Cajun Seasoning

Homemade Cajun seasoning is a bold, spicy, and savory blend of herbs and spices. Originating from Louisiana, it adds a rustic flavor to dishes like this Cajun Shrimp. Try some of our other homemade blends like this Fajita Seasoning or this Jerk Seasoning.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Customizable Heat: You can easily control the spice level in this Cajun seasoning—keeping it family-friendly or increasing the cayenne and black pepper for a fiery kick. Our recipe is on the light side of the fiery kick.

Better than Store-Bought: Making your own allows you to eliminate anti-caking agents and control salt levels, resulting in a fresher, more vibrant taste.

It’s Paleo and Whole30: Having no gluten, grains, or dairy, it is the perfect dish if you need to keep it Paleo or Whole30 friendly.

Ingredients You Will Need

Smoked paprika: introduces a distinct smoky flavor that complements the other spices, adding depth and a unique taste. I like Thrive Market for all of my spices when making my own blends. They are organic and come in perfectly sized bags to use in blends or alone.

Garlic powder: is best for when you want a milder flavor that will also coat meats easier for sautéing or quickly frying.

Onion powder: adds a sweet and savory flavor to certain dishes that you can’t get from fresh onions.

Dried oregano: is an intensely flavored herb, ground oregano brings a peppery bite and a slightly sweet, earthy aroma to the dish.

Dried thyme: is a pungent herb that can withstand longer cooking times in stews and soups and adds a depth of flavor.

Cayenne Pepper: is a moderately hot chili pepper with a strong spicy but earthy flavor.

Kosher salt: is coarse, large grains, usually used for cooking. I use fine grain Kosher salt for this Cajun Seasoning.

Black pepper: adds a mild level of heat to your food it is known as the “King of Spice” due to all of the health benefits for our bodies.

Instructions

Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl: and mix well.

Pour mixture into a glass jar.

Enjoy!

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Use freshly purchased herbs and spices: for the best flavors.

Control the Heat: Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper. Start with 1 teaspoon for moderate heat, or increase it for a hotter blend.

Manage Salt Content: Homemade blends allow you to control sodium, unlike store-bought versions that can be too salty.

Recipe Variations

Combine sweet Hungarian paprika with smoked paprika: for a less smoky flavor profile.

Peppery Kick: Combine black pepper with white pepper to add earthy, hot undertones. 

Storage Tips

Storing your own spice mixes, like this Cajun Seasoning, in a sealed glass jar will maintain their freshness for up to a year!

FAQ’s About Cajun Seasoning

Is Cajun seasoning very hot?

It is spicy, but the heat is generally balanced with savory spices. It can be made milder by reducing the cayenne or hotter by adding more.

Is it gluten-free and vegan?

Yes, Cajun seasoning blend is gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan.

How much should I use?

A common recommendation is 1 tablespoon of seasoning per 1 pound of meat, poultry, or seafood.