Blackened Cajun Seasoning is a simple and delicious blend of herbs and spices that you may already have in your spice cabinet. It mixes together in minutes and adds warm, spicy flavor to fish, chicken, vegetables, pasta, soups, stews, and more.
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This Blackened Cajun Seasoning is packed with the bold, smoky spices used in traditional blackening—a cooking process made famous by Chef Paul Prudhomme in New Orleans. It involves coating meat or fish in melted butter and a Cajun and Creole seasoning mix, then searing it in a hot cast iron skillet until a spicy, flavorful blackened crust forms. You can read more about the method here.
I use this blend to add big, bold flavor to Oven Blackened Salmon, Air-Fryer Seasoned Fries, and Parmesan Panko-Crusted Cod. It’s also great on roasted chicken, tossed with veggies, stirred into pasta sauces, or sprinkled over rice and stews—no cast iron pan required.
Want to try the classic method? Give this Blackened Chicken Recipe or blackened mahi mahi fish tacos a go.
❤️You're Going to Love These
- Bold, smoky, and customizable. Easy to adjust the spice level -- or any of the flavors -- to suit your own tastes.
- Packed with flavor from smoked paprika, cayenne, garlic, and herbs. No fillers or preservatives.
- Versatile seasoning. Perfect for seasoning everything from chicken, fish, shrimp and veggies to chicken alfredo, creamy chicken salad, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, or even popcorn!
- Quick, easy, and budget-friendly. Whip up a batch of homemade seasoning in minutes for a fresher, better-than-store-bought blend.
🍋Ingredients
See recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full list of ingredients and exact amounts.
- Smoked paprika. Adds deep, smoky flavor. You can use regular sweet paprika as a substitute, but you’ll lose the smoky flavor.
- Garlic powder & onion powder. A savory base that ties the whole blend together.
- Dried oregano & thyme. Herbs add earthy flavor to this blackening spice blend.
- Chili powder & cayenne pepper. Chili powder is my secret ingredient -- it adds warm, earthy flavor. Cayenne pepper brings a spicy kick, so adjust it to your taste. Start small if you’re sensitive to heat.
- Salt & black pepper. Reduce the salt if you’re watching your sodium or plan to heavily salt your dish.
🫐Variations or Substitutions
- White pepper. Swap out black pepper for white pepper for a more subtle pepper flavor.
- Sugar. For a sweet twist, add brown sugar or granulated sugar to the Cajun spice blend. I leave it out of the base blend, then stir some in when I want a sweet-and-spicy flavor.
- Dry mustard. For a little tangy, pungent flavor.
🥣How to Make Blackened Cajun Seasoning
Step 1: Combine all of the spices and herbs in a jar or an airtight container.
Step 2: Use to season or blacken chicken, pork chops, fish, or seafood, or to add Cajun flavor to any of your favorite foods. My favorite thing to make is Oven Blackened Salmon.
👉Helpful Hint: Adjust to your own preferences by adding more or less heat, salt, or your own unique twist.
🎁Storage
Store blackened Cajun seasoning in a covered jar in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months. For best flavor, use within 3 months.
❓FAQ
Both come from Cajun cuisine and bring bold, spicy flavor. Cajun seasoning tends to be a bit spicier and is a go-to for everyday Cajun cooking, while blackened seasoning is made for high-heat searing and usually includes key ingredients like paprika, thyme, and oregano to create a flavorful, spicy crust.
It has a moderate kick from the cayenne and chili powder. You can reduce the cayenne for a milder version or bump it up for extra heat.
Rub this amazing blackened seasoning mix on your favorite chicken, fish, or shrimp recipes to create a bold, spicy crust—whether you’re grilling, pan-searing, or baking. It’s also great sprinkled on roasted vegetables, fries, or stirred into dips and sauces.
Store blackened Cajun seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dry space away from high temperatures. It has a shelf life of up to 6 months, but for best results, use within 3 months.
😋Cajun Blackened Seasoning Recipe Ideas
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📖 Recipe
Blackened Cajun Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, adjust to taste
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Place all Cajun seasoning ingredients in a small lidded jar or airtight container. Stir or shake to combine. Store covered in a cool, dry place away from direct heat.
- Use as a seasoning for chicken, fish, pasta, stews, soups, and roasted vegetables.
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