This bold cajun spice mix can be easily customized to suit any spice level, making it perfect for adding a robust flavor to meats, seafood, and vegetables. It’s one of the top spice blends I utilize when cooking. I make a huge batch at once to last a few months.
What’s In Cajun Seasoning
This homemade Cajun seasoning recipe combines a fiery blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, cayenne, Italian Seasoning, and thyme to replicate your favorite store bought mix. It’s a fundamental ingredient for Southern Recipes and Louisiana cooking.
No Salt Version
One of the key reasons I prefer to make my own seasonings is to control the sodium level. Many of the popular Louisiana cajun seasoning brands, such as Old Bay and Tony Chachere’s contain off-the-chart sodium levels. In most cases, I prefer to half the amount of salt to please all food palettes in the house.
To make a no salt cajun seasoning, just omit it altogether. No other edits are required.
creole vs. cajun seasoning
Is Creole seasoning the same as Cajun seasoning? They’re close, but have a few differences.
Creole – Creole seasoning is more complex, incorporating a broader array of spices than Cajun seasoning. Creole seasoning includes these ingredients and expands its flavor profile with a variety of dried herbs, such as thyme, oregano, rosemary, bay leaf, and basil.
Cajun – On the other hand, cajun seasoning primarily emphasizes ground peppers, such as red, black, and white peppers, along with garlic powder.
They can be used interchangeably in many recipes, such as Pastalaya, Blackened Chicken Alfredo and Southern Black Eyed Peas.
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Uses
This cajun spice mix can be utilized in a ton of different recipes. Here’s a few of my favorite ways to use it:
- The best spice mix to use in Jambalaya or Jambalaya Soup
- Mix it with melted butter to make a Cajun Sauce
- Use it to make this Cajun Gravy Recipe
- Turkey Injection Recipe
- Awesome Red Beans and Rice Seasoning
- Use it to rim your Bloody Caesar, Mango Michelada or Michelada glass
- Cajun Shrimp Seasoning – toss shrimp with a heavy dose of seasoning
Substitution Options
Creole seasoning can be used as a cajun substitute, however the flavor profile will be slightly different. To minimize the difference, I recommend adding a bit more cayenne pepper and garlic powder to increase the heat and intensity.
Variation and Tips
- Is DIY cajun seasoning spicy? This Spice Mix, as with all cajun-based rubs, is spicy.
- Extra Spicy- For an extra spicy mix, increase the amount of cayenne pepper or spike it with a bit of ghost pepper.
- This homemade spice blend can be stored for up to 2 years in an airtight container.
More Spice Mix Recipes
Other recipes to custom blend to your preferred taste: Jamaican Jerk Seasoning, Prime Rib Rub, Bobby Flay’s Steak Rub, Texas Roadhouse Steak Seasoning, and our popular BBQ Rub.
Homemade Cajun Seasoning
Ingredients
- 6 tbsp Paprika
- 2 tbsp Salt (*Note 1)
- 4 tbsp Garlic Powder
- 2 tbsp Onion Powder
- 2 tbsp Italian Seasoning
- 2 tbsp Dried Thyme
- 1-2 tbsp Cayenne Pepper
- 1 tbsp Black Pepper
Instructions
- Add all the spices to a small bowl and mix to combine. Store in an air-tight container or plastic bag.