Easy Homemade Cajun Seasoning Recipe
Bold, savory, and just the right amount of heat—this homemade Cajun seasoning makes it easy to bring that Louisiana-inspired flavor to your kitchen.
If your spice cupboard is anything like mine, you likely already have most of what you need to make Cajun seasoning. A good Cajun spice mix is one of those small culinary tricks that can turn an average meal into something that tastes like you spent way more time on it than you really did.
The best part? You can tailor the flavor to what you’re preparing. Use it on shrimp, fish, chicken, veggies, fries, pasta or throw it into a seafood boil when you want something robust and hot!
Table of Contents
What is Cajun Seasoning?
Before we get to the best Cajun seasoning recipe, let’s find out more about Cajun seasoning, its spice blends and where it comes from!
Sneak peek at a Cajun spice mix: it’s all about balancing savory herbs and warm spices. It brings just enough heat to make every bite exciting!
Cajun Spice Blend
A blend of earthy herbs, fragrant spices and a touch of heat, all in one convenient blend! Paprika adds color and warmth, and garlic, onion, herbs and peppers add that savory flavor Cajun recipes are known for.
I like to make my own mix because it is easy to change. Want a little more heat? Put in a bit extra cayenne. Want a milder flavor? Turn it down. Once you find a combination that suits your taste buds, you can keep it handy for your next meal.
Cajun Seasoning Origin
To define the Cajun seasoning origin precisely, I’d say it evolved from a necessity into a modern commercial blend. It’s often associated with Cajun cuisine, a cooking style that originated in Louisiana. There isn’t any one specific Cajun seasoning recipe. Different cooks and mixes use different combinations of herbs, spices, salt and heat, which is exactly why homemade versions can be so much fun.
You can use paprika, onion, garlic, black pepper, cayenne, oregano, and thyme in one recipe and skip any of these spices in another recipe. With the homemade Cajun seasoning, you have greater control over flavor and heat.
Cajun Seasoning Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 0 mins
- Total Time: 5 mins
- Servings: About ½ cup
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 0 mins
- Total Time: 5 mins
- Servings: About ½ cup
Cajun Seasoning Recipe
A homemade Cajun seasoning recipe is easy! No cooking involved. No hard technique to learn. Just measure the ingredients, mix thoroughly and store the blend in an airtight container.
Cajun Seasoning Ingredients
To make this easy Cajun seasoning, mix the measured spices mentioned below for balanced savory, earthy and spicy flavors. This recipe makes about a ½ cup of Cajun seasoning.
- Paprika (I prefer smoked) – 3 tablespoons
- Garlic Powder – 2 tablespoons
- Onion Powder – 1 tablespoon
- Dried Oregano – 1 tablespoon
- Dried Thyme – ½ tablespoon
- Black Pepper – 1 tablespoon
- White Pepper – 1 tablespoon
- Cayenne Pepper – 1 tablespoon
- Salt (kosher) – 2 tablespoons
How to Make Cajun Seasoning?
Making this easy Cajun seasoning is as simple as measuring, mixing, and storing.
- Gather all Cajun seasoning ingredients called for in the recipe.
- Mix them all together in a small bowl.
- Stir or whisk until spices are well blended.
- Transfer the completed seasoning into an airtight jar.
- Mark the container with the date of preparation and store in a cool, dry place.
That’s all. Your easy Cajun seasoning is done. Use it whenever a meal needs a quick flavor boost.
Tip: If you’re sensitive to salt or heat, start with less salt or cayenne and adjust to taste.
Cajun Seasoning Variations
Making your own Cajun seasoning can help you create variations from the basic recipe. Depending on what you’re preparing, you may require less salt or no extra salt, or a mix specifically made for blackened dishes. These variations let you adjust your seasoning mix to whatever you’re cooking instead of trying to make one blend that works for every dish.
Low-Sodium Cajun Seasoning
Looking to cut down on sodium? Low-sodium Cajun seasoning can still give a lot of robust flavor without much salt. The trick is to balance the herbs and spices so that your food still tastes delicious and well-seasoned.
Salt-Free Cajun Seasoning
A salt-free Cajun seasoning recipe is especially handy when you’re flavoring fish that might already be combined with salted butter, sauces, or other seasoned foods.
Cajun Blackened Seasoning
Ways to Use Cajun Seasoning
Don’t let your homemade Cajun seasoning blend languish at the back of the spice closet. Use it as dry seasoning before cooking, sprinkle it over cooked meals, or stir it into sauces and marinades. From weeknight chicken meals to crispy fries and creamy pasta, you can use Cajun seasoning in many ways.
