Spice up your kitchen adventures with homemade Cajun seasoning! This blend of paprika, cayenne, garlic, and herbs adds bold flavor to meats, seafood, and veggies.
Cajun seasoning
If you have ever enjoyed the rich, spicy, and vibrant cuisine of Louisiana, you probably know that a good Cajun seasoning blend is absolutely essential. From making Cajun chicken to hearty jambalaya and flavorful shrimp gumbo, this homemade Cajun seasoning blend does it all!
Being Nigerian, I grew up appreciating complex, bold, and deeply aromatic spices. My childhood was filled with vibrant memories of spices and seasoning blends like fiery suya spice, aromatic jollof rice seasoning. The pepper soup spice was bold enough to warm your soul. When I first tried Cajun food, it felt like home. It is spicy, bold, and full of flavor, but still unique.
What makes Cajun seasoning special is its bold and smoky flavor profile. In a way, this blend reminds me of my mother’s cooking, yet with an entirely new twist.
My family adores anything seasoned Cajun-style, and after countless store-bought blends, I decided it was time to create a homemade version. The result? A perfectly balanced, flavorful blend that elevates every dish I sprinkle it on.
What is Cajun seasoning?
Cajun seasoning is a flavorful spice blend that comes from Louisiana, known for adding a tasty kick to dishes. It usually combines spices like smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. These ingredients come together to create an aromatic blend that adds depth to a wide range of dishes.
Cajun seasoning tastes smoky, a bit spicy, and has a nice balance of herbs and spices that make food taste amazing! Whether you are grilling, roasting, or sautéing, Cajun seasoning makes your dishes taste exciting and delicious without much effort!
Use this cajun seasoning as a dry rub for meats, poultry, and seafood, and as a seasoning for vegetables, soups, stews, and rice dishes like jambalaya.
What makes Cajun seasoning special
What makes homemade Cajun seasoning truly special is its versatility. You can sprinkle it on chicken, seafood, vegetables, or even pasta!
It’s easy to make and delicious on just about everything! It’s smoky, slightly spicy, aromatic, and savory.
Unlike store-bought blends, this homemade version is completely customizable—perfect if you are sensitive to salt or want extra heat.
Be sure to keep a jar handy, and don’t be surprised if you find yourself sprinkling it on everything. It’s addictive in the best possible way.
By the way, if you love flavorful homemade spice blends, make sure to check out my Jamaican Jerk Marinade and Homemade Peri Peri Sauce recipes. These two are guaranteed to bring more flavor to your meals!
Ingredients
Ingredients (makes about ¾ cup):
- Smoked paprika – use regular sweet paprika if you prefer a milder flavor
- Salt – sea salt or Himalayan salt works great
- Garlic powder
- Black pepper
- White pepper – skip this and double black pepper if white pepper isn’t available.
- Onion powder
- Dried oregano – basil, or Italian seasoning are nice alternatives
- Cayenne pepper – adjust to taste. Reduce for a milder flavor or add extra for more heat.
- Dried thyme – fresh thyme is great if using immediately, just double the amount
Feel free to scale the recipe up or down depending on your needs. I typically make a triple batch because it’s just that good and stores well!
How to make Cajun seasoning
- Combine all the ingredients in a bowl. Mix well to ensure that all the spices are evenly distributed.
- Store your Cajun seasoning mix in an airtight container. Keep it in a cool, dry place.
- Use your homemade Cajun seasoning mix in your favorite recipes to add a spicy, flavorful kick.
Why make your own Cajun seasoning?
Why not? Even though you can buy an already-made version in the store, you should make your own for the following reasons:
- You can customize it: When you make your own Cajun seasoning, you have full control over the ingredients and can adjust the proportions to suit your taste. You can make it spicier.
- Fresh feel: Homemade Cajun seasoning is made from fresh spices and herbs, ensuring maximum flavor.
- Avoid preservatives: By making your own seasoning mix, you can choose high-quality ingredients and avoid additives, preservatives, or excessive salt commonly found in store-bought blends. This allows you to create a healthier seasoning option for your dishes.
- Versatility: You can experiment with different spice combinations to create unique flavor profiles for various recipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does homemade Cajun seasoning last? Stored in an airtight container, this seasoning stays fresh for up to six months.
- Is Cajun seasoning gluten-free? Yes! This homemade blend is naturally gluten-free.
- How spicy is Cajun seasoning? It has moderate heat. You can easily control spice levels by reducing or increasing the cayenne pepper.
- Can I omit salt entirely? Absolutely. Feel free to leave salt out and season separately when cooking.
- Can I substitute smoked paprika with regular paprika? Yes, but smoked paprika adds depth and authenticity. Regular paprika will work if that’s what you have.
- How should I store Cajun seasoning? Store your Cajun seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Properly stored, it can last several months while maintaining its flavor and freshness.
Recipes that use Cajun Seasoning
Here are some of my favorite ways to use this seasoning.
- Jambalaya With Chicken and Sausage
- Air Fryer Baby Potatoes
- Cajun jambalaya Pasta
- Seafood Jambalaya
- Cajun Grilled Shrimp
- Cajun Roasted Vegetables
Homemade Cajun Seasoning
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 1½ to 2 tablespoons salt
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon white pepper
- 1 tablespoons onion powder
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon cayenne
- 1/2 tablespoon dried thyme
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a bowl. Mix well to ensure that all the spices are evenly distributed.
- Store your Cajun seasoning mix in an airtight container. Keep it in a cool, dry place.
- Use your homemade Cajun seasoning mix in your favorite recipes to add a spicy, flavorful kick.
Nutrition
More spices and sauces
These flavorful blends make cooking fun, tasty, and incredibly easy!
- Chimichurri Sauce
- Jamaican Jerk Seasoning blend
- Homemade Lemon Pepper Seasoning Recipe
- Chicken Seasoning Blend – Homemade Recipe
- Caribbean Green seasoning
- Taco Seasoning Recipe
- Creole Seasoning – Homemade blend
- Jamaican jerk seasoning Spice Blend – Caribbean jerk
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