Cajun Seasoning

5 from 3 votes
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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.

Cajun seasoning spice mix inside a glass mason jar.

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.

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

Several dried spice ingredients used to make cajun seasoning, placed in a white bowl.
  • 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

Spoon scooping cajun seasoning out of a bowl.

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

Three chicken breasts seasoned with a cajun spice mixture and placed on a sheet pan.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cajun seasoning the same as Old Bay?

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.

What’s the difference between Creole and Cajun seasoning?

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.

Is Cajun seasoning spicy or hot?

Most seasoning blends have a medium, lingering heat that is not overpowering. Increasing the amount of cayenne pepper can make the mix spicier.

How do I make a spicier Cajun seasoning?

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.

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Cajun Seasoning

Discover the taste of Louisiana with this easy recipe for homemade Cajun seasoning. Perfect for adding a spicy kick to your favorite dishes.
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time0 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Course Condiment
Cuisine American

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

YouTube 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

Serves: 6 servings
Calories 12kcal (1%)Carbohydrates 3g (1%)Protein 1g (2%)Fat 0.3gSaturated Fat 0.1g (1%)Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat 0.05gSodium 2328mg (97%)Potassium 66mg (2%)Fiber 1g (4%)Sugar 0.3gVitamin A 803IU (16%)Vitamin C 1mg (1%)Calcium 22mg (2%)Iron 1mg (6%)

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.

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Jessica Gavin

I'm a culinary school graduate, cookbook author, and a mom who loves croissants! My passion is creating recipes and sharing the science behind cooking to help you gain confidence in the kitchen.

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