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This homemade Cajun Seasoning recipe is the perfect blend of zesty, spicy, savory flavors that are sure to kick any dish up a delicious notch.
Do you guys have a jar of Cajun seasoning in your spice drawer right now?
If not, grab your measuring spoons and let’s make a quick batch homemade! Cajun seasoning has long been one of my go-to faves for amping up everything from chicken to seafood, veggies to potatoes, soups to stir-frys, dips to dippers, roasting in the oven or on the grill — you name it. It’s one of those brilliant spice blends that works well with just about everything. And this particular bold, zesty, and homemade Cajun seasoning blend is my all-time fave.
It only takes a few minutes to make, and I bet you already have the ingredients in your spice drawer.
Let’s do it!
Cajun Seasoning Recipe | 1-Minute Video
What Is Cajun Seasoning?
Alright but first, let’s back up a sec. Exactly what is Cajun seasoning, you might ask? It’s a rustic seasoning blend that hails from Louisiana, the home of delicious Cajun cuisine. Everyone tends to have their own spin on it, but in general, it’s a spicy blend featuring lots of paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, pepper and oregano. Various other seasonings can be added to taste. I’ve also included salt in my blend, so that you can use the seasoning on its own. But you’re welcome to leave the salt out if you would prefer to add it separately to taste.
Cajun Seasoning Ingredients:
My homemade Cajun seasoning recipe calls for:
paprika (I prefer using smoked paprika)
kosher salt
garlic powder
ground black pepper
ground white pepper
onion powder
dried oregano
cayenne
thyme
How To Make Cajun Seasoning:
To make Cajun seasoning, simply mix all of the spices up in a jar and cover with a lid. Then the seasoning blend should keep for up to 1 year.
How To Use Homemade Cajun Seasoning:
Stay tuned, because I have a yummy new Cajun recipe coming on the blog tomorrow, which would be a fantastic way to take this seasoning for a first test run. I also regularly use it to season everything from jambalaya to roasted sheet pan dinners to stir-frys, soups, kabobs and more. It especially pairs well with:
Proteins: Chicken, fish, shellfish, pork, steak and tofu.
Veggies: Especially roasted or in stir-fries. Also, Cajun seasoning is fantastic on all kinds of potatoes (baked, roasted, fries, etc
Some of my friends and family don’t like spicy (hot) food so I make the seasoning with just a pinch of cayenne then put a small bowl of cayenne on the side.
Thank you so much for this recipe, I have used this a few times to keep in my pantry! I hate buying premade spice packets. Heaven knows how much longer have they been sitting around!
I’ve been making this spice blend for a few years now and it is above and beyond store bought Cajun seasoning! I double the recipe and jar it to use on not only Cajun/Jambalaya recipes but also as a spice rub for chicken thighs and pork chops. Yummmm
Can you turn this Cajun rub into a blacken rub for reddish or similar.
Natalie —
Since the blogger doesn’t appear to reply to questions or comments, I’ll try to help.
Blackened and Cajun seasonings are similar but different, bc blackened seasoning generally contains more herbs.
I’d suggest to Google blackened seasoning and then Cajun seasoning. Every interpretation is different, so you may find some recipes that are almost exactly the same, or only have a couple minor variations.
At the end of the day, I’m no chef, but blackened seasoning is specifically made for the end result, which is a deep coloring or char on the protein that you wouldn’t typically seek with another seasoning blend (Cajun included).
I know this response is a year late, but I’m just now reading your comment.
I hope you’ve figured it out by now and this reply helps someone else new to this site.
Substituted kosher salt for seasoning salt, used the smoked paprika. Used mortar/pestle to grind some rainbow peppercorns for the full 2 tbs of white/black pepper and added 1 tbs of chipotle pepper. Absolutely fantastic.
This has been my go-to seasoning for years. I just used it on some baby back ribs that I smoked today and thought I’d make sure I left a generous review that is well deserved. I always have a vacuum sealed mason jar filled with this seasoning. Thank you, exclamation
I made the Cajun seasoning for a spicy aioli sauce to dip some crab cakes. The seasoning turned out great! Now I have to find more things to cook with it.
Love this. I have a family that doesn’t take as much spicy stuff as me so I half the cayenne pepper and its still perfect. If I’m having a night on my own however….😈 I add a tsp of chilli with the cayenne. Its sooo good. It’s great with chicken stirfry 😁
Bye, bye store-bought Cajun seasoning! This is the only way to go. We have made this MANY times and love it on Cajun chicken Caesar salads. I make batches for my parents because they love it as much as we do.
