Dinner

Birria Seasoning Recipe

Name: Birria Seasoning Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: ¼ cup dried guajillo chili powder, or New Mexico chili powder; ¼ cup chipotle chili powder; 2 tablespoons onion powder; 2 tablespoons garlic powder; 1 tablespoon dried arbol chili powder, or cayenne pepper; 2 teaspoons salt; 2 teaspoons black pepper; 2 teaspoons Mexican oregano; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; ½ teaspoon ground cloves; ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

ByHugo Harnd January 23, 2026January 23, 2026

Jump to Recipe

Introduction

Birria seasoning is a flavorful blend of dried chilies and spices that brings a rich, smoky taste to your dishes. Perfect for making traditional birria or adding depth to tacos, stews, and marinades, this homemade mix is both easy to prepare and versatile.

A close-up shot of a white bowl filled with a coarse red-brown spice mix that has small bits of lighter-colored particles throughout, creating a textured look. In the center of the bowl, a white spoon with a slightly gold-stained handle holds a rounded scoop of the spice mix slightly raised above the surface, showing the fine grain and uneven bits up close. The bowl is set against a white marbled background that highlights the warm colors of the spices. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

¼ cup dried guajillo chili powder, or New Mexico chili powder
¼ cup chipotle chili powder
2 tablespoons onion powder
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon dried arbol chili powder, or cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons black pepper
2 teaspoons Mexican oregano
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

Step 1: In a small bowl, combine all the chili powders, spices, and seasonings.
Step 2: Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
Step 3: Store the seasoning blend in an airtight container in a cool, dry pantry for up to 6 months.

Tips & Variations

For a milder blend, reduce the amount of arbol chili powder or cayenne pepper.
Try toasting the dried chilies lightly before grinding to enhance their flavor.
Use this seasoning to marinate meats or sprinkle over roasted vegetables for an authentic taste.

Storage

Keep the birria seasoning in an airtight container away from heat and sunlight. Stored properly, it will maintain its flavor for up to 6 months. Use dry utensils to scoop the seasoning to avoid moisture.

How to Serve

A white bowl is filled with eleven separate piles of different spices arranged in a circle, each pile showing a distinct color and texture: black pepper with coarse grains, white salt with fine crystals, deep red chili powder, light brown cinnamon powder, dried green herbs with leafy bits, reddish-orange paprika, light tan garlic powder, dark brown cocoa-like powder, peachy beige granules, and two other shades of reddish-brown spices. A white and gold spoon rests in the center over the salt, placed on a white marbled surface with a cloth nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I substitute fresh chilies for dried chili powders?

Fresh chilies have more moisture and different intensity, so they won’t yield the same dry seasoning blend. It’s best to stick with dried chili powders for this recipe.

How spicy is this birria seasoning?

The blend has a moderate to high level of heat, which you can adjust by using less arbol chili powder or swapping it for a milder chili powder.