Tajin is a popular condiment in Mexican cuisine. It’s made from dried limes and chilies, which gives it the tangy flavor we know and love. But many may be wondering, is tajin keto-friendly? We’ve got all your questions answered right here.
Tajin is keto-friendly. The primary ingredient of the seasoning is dried chilies, which are low in carbohydrates. The keto diet encourages the consumption of low carbohydrate foods like this one to maintain the use of fat for energy rather than carbohydrates. The best keto-friendly alternatives to tajin include lime Lime Zest, Chili Powder, and Garlic Salt.
Want more information about tajin? Keep reading to learn more about the keto diet as well as this Mexican spice blend, its nutritional value, and some simple alternatives.
Contents
What is Tajin?
Tajin is a simple seasoning mix consisting of dried and ground red chilies, sea salt, dehydrated lime juice, and a tiny bit of an anti-caking agent. The name of the spice actually alludes to the company that produces is, called Empress Tajín, which is a Mexican company founded in 1985 by Horacio Fernandez. They actually produce several varieties of spice blends and condiments, but they all consist predominantly of chile peppers, lime, and salt.
How is Tajin Used?
Tajin can be added to many different types of recipes. In Mexican cuisine, it may be sprinkled on fresh fruits and vegetables because it gives the fruit a delightfully fresh, lemony, and spicy flavor that complements the fruit’s inherent sweetness nicely. It works great with juicy slices of watermelon and mangos, crisp nibbles of apples, or slices of cucumbers and jicama in the summer. You may use it to dress up any of your favorite fruits and veggies. For a very distinct flavor, use the seasoning blend in marinades or spice rubs for chicken, fish, shrimp, or even steak. This seasoning is also commonly used on popcorn.
The Keto Diet
The ketogenic diet is a low carbohydrate, moderate protein, and high-fat meal plan. This diet has many health benefits including weight loss, reduced risk for metabolic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and epilepsy. The keto diet has become well known because it allows people to lose excess body fat ratio by just completing cutting carbohydrates.
The keto diet works by changing the way your body produces energy in the mitochondria of the cells. It forces your body to rely on burning fats instead of carbohydrates as fuel. To accomplish this shift in burning fat as fuel keto dieters must eat plenty of healthy fats, moderate amounts of protein, and avoid foods high in carbohydrates.
Nutritional Content of Tajin
Tajin is a simple Mexican spice blend that can be included in the ketogenic diet. The Tajín product line has several products but their general use is the same across the board, but each is low in carbs and keto-friendly. Below we’ll discuss some of these blends, their nutritional contents, and benefits, and even some ketogenic alternatives to try!
Tajín Clásico Seasoning
The list of ingredients in Tajín Clásico Seasoning are:
- Chile Peppers
- Salt
- Dehydrated Lime Juice
- Silicon Dioxide (To Prevent Caking)
Nutrition Facts (per ¼ teaspoon):
- Calories: 0
- Total Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 g
- Sodium: 190 mg
- Carbs: 0 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Sugars: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
Tajín Clásico Chile Low Sodium Lime Seasoning
The list of ingredients in Tajín Clásico Chile Low Sodium Lime Seasoning are:
- Chile Peppers
- Salt
- Dehydrated Lime Juice
- Potassium Chloride
- Silicon Dioxide (To Prevent Caking)
Nutrition Facts (per ¼ teaspoon):
- Calories: 0
- Total Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 g
- Sodium: 140 mg
- Carbs: 0 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Sugars: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
Tajín Habanero Seasoning
The list of ingredients in Tajín Habanero Seasoning are:
- Chile Peppers
- Sea Salt
- Dehydrated Lime Juice
- Silicon Dioxide (To Prevent Caking)
Nutrition Facts (per ¼ teaspoon):
- Calories: 0
- Total Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 g
- Sodium: 188 mg
- Carbs: 0 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Sugars: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
Review of Tajin Nutrition
All of the types of tajin contain the same ingredients list, with the only differences being that one uses less salt and another habanero chilies instead of the combination of red peppers that the Clásico uses. The nutrition facts for tajin highlight that it contains zero grams of sugar per serving, which is why tajin can be a great option for those following the keto diet.
