Make a jar of Cajun seasoning to instantly flavor chicken, beef, seafood, and vegetables. Sprinkle on the smoky and spicy blend to add a bold taste to any dish!
For more Louisiana-inspired flavors, try my delicious gumbo and jambalaya recipes.
Recipe Science
- This homemade cajun seasoning blend leverages the potent flavors of dried spices and herbs.
- The drying process concentrates and intensifies the taste, so a little goes a long way.
- Removing the moisture also prolongs the shelf life, so you can store it for several months.
Jump To a Section
Why It Works
Take your tastebuds on a trip to Louisiana! With this delicious homemade spice blend, you can enjoy Cajun and Creole cuisine at any time. A sprinkle adds bold flavors and a spicy kick to any recipe. Try some on chicken, fish, shrimp, steak, veggies, and soups, or even use it to jazz up a sauce for a more exciting meal.
What exactly is Cajun seasoning? It’s made with a handful of common spices and herbs. My recipe features a mixture of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, thyme, oregano, and cayenne. The ingredients can be easily customized, especially for those who have a higher heat tolerance in their foods.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Paprika: Smoked paprika adds dimension, a red hue, and a wonderful charred note. Sweet paprika can also be used.
- Salt: The sodium enhances the taste of the other ingredients and makes the food savory. Adjust the amount added if using table salt instead of kosher salt.
- Pepper: Use coarsely ground black pepper for a lingering peppery taste. White pepper is also commonly used and has a slightly spicy and gingery taste. It’s ground fine, so start with half the amount and add more to taste.
- Onion Powder: This adds cooked allium flavor without the sulfur notes.
- Garlic Powder: Delivers a mellow garlic flavor that does not burn when cooked like fresh minced garlic.
- Dried Oregano: Adds a bitter, earthy, herbaceous, and slightly minty.
- Dried Thyme: Adds a hint of lemon and a minty and earthy taste.
- Cayenne Pepper: Also known as red pepper. This type of pepper adds a kink of heat in small amounts! Chili pepper powder, red chili flakes, and chipotle chili powder can also be used.
See the recipe card below for all ingredients and measurements (US and metric).
Ingredient Substitutions
Now that you know how to make the best cajun seasoning recipe, you can always adjust the seasonings based on taste preference and availability.
- Salt: If using different types of salt, like table salt, use 2 ¾ teaspoons for a single recipe. Table salt is much finer in granules, so adding the same amount will taste too salty.
- Fresh Herbs: If you prefer to add freshly chopped oregano or thyme, double to triple the amount for a similar flavor intensity. Use the blend right away since the herbs are moist.
- Make it Hot: Increase the cayenne pepper incrementally for a spicier kick. I like to start with ⅛ of a teaspoon, adding more to taste. Try chipotle or red pepper flakes, or a combination.
How to Make Cajun Seasoning
Step 1: Mix the Spices
Combine the dried ingredients in a bowl to create a homogenous spice mix. This recipe for Cajun seasoning will yield six tablespoons, about ⅓ cup. Feel free to double or triple the recipe for a larger batch, mainly if you use it each week, like me.
Step 2: Store the Mixture
Transfer the Cajun spice blend to a wide-mouth jar or store it in an airtight container. A funnel helps when adding to narrower spice jars. Store away from heat and humidity so the aromatic compounds in the ingredients don’t volatilize.
If you notice the lack of smell, it’s time to make a new match for better flavor. When stored properly, the blend will last about six months in your spice drawer.
How to Use Cajun Seasoning
The Cajun seasoning recipe is highly versatile. Use it as a dry spice rub for grilled or sauteed meats, seafood, and vegetables. Spice up steamed rice, savory soups, and pasta sauce. Stir some into the creamy dipping sauce to elevate the heat.
Rule of Thumb: I recommend using about 1 tablespoon of the seasoning for 1 pound of meat. When adding flavor to soups, stews, rice, and sauces, start with ¼ teaspoon and increase to your liking.
Recipes to Try
- Grilled chicken breast
- Stove-top chicken breast
- Blackened salmon
- Cajun shrimp
- Baked chicken wings
- Nacho cheese sauce
- Cajun chicken
Frequently Asked Questions
Old Bay is a brand of seasoning mix using a proprietary formula that includes salt, celery seeds, red pepper, black pepper, and paprika. Cajun seasoning contains similar ingredients. However, it also has herbs, garlic, and onion powder and has a spicier flavor.
Cajun seasoning is more pepper-forward, using blends like black pepper, white pepper, and cayenne pepper. Creole seasoning is more herbaceous, using ingredients like thyme and oregano. Both use paprika for earthiness and the red color it adds to dishes.
Most seasoning blends have a medium, lingering heat that is not overpowering. Increasing the amount of cayenne pepper can make the mix spicier.
Cayenne pepper is the hallmark way to add spiciness to Cajun dishes. The moderately hot pepper has a Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) of around 40,000. Drying and grinding it into a powder makes it easier to adjust seasoning heat levels. Start by adding an additional ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon to the spice blend for a strong upfront heat. For a spiciness that lingers around longer, incorporate red pepper flakes.
More Flavor Enhancers
If you tried this Cajun Seasoning recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below!
Cajun Seasoning
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika, or sweet
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons black pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 ½ teaspoons cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Mix the Spices – In a medium bowl, combine salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, dried oregano, dried thyme, and cayenne pepper.
- Store – Transfer seasoning mix to an airtight container or jar.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Recipe Yield: 6 Tablespoons
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Using Table Salt: Add 2 ¾ teaspoons to substitute for kosher salt.
- Storing: Store in an airtight container or jar in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months.
Nutrition Facts
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000-calorie diet. All nutritional information is based on estimated third-party calculations. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
Leave a Comment