoning its signature tang without any added moisture.
It’s easy to adjust the seasoning to your preference when making it from scratch. Just taste the mixture as you are making it and make adjustments based on your personal preferences.
Making your own spice blend with quality ingredients also ensures that there are no chemicals or preservatives in it.
Tart lime zest combines with two kinds of ground pepper, salt, and sugar, for a perfectly balanced seasoning.
Also known as Tajin Seasoning, this chili lime seasoning blend will quickly become your go-to spice mixture to sprinkle on your favorite foods.
So go ahead and elevate your everyday cooking and foods with this homemade Chili Lime Seasoning. You'll be happy you did!
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How to make chili lime rub
This is a quick overview of how to make this lime chili seasoning mix recipe. Scroll down for the full recipe instructions and ingredient amounts in the recipe card below
- Step 1: Combine the ingredients together in a mixing bowl
- Step 2: Whisk until the mixture is blended
Hint: Using a whisk to combine the spice mix makes it easy to blend everything together
Expert recipe tips
- Fresh lime zest - if you decide to use fresh lime, and not use bottled dried lime, be sure to dry it properly and completely to avoid clumping in your seasoning.
- Adjust the heat – You can adjust the heat level of your spice mix by adding more or less guajillo powder or adding a pinch of spicier chili powders like cayenne.
- Grind the mixture – For a smooth, even texture that sticks well to fruits and snack foods you can grind the spice mixture in a small food processor.
- Keep covered - Do not leave the spice uncovered or it will harden up
- Type of salt - Use regular table salt and not coarse kosher salt or sea salt to make this blend. Coarser salts won’t mix into the seasoning as well and will tend to separate as it sits.
- Make a big batch - This recipe makes about 1/4 cup of spice mix. You can easily double or triple the recipe to make bigger batches.
Substitutions
- Chili Powder - If guajillo powder is hard to find, you can substitute ancho chili powder or a blend of mild and hot chili powders. However, it is available on amazon.com.
- Smoked Paprika - Regular paprika or chipotle powder can work in place of smoked paprika. Regular paprika will not provide any smoky notes and be mindful that chipotle powder will add extra heat.
- Dried Lime Zest – You can dry your own zest or purchase jarred dried lime zest at your grocery store or on amazon.com.
- Dried Lime Zest – You can also substitute True Lime Crystals for the dried lime zest.in the same amount. True Lime crystals are 100% lime and are a finer consistency so they will actually mix into the spice blend better.
- Guajillo Powder - Chipotle powder can replace guajillo powder, and although it will change the flavor profile slightly, it is a great substitute.
Variations
- Spicy - Add cayenne pepper or hot smoked paprika for an extra spicy blend.
- Herbal - Mix in dried cilantro, dried parsley or dried oregano for additional herbal notes.
- Citrus Blend - Combine lime zest with a bit of lemon zest and/or orange zest for a more complex citrus flavor.
Equipment
- Whisk
- Small Mixing Bowl
- Measuring spoons
- Mason jar
Storage
- Store your chili lime seasoning in an airtight container, such as a mason jar, in a cool, dry place.
- It will stay fresh for up to 6 months, however the brightness of the lime zest flavor may fade slightly over time.
- To help maintain the zesty flavor of your seasoning, avoid exposing the seasoning to moisture and always use a dry spoon when scooping.
FAQs
Chili lime seasoning, often recognized by the popular brand Tajín, is a bold and flavorful Mexican-inspired spice mix.
The smoky heat of chili peppers combines with the bright, tangy flavor of lime and a subtle hint of salt and sweetness.
This homemade Tajin seasoning blend is traditionally sprinkled over fresh fruits like mango and watermelon.
It is also ideal for rimming cocktail glasses, seasoning meats, or adding a kick to popcorn and veggies.
Ways to use chilli lime seasoning
Here are just a few ways to use this Mexican seasoning:
- Bloody Mary seasoning - Stir into your Bloody Mary cocktails for an added depth of flavor
- Butter - Stir into softened butter and make a compound butter
- Cocktail garnish - Line the rim of your cocktail glass with the spice mixture
- Corn on the Cob - Sprinkle on grilled corn on the cob
- Dip - stir into sour cream
- Eggs – Sprinkle on omelets, scrambled eggs and deviled eggs
- French fries - Sprinkle on hot french fries
- Fruit - Sprinkle on fruits, such as fresh-cut watermelon, mango and pineapple
- Guacamole - Add flavor to your guacamole
- Hummus - Stir into hummus for added spice
- Mayonnaise - Stir into mayonnaise and make a delicious sandwich spread
- Popcorn - Toss with popcorn for a delicious snack
- Seasoning - Sprinkle on chicken, beef or seafood before cooking
- Vegetables - Sprinkle on roasted vegetables
Ingredients
Ingredients for Copycat Tajin Seasoning
- Dried Lime Zest – This brings the essential citrusy zing that is a defining flavor of chili lime seasoning.
- Salt – A critical ingredient that enhances all the other flavors, salt helps balance the tartness of the lime and the heat from the chilies.
- Smoked Paprika –Smoked paprika complements the chili powder by adding a subtle smoky depth and adding a more complex, earthy flavor to the spice mix.
- Guajillo Powder – This flavorful powder is known for its mild to moderate heat and slightly fruity notes. Guajillo powder gives the spice seasoning its warm, peppery kick without overpowering the other flavors.
- Granulated Sugar – A touch of sweetness balances the sharpness of the lime and the spice of the chilies, providing a well-balanced flavor profile.
Easy Spice Blends
You'll want to make these DIY seasonings too!
What to serve with
These are my favorite recipes to serve chili lime seasoning with and on :
Chili Lime Seasoning Recipe
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Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons dried lime zest
- 1 Tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 Tablespoon Guajillo Powder
- 1 Tablespoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar
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Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a small mixing bowl and whisk until any lumps are gone and the mixture is fully combined.
- Store in an airtight container in a cool dry.
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