If you’re looking to add some spicy and smoky flavor to your dishes, blackening seasoning is a great option. Made with a blend of spices including smoked paprika, cayenne, thyme, and oregano, this seasoning mix adds depth and complexity to fish, seafood, chicken and more. In this article, we’ll share our go-to recipe for blackening seasoning plus a variety of ways to put it to use in everyday meals.
What is Blackening?
Blackening is a cooking technique, not a spice blend. And while the technique involves a spice blend, it’s actually all about the cooking process.
Blackening is a cooking method that involves coating poultry, meat, fish and seafood with a blend of spices and then searing it in a hot skillet (most often cast-iron) until it develops a blackened, crusty exterior.
The intense heat of the skillet and the combination of spices create a unique and flavorful crust that seals in moisture and adds depth and complexity to the protein being cooked.
What is Blackening Seasoning Made Of?
The best blackening season is one that’s made with a variety of dried herbs and spices. It’s essentially a cross between Cajun seasoning and Creole seasoning. A good blackening seasoning should be smoky, a bit spicy, herby and salty.
Here are the ingredients in homemade blackening seasoning:
- Smoked paprika
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Cayenne
- Dried thyme
- Dried Oregano
- Kosher salt
- Black Pepper
Difference Between Blackened Seasoning and Cajun Seasoning
Blackening seasoning and Cajun seasoning are very similar and most often can be used interchangeably. In general, Cajun seasoning tends to be slightly spicier and can be used in all kinds of applications including blackening, boiling, braising and more. The bottom line: the two seasonings have very similar ingredient lists with Cajun seasoning being a bit spicier than blackening seasoning.
How to Make Homemade Blackening Seasoning
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 ¼ teaspoons cayenne
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried thyme
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 ½ tablespoons coarse kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Stir all ingredients together thoroughly in a medium bowl. Store at room temperature in an airtight container.
How to Blacken Foods
The best method for blackening food should follow this process:
1. Preheat a cast-iron skillet.
2. Pat the protein dry with paper towels.
3. Coat protein in melted butter or oil.
4. Dredge protein in blackening seasoning.
5. Add a drizzle of oil to the hot skillet and sear the protein until cooked through and each side has a blackened crust.
What to Use Blackening Seasoning On
There are so many ways to use blackening seasoning! Fish and seafood are common (especially white fish, shrimp and salmon) as well as chicken and even tofu.
Blackening seasoning can also be used in other ways, such as mixed into marinades or sauces, sprinkled on vegetables or popcorn, or used as a rub for roasted meats.
Storage tips
- Store homemade spice blends in an airtight glass container in a cool dark place.
- It’s important to store spices and dried herbs away from heat and direct light—doing so will extend their shelf life and potency.
- Homemade blackening seasoning is best when used within 3 months and should not be stored longer than 1 year. Any longer and the potency/flavor of the spices will be diminished.
FAQ
We’ve got just the recipe for you! Check out this Blackened Salmon Recipe then put it to use in our Blackened Salmon Tacos.
Aside from kosher salt and black pepper, we recommend having crushed red pepper flakes, ground cumin, ground cinnamon, garlic powder, and whole nutmeg. Check out our list of essential spices and dried herbs.
While the two seasoning blends are similar, Cajun seasoning typically includes a variety of ground peppers such as black, cayenne, and white, while Creole seasoning is more herb-based and may contain oregano, thyme, rosemary, and paprika.
Blackening Seasoning Recipe
Description
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2¼ teaspoons cayenne
- 1½ teaspoons dried thyme
- 1½ teaspoons dried oregano
- 1½ tablespoons coarse kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Stir all ingredients together thoroughly in a medium bowl. Store at room temperature in an airtight container. Stir well before using.
Notes
Nutrition
Photography by Megan McKeehan.
