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Blackened Seasoning
Master the art of homemade blackened seasoning with this DIY blend. With smoky paprika, aromatic spices, and just the right…
Master the art of homemade blackened seasoning with this DIY blend. With smoky paprika, aromatic spices, and just the right amount of heat, this versatile mix brings Cajun flavor to your kitchen in just 5 minutes.
Want to make blackened fish or shrimp? All you need is this homemade blackened seasoning! This Cajun-style spice blend features savory, spicy, and aromatic spices that make the most irresistible flavor.
Alex and I love making blackened salmon and blackened shrimp, and it all starts here. Here’s why to make this homemade blackened seasoning recipe:
- Perfect balance of heat and flavor
- Uses easy-to-find spices
- Versatile for seafood, meat, and vegetables
- Includes secret ingredients (like allspice and cloves!) for depth
- Stores well for up to a year
- More complex than basic Cajun seasoning
What is blackened seasoning?
Blackening is a style of cooking fish, meat and poultry in a cast iron skillet with spices until the outside is crispy and blackened. It’s a Cajun style technique that was popularized by a celebrity chef: Paul Prudhomme of Louisiana.
He created a recipe for blackened redfish in this 1980’s cookbook that took the world by storm. Since then, thousands of Cajun and Creole chefs have been influenced by his style of cooking.
Ingredients in this blackened seasoning
Every chef uses their own mix for blackened seasoning, so there’s no official definition. Most recipes have spices familiar to Cajun cuisine: paprika, garlic, onion, oregano, thyme, and of course, cayenne for the heat!
In this blend, we use a few unique ingredients to bring nuance to the flavor. Allspice and cloves aren’t in every blackened seasoning recipe (they’re not in Chef Paul Prudhomme’s original blackened redfish), but they add an incredible nuance in flavor. You can omit them if you don’t have them on hand, but it’s worth trying for the intriguing flavor. To make blackened seasoning, you’ll need:
- Smoked paprika or sweet paprika
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Oregano
- Celery seed
- Allspice
- Cloves
- Cayenne
- Salt and black pepper
Is it spicy?
This blackened seasoning is moderately spicy, with a hint of heat from both the cayenne and black pepper. If you want a really spicy mix, head to our Cajun seasoning.
Storing leftovers
You can store your homemade blackened seasoning mix in an airtight container for 6 months to 1 year. Of course, it’s best when it’s the freshest. Spices generally last in a cool, dry place for 8 months to 1 year. You can use this spice blend to add new life to spices that you’ve had for a while.
Ways to use blackened seasoning
Blackened seasoning is most commonly used with seafood, but you can use it for meat, poultry, or vegetables as well. Alex and I love it most on salmon and shrimp! Here are some ideas:
- Fish, like blackened salmon, blackened tilapia, or catfish
- Grilled shrimp or sautéed shrimp
- Chicken breasts or chicken thighs
- Grilled vegetables, especially grilled mushrooms and grilled corn
- Pan fried potatoes
- Roasted broccoli or roasted cauliflower
Dietary notes
This blackened seasoning recipe is vegetarian, gluten free, vegan, plant based, dairy free, naturally sweet, refined sugar free, low carb, and keto.
Frequently asked questions
While similar, blackened seasoning is typically less spicy and includes unique warming spices like allspice and cloves. Cajun seasoning usually packs more heat and focuses on traditional savory spices.
Yes! Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to make it milder or spicier. Start with less – you can always add more heat later.
Smoked paprika adds an authentic smoky depth that regular paprika can’t match. However, sweet paprika works if that’s what you have on hand.
While these spices add unique depth, you can skip them. However, they create an intriguing flavor that sets this blend apart from basic blackened seasonings.
Homemade Blackened Seasoning Recipe
Print RecipeMaster the art of homemade blackened seasoning with this DIY blend. With smoky paprika, aromatic spices, and just the right amount of heat, this versatile mix brings Cajun flavor to your kitchen in just 5 minutes.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: About 7 tablespoons
- Category: Seasoning
- Method: Mixed
- Cuisine: Cajun
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika or sweet paprika
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon celery seed
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- ¼ teaspoon cloves
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne
Instructions
- Whisk the ingredients together in a small bowl. Transfer to an airtight container or jar. Store for 6 months to 1 year in a cool, dry place.
More seasoning blends
Making DIY seasoning mixes at home is so easy! They taste incredible—much better than store-bought—and are fun gifts, too. Try all our seasoning blends:
- Mexican: Fajita Seasoning, Taco Seasoning, Fish Taco Seasoning
- Mediterranean: Greek Seasoning, Italian Seasoning, Herbes de Provence
- Cajun: Cajun Seasoning
- American: Old Bay Seasoning, Chili Seasoning, Everything Bagel Seasoning, Ranch Seasoning
- All Purpose: Seasoned Salt, Seafood Seasoning, Salmon Seasoning