This Cajun Seasoning Blend is the bomb!! I put it together to make your jambalaya recipe, and it made the dish – perfectly seasoned, nice heat level – best jambalaya ever!!
So good on anything – scrambled eggs, chicken, pork chops, collards. Just made my third batch today, next time I’ll make a triple, I’m going through it so fast.
I did cut the salt in half (I used pink salt), and used crushed red pepper flakes instead of cayenne. Yumm! Thanks for the great recipe!!
I love this, the flavour is just like the shop bought versions without any of the s**t they add! I use plenty of this along with olive oil as a marinade on deboned chicken thighs with the skin on before I bbq them and they always go down really well
Do I HAVE to include white pepper? Can I skip that ingredient?
Some of my friends and family don’t like spicy (hot) food so I make the seasoning with just a pinch of cayenne then put a small bowl of cayenne on the side.
Great recipe, thank you !
I coated some pork tenderloins and seared them. They turned out great.
Very authentic
Thank you so much for this recipe, I have used this a few times to keep in my pantry! I hate buying premade spice packets. Heaven knows how much longer have they been sitting around!
Thank you for posting, I used it in a recipe that required cajun seasoning and it did the trick.
Love this recipe
used it to make cajun chicken for chicken caesar wraps – whole family loved it! Thanks for the recipe.
I’ve been making this spice blend for a few years now and it is above and beyond store bought Cajun seasoning! I double the recipe and jar it to use on not only Cajun/Jambalaya recipes but also as a spice rub for chicken thighs and pork chops. Yummmm
Can you turn this Cajun rub into a blacken rub for reddish or similar.
Since the blogger doesn’t appear to reply to questions or comments, I’ll try to help.
Blackened and Cajun seasonings are similar but different, bc blackened seasoning generally contains more herbs.
I’d suggest to Google blackened seasoning and then Cajun seasoning. Every interpretation is different, so you may find some recipes that are almost exactly the same, or only have a couple minor variations.
At the end of the day, I’m no chef, but blackened seasoning is specifically made for the end result, which is a deep coloring or char on the protein that you wouldn’t typically seek with another seasoning blend (Cajun included).
I know this response is a year late, but I’m just now reading your comment.
I hope you’ve figured it out by now and this reply helps someone else new to this site.
Made Jambalaya.
The spicesmix grabbed you by the ba..s.
Have to make a big jar.
Trying it out today, with fresh squid and fish.
Tasted great in shrimp and grits! Thanks for the recipe save!
It is great. Made it to use with red beans & rice. My husband, who loves spicey, added extra! Easy to make, worth the effort.
Substituted kosher salt for seasoning salt, used the smoked paprika. Used mortar/pestle to grind some rainbow peppercorns for the full 2 tbs of white/black pepper and added 1 tbs of chipotle pepper. Absolutely fantastic.
I always triple this recipe. It’s a staple in our home! It’s so good and the taste is incredible!
This has been my go-to seasoning for years. I just used it on some baby back ribs that I smoked today and thought I’d make sure I left a generous review that is well deserved. I always have a vacuum sealed mason jar filled with this seasoning. Thank you, exclamation
Amazing love to season my chicken with this.
Thanks for this lovely recipe, but what are the proper proportions?
I made the Cajun seasoning for a spicy aioli sauce to dip some crab cakes. The seasoning turned out great! Now I have to find more things to cook with it.
Just made this, can’t wait to try it on something.
Might be spicy for a Norwegian, but think it’s gonna be great
Love this. I have a family that doesn’t take as much spicy stuff as me so I half the cayenne pepper and its still perfect. If I’m having a night on my own however….😈 I add a tsp of chilli with the cayenne. Its sooo good. It’s great with chicken stirfry 😁
Bye, bye store-bought Cajun seasoning! This is the only way to go. We have made this MANY times and love it on Cajun chicken Caesar salads. I make batches for my parents because they love it as much as we do.
Can I just use both tablespoons black pepper as I don’t have white pepper.
My family is going to love this!
I don’t have white pepper. Can I substitute regular pepper?
This Cajun Seasoning Blend is the bomb!! I put it together to make your jambalaya recipe, and it made the dish – perfectly seasoned, nice heat level – best jambalaya ever!!
So good on anything – scrambled eggs, chicken, pork chops, collards. Just made my third batch today, next time I’ll make a triple, I’m going through it so fast.
I did cut the salt in half (I used pink salt), and used crushed red pepper flakes instead of cayenne. Yumm! Thanks for the great recipe!!
I love this, the flavour is just like the shop bought versions without any of the s**t they add! I use plenty of this along with olive oil as a marinade on deboned chicken thighs with the skin on before I bbq them and they always go down really well