Benefits of Tajin
Tajin is low in calories (only 10 per tablespoon), fat-free, high in fiber, ketogenic friendly with no added sugars, carbohydrates, or sodium. To top it off tajin has anti-inflammatory properties thanks to its chili content and unlike other keto seasonings contains no fillers like silica or magnesium carbonate which can lead to bloating on keto. Many use tajin rather than salt alone in many dishes for better flavor and some health benefits.
Alternatives to Tajin
Lime Zest
Lime zest is one of the main ingredients in tajin, so it is clearly a good alternative to the spice blend. It is made from lime peels that are grated, and then the zest is left to dry. It is then ground to a powder or into granules to be added into any recipe for a zesty flavor. If you use lime zest instead, however, keep in mind it will not contain the same spicy flavors. It is a simple, tangy, keto-friendly ingredient, though, so feel free to try it with any keto recipe.
FreshJax Premium Organic Lime Peel Powder
The list of ingredients in FreshJax Premium Organic Lime Peel Powder is:
- Certified organic ground lime peel.
Nutrition Facts (per ¼ teaspoon):
- Calories: 0
- Total Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 g
- Sodium: 0 mg
- Carbs: 0 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Sugars: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
Chili Powder
Chili powder is another key ingredient in tajin, therefore it is a good alternative, as well. It is a very spicy powder that will turn up the heat in any recipe. It is made from dried and ground red chili, therefore it’s a very simple ingredient. It also packs in some of the healthy nutrients in chilis, making this a beneficial food. Keep in mind that it is very spicy, so use sparingly If you have sensitivities to spice.
Dwaraka Organic – Red Chili Powder
The list of ingredients in Dwaraka Organic – Red Chili Powder is:
- Organic Red Chili
Nutrition Facts (per ¼ teaspoon):
- Calories: 0
- Total Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 g
- Sodium: 35 mg
- Carbs: 0 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Sugars: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
Onion Powder
Onion powder is a great alternative for tajin as it has great savory flavors that complement things like vegetables, meats, and sauces very well. It is made from dried and ground onion, therefore it is a very simple, keto-friendly spice. It also has zero calories and no macronutrient values, making it an easy addition to any recipe.
The Spice Lab Organic Granulated Onion
The list of ingredients in The Spice Lab Organic Granulated Onion are:
- Garlic
Nutrition Facts (per ¼ teaspoon):
- Calories: 0
- Total Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 g
- Sodium: 0 mg
- Carbs: 0 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Sugars: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
Garlic Salt
Garlic salt will offer a similar salty and savory flavor that Tajin will. However, like some of these alternatives, the hot spicy flavor will be missing. You can pair it with chili powder or another spicy flavor if that is something you are missing, though. Garlic salt is higher in sodium than other options, so keep that in mind if you are concerned about your sodium intake.
Burma Spice Garlic Salt
The list of ingredients in Burma Spice Garlic Powder are:
- Garlic
- Salt
Nutrition Facts (per ¼ teaspoon):
- Calories: 0
- Total Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 g
- Sodium: 190 mg
- Carbs: 0 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Sugars: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
Conclusion
Tajin is a Mexican spice blend that’s low in carbs. It can be used to season meats, seafood, vegetables, and even eggs! If you are on the keto diet or want to lower your sugar intake without altering flavor too much, then try using tajin instead of lime zest for some dishes. You will also get health benefits from this tasty seasoning because it has an antioxidant called lycopene which helps protect cells from oxidative stress damage. Tajin is made up of spices like lime, chili peppers, and other herbs so it’s easy to find substitutes if any ingredients are not accessible near you-just use the simple lime zest, chili powder, onion powder, or garlic salt for example. Have you tried replacing your usual spice blends with tajin? Let us know how it went!
Related Questions
Is tajin spicy?
Yes, tajin contains chili powder, which is a spicy vegetable. Many find this ingredient very hot and can have some issues with it such as inflammation and skin irritation. However, if you like spicy flavors, this spice blend is great for you.
Is tajin gluten-free?
Yes, tajin is a gluten-free food. It does not contain any gluten-containing ingredients, however, keep in mind it may be produced in a facility that also produces gluten-containing foods, so check the label for cross-contamination if that is a concern of yours.
Is tajin vegan?
Yes, tajin is vegan and contains no animal-derived ingredients. It is also used for animal-derived dishes, though, so make sure to check your ingredient list.