This homemade Cajun Seasoning is incredibly easy to make and so versatile. It takes just 5 minutes to make and has 6 spices you probably already have in your pantry. It's savory, spicy, and perfect for meats, fish, pasta, and more! Making your own cajun seasoning at home is simple, easy, delicious, and budget-friendly!
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Cajun seasoning originated in South Louisiana. Cajun cuisine is similar to Creole cuisine but the two are not the same. Cajun cuisine was created by French-speaking Acadians.
There are many variations of cajun spice out there, some spicier, some milder. In general, it's a blend made with paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, dried herbs, garlic, and onion. It's a spicy, earthy, and garlicky blend with added flavor from dried thyme and oregano.
Why You'll Love This Cajun Seasoning
Great flavor and no additives - This seasoning is packed with bold flavors and you can easily adjust any of them to your liking. Some cajun spice mixes can be extra spicy but mine is only moderately spicy with a strong focus on garlic and paprika. Store-bought spices often have additives like anti-caking agents and other things you just don't want in your spices.
Easy and simple - Making your own spice mixes at home is easier than you may think! All you need are 6 spices you most likely already have and about 5 minutes. You can mix everything in the same jar you'll store the spice mix in so there are no extra dishes either!
Lots of uses - There are endless ways you can use this cajun seasoning! I like using it to season chicken, shrimp, salmon, roasted potatoes, veggies, or even roasted nuts and seeds! You can stir it into sauces, dips, or spreads. I've also sprinkled it on sunny-side-up eggs or omelets and it was delicious!
Easy to adjust - Do you want to make a big batch and give it out as DIY gifts? You can easily double or triple the recipe if needed. The ingredients can also be easily adjusted to fit your spice preference or whether you like salt added in your spice blends or not.
Ingredients
- Paprika - You'll need to use sweet paprika here. Not smoked paprika or hot paprika. It makes up a large part of the seasoning and gives it a lot of flavor.
- Cayenne pepper - You only need a little bit of cayenne to make it spicy. Adjust the amount based on your preference and heat tolerance.
- Garlic powder and onion powder - I always like using garlic and onion granules, not the fine powder.
- Oregano and thyme - Dried oregano and dried thyme are a big part of the seasoning and I highly recommend adding both if you have them.
- Black pepper - I like to add a little more heat and flavor by adding freshly ground black pepper.
- Sea salt - This one is optional. If you want more control over the sodium content, you can add salt to your dishes separately. The recipe includes measurements for salt. I like using fine sea salt here.
Variations and Substitutions
- No salt - If you don't want the extra sodium and want to salt your meals separately, skip the sea salt.
- No cayenne - If you don't have cayenne, you can use crushed red pepper flakes instead. They're less spicy than cayenne so adjust the amount according to your preference. You can also use hot paprika if you have it or any spicy chili pepper powder you have (Not the American-style chili powder you'd use in a Fajita Seasoning which is a blend of spices). I don't recommend using chipotle powder because it would make the seasoning too smoky.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Add everything to a small bowl and stir until well-mixed.
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- Transfer the cajun seasoning to a spice jar and store it in your pantry for up to 6-12 months. Keep it away from heat and direct sunlight.
- You can also shake it up in a jar instead of the bowl to speed up the process even more!
Expert Tips
- Use fresh spices - Yes, you can definitely use the spices you already have in your pantry and I most often do but if you want this spice mix to have a longer shelf life (up to a year), I recommend using fresh new spices for the best flavor because they go stale over time.
Serving Suggestions
- Fries - These Cajun Fries with House Sauce are my absolute favorite fries I've ever made! They're spicy, crispy, and so delicious! You've got to try them!
- Meat, fish, shrimp - You can use this spice mix for any roasted or grilled meat, chicken, fish, or shrimp. I love putting it on roasted salmon and serving it with a simple side like rice or a simple salad. Try it on these Cajun Shrimp Crostini! And don't forget about the popular southern seafood boil, a Louisiana classic!
- Roasted nuts and seeds - Spicy seasoning like this on is amazing on roasted nuts and seeds! Try it on these Cajun Roasted Nuts.
- Vegetables - It's amazing on roasted or grilled veggies as well. This Cajun Roasted Cauliflower Salad is an old favorite of mine and it's so good on its own or with extra protein. You don't have to stop at cauliflower. Use it for roasting broccoli, bell peppers, squash, carrots, zucchini, eggplant, onion, sweet potatoes, asparagus, or any other veggies!
Storing
Spices can last a long time and they don't really go bad, unless they're stored in a hot and humid environment. That being said, they do go stale and lose their flavor over time.
I recommend storing this spice for about 6 months for the best flavors. The shelf life will depend on how fresh your spices are when you're making the seasoning. If they're brand new, the seasoning will probably last you up to 12 months. If they've been sitting in your spice drawer for a while, it won't have a strong flavor for as long.
Always store your spices in a cool and dry place, away from sunlight. Don't store them in the fridge, they're totally fine at room temperature but try to keep them further from the stove if possible.
FAQs
Yes, it's generally considered a spicy seasoning containing black pepper and cayenne pepper. That being said, you can make it as spicy or as mild as you prefer by adjusting those two spices!
The easiest substitute is a mix of garlic, paprika, cayenne pepper, and dried thyme or oregano (or both). The dried herbs aren't necessary but they're my favorite part of this seasoning so I add them whenever I can.
Other Homemade Spice Blends
Making your own seasoning blends at home is easy and always more budget-friendly than using store-bought ones. The ones linked below are some of my all-time favorites but if you want to see all the latest ones, head over to Spice Blends.
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Print📖 Recipe
Cajun Seasoning
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: ½ cup 1x
- Category: Spice Blends
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: Southern
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This Cajun Seasoning is incredibly easy to make and so versatile. It takes just 5 minutes to make, it's savory, spicy, and perfect for meats, fish, pasta, and more!
Ingredients
- 2 ½ tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp ground cayenne pepper
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tbsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp sea salt (optional)
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Add everything to a small bowl and stir or shake until well mixed.
- Transfer the cajun seasoning to an airtight spice jar and store it in your pantry for up to 6-12 months. Keep away from heat and direct sunlight.
Notes
Spices can last a very long time but this will depend on how they're stored and how fresh each spice was when you made the blend. They don't necessarily go bad after the 6 months but the flavor of each spice and the dried herbs gets weaker and less potent as they sit exposed to air and light.
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Veronika Sykorova says
This is one of my favorite seaonings to make at home! It's delicious on salmon!