Spices are the heartbeat of the kitchen, and this homemade Cajun seasoning will elevate the simplest recipe into a bold, spicy dish that stands tall above everything else. I love making spice blends; nothing beats a little homemade magic.
What is Cajun Seasoning
Cajun seasoning is a spice blend from Cajun cuisine, originating from the 18th-century Cajun Arcadians who were deported from French Arcadia to Louisiana. Cajun draws inspiration from classical French, Spanish and West African cuisines, which has created a melting pot of diverse culinary brilliance.
The trademark Cajun heat comes from cayenne pepper. Garlic and black pepper lend depth, while aromatic herbs like thyme and oregano add floral notes to this Cajun seasoning. The final result lands a smoky, spicy, and versatile seasoning mix.
Most supermarkets stock cajun seasoning mixes, but they aren’t necessarily traditional. Naturally rustic, Cajun recipes are built around whatever ingredients are available. Cajun cooks often season from scratch to their own tastes.
Building My Cajun Seasoning
My first step in developing this recipe was to piece together the key flavours used in Cajun cookery, using what I expected from a Cajun seasoning.
Cayenne Pepper – Cayenne pepper is the star of the show here and brings the signature Cajun heat. Cayenne chilli peppers are dried and ground into powder to make the spice.
Paprika – Made from ground dried red peppers, Paprika is one of my most used spices, and I feel at home in a seasoning strongly littered with spices. I’ve used paprika in both its sweet and smoky forms. This gives a sweet, peppery depth to the final Cajun seasoning.
Celery Seed – Celery alongside green pepper and onion completes the holy trinity of Cajun cookery, so it wouldn’t make sense to leave it out of a spice blend.
Thyme –Cajun cuisine is known for its spiciness. In contrast, its Creole cousin is known more for its herbaceous seasonings. However, this cajun seasoning felt incomplete without the citrus flavour of thyme. I’ve used the dried version here for convenience and storage, despite the fact I’ll contradict myself in the next paragraph. Apologies.
Garlic Powder – Garlic, along with onion, belongs in Cajun cuisine and warrants inclusion in a seasoning mix dedicated to it. However, unlike thyme, I strongly dislike and avoid the two powders when possible. I believe Fresh is the best, so I’ve omitted them here. Fear not; recipes using this seasoning on this blog will use fresh garlic alongside this Cajun seasoning. If you follow a recipe written by someone else, add a teaspoon of garlic powder to the mix.
Black pepper – Piperine gives black pepper its distinctive heat. Still, it is relatively mild compared to any chilli on the Scoville scale. It works well here, adding an earthy depth to the hot spice mix.
Nutmeg – Too much ground nutmeg would ruin the balance of the spice mix, but a small pinch adds warmth and complexity.
How to Use Your Cajun Seasoning
- As a Rub: Rub it on chicken, fish, or prawns before grilling, barbecuing or pan-frying.
- Bring Sides to Life: Sprinkle over roasted sweet potatoes for this cajun inspired salad or on these blackened corn on the cob.
- Rice and Pasta: Use it to season a jambalaya or Cajun-style pasta for a one-pot midweek wonder.
Try My Cajun Inspired Recipes
Why Make Your Own Spice Blends?
As a chef, I love creating my own spice blends. It gives me control over the flavours and ingredients. Store-bought blends can sometimes have unnecessary fillers, preservatives, or ingredients I don’t like. When you make your own, you know exactly what’s going into it. You can also adjust the heat and flavour profile to match your taste. It’s a chance to stamp your mark on a recipe that becomes unique to you.
In future, I’ll be sharing more DIY spice blends that will inspire your cooking and fuel your running adventures. Whether you want to spice up your meal prep or explore new flavour profiles, I’ve got you covered.
Let me know how your Cajun seasoning turns out! Comment below with your favourite ways to use it, or share your variations. Let’s get cooking—and running—together!
More Form My Spice Series
Cajun Seasoning
Ingredients
- 2 Tsp Ground Paprika
- 1 Tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 Tsp Cayenne Pepper
- 1 Tsp Celery Seed
- 2 Tsp Thyme
- 1 Tsp Black pepper
- ¼ Tsp Nutmeg
- 2 Tsp Salt
Instructions
- Place all the ground ingredients into a bowl and mix well. Store in a screw-top jar and set aside until needed.
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