Homemade Cajun Seasoning Mix is an easy combination of Cajun spices that you can make yourself. Cajun seasoning will add heat and flavor to your food!
Why this recipe works:
- Homemade Cajun Seasoning Mix is one of those spice blends everyone should have at the ready in their pantry.
- So many spice blends you find at the store are actually full of preservatives to keep them from sticking together. Have you ever taken a close look at the ingredients? A lot of times those store bought spices have things I don't want to add into my cooking.
- This cajun seasoning is similar to my One Spoon Dry Rub in that you can rub it on any kind of meat like roasted chicken, steaks, ribs, whatever to create an intense flavor.
- I also find that this cajun spice blend is pleasing to look at because it combines a fair amount of powders as well as dried herbs.
I used this seasoning recipe to make Cajun chicken alfredo with homemade pasta and the most amazing alfredo sauce. Recipes for both of those are yet to come, so stay tuned! My most popular recipe made with this seasoning mix is my Cajun Shrimp Pasta recipe! My Cajun seasoning would also taste great with Shrimp Creole.
How to make cajun seasoning:
- This one isn't really that hard. You just determine which spices you want to add to your homemade cajun seasoning, measure, and mix. The only equipment you'll need is a set of measuring spoons.
- I highly recommend making more than you plan on using and then storing your cajun spices in an airtight container in your pantry so that you always have some on hand.
- Prior to cooking with the cajun seasoning recipe you just made, give it a quick taste. Does it have enough heat? If not, add some more cayenne. Does it have enough salt? If not, add more. This cajun seasoning recipe is exactly how I like it, but you may prefer your homemade cajun seasoning to have more of one spice and less of another.
Cajun cooking ideas:
Once you have your cajun seasoning mixed together, here are some ideas you can use your cajun spices for:
- Make a one-pot Cajun shrimp dish
- Combine with crabmeat and cream cheese for surprisingly delectable party food.
- Mix with ground turkey breast or 90 percent lean ground beef, Dijon mustard, and finely chopped red onion for a jazzed up burger.
- Sprinkle over freshly popped popcorn.
- Give oven fries a kick when they’re hot out of the oven.
- Mix with nonfat Greek yogurt as a dip for veggies or baked potato topper.
- Mix with canola oil, brush over salmon, then grill.
- Use on its own or mix with other favorite spices to make a dry rub for chicken, fish, steak, pork, corn on the cob or thick slices of vegetables.
Full Recipe Instructions
Homemade Cajun Seasoning Mix
Homemade Cajun Seasoning Mix is an easy combination of Cajun spices that you can make yourself. Cajun seasoning will add heat and flavor to your food!
Print
Pin
Rate
Scale: servings
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion salt (okay to substitute with half onion powder, half kosher salt)
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Combine all spice ingredients in a small bowl. Stir well to combine. Use as a dry rub on poultry, beef, shrimp, etc. You can also add to sauces and soups. Store in airtight container.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
Calories: 102kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 340mg | Potassium: 78mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 783IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg
SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEWSLETTERSign up to have my recipes emailed to you. Free!
Jeff
Made the cajun spice today and am making this recipe, as stated, this evening... rating it tomorrow! Thanks for the recipe
Stephanie
Hey!! I love your recipes, especially the Cajun shrimp pasta. But this page seems to have the wrong recipe now. I need the seasoning mix but now it has a salmon recipe.
Krissy
Oh my gosh. Thank you so much for letting me know. I was making a new recipe (blackened salmon) using that seasoning mix, and instead of making a copy of the recipe, I accidentally wrote over it. Thankfully I had a hard copy so I could fix it. Sorry about that!!!
Stephanie
Yay!!! I’m so excited to make this tonight! I tried a store mix and it was not tasty at all!!!
Pats
You say homemade seasoning is better because store bought seasoning is full of preservatives etc., yet you make this by combining several store bought seasonings. While it may taste good, it really doesn't make much sense.
Krissy
Not all store bought seasonings contain preservatives and anti-caking products, that's for sure, and typically mixes have more than single spices. My main reason for making my own is to control the flavor/heat/salt.
Tommy
How much of each of the spices
Krissy
The quantities of each are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of the post
Lucy
I'm going to use it on your salmon croquettes. I didn't have onion powder or onion salt (just moved into a new house), so I substituted Goya adobo. That's mostly garlic and salt, but still came out great! I recommend tripling the recipe to have plenty on hand.
Crystal King
Never Ever put Italian seasoning in a pasta dish unless it's Italian! This is Cajun! Taste like Italian and cajun at the same time. YUK!
k
Did you actually make it and try it? Are you saying Cajun cooking can not use oregano and/or thyme? It seems a lot of cuisines overlap in the spice department, hence the spice trades.
Becky
If I wanted to take some of the head out of this, would it be better to cut down or eliminate the cayenne pepper or the red pepper flakes? I can't tolerate a lot of heat in my food, but I love Cajun chicken pasta and wanted to give your recipe a try with your Cajun seasoning.
Becky
I meant heat, not head.... lol
Krissy
Yep! I would cut both by half and see how you like it
Doris
I Krissy!
I just came across your blog and I have to say that your recipes are some of the best! The Cajun Chicken Alfredo is the bomb!! I will be making your Sour Cream Banana Nut bread when I visit my boyfriend's family in Georgia soon. Stay well and healthy!
j
can I use onion powder instead of onion salt
Krissy
Yes, but you will need to add additional salt
Victoria MacMillan
This is the best mix I have found and made. I used it on shrimp and it did not overpower the taste of the shrimp. Thanks for this recipe. Victoria MacMillan. Canada
Debra McCormick
I love your blog, but there are so many pop ups/ads it makes in so hard to read.
Krissy
I know. I'm sorry. I have a hard time balancing the ads... I have to have enough to make a living so I can keep it going!
Abby
Can I use regular paprika? Couldn’t find smoked at Walmart 😅
Krissy
yep!
Ginny
I ordered smoked paprika on walmart.com
Haleigh
This home made seasoning is AMAZING! Put it on chicken that I added to your recipe of Cajun shrimp pasta...omg. My sister left asking for the seasoning recipe. Don’t know what people are talking about on Pinterest, it’s the perfect amount of salt and right amount of spice!
Thank you!!!
Kat
Perfect
Thomas
Recipe for dry Cajun cream sauce
Krissy
I always just mix my seasoning with this: https://selfproclaimedfoodie.com/alfredo-sauce/
Gina
It's interesting that you have onion salt as an ingredient. Never saw that in other recipes for cajun seasoning. I've heard of onion powder and salt, but not onion salt. Only time I use onion salt is when I make fried potatoes and baked beans. It adds a nice flavor. So I'm gonna try your blend. Tfs
Krissy
Thanks! I did it that way because Trader Joe's recently started carrying onion salt and that's what I had. I didn't have any onion powder. That's how I roll. 🙂