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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 blackened chicken alfredo with homemade pasta and the best alfredo sauce.
My most popular recipe made with this seasoning mix is my Spicy Shrimp Pasta recipe! I also use this spice blend in my Blackened Salmon recipe. Additionally, this Cajun seasoning would taste great with my Instant Pot Jambalaya.
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. Instead of using hot sauce in my Shrimp and Cheesy Grits, you can add some of this Cajun seasoning blend.
- 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.
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Equipment
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
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Combine all spice ingredients (1 tablespoon smoked paprika, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 teaspoons onion salt, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes) 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
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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!
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.
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.
I meant heat, not head…. lol
Yep! I would cut both by half and see how you like it
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!
can I use onion powder instead of onion salt
Yes, but you will need to add additional salt
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
I love your blog, but there are so many pop ups/ads it makes in so hard to read.
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!
Can I use regular paprika? Couldnโt find smoked at Walmart ๐
yep!
I ordered smoked paprika on walmart.com
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. Donโt know what people are talking about on Pinterest, itโs the perfect amount of salt and right amount of spice!
Thank you!!!
Perfect
Recipe for dry Cajun cream sauce
I always just mix my seasoning with this: https://selfproclaimedfoodie.com/alfredo-sauce/
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
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. ๐