This DIY Cajun Spice Mix is spicy, savory, and comes together in just 5 minutes using pantry staples. Use it for steaks, marinades, soups, or stir-fries, this versatile seasoning will amp up the flavors big time (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
If you want to try your hands on a few more homemade spices, then here are some more for you – Cumin Powder, Dry Mint Powder, Kerala Garam Masala, Tikka Masala Powder, Homemade Chaat Masala, Dabeli Masala, and Sandwich Masala.
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About This Recipe
Cajun Spice Mix is a vegan and gluten-free spice mix that is made with a blend of 7 different spice powders. It’s spicy, savory, zesty, and comes together in under 5 minutes using basic ingredients.
This flavorful homemade cajun seasoning comes in quite handy to make a variety of dishes and perking them up in no time. This versatile seasoning keeps good for a long time too.
Cajun Spice Mix hails from Louisiana, the home of cajun cuisine, and it adds a Southern touch to anything it’s added to. Each household has its own proportion to make this spicy blend and today I am sharing the recipe that I have been using for years.
So get going and make yourself a batch now!
Why Make Cajun Seasoning At Home
Cajun seasoning is easily available in the market these days but I still prefer to make it at home. Here are some of the reasons.
- It is very customizable. By making it at home, you can control the amount of salt and chili that goes into it. If you like spicy food, increase the amount of cayenne pepper and if you like mild, then decrease the quantity. The quantity of salt can also be controlled when made at home.
- The homemade version is free of any preservatives, colors, and chemicals.
- Making it at home is much economical. You can make a double or triple batch at the price of one.
Ingredients
Cajun Spice mix uses 7 different spice powders – garlic powder, onion powder, salt, freshly cracked black pepper, dry oregano, dry thyme, cayenne powder, and paprika powder.
You can adjust the quantity of these spice powders according to your taste. If you like it to be spicy, you can increase the amount of cayenne powder and paprika powder.
How To Make Cajun Spice Mix
Add 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper, 2 teaspoon dried oregano, 2 teaspoon dried thyme, 2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 2 tablespoon smoked paprika into a small mixing bowl.
Mix everything well and store it in a glass jar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cajun and creole seasoning are two very different seasonings from two very different cuisines. They might be similar in the use of some ingredients but cajun seasoning is a spicy seasoning and if you like your food spicy, go for it.
Creole seasoning on the other hand use more herbs and a little bit of paprika. So if you like your food more seasoned, it is your choice of spice mix. You can read more about these two here.
The base of these two seasonings is the same and they just differ in the proportion of spices used. While the cajun seasoning is towards the hotter side, the blackened seasoning falls right in the middle with creole seasoning being the milder one.
Yes, as it uses both cayenne powder and paprika powder, it is indeed spicy. But you can always decrease the quantity of cayenne and paprika powder to make it less spicy.
Usage Ideas
This is a very versatile DIY spice mix. Here are some of the ideas where you can use this homemade Seasoning:
I love to marinate my meat in this spice mix and also sprinkle a little while grilling fish. Grilled Cajun Chicken is one of my favorite ways to include chicken in my diet.
It is a must-add spice in dishes like Gumbo, Jambalaya, and other Louisiana-style dishes.
You can add it to Greek yogurt or mayonnaise and a quick dip is ready to serve with nachos.
Sprinkle cajun powder over your salads for a spicy kick.
This seasoning tastes delicious in pasta as well. Make a white sauce and sprinkle generously with this seasoning for a perked-up taste.
Add it to your soup, stews, or curries.
A popular barbeque chain in India, Barbeque Nation makes amazing Cajun Potatoes where potatoes are roasted with a sprinkle of this seasoning and then coated in a delicious Mayonnaise-based sauce.
Cajun Seasoned Fries are a rage these days and every place is serving them. It’s nothing but plain fries tossed with cajun spices as soon as they are out of the oil. This makes sure the spice is nicely coated all over the fries and does not fall off.
Be creative and use the spice mix to spice up the omelets or even curries.
Storage Suggestions
Cajun spice mix can be stored in an air-tight container for about 6 months at room temperature if stored properly. Always use a clean and dry spoon to take out the spice mix from the container. Also makes sure you put on the lid tightly after every use.
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Recipe Card
Cajun Spice Mix Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 teaspoon dry oregano
- 2 teaspoon dry thyme
- 2 teaspoon cayenne powder
- 2 teaspoon paprika powder
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients into a small mixing bowl.
- Mix everything well and store in a glass jar.
- Use as desired.
