Easy Homemade Cajun Seasoning (& How to Use It)
Make this easy homemade Cajun seasoning to use as a rub for grilling or baking, in recipes, or just to sprinkle on roasted vegetables. You may find you want to use this on everything!
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I use the whole top shelf of my small spice cupboard to hold various spice mixes. I find the flavor they easily add to foods from meats to vegetables far superior to simple shakes of salt and pepper.
Spice mixes like Tex-Mex, Thai, Mediterranean, all purpose rub, and more can all be used for so many things:
- As a rub for meats, poultry and seafood before grilling or baking.
- Mixed with vegetables before grilling or roasting.
- Sprinkled on salads.
- Stirred into sour cream for a quick and easy dip.
- And of course, used in any recipe that calls for a certain type of seasoning.
We like food a bit spicy around here, so it’s a no-brainer that you’d also find a Cajun seasoning in our mix.
Not only do I use it for the things listed above, but it’s also a key ingredient in some of our go-to recipes, Quick Cajun Beef on Spiced Potatoes and Cajun Chicken Barley Vegetable Soup.
I love making spice mixes at home – using basic pantry ingredients saves money from store-bought versions AND we can tailor it to our tastes – less spice, more salt, less salt, more spice, etc.
A two-for-one – and all in just a couple minutes!
Cajun Seasoning Recipe
Ingredients
The thing that’s nice about most spice mixes, including this one, is that you probably already have the ingredients in your spice cupboard! So in about 5 minutes you can have a mix to flavor a lot of meals.
- Paprika – one of the base spices for Cajun cooking, you can use regular or smoked paprika.
- Garlic Powder – I prefer granulated garlic for ease of measuring.
- Onion Powder – I prefer granulated onion as well.
- Cayenne Powder – use less if you’d like it less spicy.
- Dried Oregano – a somewhat peppery herb, it goes nicely with the flavors in Cajun cooking.
- Salt – I like this “real” salt as well as this sea salt.
- Black Pepper – one of the classic ingredients for Cajun seasonings (sometimes along with white pepper).
How to make Cajun Seasoning
You’ve probably got this figured out – right?
- Gather your spices and a half-pint (8 ounce) or larger jar with a tight fitting lid.
- Measure your spices right into the jar or in a small bowl if your jar opening isn’t big enough to stir the spices together.
- Mix spices and herbs together completely. This makes about one-half cup, so an 8-ounce container should work perfectly to store.
- Store in container with lid on for up to six months.
Homemade Cajun Seasoning FAQs
Traditional Cajun seasonings that you’ll find in store bought mixes are typically made with a combo of black pepper, cayenne pepper, onion powder, garlic powder and paprika. Some mixes (like this one) also include salt, more peppers and herbs for a more rounded flavor.
The main difference is the spice level – Cajun is more spicy with the addition of cayenne. Because the base ingredients are the same, you can use these interchangeably, adding or deleting the spicier ingredients to your taste.
Yes! Using herbs and spices to add flavor to our food also give us the health benefits of their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-cholesterol properties.
Tips for storing seasonings
- Write the date on the bottom of the spice jar to keep track of the age (and potency) of your spices.
- Use tight fitting lids.
- Store away from steam (so not in a cupboard above the stove).
- Herbs stored in a dark area will last longer than those on an open shelf.
Recommended supplies
- I love using vintage looking half pint mason jars to hold spice mixes – here’s a set of 12 with sloping sides and 30 that come with gold lids.
- I collected vintage zinc lids for year to use on herb and spice jars – you can get that look with these reproduction zinc lids.
- Label your jars with a simple hand-held label maker – I like using black text on clear plastic for a clean look.
Recipes & Ideas using Cajun spice mix
- Sprinkle on grilled vegetables.
- Quick Cajun Beef on Spiced Potatoes
- Cajun Chicken Barley Vegetable Soup
- Rub on meat, poultry or seafood before grilling or baking.
- Season roasted potatoes and other vegetables before roasting.
- Use as a seasoning at the table for salads, eggs, and more.
I hope you love this incredible Cajun seasoning! If you make it, please leave a comment and a rating letting me know, I’d be so thankful!
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Easy Homemade Cajun Seasoning
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons paprika regular or smoked (or a combo)
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder*
- 1 tablespoon cayenne or to taste
- 1 tablespoon onion powder*
- 1 tablespoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
Instructions
- Gather your seasonings and a jar with a tight-fitting lid that will hold at least a half cup.
- Measure the spices and herb right into the jar if big enough (or use a small bowl) and mix together thoroughly. Attach lid.
- Store in a dark cupboard for up to 6 months for best quality.
Notes
Nutrition
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