What Is Tajin Seasoning?

You’ve likely seen Tajin Clásico seasoning at your local grocer or your corner bodega. It’s a bottle that’s hard to miss: sporting the colors of the Mexican flag and filled to the brim with coarse reddish-brown powder. What is Tajin seasoning, though, and what have you been missing if you’ve never picked up a bottle for yourself?

Don’t be surprised if your mouth puckers just a little bit when you taste Tajin because it’s no ordinary chili powder seasoning. Tart lime is the real star in this spice bottle followed up with salt and a little bit of heat. It’s a terrific seasoning for fruits, snacks, spicy beverages, and a whole lot more.

What’s in Tajin Clásico seasoning?

The Tajin ingredients list on the bottle is about as short as they come: chili peppers, salt, dehydrated lime juice, and silicon dioxide (used for anti-caking). Chili peppers as an ingredient is a pretty broad statement, and the Tajin website doesn’t go much farther into specifics either on the type. Though, it’s safe to say your mouth won’t be on fire from eating Tajin.

How spicy is Tajin?

Not spicy at all. It’s super mild. If you can handle a poblano pepper, you can handle Tajin. The heat is a bit of a mellow slow burn. It doesn’t hit you out the gate (likely due to the intense lime taste), but it simmers over time.

What does Tajin seasoning taste like?

As mentioned, lime is the real star of this seasoning. It’s like Cinco de Mayo in powder form. There’s an intense hit of tangy salty lime, followed a few seconds after with the simmering low heat of the chilies. It’s a unique flavor and incredibly tasty.

What are great ways to use Tajin?

There are more ways to use Tajin than you may think; this is one surprisingly flexible seasoning that’s mild enough for everyone in the family.

First, it’s often called Tajin fruit seasoning, and there’s a reason why. It’s perfect on fresh fruit. Try Tajin on top of fresh sliced apples, pears or oranges. It adds a tangy kick to healthy snacking that many people will appreciate. It’s also terrific on many raw vegetables, too, including sliced cucumbers and carrots.

Then there’s the world of spicy cocktails where Tajin really shines as well. It’s a terrific mixer with margaritas. Also try rimming the margarita glass with Tajin instead of the typical salt – it’s a nice twist. There are many beer and spicy drink recipes out there that can do well with a little Tajin added to the mix. For those looking for a non-alcoholic take, try Tajin with fresh lemonade. Yum.

Beyond snacks and drinks, Tajin is pretty all purpose too. Many restaurants have a bottle out on the table as its lime tang can work with ceviche, salads, fish, poultry, and even steak.

With this kind of flexibility, Tajin seasoning is a definite must for the pantry of spicy food lovers. Sure, it’s not the hottest in town, but its tangy flavor delivers in ways other chili-based seasonings don’t.