Cajun Seasoning
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Mix up a batch of this Louisiana-style Cajun Seasoning to season shrimp, chicken or vegetables. It’s got just the right amount of heat and tons of flavor! You’ll never buy a jar of seasoning again when you see just how easy it is to make your own delicious mix at home.
Table of contents
When it comes to stocking your pantry with delicious spice mixes, I’ve got you covered! Since 2010, I’ve been sharing my favorite homemade seasoning blends and they’ve been some of the most popular recipes on the blog! Don’t just take my word for it, check them out for yourself!
- Fajita Seasoning
- Chili Seasoning
- Ranch Seasoning
- Taco Seasoning
- French Onion Dip Mix
- Pumpkin Pie Spice
- Italian Seasoning
- Montreal Steak Seasoning
- Chicken Seasoning
Once you realize how much more flavor you get from these homemade spice blends and just how easy they are to make, you’ll never go back to the store bought stuff again!
When it comes to homemade Cajun seasoning, you want a blend that combines flavor and spice. After all, it wouldn’t be true Cajun cuisine without some heat!
This seasoning is great on it’s own, but I also use it to make the world’s best Cajun marinade, perfect for chicken, seafood or beef! Mixed with a little olive oil, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar and hot sauce, this recipe is transformed from a delicious seasoning, into an out-of-this-world marinade that you just have to try!
So what are you waiting for? It only takes 5 minutes to mix up this seasoning blend and it’s made with common spices that you probably already have in your pantry! Let’s get mixing!
Ingredients
- Paprika – if you like a smoky flavor, use smoked paprika.
- Kosher salt
- Garlic powder
- Ground black pepper
- Onion powder
- Dried oregano
- Cayenne pepper – this is what brings the heat in Cajun seasoning blends. If you like your Cajun food on the spicier side, go ahead and double the amount of cayenne in this recipe!
- Dried thyme
- Red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Combine all of the spices in a mason jar, or another airtight container.
- Quick Tip! This recipe will fit in an 8 ounce mason jar. If doubling the recipe, use a pint size or 16 ounce mason jar.
- Store the spice mixture in the pantry for up to 6 months.
- Use to season vegetables, chicken, shrimp, or to create THE BEST Cajun marinade!
How to make the best Cajun marinade
- In a mixing bowl, combine 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon hot sauce and 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning. Stir to combine all of the ingredients.
- Add 2 pounds of chicken, seafood or beef to the marinade and toss to coat.
- Marinade for at least 30 minutes, or up to 8 hours.
- Grill, saute or roast the chicken, seafood or beef, as desired.
What’s the difference between cajun and creole seasoning?
While similar in most ingredients, Cajun seasoning is spicier and contains cayenne pepper as one of the main ingredients. Creole seasoning is more focused on herbs, like oregano and thyme as the main ingredients.
If a recipe calls for Creole seasoning, you can substitute in this Cajun seasoning recipe, just know that it’s going to be spicier!
How to use the seasoning
- Dry rub – use this seasoning mix as a dry rub on everything from chicken wings to pork shoulder to brisket. Try it on chicken breasts to top this grilled caesar salad or as a dry rub on Air Fryer Salmon.
- Marinade – use the seasoning in the marinade recipe above to marinate chicken thighs, shrimp, crawfish or skirt steak.
- Vegetable seasoning – toss vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, potatoes or bell peppers in this delicious seasoning mix and roast them in the oven for a flavorful veggie side dish. I recommend using 1 tablespoon seasoning per 4 cups of vegetables.
- Mac and cheese – add 1-2 tablespoons of cajun seasoning to this mac and cheese recipe to give it a delicious cajun kick! To take it seriously over-the-top, also add cajun shrimp, crab or lobster meat to the mac and cheese.
- Creamed corn – add 1-2 tablespoons cajun seasoning to my Crock Pot Creamed Corn recipe for a kick of spice and flavor.
- Ranch dressing – mix 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning with 1/2 cup ranch dressing to spice up your favorite salad. Or use it as an incredible dipping sauce for veggies or cajun seasoned wings!
- Smoked cream cheese – this is my favorite seasoning to use when making smoked cream cheese. The flavor of the Cajun seasoning with the smoky cheese pairs perfectly!
- Cajun fries – just like at Five Guys burger chain, toss this seasoning with air fryer french fries (that can also be cooked in the oven) for a delicious side dish to pair with burgers, sandwiches or wings.
Cajun Seasoning
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons paprika
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
- ½ tablespoon dried thyme
- ½ tablespoon red pepper flakes, optional – for more spice!
Instructions
- Combine all of the seasonings in a small bowl or mason jar.
- Store in an airtight container in the pantry for up to 6 months.
Notes
- To make Cajun marinade with the seasoning mix: combine 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon hot sauce and 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning. Stir to combine all of the ingredients. Use to marinate 2 pounds of chicken, seafood or beef.
- This seasoning mix is naturally gluten free, vegan and whole30 approved.
- For recipe ideas using this Cajun seasoning, refer to the blog post above.
Nutrition Facts
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