About Us

Welcome to South Texas Spice Company

Our story began nearly four decades ago in a small kitchen in South Texas. What started as a humble family venture has grown into a beloved spice company – but we’ve never lost our heart. South Texas Spice Company was founded by our family’s patriarch in the mid-1980s with a simple dream: to feed his family and share the flavors of our home with others. He fell in love with the idea of helping people make their meals taste better, and that passion became the foundation of our company. Though he is no longer with us, his spirit lives on in every jar we blend. Today, his daughter and son-in-law proudly carry forward the tradition, ensuring that family, flavor, and love remain at the center of all we do.

We are proudly rooted in South Texas, and you can taste it in our products. From day one, our seasonings have been inspired by the rich cultural tapestry of our region – the Tex-Mex zest of the border, the smoky BBQ traditions of South-Central Texas, and the comfort of recipes handed down through generations. Each of our spice blends is crafted in-house, using high-quality ingredients sourced from around the world and perfected right here in San Antonio. (It’s not lost on us that “South Texas” is in our name – this is our home, and we pour that homegrown pride into every blend.) Over the years, we’ve even had the privilege of helping other local businesses create their own signature spices through private labeling. Watching those partners thrive has been incredibly rewarding, because for us, this work is about community as much as it is about commerce. Quality and authenticity guide us daily – from mixing a new batch of fajita seasoning to packing up an order for a neighborhood restaurant, we treat it as if we were cooking for our own family.

Most of all, we believe that good food brings people together. No matter who you are or where you come from, everyone can gather around the table and share a delicious meal. That’s why our mission is to make every meal memorable. Whether it’s a big family barbecue or a simple sandwich at lunch, we want to add a dash of warmth and flavor that makes you smile. There’s a special joy in those moments when the dinner table falls quiet because everyone is too busy enjoying the food – we live for that! Our seasonings are created with that purpose: to elevate the everyday into something extraordinary, and to help bring loved ones closer with each bite. From our family to yours, thank you for letting South Texas Spice Company be a part of your kitchen and your traditions. We’re honored to serve you and to keep sharing the flavor and love, for generations to come.

Origin of the Company:
Founded nearly 40 years ago by the family patriarch (Gabriel’s father-in-law) in the mid-1980s. He started the business in South Texas to provide more for his family, but quickly fell in love with helping people make their meals taste better. Next year will mark the 40th anniversary of South Texas Spice Company’s continuous operation.

Family Legacy:
A proud multi-generational, family-run business. The founder led the company until 2011, when he sadly passed away from cancer. Since then, his daughter and son-in-law (Gabriel Saenz and his wife) have carried on his legacy. They continue to run the company with the same passion and dedication, preserving the family’s original recipes and values while nurturing relationships with customers. The family takes pride in seeing their seasonings bring joy to other families, keeping the founder’s spirit alive in every bottle.

Commitment to Quality:
Emphasis on high-quality ingredients and flavorful results. South Texas Spice Co. sources fine spices and herbs from trusted origins around the world (e.g. garlic from China, cinnamon from Sri Lanka, paprika from Peru) and blends them in-house with care. Each recipe has been perfected over decades – mixing ingredients like salt, pepper, garlic, and onion in just the right ratios – to ensure consistent, bold flavor in every batch. Quality control and taste-testing are a priority so that every jar delivered to customers elevates their cooking with authentic flavor.

South Texas Roots (Cultural & Regional):
Deep roots in South Texas culture and cuisine define the brand. The company started in South Texas and is still based in San Antonio. The influence of the region’s food heritage is infused in every blend. From bold Tex-Mex classics to traditional homestyle meals like fajitas, picadillo, and carne guisada, their seasonings reflect the flavors loved throughout the area. This regional pride gives their products a truly home-grown quality that customers recognize and love.

Approach to Blending Spices:
Crafting unique blends is at the heart of the business. Rather than simply reselling generic spices, South Texas Spice focuses on combining spices into custom mixes that capture the signature taste of South Texas home cooking. The team develops their own recipes for seasonings – from traditional blends for classics like fajitas, picadillo, menudo, and carne guisada, to innovative rubs and all-purpose seasonings. Raw ingredients may come from all over the globe, but the magic happens in the blending process: by adjusting the balance of spices and herbs, they create one-of-a-kind flavors you can’t find elsewhere. This hands-on, artisanal approach to blending ensures each product is distinctive and consistently delicious, reflecting decades of know-how.

Helping Other Businesses (Private Labeling):
Playing a behind-the-scenes role in others’ success. In addition to selling under their own label, South Texas Spice Co. helps around 20 different businesses and entrepreneurs by manufacturing private-label spices for them. These clients come with their own brand name and vision, and South Texas Spice creates and bottles custom blends to match, complete with the client’s label and story. The company then ships these products nationwide on behalf of the clients. By offering this service, South Texas Spice not only expands its own reach but also enables fellow small businesses to grow. It’s a point of pride that they’re not just growing their own brand, but helping other brands flourish – fostering a community of spice lovers and supporting the wider food business community through collaboration.

