Cajun Seasoning

This homemade Cajun Seasoning blend is a tasty, versatile mix of common spices you probably already have on hand. Great on meats, pasta, veggies, and more!

Cajun Seasoning is a delicious spice blend made with common pantry spices that yo probably already have. It can be spicy or mild depending on much cayenne pepper you add.

It’s the same sort of spice blend that you se when you want something “blackened” such as Blackened Chicken or Blackened Salmon. But, it has the sort of universal appeal that lends itself to so many different dishes.

It shows up in several different New Orleans classics such as Cajun Chicken and Fried Green Tomatoes, but I also love to use it in unexpected ways. It gives a little kick to Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad and it’s great in Cajun Chicken Alfredo, a copycat from Chili’s and elsewhere.

Recipe ingredients

At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.

Ingredient notes

• Paprika: Both sweet and smoked paprika work here.
• Italian seasoning: To make your own, add 1 ½ teaspoons EACH of dried basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, and marjoram. If you’re missing one, just leave it out.
• Salt: Add salt to taste (I like 2 tablespoons), or leave it out of the blend and salt your individual dishes as you go.
• Cayenne pepper: Dial the heat up or down with more or less cayenne pepper (omit it entirely if you don’t like spicy food).

Instructions

• In a small bowl, whisk together paprika, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, cayenne pepper, thyme, and onion powder. Store in an airtight container.

Should I use a spice grinder?

I HIGHLY recommend using a spice grinder if you want the freshest flavors for your spice blends. They’re not too expensive and make a tremendous difference in your cooking! The KRUPS Fast Touch Electric Grinder is my favorite one because it’s powerful and easy to clean. You can get it at Walmart for $34.96 but I recommend a few others in my best spice grinder roundup!

Recipe tips and variations

• Yield: This recipe makes ¾ cup seasoning.
• Storage: Store covered in a dark, cool place for up to 6 months.
• Marinade: To make a marinade for 2 pounds of steak, chicken, or pork, whisk together ½ cup olive oil, ¼ cup lemon or lime juice, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon seasoning. Marinade at room temperature for 30 minutes or in the refrigerator for up to 1 hour. Pat meat dry before cooking.
• More Cajun flavors: Depending on what you are cooking, consider adding green bell peppers, onion, and celery (the “holy trinity”), okra, tomatoes, mint, parsley, and hot sauce (especially Tabasco). Pepper jelly is classic, too.
• Mardi Gras: Gearing up for Fat Tuesday? I’ve pulled together 30+ Mardi Gras Recipes to help you celebrate. Start with Crab Cakes with Remoulade, Fried Okra, or Hush Puppies served with a Muffaletta sandwich, Dirty Rice, a bowl of Red Beans and Rice, or Shrimp Étouffée. Finish your meal with a sweet treat such as Bananas Foster, a slice of King Cake, or some Pecan Pralines. Classic cocktail options include a Sazerac or a Hurricane cocktail.

Great recipes for Cajun seasoning

Chicken and Turkey Recipes

Cajun Pasta

Chicken and Turkey Recipes

How to Make Rotisserie Chicken

Mardi Gras Recipes

Fried Green Tomatoes Recipe

Fish and Seafood Recipes

Blackened Salmon

Cajun Seasoning

By Meggan Hill

This homemade Cajun Seasoning blend is a tasty, versatile mix of common spices you probably already have on hand. Great on meats, pasta, veggies, and more!

Prep Time 1 minute min

Total Time 1 minute min

Servings 36 servings (1 teaspoon each)

Course Pantry

Cuisine American

Calories 5

4.97 from 155 votes

ReviewPrint

Ingredients 

US CustomaryMetric

• ▢ 3 tablespoons paprika (see note 1)
• ▢ 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• ▢ 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning (see note 2)
• ▢ 2 tablespoons Salt optional (see note 3)
• ▢ 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper (see note 4)
• ▢ 1 tablespoon dried thyme
• ▢ 1 tablespoon onion powder

Instructions 

• In a small bowl, combine paprika, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, cayenne pepper, thyme, and onion powder. Store in an airtight container.

Recipe Video

Notes

1. Paprika: Both sweet and smoked paprika work here.
2. Italian seasoning: To make your own Italian Seasoning, in a small bowl, combine 2 Tbsp. of dried basil, 2 Tbsp. of dried oregano, 2 Tbsp. of dried rosemary, 2 Tbsp. of dried thyme, and 2 Tbsp. of dried marjoram. Store extra in an airtight container.
3. Salt: Add salt to taste (I like 2 Tbsp.), or leave it out of the blend and salt your individual dishes as you go.
4. Cayenne pepper: Dial the heat up or down with more or less cayenne pepper (omit it entirely if you don’t like spicy food).
5. Yield: This recipe makes ¾ c. seasoning.
6. Storage: Store covered in a dark, cool place for up to 6 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 tspCalories: 5kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 0.2gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.03gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.02gSodium: 389mgPotassium: 28mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 0.1gVitamin A: 354IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 9mgIron: 0.4mg

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