Blackened Seasoning

Blackened Seasoning is a homemade version of the classic Cajun spice blend and tastes great on everything from chicken and fish to potatoes or vegetables.  This blackening spice mix, is super easy to make, can be whipped up in under 5 minutes and stored for over a year!

Want other homemade seasoning mixes?  You might also enjoy this Taco Seasoning and this Chili Seasoning.

Blackened Seasoning – Spice it Up!

My first foray into making homemade seasoning mixes at home occurred when I was in search of a Gluten-Free Taco mix.  It was almost impossible to find one at the grocery store.

I soon realized how simple it was to whip up your own at home and store them for use later!

Recently I found myself turning to the spices that make up the typical Cajun blend.  After my third night of pulling down ALL of the spices and dried herbs out of the cabinet, I decided to just make a big batch of this blackened seasoning recipe.

Since then it has appeared on potatoes, chicken, shrimp, and even a tray full of roasted vegetables.  And man does it save a lot of time and mess to not have to mix up a new batch of spices every single night!

What is Blackened Seasoning?

Blackened, or blackening, seasoning is a spice blend that is typically used in Cajun cuisine and can be a bit spicy.  It is very similar to “Cajun” and “Creole” seasoning so it can be used interchangeably in recipes.  You can buy it at the store (Emeril’s is a great store bought one!) or you can make it at home.

If bought in the store you will want to make sure you double check the label.  Some store bought mixes may contain sugar, gluten, MSG (Zatarain’s does!!), or other stabilizers and anti-caking agents.

However, if you make this version at home you can be sure it is gluten-free, sugar-free, and can easily be made to have low or no sodium.

How to Make

Making this at home is quite simple and requires a few easy to find spices and herbs such as:

• Paprika – Feel free to use half smoked paprika and half regular paprika for an extra smokey kick!
• Garlic and Onion Powders – Both are absolutely necessary.  Try not to substitute one for the other.
• Black pepper – A good ground black pepper works great.
• Dried herbs – Thyme, basil, and oregano are used in this recipe.
• Cayenne pepper – If you want to decrease or increase the spice level in this mix, adjust the cayenne pepper according to your taste preference.
• Salt – This is completely optional.  If you would like to make it completely sodium-free, simply leave this out and add it as needed.

How to Store

When storing homemade seasoning mixes it is best to place them in an airtight container and store in a cool, dry space.

A spice cabinet (NOT over the stove!) or a dry pantry will work great.

You do not want too much open air space in the container, so choose one that just barely fits all of the mix.

These 4-ounce mason jars are my favorite to use!

Do Spice Mixes Ever Go Bad?

Homemade seasoning and spice mixes will not go bad, but will lose their potency over time.

If stored as described above, blackened seasoning will last for up to 1-2 years at room temperature.  This slightly shortened shelf life is largely due to the dried leafy herbs not maintaining their potency as long as the ground spices do.

Recipes

This blackened seasoning can be used for chicken, salmon, tilapia, steak, shrimp, potatoes, or grilled vegetables with outstanding results.  It is hand’s down the best recipe and will liven up just about any boring dish!

You can swap out the seasoning ingredients for equal parts of this mix in the following dishes:

• Blackened Shrimp Tacos
• Cajun Skillet Potatoes
• Blackened Salmon

5 from 2 votes

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Best Blackened Seasoning Recipe

Blackened Seasoning is a homemade version of the classic Cajun spice mix and tastes great on everything from chicken and fish to potatoes or vegetables. 

Course Seasoning

Cuisine American, Cajun, French

Keyword blackened seasoning, blackened seasoning recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Servings 6 servings

Calories 18 kcal

Author London

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp. paprika
• 1 Tbsp. garlic powder
• 1 Tbsp. onion powder
• 1 Tbsp. black pepper
• 1 tsp. thyme dried
• 1 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp. basil dried
• 1 tsp. oregano dried
• 1 tsp. salt optional

Instructions

1. Add all ingredients to a medium-sized bowl and whisk to combine.
2. Store blackened seasoning in an air-tight container (like these 4-ounce mason jars!) for 1-2 years.
3. Use it to season chicken, salmon, tilapia, steak, shrimp, potatoes, or any other recipe that needs a spicy kick!

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

• This recipe makes approximately 6 tablespoons of blackened seasoning.

Nutrition Facts

Best Blackened Seasoning Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 18

% Daily Value*

Sodium 324mg14%

Potassium 169mg5%

Carbohydrates 3g1%

Fiber 2g8%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 1665IU33%

Vitamin C 2.6mg3%

Calcium 44mg4%

Iron 1.5mg8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.