Homemade Cajun Seasoning

Add some Cajun flair to your dishes with this Homemade Cajun Seasoning. This recipe for Cajun Seasoning is a simple blend of spices that can be made in seconds and is a perfect replica of the store-bought blend.  

What is Cajun Seasoning?

Cajun Seasoning is a simple blend of spices that are commonly used in southern cooking. The blend is made up of simple spices like garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper, but is given its signature kick with the addition of red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper.

I adore Cajun Seasoning. It adds a bit of heat, without being too hot, and some serious flavor to a variety of dishes. It is perfect to use to season meat, veggies, creamy sauces, and of course rice and beans.

Why make Cajun Seasoning?

There is absolutely no need to purchase prepared Cajun Seasoning from the store.

These store-bought blends are often over-priced and filled with cornstarch, sugar, preservatives, and anti-caking agents. Not to mention extremely high in sodium and may contain traces of dairy or gluten.

Instead, you can control the quality of ingredients by whipping up your own custom Cajun Seasoning in minutes. And chances are you have everything in your pantry that you need to make it!

Spices in Cajun Seasoning

• Paprika: Smoked Paprika is highly recommended for this cajun seasoning blend, as it adds additional smoky undertones. However, feel free to use regular paprika if that is all you have on hand.
• Onion & Garlic Powder: Both of these spices are crucial for keeping the blend of spices well-rounded and balanced.
• Oregano: Dried oregano is classic in Cajun seasoning and adds a subtle floral note to the spice blend.
• Cayenne: Cayenne pepper adds a serious kick, but because you are making the blend yourself you can use a little or a lot and control the level of heat.
• Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Red pepper flakes are a blend of ancho, bell, & cayenne peppers and add subtle heat to a dish. They pack less of a punch than cayenne pepper, but again, you can control the level of heat by adjusting the amount used.
• Salt: This Cajun Seasoning Recipe already has less sodium than store-bought blends. However, to significantly reduce the sodium even further, cut the salt in half or completely omit the salt if needed.

How to Make Cajun Seasoning

It is as easy as measuring and mixing the spices together. That's it! Talk about easy!!!

Storage Instructions

Store this homemade spice blend in an air-tight jar or container. You want to make sure you store your spice seasoning in a sealed container so that it will not absorb flavors from other spices in your spice cabinet. I find that a small glass canning jar works great if you don't have spice jars on hand.

Cajun seasoning will last up to 6 months, and while safe to consume after 6 months, it has the best flavor in that time frame. After 6 months, dried spices begin to lose their potency.

Recipe Modifications

By preparing your own homemade cajun spice blend, you can control the level of sodium and the level of heat to suit your needs and tastes.

• Like things spicy? Increase the cayenne pepper up to 2 teaspoons.
• Sensitive to spice? Omit the cayenne pepper for a more mild blend. I recommend still using the red pepper flakes for a bit of subtle heat.
• Watching sodium? Feel free to omit the salt completely from the spice blend for a flavorful, salt-free cajun seasoning blend.

How to use Cajun Seasoning

This Homemade Cajun Seasoning is great to use to add flavor and spice to everything from chicken to pasta to rice to seafood.

• Add to Creamy Cajun Pasta for a spicy twist on a simple alfredo sauce.
• Instant Pot Jambalaya gets it's signature flavor from this Cajun blend.
• Add to Rice and Beans for flavor.
• Replace the salt in Sweet Potato Fries or Oven Fries with this Cajun Seasoning for a spicy kick of flavor.
• Add a teaspoon to breakfast hash for a spicy start to your day.
• Cajun blend also works well in stewed greens and as a rub for grilled meats.

More Homemade Spice Blends

• Homemade Taco Seasoning
• Homemade Ranch Seasoning
• Homemade Dry Onion Soup Mix
• Homemade Seasoned Salt
• Homemade Dill Seasoning
• Homemade Fajita Seasoning
• Homemade Jerk Seasoning

If you tried out this blend for Cajun Seasoning, I would love to hear from you! Leave a comment and review below!