Heard of Tajin? It’s gone from a spice you may have heard of once to a kitchen must-have around the world — it even has a feisty social media presence. There are so many ways healthy ways to love this Mexican spice.

This coarse, sprinkle-friendly mix of mild chili peppers, sea salt and the perfect punch of lime is beloved around the globe. Tajin made its way to the United States in the 1990s and is now available in original, and low-sodium Tajin Clasico and a hotter habanero variety. Tajin isn’t very hot but the combo of chili and lime light up every taste bud you have.

One-quarter teaspoon of traditional Tajin contains zero calories, fat, carbs, protein, no added sugar and 190 milligrams of sodium, which shakes out to 8 percent of the daily allotment.

Tajin can be used for a wide range of savory and sweet preparations. Try one of these healthful ideas below.

Fruit

A prime example of don’t knock it until you try it. Wedges of mango, slices of watermelon or even just sprinkled over a bowl of fruit salad. Grilled peaches or fresh and frozen pineapple are begging for this extra zing.

Avocado

Give that heart healthy fat a boost of flavor. From avocado toast to guacamole or just cut in half with a spoon – lime and chili are the ideal complement to creamy, cool avocado.

Vegetables

If you have never snacked on Tajin-dusted cucumber slices you’re missing out on finger food bliss. Juicy tomatoes, sautéed spinach and a large bowl of greens for a salad also benefit from a few shakes of Tajin. Add a few sprinkles to a tray of roasted vegetables — butternut squash with cauliflower and broccoli or potatoes and onions are two magical combos.

Seafood

Trying to eat more seafood to take advantage of the lean protein and omega-3 fats? Nothing goes better with seafood than a burst of citrusy spice. Elevate grilled shrimp and salmon, roasted oysters and of course fish tacos.

Eggs

Punch up this versatile protein source — from hard boiled eggs to breakfast burritos, chili peppers and eggs are culinary compadres.

Tortillas

Leave the fried chips in the bag. Brush whole grain corn or flour tortilla with a little oil and sprinkle of Tajin, bake until golden and crispy.

Dips, Dressings, Sauces, Marinades

Adding a 1/2 teaspoon of Tajin to marinades, salad dressings and dips provides a calorie-free flavor boost and keeps the sodium content manageable. Protein-rich hummus seeming a little blah? Yogurt-based dips and dressings are lower in fat but can be lacking in flavor — a little chili-lime changes all that.

Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC, is a registered dietitian, certified athletic trainer and owner of Dana White Nutrition, Inc., which specializes in culinary and sports nutrition. She is the author of four cookbooks First Bites: Superfoods for Babies and Toddlers, The Healthy Air Fryer Cookbook, The Healthy Instant Pot Cookbook and Healthy Quick and Easy Smoothies.

*This article was written and/or reviewed by an independent registered dietitian nutritionist.

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