Homemade Cajun Seasoning

Homemade Cajun Seasoning is made with a simple blend of dried spices and adds a zesty, spicy, flavorful punch to endless dishes.

Cajun Seasoning, right along with Taco Seasoning, Chili Seasoning, and Seasoned Salt, is a homemade spice blend you will ALWAYS find in my kitchen. Whether seasoning potatoes, chicken, seafood, or pasta, this seasoning blend adds a bold, slightly spicy flavor to endless dishes.

And it is insanely simple to make your own Cajun Seasoning blend using pantry spices you likely always have on hand!

Not only is this homemade Cajun spice blend cheaper to make than purchasing the storebought version, but it also is better for you! My recipe leaves the added cornstarch, sugar, and preservatives on the shelf and lets you be in charge of the level of heat and sodium.

Once you see how easy, and how tasty it is to make Cajun Seasoning, you will never purchase storebought again!

Spices in Cajun Seasoning

Cajun Seasoning is made using dried spices like garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper, but is given its signature kick with the addition of red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper.

• Paprika: Smoked Paprika is highly recommended for this cajun seasoning blend, as it adds additional smoky undertones. However, feel free to use regular paprika if that is all you have on hand.
• Onion & Garlic Powder: Both of these spices are crucial for keeping the blend of spices well-rounded and balanced.
• Oregano: Dried oregano is classic in Cajun seasoning and adds a subtle floral note to the spice blend.
• Cayenne: Cayenne pepper adds a serious kick, but because you are making the blend yourself you can use a little or a lot and control the level of heat.
• Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Red pepper flakes are a blend of ancho, bell, & cayenne peppers and add subtle heat to a dish. They pack less of a punch than cayenne pepper, but again, you can control the level of heat by adjusting the amount used.
• Salt: This Cajun Seasoning Recipe already has less sodium than store-bought blends. However, to significantly reduce the sodium even further, cut the salt in half or completely omit the salt if needed.

Recipe Modifications

By preparing your own homemade cajun spice blend, you can control the level of sodium and the level of heat to suit your needs and tastes.

• Like things spicy? Increase the cayenne pepper up to 2 teaspoons.
• Sensitive to spice? Omit the cayenne pepper for a more mild blend. I recommend still using the red pepper flakes for a bit of subtle heat.
• Watching sodium? Feel free to omit the salt completely from the spice blend for a flavorful, salt-free cajun seasoning blend.

How to Make Cajun Seasoning

It is as easy as measuring and mixing the spices. That's it! Talk about easy!!!

Storage Instructions

Store this homemade spice blend in an air-tight jar or container. You want to make sure you store your spice seasoning in a sealed container so that it will not absorb flavors from other spices in your spice cabinet. I find that a small glass canning jar works great if you don't have spice jars on hand.

Cajun seasoning will last up to 6 months, and while safe to consume after 6 months, it has the best flavor in that time frame. After 6 months, dried spices begin to lose their potency.

How to use Cajun Seasoning

This Homemade Cajun Seasoning is great to use to add flavor and spice to everything from chicken to pasta to rice to seafood.

• Add to Creamy Cajun Pasta for a spicy twist on a simple alfredo sauce.
• Instant Pot Jambalaya gets its signature flavor from this Cajun blend.
• Instant Pot Red Beans and Rice wouldn't be complete without a big scoop of Cajun Seasoning.
• Replace the salt in Sweet Potato Fries or Oven Fries with this Cajun Seasoning for a spicy kick of flavor.
• Add a teaspoon of this spice blend to a breakfast hash or breakfast air fryer potatoes for a spicy start to your day.
• Cajun seasoning blend also works well in stewed greens and as a rub for grilled meats.

More Homemade Spice Blends

• Homemade Taco Seasoning
• Homemade Ranch Seasoning
• Homemade Dry Onion Soup Mix
• Homemade Seasoned Salt
• Homemade Dill Seasoning
• Homemade Fajita Seasoning
• Homemade Jerk Seasoning

If you tried out this blend for Cajun Seasoning, I would love to hear from you! Leave a comment and review below!