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Home · Recipes · Cajun and Creole · Homemade Blackened Seasoning Recipe

Published: Feb 12, 2020 by Kelly Anthony · 12 CommentsThis post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

Homemade Blackened Seasoning Recipe

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Ready the cast iron skillets and get the oil hot--the Cajun classic, Blackened Seasoning, is exceptionally easy to make at home and you'll want to put it to work immediately. You can use this mix for any recipe that calls for Blackening, Cajun, or Creole seasoning!

You likely already have all the ingredients in your spice cabinet to supply your dinner with that signature smoky, savory vibe only Cajun seasoning can add. It comes together with a simple blend of chili powders, dried herbs, and spices, and it's perfect for blackening absolutely everything; from fish to chicken to shrimp to veggies!

A bowl of blackened seasoning (also known as Cajun seasoning).

WHAT IS BLACKENING SEASONING?

Blackening Seasoning was originally meant for fish; however, it has come to cover so much more than that. It's spicy and smoky and adds a great deal of flavor to any type of protein it comes into contact with.

The spice mix most commonly consists of paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, thyme, onion powder, oregano, and cayenne pepper. It is the amount of red spice in the blend that gives blackened food its deep, dark coloring. We use many of these spices in our chicken seasoning and seafood seasoning, but it does not take on the color of blackened seasoning.

THE INVENTION OF CHEF PAUL PRUDHOMME

Blackened Seasoning was the invention of the famous Cajun chef, Paul Prudhomme, and he first used it on redfish. Chef Prudhomme would dip the filets in butter, dust them with his magical mix of spices, sear them in a screaming hot, cast-iron skillet, and serve it up at his restaurant K-Paul's in New Orleans, Louisianna. The crowd went so wild that the population of redfish in the Gulf actually became a threatened species!

Chef Prudhomme began selling his mix commercially in 1982, and it is his face you'll find on jars of Magic Seasoning BlendⓇ sold in all 50 states and a whopping 37 countries.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CAJUN AND BLACKENED SEASONING?

There is no difference between the two. Blackened Seasoning is the product of a Cajun restauranteur and is considered (and promoted as) a Cajun spice.

Speaking of Cajun, try our Cajun Jambalaya Pasta or Dirty Rice next!

WHAT TO USE BLACKENED SEASONING FOR

Blackened shrimp in a pan.

You can use this smoky mix of dried chilis, herbs, and spices on just about anything. As mentioned above, it was originally meant for fish (specifically, redfish) but is now very popular for applying to chicken breasts, shrimp, salmon, and even steak.

You could also sprinkle Blackened Seasoning over vegetables if you'd like!

WHAT'S IN BLACKENED SEASONING MIX?

All of the different spices you would see in blackened seasoning laid out separately on a plate.

Blackened Seasoning is a mix of chili powders, dried herbs, and spices. Within the mix, some of the powders are smoky, some herbaceous, and some even a bit spicy, but in combination with one another, all of them abundantly flavorful!

THE MIX FOR BLACKENED SEASONING IS:

  • Smoked Paprika (you could also use regular paprika)
  • Garlic Powder
  • Kosher Salt
  • Black Pepper
  • Dried Thyme
  • Onion Powder
  • Dried Oregano
  • Cayenne

This particular mix uses only a small amount of cayenne. If you'd like it hotter, add a little more. If you're worried about the heat level of cayenne pepper altogether, you may sub in black pepper instead.

HOW TO MAKE BLACKENED SEASONING

An overhead shot of blackened chicken breasts in a casserole dish.

To make Blackened Seasoning, simply add paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, thyme, onion powder, oregano, and cayenne pepper to an airtight container, seal and shake. Store your spice mix at room temperature.

If you want to elevate this spice blend a tad, check out our prime rib seasoning for a tip! Or save our meatloaf seasoning recipe to have on hand, too.

HOW TO USE BLACKENED SEASONING

You can use this Blackened Seasoning Recipe for any recipe that calls for Blackening, Cajun, or Creole spice mix.

If you aren't working from any particular recipe, keep the following instruction and increments in mind when seasoning the following popular proteins in mind:

Pat your protein dry, drizzle with oil of choice, sprinkle over the indicated amount of seasoning (see below) and rub to adhere.

  • 2 ½ teaspoons per chicken breast for Blackened Chicken
  • 1 generous tablespoon for every 1 lb of shrimp for Blackened Shrimp
  • 1 ½ teaspoons per filet for Blackened Fish

A closeup shot of blackened seasoning.

HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?

