An easy Homemade Cajun Seasoning Recipe for when you forgot to buy the blend or prefer to make your own spice blends. It’s so simple to make and can easily be riffed using what you have on hand.
Cajun Seasoning Ingredients
- Paprika: it’s best to use regular sweet paprika. You can substitute some of the paprika for smoked paprika if you want a slightly smoky cajun seasoning, but I don’t recommend using only smoked paprika. It will be far too smoky!
- Garlic powder: not garlic salt! If you only have garlic salt on hand, skip adding the kosher salt and increase the garlic measurement to a heaping tablespoon. All that being said, if you can, use garlic powder—it’s best.
- Dried thyme: you’ll need a couple of teaspoons of dried thyme for homemade Cajun seasoning.
- Dried oregano: in addition to thyme, you’ll need some dried oregano.
- Celery salt: I recommend using celery salt instead of celery seed. Celery salt is finely ground and adds more consistent flavor throughout the seasoning than celery seed would.
- Cayenne: cayenne adds the signature heat to cajun seasoning. I find 2 teaspoons adds the right amount of heat without overtaking the other flavors.
- Kosher salt: I develop recipes using Morton kosher salt. If you are using Diamond Crystal, add a bit more than 1 tablespoon.
- Black pepper: in addition to cayenne, black pepper adds an aromatic pepperiness. I recommend using freshly ground black pepper for the best flavor and texture (pre-ground tends to taste dusty).
How to Make Recipe
It’s simple: combine everything in a small bowl and whisk to combine. You can double, triple or quadruple this recipe easily if you want!
Use a Spice Grinder for a Finer Blend
I prefer to just whisk all of the spices together—it’s easier and it doesn’t dirty my spice grinder. However, for a finer textured spice blend, combine all of the spices in a spice grinder and pulse until finely ground.
Expert Tips
- Quality of Spices: It is absolutely key to use fresh, quality spices. In general, once opened, spices lose a lot of their potency after 6 months (I continue to use spices for a year after using). A couple spice companies that I like and trust are Morton and Basset, Simply Organic, Frontier Co-Op and Burlap and Barrel.
- Ingredient Substitutions: if you don’t have 4 tablespoons of paprika, you can substitute with a bit of smoked paprika.
Thyme and oregano can be used for one another (just double up on the spice) or substitute one of them for dried rosemary.
Garlic powder can be substituted for garlic salt, just skip adding the kosher salt.
And celery salt can be substituted with celery seeds. If you use celery seeds, I recommend grinding the spice blend in a spice ginger.
Cajun vs Creole Seasoning
Cajun seasoning and Creole seasoning are both popular spice blends in Louisiana cuisine, but they have distinct differences. Cajun seasoning typically consists of a simpler blend of spices like paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and sometimes onion powder, emphasizing heat and earthy flavors.
In contrast, Creole seasoning is more complex, incorporating a wider variety of herbs and spices such as thyme, oregano, basil, and sometimes even bay leaves, resulting in a richer and more aromatic flavor profile.
Additionally, Creole seasoning often includes ingredients like celery salt or mustard powder, which are not commonly found in Cajun seasoning blends, adding further depth and complexity to dishes.
As you can tell, my recipe for Cajun seasoning leans a bit into the Creole territory with the addition of some dried herbs and celery salt.
Recipes that Use Cajun Seasoning
- Cajun Shrimp is a quick and easy appetizer. Serve it with a simple and smoky dipping sauce made with mayo, smoked paprika, lemon juice and salt.
- Or turn the Cajun Shrimp into a delicious Cajun Shrimp Pasta! A great weeknight dinner that comes together in one pot and in just 45 minutes.
- Instead of using blackening seasoning, use Cajun seasoning to make Blackened Salmon or Blackened Fish.
Homemade Cajun Seasoning Recipe
Description
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons paprika
- 1 tablespoon coarse kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons cayenne
- 1 teaspoon celery salt
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a small mixing bowl and whisk to combine.
Notes
Nutrition
