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Do me a favor right now and go check your pantry to see if you have Cajun seasoning?
Go on, do it!
So, do ya have it?
No? Well, I’m happy to hear that, because I recommend you make your own with this recipe! If you’re new to making your own spice blend, let me tell you that it only takes a couple of minutes to make! Cajun seasoning is one of my favorites, and I use it in so many of my recipes! You can use Cajun seasoning on your seafood, poultry, veggies, soups… the list goes on! I know it’s so versatile, and it’s got such a bold flavor that really stands out! This recipe is my favorite way to make Cajun seasoning, so I hope you’ll give it a try and this will become your go-to spice blend too!
I’m sure you’ve already got all the ingredients you need to make this spice blend, so get your measuring spoons and let’s go for it!
What is Cajun Seasoning?▼
You may be wondering what exactly is Cajun seasoning? There are many nuances in different Cajun seasoning, but the core spices that are used are paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, pepper, and oregano. My particular Cajun blend also has onion powder, thyme, and salt. If you prefer to add salt to taste to your recipes, then feel free to leave the salt out, but I find that the salt in the Cajun seasoning itself brings out the other incredible spices in the blend.
Are Cajun Seasoning and Blackening Spice the Same?▼
I’ve been confused about it too! Seems that there’s a slight difference. Cajun seasoning emphasizes more heat than Blackening Spice, where Blackening Spice emphasizes more of the dried herbs. Check out my recipe for Blackening Spice if you’re interested in making that too!
A general tip with making spice blends is that if you’re going to be making spice blends that use similar ingredients, might as well make them at the same time, so that you don’t have to take out all the spices again later! It’s much more efficient that day! I’ve had a full hour of just refilling spices and preparing my own blends!
Tools Needed
- Mixing bowl
- Spoon
- Airtight jar
Ingredients for This Easy Cajun Seasoning Recipe
For this Cajun spice recipe, you’ll need:
How to Make Cajun Seasoning
To make this recipe for Cajun spice, all you need to do is mix all the spices together in a bowl or shake the ingredients together in a jar. This spice blend can be stored for up to 1 year.
How Can I Use Homemade Cajun Seasoning?▼
As I mentioned earlier, I love Cajun seasoning! The possibilities are quite endless with this at home Cajun seasoning! You can season poultry, seafood, soups, dips, and veggies with Cajun seasoning!
Here are some of my recipes online right now, but I’m sure there will be many more to come, so subscribe to the newsletter so you don’t miss when a new post goes live!
- Cajun Shrimp Lettuce Wraps: Tender shrimp grilled to perfection! Simply marinated with lemon juice and Cajun seasoning, paired with red and green peppers. Everything is enveloped in fresh lettuce, and you can choose your favorite toppings!
- Hot & Spicy Cajun Spaghetti: A quick 20-minute dinner that has loads of bold flavor! We use Cajun seasoning in the tomato sauce and to pan-sear the chicken. Finish with fresh Parmesan cheese and enjoy a flavorful and fast dinner!
- Hot Tex Mex Chicken Noodle Soup: This is great on a chilly winter’s day! This soup is loaded with fresh veggies, macaroni pasta, and a delicious juicy chicken breast. We use the Cajun seasoning in the broth and to sear the chicken.
- Air Fryer Cajun Potato Wedges: If you love Cajun then you’re going to adore these potato wedges! Crisp on the outside and warm on the inside. All the magic comes from the air fryer, and they’re ready in no time!
- Spicy Mexican-Style Wrap with Guacamole, Bacon and Shrimp: We season our shrimp with Cajun seasoning before baking. Just the Cajun seasoning really enhances the flavor of the shrimp, and it nicely complements the cool guacamole in the wrap!
Heat and Salt: How to Dial This Blend to Taste
Two numbers in this blend deserve a second look before you mix it. The first is the cayenne. Three tablespoons, which works out at 9 teaspoons cayenne pepper against 2 tablespoons of paprika, makes a genuinely hot Louisiana-style blend, and it is meant to be. If you want the flavor without a ton of heat, halve the cayenne and make the volume back up with more paprika; you keep all of the color and lose most of the burn. Crushed red pepper flakes at half the quantity, or hot paprika measure for measure, both work as swaps as well. The second number is the salt. There is 1 tablespoon of salt in here, which makes this a salted blend rather than a pure spice mix. That matters if you are watching salt levels, or if you prefer to season as you cook: leave the salt out entirely, keep everything else exactly the same, and salt the dish separately instead. You will not miss it in the flavor, and you get far better control.
What to Use It On, and How to Store It
Mix it in a small bowl and funnel it into a jar, or simply build it in the jar and shake. What it wants is a sealed container with a tight lid, kept somewhere cool and dark. Ground spices do not really spoil, but cayenne and paprika lose their color and their punch quickly in the light, so a cupboard beats the countertop every time. As for what to put it on, this is the backbone of Louisiana cooking, so red beans and rice is the obvious home for it, but it earns its place well beyond that. Rub it onto chicken or shrimp before they hit the pan; toss roasted vegetables with a spoonful and some oil before they go into the oven; stir it through rice as it steams; or shake it over fries and popcorn. Because the blend already carries its own salt, start with less than you think you need and taste as you go.
Let me know what you think of this recipe in the comments! If you’ve tried this recipe, be sure to post it on social media and tag it with #cookingwithanadi and mention me @cooking.with.anadi. Thank you!
Recipe by Anadi Misra
Make bold, smoky Cajun seasoning at home in minutes with simple pantry spices. This easy recipe delivers authentic Southern flavor perfect for any dish.
No-cook
Rate this recipe ✦
2 min
Prep
2 min
Total
120
servings
makes 2½ cups
easy
Level
Ingredients
Ingredients
Tap any quantity to scale
Instructions
- 1
In a spice jar or a small bowl, combine all ingredients. Keep sealed in a cool, dry place.
In a spice jar or a small bowl, combine all ingredients. Keep sealed in a cool, dry place.
Nutrition per serving
0
Calories
0g
Protein
0g
Carbs
0g
Fat
0g
Fiber
0g
Sugar
59mg
Sodium
Did you make this recipe? Tag @cooking.with.anadi on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingwithanadi
Tested & written in Anadi’s kitchen
Recipe history
- April 16, 2026 — Reworked and refreshed for the 2026 relaunch — new photography, restructured and standardized ingredients & instructions.
Filed under
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