This easy Cajun Seasoning Recipe is inspired by a blend from Louisiana. It’s a simple seasoning to make at home that you can add to many, many recipes. Yum!
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There’s no magic, or ideal, Cajun Seasoning recipe. Every Cajun seasoning will be unique to the person who created it. So you can go wild and include more of the things you love and less of the things you don’t.
What defines a Cajun seasoning isn’t the individual ingredients, it’s the overall effect: strong & spicy. This is no mild or flavorless seasoning!
The common ingredients are paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. This is the base, the punch, the kick. Cajun seasoning is spicy.
But that’s not all. Most will include Oregano. A lot will include Thyme. And then there are the less common, but still delicious, additions to cajun seasoning. Things like red pepper flakes, white pepper, cumin, other hot pepper powders, and more
Here’s my recipe for Cajun Seasoning. Adapt it & enjoy!
Ingredients, Substitutions, & Budget
This total recipe costs $0.72 to make. It makes 12 tsp of seasoning which works out to $0.06 per teaspoon.
Your grocery costs are probably different than mine. Location, shopping habits, seasonal availability, and other things can all have a major impact on the cost of food. Find out how I calculate what a recipe costs.
Cajun Seasoning Ingredients
There are 8+ ingredients in this dish.
Paprika (4 tsp)
What kind of paprika should you use? Whatever kind you like best.
I usually use smoked paprika because I like the addition of that smoky flavor. Sometimes I change it up and use half smoked and half sweet. Occasionally I’ll use all sweet (okay, I’ve only done that once).
Cayenne Pepper (2 tsp)
Cayenne Pepper is usually considered a medium-hot pepper. However, for most people it’s the hottest powdered pepper they’ll have in their cupboard.
Cayenne pepper is what gives cajun seasoning its spicy kick.
I like spicy, which is why my recipe calls for a fair bit of cayenne. You can change the amount of cayenne: use less for a milder seasoning or add more for added heat.
Sometimes I use a different hot pepper powder (either replacing the cayenne completely, or doing half and half). Different hot peppers will give your cajun seasoning different flavors. Some options to try:
- Jalapeno Pepper Powder (mild)
- Chipotle Pepper Powder (mild & smokey)
- Habanero Powder (spicier)
- Carolina Reaper Powder (hottest spice in the world)
Garlic, Powder and/or Granulated (2 tsp)
The big difference between granulated garlic and garlic powder is the texture. I like the added texture that granulated provides so I use 1 tsp of granulated and 1 tsp of powder.
You can use all powder, all granulated, or any mix of the two that you’d like.
Onion, Powder and/or Granulated (1 tsp)
Onion has the same rules as garlic: choose your own mix.
I like to use all granulated onion OR 1/2 tsp each of powder & granulated. Try both and see which you prefer.
4 More Ingredients
- Black Pepper (1 tsp)
- Oregano (1 tsp)
- Thyme (1/2 tsp)
- Red Pepper Flakes (1/2 tsp): these will really help bring the fire to your cajun seasoning. Skip the flakes if you don’t want the extra spice!
No Rules!
There are no rules for Cajun Seasoning. Feel free to add more or less of any of the above ingredients. Add something entirely different, like cumin or white pepper.
This is YOUR seasoning so do what YOU like.
Equipment & Storage
You’ll need measuring spoons (1/2 tsp + 1 tsp) and a jar with an airtight lid. That’s it.
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Cajun Seasoning
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 tsp Paprika: smoked, sweet, or spicy ($0.24)
- 2 tsp Cayenne ($0.12)
- 2 tsp Garlic: powder or granulated ($0.12)
- 1 tsp Onion: powder or granulated ($0.06)
- 1 tsp Black Pepper ($0.06)
- 1 tsp Oregano ($0.06)
- ½ tsp Thyme ($0.03)
- ½ tsp Red Pepper Flakes ($0.03)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a jar with an airtight lid.4 tsp Paprika: smoked, sweet, or spicy, 2 tsp Cayenne, 2 tsp Garlic: powder or granulated, 1 tsp Onion: powder or granulated, 1 tsp Black Pepper, 1 tsp Oregano, ½ tsp Thyme, ½ tsp Red Pepper Flakes
- Shake well to mix.
Enjoy Your Cajun Seasoning!
Did you make this Cajun Seasoning? How did it turn out? What changes did you make? What recipe(s) did you use it with? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Until next time. Xoxo