Chicken and Other Meats
To turn basic protein into something with a bit more flair, try a Cajun chicken seasoning recipe! It’s a quick hit of peppery flavor. For extra heat, you can add some more cayenne pepper.
Rub it on chicken before grilling or roasting, sprinkle it on pork, or season meat before cooking in a skillet. Either way, this Cajun chicken seasoning recipe boosts the flavor and quality of food!
Vegetables, Rice and Pasta
Sprinkle some Cajun seasoning on everything from roasted veggies to rice or pasta to give it a kick. Toss it with potatoes before roasting, swirl it into rice or add it to a creamy pasta sauce for a little extra warmth!
This easy Cajun seasoning is especially good if you want more flavor without a big list of ingredients.
Fries and Fried Foods
Hot, crispy fries and Cajun seasoning are an excellent combo! Sprinkle seasoning on fries immediately after cooking so it sticks while fries are still hot. Want more of a Cajun-style kick? Use this best Cajun seasoning recipe to sprinkle a bold blend over fried shrimp, chicken, potatoes or any other food! You can add or cut back on the spices if you need a salt-free Cajun seasoning recipe or one with more heat.
If you’ve got plain fries or any fried food already, try a Cajun butter sauce recipe!
Cajun Seasoning for Shrimp
Shrimp cook rapidly, so they are great for a quick Cajun-seasoned dinner. Toss shrimp with your seasoning and then sauté, grill or cook in a skillet with butter.
For a quick seafood dinner, go with a Cajun shrimp recipe served with rice, spaghetti, veggies or a simple dipping sauce.
Cajun Fish Seasoning
Fish by itself is mild, so it is an excellent canvas for Cajun flavor. Use Cajun fish seasoning as a topping for your favorite fish before cooking, or as part of a blackened preparation for a deeper, richer flavor.
You may control the amount you use based on the type of fish you have and how strong you want the seasoning to be.
Cajun Seafood Boil Seasoning
Cajun seasoning is an outstanding choice if you’re cooking a seafood boil. Add it to the cooking broth, season your seafood with it, or blend it with melted butter for a tasty finishing sauce.
Shrimp, crab legs, crawfish, mussels and other shellfish are all delicious with a bold Cajun flavor. It’s the kind of seasoning that makes a seafood spread even more craveable! Want someone else to do the cooking? Try a Cajun crab boil recipe at Red Crab!
Storing Homemade Cajun Seasoning
Once you’ve combined the ingredients for the best Cajun seasoning recipe and want to store it for later use, consider these tips:
- Put the Cajun seasoning blend in a clean container and seal it.
- To keep its flavor and freshness, store it in a cool, dry place away from heat, moisture and direct sunlight.
- When you make it, be sure to put the date on the container. That small step makes it a lot easier to keep track of your batches and know when it’s time to start a fresh one.
Wondering how long you can store it? It depends on the ingredients and their quality. Normally, even with the best Cajun seasoning recipe, you can store it in an airtight container for 6 months to a year. Just make sure you use it before it loses its bold flavor.
Cajun Seasoning at Red Crab
Love that bold Cajun flavor but don’t want to make a big seafood spread at home? That’s when Red Crab Juicy Seafood comes in. Our seafood menu has favorites like shrimp, crab, crawfish and seafood boils, all served with the bold flavors that seafood lovers crave.
If you want a savory seafood meal or Cajun seafood appetizers without the prep work, choose your nearest Red Crab Juicy Seafood location and enjoy your next seafood feast prepared with the best Cajun seasoning recipe!
frequently asked questions
How do you make homemade Cajun seasoning?
Combine paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, dried thyme, black pepper, white pepper, cayenne pepper, and salt. You can adjust the amount of cayenne to taste.
Is Cajun seasoning spicy?
Cajun seasoning can be hot, but the level of spice depends on how much cayenne you use. Use less cayenne for a milder blend and a little extra for additional kick.
What seafood can you season with Cajun seasoning?
How should homemade Cajun seasoning be stored?
Store homemade Cajun seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from heat and moisture. For optimal flavor, use within approximately 6 months.
What spices are in Cajun seasoning?
A standard Cajun seasoning mix includes paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, black pepper, cayenne pepper and salt. Some blends use white pepper or red pepper flakes.
Bring bold Cajun flavor to your next seafood meal!
Visit Red Crab Juicy Seafood for flavorful seafood, signature sauces, and shareable seafood favorites. Find your nearest location today.