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Making jalapeno seasoning at home is easier than you think, and the result beats anything from a store.
You can make jalapeno seasoning with just dried jalapenos and salt, or you can build a custom blend with garlic, onion, and other spices that suits your taste perfectly.
If you love a spicy kick on eggs, popcorn, or grilled meats, learning how to make jalapeno seasoning from scratch is a total game-changer.
This post will walk you through the exact steps to make jalapeno seasoning, from drying your peppers to grinding them into a fine powder.
We’ll also cover several ways to use jalapeno seasoning so you get the most bang for your buck.
Let’s dive right in.
Why Make Jalapeno Seasoning At Home?
When you learn how to make jalapeno seasoning yourself, you instantly gain control over the flavor profile.
Store-bought jalapeno seasoning often contains anti-caking agents, preservatives, and fillers that do nothing for the taste.
Homemade jalapeno seasoning is fresher, brighter, and more vibrant in color because you control how long it sits before grinding.
Another reason to make jalapeno seasoning is the cost savings, as dried peppers are cheap and one batch will last you months.
Plus, you can adjust the heat level exactly how you like it by deciding how many seeds and ribs you leave in the peppers.
Making jalapeno seasoning also means you can create a big batch during pepper season and enjoy that summer heat all winter.
1. It’s Fresher Than Anything From The Store
When you make jalapeno seasoning at home, you are using peppers that you dried yourself at peak ripeness.
This freshness translates into a more intense, fruity heat that you just can’t get from a jar that sat on a shelf for months.
Freshly ground jalapeno seasoning has a complex smokiness and slight sweetness that instantly upgrades any dish.
2. You Control The Heat Level
Jalapeno heat can vary wildly depending on the pepper.
When you make jalapeno seasoning, you can remove all seeds and white ribs for a mild, fruity powder or leave them in for a fiery blend.
You can even mix milder dried jalapenos with spicier peppers like serrano to customize the kick perfectly.
3. It’s A Great Way To Preserve The Harvest
If you grow jalapenos, you know that they all seem to ripen at once.
Making jalapeno seasoning is the perfect way to preserve a glut of peppers that would otherwise go to waste in the fridge.
Dried jalapeno seasoning will keep for a year or more in an airtight container, giving you a pantry staple for every season.
How To Make Jalapeno Seasoning: Step-By-Step
Now that we’ve covered why it’s awesome, let’s get into the actual process of how to make jalapeno seasoning.
The process is straightforward, but you’ll need to pick one of two main drying methods before you start grinding.
Here’s what you need to gather before we begin: fresh jalapenos, a sharp knife, a dehydrator or oven, and a spice grinder.
Optional ingredients to make your jalapeno seasoning more complex include garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and even a pinch of smoked paprika.
Let’s break down the two best ways to dry your peppers.
Method 1: Using A Food Dehydrator
A dehydrator is hands-down the easiest and most reliable way to make jalapeno seasoning.
Start by washing your jalapenos thoroughly and patting them totally dry with a clean kitchen towel.
Slice the jalapenos into thin, even rings, about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick, and decide if you want to keep the seeds or remove them.
For a milder full-seasoning blend, remove the seeds and white pith.
For maximum heat, leave those seeds screaming right in the mix.
Lay the rings out on the dehydrator trays in a single layer, leaving space between each piece for air flow.
Set your dehydrator to 125°F (about 52°C) and let it run for 6 to 10 hours.
You’ll know the jalapenos are ready when they are brittle and snap crisply when you bend them.
Once cool, you can grind them into your jalapeno seasoning.
Method 2: Oven Drying The Jalapenos
No dehydrator? No problem.
You can still make jalapeno seasoning in your regular oven with a little more patience.
Preheat your oven to the lowest setting, ideally around 170°F (about 76°C) or the “warm” setting.
Prep your jalapenos exactly as described above, slicing them into even rings or halving them lengthwise for larger pieces.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the jalapeno slices in a single layer.