“Food Brings People Together” Emphasis:
A core belief that great food unites everyone. The team often notes that despite all our differences, we all have to eat – and a delicious meal can get people talking, smiling, and enjoying a moment of togetherness. South Texas Spice’s mission is to enhance the flavor of every meal so that it becomes a memorable experience shared with family and friends. They like to say “Food so good it brings people together,” because a well-seasoned dish can turn strangers into friends and arguments into laughter at the dinner table. Even something simple, like a sandwich or a midnight snack, can be made special with the right seasoning. By making every breakfast, lunch, or dinner taste better, they hope to play a small part in bringing joy and connection to households. (Think of those quiet dinner moments when everyone is too busy savoring the food to speak – South Texas Spice lives for creating those moments.)

In 1985, one man stepped into a modest kitchen in South Texas with a mission: feed his family and help others fall in love with food again.
He didn’t have investors. He didn’t have a business plan.
What he had was instinct, grit, and a vision — to create spices that didn’t just taste good, but tasted like home.

Four decades later, South Texas Spice Company is still family-owned, still obsessively crafted in-house, and still run with the same fire he lit — now carried by his daughter and son-in-law, Gabriel Saenz and his wife. This isn’t just a company. It’s a legacy in a bottle.

Next year marks our 40th anniversary. And we’re just getting started.

We don’t buy bulk blends from a third-party and slap on a label. Every seasoning starts with raw, top-grade ingredients sourced from the best on Earth — garlic from China, cinnamon from Sri Lanka, paprika from Peru — then blended by hand in San Antonio with a process honed over decades.

This isn’t factory spice. This is artisan-level flavor from people who’ve cooked, tested, and tasted every recipe until it hit the sweet spot of South Texas home cooking.

You’ll taste it in:

Fajitas that hit like Friday night cookouts
Picadillo that tastes like grandma’s kitchen
Carne guisada that brings silence to the table

We don’t cut corners. We cut onions, crush peppers, and blend until it’s perfect.

When our founder passed away in 2011 after a battle with cancer, the mission didn’t stop. Gabriel and his wife took the reins, determined to protect not just the recipes — but the values: quality, community, and care.

Every bottle that ships out carries his spirit. Every bite brings his legacy to your table. And every satisfied customer is a reminder that this work matters.

20+ businesses across the country trust us to create their private-label spice lines. We craft custom blends under their brand names, bottle it, label it, and ship it nationwide.

It’s not just a service. It’s a partnership. And when their businesses grow — so does our pride.
Because we’re not just building our brand. We’re helping others build theirs.

If you’ve got a spice vision and need a trusted partner who’s done this for 40 years — we should talk.

At our core, we believe this: Great food unites people.
It melts tension. It starts conversations. It creates the kind of quiet at the table that only happens when everyone’s too busy enjoying the food to talk.

That’s the magic we live for. Whether it’s a midnight sandwich, a backyard BBQ, or a holiday feast — we’re here to help you make every meal memorable.

We’re not just seasoning food. We’re seasoning life.

For nearly 40 years, families across South Texas and beyond have let us into their kitchens. That’s an honor we don’t take lightly — and a legacy we’ll keep living up to.

South Texas Spice Company
Rooted in tradition. Blended by hand. Made to bring people closer — one bite at a time.

Real quotes from customers, chefs, or BBQ competitors.

    
 
 
         
   curtis hagar 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Lots of choices and they label with your business or other logo.
The chili mixes and dips are excellent.
  
 
        
   Marissa Ayala 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. They’re the best. We have been coming to them for our corn business over the years and they have always treated us with love. I wouldn’t ever go anywhere else for our spices. They’re great people! 🩷🙏🏼
  
 
        
   Mike Rodriguez 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Pide el fajita seasoning ese va con todas tus comidas mexicanas.
Te pago una libra si no te gusta
  
 
        
   John Hannemann 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Here is the latest price sheet.  Phone your needs in early and they will prepare your order.  They are really set up for restaurant orders rather than individuals.  I've used their chorizo mix for probably 20 years.
  
 
        
   Kim Killion 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We live in ALASKA and always stop when we are in Texas!  We love the selection of spices and many other items.
  
 
        
   Mary Garcia 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Wonderful customer service and spices are fresh and flavorful. This is the go to place for all your spice needs!
  
 
        
   Jordyn Boyd 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This is not a store where you walk around to buy stuff. I've seen their spices in shelves since I was a kid, long time business, great spices, very nice staff. Definitely recommend for both medium and large quantities of spices.
  
 
        
   Susana Gonzales 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have been going there for years.  The prices are great and spices are fresh.  Covid-19 social distancing is being demonstrated which is very important to me.  If you have never been there their Fajita Seasoning and Special Chicken Barbeque Seasoning are delicious.  Can’t wait to try Zef”s Ultimate Steak Marinade.
  
 
        
   Karla Lozano 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The fajita seasoning is amazing, wish they ship to all the 50 states because we can't find anything close to their seasonings, they're the best.