Cajun Seasoning
21 Comments
Feb 20, 2025
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This homemade Cajun seasoning is the ultimate spice blend that adds an earthy, bold, and Southern spice kick to any dish!
Why You’ll Love This Cajun Seasoning
You can say I’m a huge fan of Cajun seasoning. Whether I use it for classic dishes like jambalaya, Cajun shrimp, and blackened salmon or my own creations like creamy Cajun chicken and Cajun sheet pan sausage and veggies, this seasoning always brings me back to previous New Orleans adventures and the heart and soul of Louisiana comfort food. Here’s why you’ll love it:
- It’s got a spicy kick! And while many assume that all Cajun food is super spicy (though many dishes certainly are!) Cajun seasoning is a blend of moderately spicy, earthy, and bold flavors.
- You can tweak the heat. Unlike store-bought versions, you can tweak the level of spice and heat to your liking. So if you’d like a more mild seasoning, just reduce the amount of cayenne pepper.
- It stores for a long time. Watch the video below to see how I store my homemade Cajun seasoning in glass jars. Then, I can simply sprinkle or add it to recipes in the future!
Cajun Seasoning Ingredients
- Paprika & Cayenne Pepper: Most cajun seasonings go heavy on paprika. And the cayenne pepper adds that spicy heat.
- Garlic & Onion Powder: The power duo for any seasoning base. But I go a bit heavier on garlic powder for this one.
- Dried Herbs: Oregano and thyme give that herbal depth of flavor and a nod to Creole cooking.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
How To Make Cajun Seasoning
Making your own spice blend is as easy as stirring everything together and storing it in my favorite glass spice jars. These jars are perfect for doubling or even quadrupling this recipe — which is honestly the best when you need to amp up a simple chicken or veggie dinner.
How long will this seasoning last? If you use fresh spices and dried herbs, it can last for up to one year!
Ways To Use Cajun Seasoning
Having a bottle of homemade Cajun seasoning might be one of the most versatile spice blends to have. Especially if you love deep, spicy food. Here are a few ways to use it!
- Coat it on meats and seafood. With all Cajun food, this seasoning is perfect for adding to all sorts of fish (especially shrimp), chicken, or steaks that are pan seared or grilled.
- Toss with vegetables. This gives roasted vegetables some spicy love. Specifically roasted potatoes, carrots, bell peppers, tomatoes, and squashes.
- Stir into soups. When you want to add a spiced kick to a simple soup, like my cabbage soup, just add in about one tablespoon.
- Don’t forget about seafood boils! This southern dish is a Louisiana classic, and it’s not a seafood boil without loads of Cajun seasoning (or Cajun sauce).
More Homemade Seasonings
- Taco Seasoning: Make “taco tuesdays” extra special.
- Fajita Seasoning: This works on any fajita protein.
- Brisket Dry Rub: The perfect sweet and smoky flavor.
If you make this Cajun seasoning, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below! Your review will help other readers in the community. And if you’re hungry for more healthy food inspiration and exclusive content, join my free newsletter here.
Cajun Seasoning
Description
Video
Equipment
- Glass Spice Jars These are the same size as Simply Organic spice jars.
- Paint Pen Marker I use this to label the jar.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons paprika
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoons black pepper
Instructions
- Mix all the spices together in a bowl. Use immediately or store in an airtight container.
Nutrition
©Downshiftology. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
Recipe originally published February 2023, but updated to include new information and photos for your benefit!
This is what I was looking for. I don’t like the bay seasoning because of the sugar. I threw out the bay seasoning and replaced with yours! Soooo good. Thank you!
Amazing! Happy to hear you found the perfect homemade Cajun seasoning.
I tried your chicken with this spice and it was delicious. I would like to know more recipes with chicken breast. Thank you.
Happy to hear you enjoyed this Cajun seasoning with chicken, Carolina! You can find all my chicken recipes in the navigation under ingredients.
Hi Lisa,
I’ve been trying various Cajun/Creole recipes. I’ve visited New Orleans and LOVE that cuisine!! However, my wife cannot handle hot spices. Very mild or none is about as much as she can handle. This spice blend recipe calls for 1 tablespoon of cayenne pepper. Recipes using that proportion in a spice blend would be way too spicy for her. One alternative is to cut way back on the cayenne, e.g. 1/2 tsp. (which is 1/6 of the amount). Are there other kinds of pepper that would substitute? For example, how about Ancho chile pepper? I would like to reduce the heat while keeping the essence of Cajun/Creole flavor, if that’s possible!. Any suggestions?
PS. I like your website!! Cooking is one of my main retirement activities. I’ve tried several recipes with great success.
Hi Steve – I’m so happy you’re enjoying my recipes. Cooking sounds like the best retirement activity to me! ;) As for the Cajun seasoning, you could definitely cut back on the cayenne pepper. Alternatively, I’d say just use less of the complete seasoning in recipes. So if something calls for a tablespoon, just use a teaspoon of it (which is about 1/3 the amount).
Delicious and not too spicy.
I made this when I was making Lisa’s Creamy Cajun Chicken. The flavor is amazing and I love having a jar of already prepared seasoning that I can use quickly anytime.
So smart to keep a jar on hand!
Insanely easy, yet insanely flavorful and delicious! 😍 Served it over rice with a fresh salad. 10/10!!! My family said, “Mom, you have to review this.” 😊
Haha, I agree with your family! ;) Thanks so much, Teresa!
So much better than anything I’ve bought at the grocery store!
Hi Amanda – Homemade seasonings are always the way to go!
Enjoying your recipes and how they are presented. I have own restaurants and cooking has been my passion. Continue the good work.
Hi Reed – Thanks so much for your feedback!
What type of paprika do you use! PS love your cookbook!
I use Simply Organic paprika in this recipe. And thank you! I’m happy you love it. :)
Is the 13,000 mg of sodium accurate in the Cajun seasoning? Also, when does the chicken and sausage sage go back into the dish after you remove it?
Hi Vincent – that nutrition info is for the entire batch of seasoning. And that’s for the catch on the jambalaya! I just tweaked the recipe card. :)
❤️ all your spice blends.
Happy to hear it!