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4.6 from 13 votes

Cajun Seasoning

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By: Joanna Cismaru •Last Updated: 3/28/20 9 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Homemade Cajun Seasoning is easier and faster to mix together than running to grab it from the grocery store. Made with pantry staples, these typical ingredients mixed together creates a blend so much greater than the sum of its parts. You’ll be sprinkling it on every meal you make!

Table of Contents

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  • Where does Cajun food come from?
  • Ingredients
  • How to make cajun seasoning
  • What to make with your cajun seasoning
  • How to store homemade seasoning
  • Looking for more homemade and less store-bought?
  • Recipe: Cajun Seasoning
cajun seasoning made from scratch in a bowl with a scoop

If you look through my recipes, you’ll see that I absolutely love using cajun seasoning. Especially for pasta, shrimp, and and chicken! It’ll take a usually bland flavor and kick it up a notch or ten.

Just check out the list of ingredients you’ll need. I have a feeling they’re all ready to go in your pantry! It’s so simple, and so delicious. You might just need to double or triple the recipe, the whole jar will be gone very fast.

Where does Cajun food come from?

Hailing from Acadians in Louisiana, Cajun cuisine uses inspiration from French, Spanish, and West African cooking styles. Also known as “rustic cuisine”, this genre of delectable eats is all bout simple ingredients to give you big flavor.

Ingredients

overhead shot of all the ingredients needed to make cajun seasoning
  • Smoked Paprika – Make sure you find smoked and not regular paprika! The flavor is so different.
  • Salt – Use more, less, or none at all.
  • Garlic powder – Big garlic fan? Add some more if you want.
  • Black pepper – Pre-ground will be delicious, but use freshly ground if you can.
  • Onion Powder – Make sure it’s not onion salt.
  • Herbs – Dried oregano and thyme.
  • Spice – Cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes. Use more or less as per tour own spice tolerance.

How to make cajun seasoning

process shots showing how to make cajun seasoning
  1. Add all the ingredients to a bowl and stir well to combine.

There you go! What’s the point of going to the grocery store when you can make your own at home with such ease? You can also adjust the ingredients here or there to make a customized blend suited to your tastes.

What to make with your cajun seasoning

You may be using this for a classic cajun boil, however this seasoning is made with flavors that will complement practically any savory dish. Sprinkle it over some veggies or chicken before roasting in the oven, add a bit to spice up a soup, stew, or chili. Looking for inspiration? I have recipes for you:

  • Cajun Meatballs in Fire Roasted Sauce
  • Blackened Fish Tacos
  • Crispy Cajun Shrimp Fettuccine
  • Cajun Shrimp Tomato Alfredo Pasta
  • Creamy Cajun Pastalaya
  • Blackened Shrimp
  • Healthy Cajun Chicken Linguini
overhead shot of cajun seasoning in a bowl with a wooden scoop inside

How to store homemade seasoning

Since seasonings are completely dried, you can keep them in the pantry up to 4 years. When a spice or seasoning goes “bad”, it doesn’t necessarily mean rotten, since there’s no presence of moisture. This is just when your spices have gone stale or lost their aroma.

To properly store your cajun seasoning, grab a sealable jar or spice container and make sure it’s completely dry. Spoon or use a funnel to transfer the seasoning to a jar, and seal the lid. Keep the jar in a dark, cool environment.

homemade cajun seasoning in a bowl with a wooden scoop inside

Looking for more homemade and less store-bought?

  • Jamaican Jerk Seasoning
  • Taco Seasoning
  • Fajita Seasoning
  • Moroccan Spice Blend
  • Homemade Mayonnaise
  • Thousand Island Dressing
  • Enchilada Sauce
  • Easy Homemade Pesto

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

a bowl of cajun seasoning in the background with a wooden scoop full of seasoning in front
4.62 from 13 votes

Cajun Seasoning

Prep 5 minutes minutes
Cook 0 minutes minutes
Total 5 minutes minutes
10
Rate Recipe Print Recipe
Homemade Cajun Seasoning is easier and faster to mix together than running to grab it from the grocery store. Made with pantry staples, these typical ingredients mixed together creates a blend so much greater than the sum of its parts. You'll be sprinkling it on every meal you make!

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 2 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions 

  • Add all the ingredients to a bowl and stir well to combine.

Equipment

  • Add all the ingredients to a bowl and stir well to combine.

Notes

  1. This recipe will yield about 10 tbsp of seasoning. Nutritional information is per tbsp.
  2. To properly store your cajun seasoning, grab a sealable jar or spice container and make sure it’s completely dry. Spoon or use a funnel to transfer the seasoning to a jar, and seal the lid. Keep the jar in a dark, cool environment.
  3. Since seasonings are completely dried, you can keep them in the pantry up to 4 years.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1tbspCalories: 18kcal (1%)Carbohydrates: 4g (1%)Protein: 1g (2%)Fat: 1g (2%)Saturated Fat: 1g (6%)Sodium: 704mg (31%)Potassium: 87mg (2%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 1g (1%)Vitamin A: 917IU (18%)Vitamin C: 1mg (1%)Calcium: 23mg (2%)Iron: 1mg (6%)
© Author Joanna Cismaru

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

a bowl of cajun seasoning in the background with a wooden scoop full of seasoning in front

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Joanna Cismaru

Joanna Cismaru

I'm Joanna Cismaru, home cook, recipe developer, and the person behind JoCooks since 2011. I test every recipe in my own kitchen, multiple times, until it's actually worth making. My goal is simple: recipes that work, written the way a real person cooks.

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Hey there!

I’m Joanna Cismaru, home cook, recipe developer, and the person behind JoCooks since 2011. I test every recipe in my own kitchen, multiple times, until it’s actually worth making. My goal is simple: recipes that work, written the way a real person cooks.

Read More
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