How To Make Jalapeno Seasoning

Making homemade jalapeño seasoning is incredibly easy once you know the basic method and the right ingredient ratios.

If you’ve been wondering how to make jalapeño seasoning, the process essentially involves drying jalapeños and blending them with salt, garlic, and other spices.

Making jalapeño seasoning at home gives you total control over the heat level and flavor profile, which is something store-bought blends simply can’t match.

In this post, we’ll walk through the full process of how to make jalapeño seasoning, explore the best ingredients to use, and offer some tasty variations so you can customize your own signature spice mix.

Let’s dig in.

The Basic Way To Make Jalapeño Seasoning

The core answer to how to make jalapeño seasoning starts with dried jalapeños, which are commonly known as chipotle peppers when they’re smoked.

You can make jalapeño seasoning using either fresh peppers that you dry yourself or store-bought dried chipotle peppers.

Here is the straightforward method for making jalapeño seasoning from scratch:

1. Dry Your Jalapeños Thoroughly

If you’re starting with fresh jalapeños, your first step in how to make jalapeño seasoning is to dry them completely.

You can use a food dehydrator set to 125°F for about 8 to 12 hours until the peppers are brittle and crack easily.

Alternatively, you can dry them in your oven on the lowest setting with the door slightly ajar for a few hours.

Whichever method you choose, make sure the peppers are bone dry because any moisture will cause your seasoning to clump and spoil.

2. Grind The Dried Peppers Into A Fine Powder

Once your peppers are dry, you need to grind them into a powder using a spice grinder or a high-speed blender.

Pulse the dried jalapeños until you achieve a fine, consistent powder, and if any larger pieces remain, just sift them out and grind them again.

At this stage, you now have pure ground jalapeño, which is the base of your seasoning.

3. Mix In Your Supporting Spices And Salt

Now for the fun part of how to make jalapeño seasoning: building the flavor blend.

In a small bowl, combine two tablespoons of your ground jalapeño with one tablespoon of garlic powder, one tablespoon of onion powder, and one teaspoon of salt.

You can also add a teaspoon of smoked paprika for extra smokiness and half a teaspoon of cumin for warmth.

Stir everything together until well combined, and just like that, you’ve made a versatile jalapeño seasoning for everything from taco meat to popcorn.

Key Tips For Making Jalapeño Seasoning

Making jalapeño seasoning is simple, but a few pro tips can take your blend from good to absolutely incredible.

There are several secrets to keep in mind when you make jalapeño seasoning at home.

1. It Starts with the Right Heat Level

The heat of your homemade jalapeño seasoning depends entirely on the peppers you use.

Keep the seeds and white pith in the jalapeños if you want a spicier seasoning, and remove them before drying if you prefer something milder.

For a seriously smoky depth, you can also buy dried chipotle peppers, which are simply smoked, dried jalapeños, and grind them into your seasoning mix.

2. Salt Is Your Flavor Amplifier

Salt isn’t just about making things salty; it actually enhances all the other flavors in your jalapeño seasoning.

However, you should start with less salt and taste as you go, since you might be using this seasoning on foods that are already salted.

Remember that you can always add more salt later at the table, but you can’t easily take it out once it’s mixed in.

3. Store Your Jalapeño Seasoning Perfectly

Since you’re making a bulk batch of jalapeño seasoning, you’ll want to store it properly to maintain its potency and vibrant color.

Use an airtight glass jar and keep it in a cool, dark place like your pantry, away from direct sunlight and heat.

When stored correctly, homemade jalapeño seasoning can easily last for up to a year, though you’ll likely use it up way faster than that.

Creative Variations For Your Jalapeño Seasoning

Once you master the basic recipe for how to make jalapeño seasoning, you can start experimenting with exciting variations.

You can tweak the core method for making jalapeño seasoning to create custom blends for different cuisines.

1. Smoky Chipotle Lime Jalapeño Seasoning

For this version of your jalapeño seasoning, use smoked chipotle peppers as your base instead of plain dried jalapeños.

Add the finely grated zest of one lime to your mixture for a bright, citrusy kick that pairs beautifully with chicken or fish.

The smoky, tangy flavor of this jalapeño seasoning will quickly become your go-to rub for grilled meats.

2. Sweet And Spicy Jalapeño Seasoning

If you like a little sweetness alongside your spice, add a couple of tablespoons of brown sugar to your jalapeño seasoning blend.

This sweet and spicy variation is amazing on pork, roasted vegetables, or even sprinkled over cream cheese for an easy appetizer.

The sugar in this jalapeño seasoning will also caramelize beautifully when used as a dry rub.

3. Herby Jalapeño Seasoning For Mexican Dishes

Adding dried Mexican oregano and a bit of ground coriander to your jalapeño seasoning will give it an authentic flavor profile.

Use this herby version of your jalapeño seasoning in marinades for carne asada or as a finishing salt for black beans.

The earthy herbs round out the sharp spice of the jalapeño, making it incredibly versatile in your kitchen.

So, How Do You Make Jalapeño Seasoning?

You make jalapeño seasoning by grinding dried jalapeños into a powder and mixing them with salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and your favorite spices.

The key to making jalapeño seasoning successfully is to use completely dry peppers and to balance the heat with smoky, savory, or sweet ingredients.

So if you’ve been asking yourself how to make jalapeño seasoning, now you have a complete guide to doing it right at home.

Making jalapeño seasoning from scratch is not only cheaper than buying it, but it tastes so much fresher and brighter.

Go ahead and make jalapeño seasoning this weekend, and you’ll never go back to the store-bought stuff again.