Save money when you make your own Cajun Spice Blend, featuring onion, garlic, thyme, oregano, and cayenne. It’s cheaper than the commercial blend and you can mix up just what you need instead of being stuck with extra.
Whether you’re making Easy Jambalaya for a Crowd or simply want to add some kick to Instant Pot Shredded Chicken, having a jar of this Cajun Seasoning Mix in the cupboard will speed things up and add plenty of flavor to your cooking.
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Ever purchased those pricey spice blends you buy at chichi food boutiques? They can cost an arm and a leg, yet we buy them because we don’t want to miss out on a special flavor extravaganza.
I hate to think how much money I spent on those, but I’ll redeem the loss by telling you how to save money by making your custom spice mixes, namely Cajun Spice Blend.
Why Make This
Cajun Spice Blend brings a powerhouse of flavor. You don’t need much to make a great dinner, just a protein, a veg, a carb and this Cajun seasoning. It’s just the right mix of spicy and savory to bring great flavor to your dishes.
It’s super versatile. This Cajun Seasoning Mix works in all kinds of dishes, like salads, pasta, burgers, meatloaf, and more. I stir it into soups, sauces, and gravies. Sprinkle it on potatoes and rice. Douse it in Cajun Chicken Salad.
Having your own Cajun Spice Blend will save time. I recommend making a double batch of this mix and stashing it in the cupboard for a quick burst of herbs and a little bit of heat. No need to measure, just shake to taste.
You’ll save money. When you make your own Cajun Seasoning Mix, you’ll save money mixing it yourself versus buying the commercial blend, but you’ll also be able to make just as much or as little as you want. No more tubs of spices in the cupboard that you won’t use!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make homemade Cajun Spice Blend:
You’ll need small amounts of each of these herbs and spices: garlic powder, coarse salt, paprika, dried thyme, black pepper, dried oregano, and ground cayenne pepper.
Variations: some Cajun seasoning blends also contain mustard and celery. If you’d like, feel free to add 1 teaspoon each dry mustard and celery seed.
Step-by-Step Instructions
It’s so easy to make your own homemade Cajun Seasoning Mix. Here’s what to do:
Combine all the herbs and spices in a small dish or container with a lid. Stir or shake to combine.
Store the Cajun Seasoning Mix in the pantry.
FAQs
Cajun seasonings will vary from mix to mix. Generally speaking, you can expect to have garlic, onion, and chiles, and black pepper.
The words spice and seasoning are often interchangeable. The slight difference is that seasonings will include herbs, while spices are typically those seasonings that aren’t herbaceous, like pepper, chiles, etc.
Cajun spice generally contains cayenne pepper, but it is not the same thing.
Recommended Uses
Use this Cajun Spice Blend in cooked meats, marinades, dressings, sauces, gravies, and vegetables. You can sprinkle it on popcorn or even in rimming the glass on a Bloody Mary or Michelada.
Cajun Spice Blend
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp coarse salt
- 2 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp ground cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Combine all the herbs and spices in a small container with a lid. Stir or shake to combine. Store the custom blend in the pantry.
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published June 1, 2015. It has been updated for content and clarity.
Jamie
PLEASE tell me you have a recipe for that pasta dish that’s pictured! I’m drooling all over my keyboard. LOL
Jessica Fisher
That is the Creamy Chicken Pasta with Bacon.
Mary Jo
If I want to use Real Salt instead of Kosher salt, how much would I use?
Jessica Fisher
This conversion chart should help: http://www.mortonsalt.com/article/salt-conversion-chart/
Jennifer
So glad you posted this. I keep seeing recipes that call for cajun seasoning, but they are SO SPICY. I like spicy, but I must be looking at the wrong things at the store. We are doing a slow cooker jambalaya this weekend, and this will be perfect!
Jessica Fisher
True. This is a little mellower than commercial blends. Good point.
Maria
I LOVE Cajun food and I have been experimenting with different recipes. Thank you for this post, very helpful!
LeesaB
Oh my goodness, that pasta dish looks tasty. What’s your go-go cream sauce recipe?
Jessica Fisher
Usually just cream and butter. Haha!