Place them in the oven and prop the door open slightly with a wooden spoon handle to let moisture escape.
This method can take anywhere from 3 to 6 hours depending on your oven and the thickness of your slices.
Check them every hour until they are completely dry and leathery, with no soft or squishy spots remaining.
Important note: never rush this process by cranking up the heat, as this will just toast or burn the jalapenos instead of drying them.
Grinding Your Dried Jalapenos
Once your jalapenos are fully dried, you’re almost ready to make your seasoning.
Transfer the dried rings into a coffee grinder, spice grinder, or high-speed blender.
Pulse in short bursts until you reach your desired consistency, from a coarse flake to a fine dust.
If using a standard blender, you may need to shake it periodically to get an even grind.
For a super-smooth jalapeno seasoning, sift the ground powder through a fine-mesh strainer and re-grind the larger bits again.
Now is the time to blend in any additional spices, such as garlic and onion powder, to round out the flavor.
A classic ratio is two parts ground jalapeno to one part garlic and one part onion powder, but feel free to experiment.
A pinch of salt can also be added at this stage, but keep it separate if you use it as a finishing salt later.
Easy Jalapeno Seasoning Blend Ideas
You now know the base method for how to make jalapeno seasoning, but the fun doesn’t stop at plain powder.
You can transform your homemade jalapeno seasoning into several unique blends depending on what you’re cooking.
Here are some of my favorite ways to doctor-up a plain batch so it works perfectly on specific dishes.
1. Classic Taco & Chili Seasoning
To make jalapeno seasoning into a taco blend, add ground cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and black pepper.
This perfect combo instantly upgrades ground beef or turkey for taco Tuesdays and adds layers of earthiness to chili.
2. Smoky BBQ Rub
Add brown sugar, chili powder, and a generous pinch of smoked paprika to your jalapeno seasoning.
The sweetness and smokiness will help create a beautiful crust on grilled chicken or pork ribs while the jalapeno brings the heat.
3. Spicy Popcorn Topping
Mix your plain jalapeno seasoning with nutritional yeast and fine sea salt for the most addictive snack.
It’s savory, cheesy, spicy, and will completely ruin ordinary buttered popcorn for you.
4. Citrus-Cilantro Fish Seasoning
For fish, combine your jalapeno seasoning with dried lime zest, ground coriander, and a touch of sugar.
This bright and zesty blend is perfect for white fish, shrimp, or even chicken on a warm summer evening.
How To Store Your Jalapeno Seasoning
Proper storage is essential to keep your jalapeno seasoning fresh and potent for as long as possible.
Always store your finished seasoning in an airtight glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.
Glass is best because plastic can absorb the volatile oils from the jalapenos and transfer off-flavors over time.
Keep the jar in a cool, dark place like a pantry or cabinet rather than above the stove where heat can degrade it.
Avoid any exposure to direct sunlight as it will quickly fade the vibrant red and green color of your homemade powder.
When handled correctly, homemade jalapeno seasoning will retain its heat and taste for about a year.
One tested trick is to add a food-grade desiccant packet to the jar to help absorb any lingering moisture.
Even a single dry rice grain in the bottom of the jar helps keep clumping at bay.
So, How Do You Make Jalapeno Seasoning?
Now you know exactly how to make jalapeno seasoning from scratch.
Making jalapeno seasoning is as simple as drying fresh jalapenos completely, grinding them into a powder, and mixing in any complimentary spices you enjoy.
With a dehydrator, it’s almost a hands-free process, but even the oven method is totally doable with just a bit of patience.
Homemade jalapeno seasoning makes a jar of plain dried powder look laughably boring in comparison.
From taco blends to popcorn toppings, having this homemade jalapeno seasoning in your spice drawer will make you the hero of your kitchen.
So grab those fresh peppers and get to work drying, grinding, and experimenting until you find your signature batch.
Once you make jalapeno seasoning, you’ll never want to buy another premade spice mix again.
Enjoy your spicy creations.