Easy Homemade Cajun Seasoning Recipe

This homemade Cajun seasoning recipe is a bold, smoky spice blend that comes together in minutes from smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and a handful of pantry staples. It works as a rub for chicken, shrimp, pork, beef, or tofu, and you control the heat yourself by adjusting the cayenne and red pepper flakes to taste. Beyond meat, this blend is just as good stirred into dips, sprinkled over roasted potatoes and veggies, or dusted onto homemade tortilla chips before baking. Once you have a jar mixed and ready, you will find yourself reaching for it constantly.

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I like spicy foods, and I always have. Southwest is my favorite, but this Cajun seasoning is a close second. It has tons of flavor without being overly hot and spicy - though you can make it as hot as you want by adjusting the amount of red pepper flakes you add.

Cajun seasoning is wonderful as a rub for meat - any meat from salmon and shrimp to chicken to pork to beef. It's also great mixed with breadcrumbs as a coating for chicken fingers or turkey cutlets or as a topping for a casserole or garlic bread. Mix it into a white sauce or cheese sauce for a delicious kick in a more traditional recipe, and use it in traditional remoulade dipping sauce. It also delivers a powerful punch when sprinkled over veggies or potatoes or stirred into soups like crockpot jambalaya, stews, and dips. You can't go wrong with this seasoning!

Once you fall in love with this Cajun spice mix, you'll find all different ways to use it, as I have.

What is Cajun Seasoning?

Cajun cooking traces back to the Acadian settlers who brought their French culinary traditions to rural Louisiana, where they adapted their recipes using local ingredients like bell peppers, celery, and plenty of dried herbs and pepper. Cajun seasoning is often confused with Creole seasoning, and while the two overlap quite a bit, Creole blends tend to lean a bit more herby and sometimes include dried tomato or bay leaf, while Cajun blends usually put more emphasis on smoky paprika and cayenne heat.

Everyone has her own take on Cajun Seasoning, but typically, it's a spicy and flavorful medley with lots of paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, pepper, and oregano. Other ingredients can be added as well and add to the rich flavor. I've included salt in my mix below so that you can use the seasoning on its own, but if you prefer, you can leave the salt out and salt your food separately.

What you need to make the best homemade cajun seasoning

Smoked paprika gives this blend its signature smoky backbone. Regular paprika will work in a pinch, but smoked paprika is what makes this taste like a true Cajun rub instead of a plain pepper mix.

Garlic powder and onion powder build the savory base of the blend. Using powders instead of fresh keeps the seasoning shelf stable for months.

Cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes are your two heat controls. Cayenne brings a more even, throughout-the-bite heat, while the red pepper flakes add little bursts of spice. Start on the low end of both if you are cooking for a mixed crowd, then adjust the next batch to taste. Remember, you can't take it out once it's in there, so make sure you add more a little at a time.

Oregano and thyme round out the earthy, herby notes that keep this from tasting like straight pepper.

Sea salt is included so the blend is ready to use straight out of the jar, but it is completely optional. Leave it out if you would rather control sodium separately, and salt your food to taste as you cook.

Black pepper adds sharp, peppery bite that balances the smokiness of the paprika and the heat from the cayenne and red pepper flakes. Freshly ground black pepper has a noticeably stronger, more fragrant flavor than pre-ground, so it is worth grinding it fresh if you have a mill on hand.

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How to Make the Best Cajun Seasoning Mix

1. Stir together paprika, garlic powder, sea salt, onion powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper (use more or less according to your heat preference), oregano, thyme, and red pepper flakes (use more or less according to your heat preference).
2. Taste your spice blend to ensure it has the right level of heat.
3. Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months. Makes about 4 tablespoons of cajun seasoning mix.

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How to Use Classic Cajun Seasoning

As I said above, there are almost limitless ways to use this Cajun seasoning, and you will find more once you taste it and start looking for opportunities! Here are a few that we have enjoyed:

On meat and seafood
Rub it directly onto chicken, fish, shrimp, pork, or beef before grilling, baking, or pan searing. It also works as the base for a quick marinade when mixed with a little oil, or as a coating for tofu if you are cooking meatless. Try it in Spicy Slow Cooker Jambalaya or Spicy Cajun Shrimp to see it in action.

On vegetables
Toss it with vegetables before roasting, or sprinkle it into a hot skillet for stir fry. It is especially good on Brussels sprouts, green beans, and bell peppers.

On potatoes
This is one of the best ways to use this blend. Toss it with chopped potatoes before roasting, sprinkle it over homemade French fries or homemade potato chips, or stir it into mashed potatoes for a kick.

In dips
Stir a spoonful into hummus, queso, or guacamole for an instant flavor upgrade. It also works well mixed into falafel batter, like in this Healthy Baked Falafel recipe.

On breads and snacks
Sprinkle it over homemade tortilla chips, flatbread, or garlic bread before baking for a spicy, savory crust.

Cook's Tips

Double or triple the batch. This recipe makes about 4 tablespoons, or a quarter cup, which goes quickly once you start using it regularly. Doubling or tripling the recipe means fewer trips back to the spice cabinet to mix a new batch.

Taste as you go. Taste the mixed seasoning before you store it. It is much easier to adjust the cayenne and red pepper flakes now than to fix a dish that turned out too spicy later.

Store it right. Keep the mix in an airtight container, away from heat and light, and it will hold its flavor for up to 6 months, just like any other spice in your cabinet.

Make it a gift. A jar of this seasoning with a printed label makes a simple homemade gift for anyone who loves to cook.

Some recipes you might like to put Cajun seasoning into:

• Spicy Slow Cooker Jambalaya
• Spicy Cajun Shrimp - Great Over Pasta or Rice - One Skillet Meal
• Cajun Style Beans and Rice

Frequently Asked Questions

What spices are in Cajun seasoning?
Traditional Cajun seasoning is a blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and dried herbs like oregano and thyme. This homemade version uses smoked paprika along with red pepper flakes for extra heat.

Is Cajun seasoning very spicy?
It has noticeable heat, but it is not overwhelming as written. Since the cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes are both adjustable, you can make this blend as mild or as spicy as you want.

What is the difference between Cajun and Creole seasoning?
The two are closely related and often used interchangeably, but Cajun seasoning typically leans more on smoky paprika and cayenne heat, while Creole seasoning tends to include more herbs and sometimes dried tomato.

Can I make this without salt?
Yes. The sea salt in this recipe is optional. Leave it out and salt your food separately if you prefer to control sodium more closely.

How long does homemade Cajun seasoning last?
Stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry spot, this seasoning will keep its flavor for up to 6 months. It also depends on how old the spices were that you used to make it. If you put 3-year old smoked paprika in your fresh cajun seasoning, it's not going to taste as good. Most spices and seasonings should be replaced every 6 months.

Can I double or triple this recipe?
Yes, this recipe scales easily. Just keep the same ratio of spices and multiply each ingredient by the same amount.

How to store homemade cajun seasoning

Store your cajun seasoning in a sealed container in a cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight for up to 6 months.

Makes about 4 tablespoons per batch, so double or triple it for a bigger stash.

Try these other spice blend recipes

• Homemade Taco Seasoning
• Homemade Fajita Seasoning
• Homemade Sweet & Spicy BBQ Seasoning
• Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix
• Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Spice Blend
• Homemade Sweet & Spicy BBQ Seasoning
• Homemade Dry BBQ Pork Spice Rub

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