Turn up the flavor with our homemade blackened seasoning recipe! Perfect for spice lovers, this DIY spice blend adds a Cajun kick to your favorite dishes. No need for store-bought when you can whip up this easy and delicious blend at home.
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This is the best blackened seasoning for healthy fish recipes, easy chicken recipes, and a variety of vegetables. This flavorful spice blend is especially delicious on our blackened salmon and air fryer boneless chicken thighs.
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Making homemade seasonings and sauces is cheaper and healthier than store-bought options because you are in control of each ingredient. I will guide you through how to make this Cajun blackened seasoning in under 5 minutes that you can store in your pantry for months.
Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Tailored flavor: Making a homemade seasoning allows you to customize the flavor according to your preferences. Adjust the levels of heat, saltiness, and individual spices to create a seasoning that perfectly suits your taste buds.
- Healthier option: Our blackened seasoning recipe doesn't include additives, preservatives, and excessive salt commonly found in store-bought blends.
- Cost-effective: Creating your seasoning at home can be more cost-effective in the long run. Buying individual spices in bulk and making larger batches can save money compared to purchasing pre-mixed blends.
- Pantry staple: You probably already have these dried herbs and spices in your pantry, so whip up a batch of this spice blend today. We use this Cajun blackened seasoning in so many different recipes to add a Cajun kick, like our spicy shrimp scampi.
What is Blackened Seasoning?
Blackened seasoning, aka blackening seasoning, is a flavorful spice blend of ground powders and dried herbs. It's moderately spicy and has a bold flavor.
This seasoning is primarily used in Cajun and Creole cuisines, particularly for blackening or grilling meats, fish, or vegetables. "Blackened" is a cooking technique that involves coating food with a flavorful spice blend, commonly known as blackened seasoning.
The term "blackened" refers to the dark crust that forms on the exterior of the food when it is seared at high temperatures.
Ingredients
The key ingredients in a homemade blackened seasoning can vary. Some common components of blackened seasoning include:
- Smoked Paprika: use smoked paprika, if you can! It's one of my favorite spices and adds a rich, smoky flavor to food. If you can't find smoked paprika, regular paprika will work too.
- Cayenne: Infuses heat and a fiery kick to the seasoning.
- Onion Powder: Imparts a sweet and savory onion flavor without the texture of fresh onions.
- Garlic Powder: Adds a pungent and rich garlic flavor.
- Thyme: Contributes a subtle earthiness and herbaceous note.
- Oregano: Infuses a slightly sweet and peppery flavor.
- Basil: Offers a sweet, slightly minty flavor.
- Salt & Pepper: This homemade spice mix doesn't contain unnecessary added sodium.
By incorporating these ingredients into your homemade blackening seasoning, you create a blend that captures the essence of Cajun cuisine - spicy, flavorful, and rich with a harmonious balance of herbs and spices.
How to Make Homemade Blackened Seasoning
To make our homemade blackened seasoning, start by mixing all of the ingredients in a bowl, or mason jar, until well combined.
When making this recipe, I like to throw all of the ingredients into a mason jar and shake to combine. Store in an airtight container in the pantry until your ready to use.
How to Blacken Food?
"Blackened" is a cooking technique associated with Cajun and Creole cuisines and is the process of cooking in which food becomes blackened. The technique was made popular in the 1980's by Chef Prudhomme in New Orleans, Louisiana.
It starts with a protein getting coated completely in blackening seasoning. Next, it's cooked at a high temperature, traditionally in a cast-iron skillet or on a grill. The high heat causes the spices in the seasoning to toast and develop a dark crust on the exterior of the food.
The term "blackened" refers to the appearance of the exterior crust rather than the food being burnt or charred. Blackened does not mean burnt.
Blackened food maintains the tenderness of the interior of the protein. When done correctly, blackened dishes showcase a perfect balance of spice, smokiness, and tenderness.
Storage
Store all of your spices and seasoning blends in airtight containers away from heat and light. Although spices should be stored in a cool area, it is not recommended to keep them in a refrigerator.
Ideally, spices and seasonings should be kept in glass containers because plastic is porous and can allow air to slowly damage the flavor. Spices stored in glass jars will have a longer shelf life.
If stored properly, the mix of spices in this homemade blackening seasoning blend will have a shelf life of about 2 years. So make a big batch!
Hungry for More?
Cajun & Creole recipes to use this blackening seasoning in:
Cajun Shrimp Scampi
Shrimp & Sausage Jambalaya
Cajun Spaghetti
Cajun Salmon Pasta
Baked Blackened Salmon
Blackened Salmon Bowl
Homemade Cajun Seasoning
Cajun Crab Dip
Cajun Alfredo Sauce
Cajun Tartar Sauce
If you try this recipe or any recipe from Happy Honey Kitchen, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below! Enjoy!
Homemade Blackened Seasoning Recipe
Save this Recipe!
I'll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!
Equipment
- Measuring Spoons
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- ½ teaspoon cayenne
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon basil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
- Use seasoning blend immediately or store in an airtight container.
Notes
- This recipe makes 2.5 tablespoons.
- Depending on the level of spice you want in your blackening seasoning, add or subtract the amount of cayenne.
- Use all dried herbs and spices for this recipe.
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