The best way to determine how long your homemade mix will last is to check the expiration dates of the ingredients going into it! Because this is just a mix of dry spices and herbs, combining them should have no negative effect on their longevity.

The only exceptions being if the mix somehow gets moisture into it or is contaminated in any way; in which case, it should be discarded immediately.

Keep the mix sealed, in an airtight container at room temperature in a cabinet, drawer, or the pantry.

6 MORE LOUISIANA RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE

  • Cajun Rice
  • Shrimp Etouffée
  • Crawfish Pie
  • Crawfish Etouffée
  • Cajun Chicken Alfredo Pasta
  • Cajun Shrimp Pasta
A closeup shot of blackened seasoning.
Print Recipe
4.25 from 24 votes

Blackened Seasoning

Smoky, savory Blackened Seasoning is easy to make at home. Use this Cajun mix for any recipe that calls for Blackening, Cajun, or Creole seasoning!
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Total Time5 minutes mins
Course: Seasoning, Spice
Cuisine: Cajun, Creole
Keyword: Blackened Seasoning
Servings: 25
Calories: 5kcal
Author: Kelly Anthony

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
  • 2 tablespoons garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

  • Add all of the spices to an airtight container. Seal and shake. Store at room temperature.

Notes

Makes about ⅔ cup of Blackened Seasoning.
 
You can use this Blackened Seasoning Recipe for any recipe that calls for Blackening, Cajun, or Creole spice mix.
If you're seasoning without a recipe, use:
  • 2 ½ teaspoons per chicken breast for Blackened Chicken
  • 1 generous tablespoon for every 1 lb of shrimp for Blackened Shrimp
  • 1 ½ teaspoons per filet for Blackened Fish

Nutrition

Calories: 5kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 559mg | Potassium: 24mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 296IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg

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Comments

  1. Denise Mouton Ferguson says

    February 15, 2020 at 2:24 am

    Thanks so much for sharing the recipe Kelly! How long will the seasoning mix store in an air tight container in my cabinet? Is keeping it in the freezer a no-no?

    Reply
    • Kelly Anthony says

      February 15, 2020 at 5:35 pm

      Hi Denise! Great question 🙂 The best way to determine how long your homemade mix will last is to check the expiration dates of the ingredients going into it! Because this is just a mix of dry spices and herbs, combining them should have no negative effect on their longevity. The only exceptions being if the mix somehow gets moisture into it or is contaminated in any way; in which case, it should be discarded of immediately.

      Keep the mix sealed, in an airtight container at room temperature in a cabinet, drawer, or the pantry.

      Reply
  2. Beth says

    March 19, 2020 at 3:58 pm

    This recipe is so handy to have around! I will use it all the time! Smoked paprika is my favorite spice right now!

    Reply
  3. Lisalia says

    March 19, 2020 at 4:00 pm

    Have all ingredients on hand. Great way to shake things up with the chicken we're serving for dinner tonight! Thanks for this easy recipe!

    Reply
  4. Sisley White says

    April 01, 2020 at 7:44 pm

    I didn't know what was it blackened seasoning but seeing how simple it is I will have to make it at home.

    Reply
  5. Jessica Formicola says

    April 01, 2020 at 7:50 pm

    Blackened tilapia is my favorite, so I can't wait to try making this seasoning at home! Thanks so much for sharing!

    Reply
  6. Anita says

    April 01, 2020 at 8:18 pm

    I never knew it's this easy to prepare my own blackened seasoning. We'll be having some blackened fish tonight. 🙂

    Reply
  7. Ashley says

    April 01, 2020 at 8:21 pm

    Yum!! I love blackening seasoning, thanks for sharing how to make it at home.

    Reply
  8. Priya Lakshminarayan says

    April 01, 2020 at 9:19 pm

    Love making my own spice mixes! It tastes so much better than the store bought ones

    Reply
  9. Glen says

    November 21, 2020 at 10:27 pm

    So, lots of good intentions, which is to say plans to eat this spice mix. Five stars across the board! Did anyone try it? And if so, how was it?

    Reply
  10. Seth Rader says

    January 06, 2021 at 7:40 am

    Thanks for the recipe. I used it tonight with tilapia. I have everything on hand except for Cayenne so I substituted it with chipotle powder so yummy.

    Reply
    • Kelly Anthony says

      January 09, 2021 at 4:21 pm

      Thank you, Seth! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂

      Reply
4.25 from 24 votes (16 ratings without comment)

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I’m Kelly Anthony — a baker, home chef, and mom with a passion for food and an adoration for entertaining.

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