While no definitive spice mix can fully encapsulate the varied flavors of Mexico, this spice blend for seafood was inspired by the Mexican flavors that might already be in your kitchen pantry.
Use this Mexican-inspired spice blend to liven up fish tacos or pair it with chipotle mayo to give your average fish sandwich a flavorful kick. You can also keep things simple and sprinkle it over a sheet pan meal of fish and vegetables.
How to Use Mexican Spice Blend
This Mexican-inspired spice blend is great for broiling, grilling, baking, pan-frying, or air-frying. It complements any species of wild-caught fish from Alaska, whether you’re using it to add spice to bold sockeye salmon or mild Pacific cod.
This spice blend omits salt so that you can use a little or a lot of the Mexican seasoning without oversalting your meal. Season your fish and any accompanying vegetables with salt, then lightly drizzle on cooking oil and add Mexican spice blend. About one teaspoon of spice blend per fillet is sufficient — just enough to lightly dust the surface on both sides of the fish.
Ingredients and Substitutions:
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Sugar: The sugar in the spice blend aids in browning and caramelization. However, folks who prefer to leave it out can omit it entirely.
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Cumin and coriander: These two spices bring a distinctly “Mexican” flavor profile to this seasoning blend. While you can use the ground cumin and coriander you have in your pantry, they can become quite stale after sitting in the pantry for too long. Freshly ground spices (made from whole coriander and cumin seed) offer more flavor. If you have time, try dry toasting whole coriander and cumin in a pan until fragrant, then grind to a powder with a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.
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Garlic and onion powders: Garlic and onion powders have a slightly different flavor profile than fresh garlic and onion. And because they’re dried, they won’t burn when exposed to high heat sources like the grill or the air fryer.
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Dried lime and dried orange zests: Dried lime and orange zests add subtle, citrusy notes to the spice blend — and they also look quite beautiful. These two ingredients may not be in your pantry, so they are optional. However, they’re easy to make. Preheat an oven to 300F. Then, use a fine grater to zest two limes and one orange. Spread the zest on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Place in oven and bake until zest has dehydrated, about 10 minutes. Measure and add to spice mixture.
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Cayenne: The amount of cayenne in this spice blend adds just the right amount of heat to get your taste buds going. However, you can adjust the spice level to your liking. Cayenne can be swapped out for another dried chili powder — a spice like chipotle powder or ancho powder — for a slightly different flavor profile.
