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    Home » Real Food » DIY/Condiments/Sauces

    Homemade Cajun Seasoning

    January 7, 2022 | By Kristen Chidsey | 8 Comments | *This post may include amazon links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Add some Cajun flare 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. It creates the perfect compliment to grilled chicken, pasta dishes, and rice and beans. 

    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.  

    Spice jar with homemade Cajun Seasoning next to measuring spoon.

    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

    Ingredients for Cajun Seasoning labled on counter.
    • 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!

    Jar with homemade cajun seasoning next to measuring spoon

    Homeamde 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. It creates the perfect compliment to grilled chicken, pasta dishes, and rice and beans. 
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Condiment
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 48
    Calories: 2kcal
    Author: Kristen Chidsey

    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
    Prevents your screen from going dark while preparing the recipe.

    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.

    Equipment Needed

    • spice jar

    Notes

    Sodium Content: 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 omit it completely if needed.
    Spice Level: Feel free to increase or decrease the cayenne pepper to increase to adjust the level of heat in this Cajun Seasoning. 
    Storage: This blend lasts 6 months if stored in an airtight container. While safe to consume after 6 months, it has the best flavor in that time frame, as spices begin to lose their potency after 6 months.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 2kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 195mg | Potassium: 13mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 152IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 1mg
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    Categorized Under: Allergy Friendly Recipes, Budget Cooking, DIY/Condiments/Sauces, Gluten Free, Real Food

    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

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    1. Liz

      January 11, 2022 at 4:35 pm

      5 stars
      I added this on roasted potatoes!! So good. Such a yummy blend

      Reply
    2. Gina

      January 11, 2022 at 4:09 pm

      5 stars
      I never keep seasoning blends on hand because I hate an overcrowded spice drawer so this is perfect when making cajun recipes.

      Reply
    3. Donald Becnel

      December 04, 2019 at 7:42 am

      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

      Reply
      • Gale

        July 03, 2020 at 8:16 pm

        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.

        Reply
    4. Gabby G

      April 20, 2018 at 11:34 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        April 20, 2018 at 1:00 pm

        Thanks Gabby! Yes, a lot of store bought blends are full of allergens

        Reply
    5. Marjory

      April 20, 2018 at 10:40 am

      5 stars
      This is a great blend! I love it...especially the red pepper flakes!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        April 20, 2018 at 1:00 pm

        I love that kick as well Marjory!

        Reply

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