Add bold flavor to endless dishes with this Homemade Cajun Seasoning! Made with a simple blend of dried spices, Cajun Seasoning comes together in seconds to create a spice blend more flavorful than anything store-bought!
Cajun Seasoning, right along with Taco Seasoning, Chili Seasoning, and Seasoned Salt, is a homemade spice blend you will ALWAYS find in my kitchen. Whether seasoning potatoes, chicken, seafood, or pasta, this seasoning blend adds a bold, slightly spicy flavor to endless dishes.
Not only is this Homemade Cajun Spice Blend cheaper to make than purchasing the store-bought version, but it also is better for you! My DIY recipe leaves the added cornstarch, sugar, and preservatives on the shelf and lets you be in charge of the level of heat and sodium.
And it is insanely simple to make your own Cajun Seasoning Blend using pantry spices you likely always have on hand!
Spices in Cajun Seasoning
Cajun Seasoning is made with basic dried spices including garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. It is given it's signature kick and zesty flavor with addition of red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper.
Cajun Seasoning 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 Store Cajun Seasoning
Once you combine the spices together, store this homemade Cajun blend in an air-tight jar or container. Homemade Cajun Seasoning, like all homemade spice blends, is best if used within 6 months. While safe to consume after 6 months, it has the best flavor in that time frame, as dried spices begin to lose their potency after 6 months.
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 its signature flavor from this Cajun blend.
- Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice wouldn't be complete without a big scoop of Cajun Seasoning.
- Make Blackened Chicken or Blackened Mahi Mahi in under 15 minutes, starting with this spice blend.
- Replace the salt in Sweet Potato Fries or Oven Fries with this Cajun Seasoning for a spicy kick of flavor.
- Add a teaspoon of this spice blend to a breakfast hash or breakfast air fryer potatoes for a spicy start to your day.
- Swap out Old Bay Seasoning for Cajun Seasoning and put a Cajun spin on a classic shrimp boil.
- Cajun seasoning 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!
Homeamde Cajun Seasoning
Ingredients
- 5 teaspoons smoked paprika or regular paprika
- 4 teaspoons garlic powder
- 4 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 ½ teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together all of the ingredients.
- Transfer the mixture to an airtight container and store in a cool, dark pantry for up to 6 months.
Liz
I added this on roasted potatoes!! So good. Such a yummy blend
Gina
I never keep seasoning blends on hand because I hate an overcrowded spice drawer so this is perfect when making cajun recipes.
Donald Becnel
Hello Kristen, good morning!
Eliminate the Cumin (Mexican) and the Oregano (Italian) from the Ingredients List and your Recipe contains essentially the same combination of things as 95% of the better Cajun (and Creole) Seasonings down here.
Also, Black Pepper is very often used as well.
Thanks for the Recipe!
Donald in Louisiana
Gale
I understand your comment about authenticity, but everyone in southern Louisiana has their own spice mix recipe. And NOLA and southern Louisiana generally is an internation melting pot. There is no one true recipe. Paprika? Most comes from Hungary and Spain. Oregano? If Commander`s Palace uses it, I'm okay. Ground garlic? Most of it comes from China and other Asian countries unless you go local organic (i.e., expensive). Some NOLA recipes use basil, which is pretty unusual. So Ms Chidsey's recipe is actually is pretty typical of all the other recipes on the Web.
Gabby G
Love all these flavours, and I love that you control what goes into it, since sometimes the ready-made blends contain additives and allergens, as you mention. Great recipe!
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks Gabby! Yes, a lot of store bought blends are full of allergens
Marjory
This is a great blend! I love it...especially the red pepper flakes!
Kristen Chidsey
I love that kick as well Marjory!