Blackened Seasoning Recipe (5 Minutes!)

Name: Blackened Seasoning Recipe (5 Minutes!)
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 4 tsp Sea salt; 1 1/2 tbsp Sweet paprika; 1 1/2 tbsp Smoked paprika; 2 tsp Onion powder; 2 tsp Garlic powder; 1/2 tbsp Crushed red pepper flakes; 1 tsp Black pepper; 1 tsp Cayenne pepper; 1/2 tsp Dried thyme; 1/2 tsp Dried oregano

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Learn how to make blackened seasoning in just 5 minutes! Blackened seasoning recipes are popular in Cajun and Creole cuisine. Similar to Cajun seasoning, this homemade blackening seasoning recipe uses combination of spices that work together to create a flavorful, slightly spicy rub that is perfect for seasoning grilled recipes.

The intense flavor of this seasoning pairs well with the savory taste of grilled steak, any fish recipe, or chicken, and the spices help to create a crispy, charred crust. You can even add it to kale chips to give them a spicy flavor. With so many uses, you’ll want to make this blend a staple in your kitchen.

What Is Blackened Seasoning?

Blackened seasoning is a popular spice blend used for flavoring fish, chicken, steak, and other meats in Cajun and Creole cuisine. It commonly includes paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, and oregano. Blackened recipes often combine this mix with melted butter or oil, which helps to create a dark, flavorful crust on meats after cooking. This is how the seasoning gets its name.

Why You’ll Love This Blackening Seasoning Recipe

Smoky, spicy flavor
Simple ingredients
5 minutes prep
Variety of uses
Naturally gluten-free
Easy to store for a long time

Blackened seasoning in a container with a spoon.

What is in Blackened Seasoning?

This section explains how to choose the best blackened seasoning ingredients, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

Sea Salt – Using salt seasons the meat, makes it more tender, and helps it retain its own juices. Some blackened seasoning recipes don’t have salt and add it separately, but I like it included for convenience. This way you always get the perfect amount of salt.
Paprika – You will need both sweet paprika and smoked paprika. The sweet variety tones down the heat, while the smoked one adds a subtle smokiness to meats and vegetables. However, you could use just one or the other if you only have one of them.
Dried Herbs – Including dried thyme and dried oregano.
Aromatics – Including onion powder and garlic powder.
Heat – You’ll need crushed red pepper flakes, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.

Blackening seasoning recipe ingredients measured out.

How To Make Homemade Blackened Seasoning

Whisk all the blackening spice ingredients together in a small bowl, then place in an airtight container or small glass jar.

What is the Difference Between Blackened and Cajun Seasoning?

Blackened seasoning is usually darker in color than Cajun seasoning, is a little more spicy (with higher amounts of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes), and contains smoked paprika, which gives it a deeper flavor. When it comes to cooking, blackening spices typically flavor meat that will be cooked over high heat, often in a cast iron skillet or on the grill, giving it a charred crust. Cajun is more versatile and is used in a variety of dishes.

Storage Instructions

Store homemade blackening seasoning blend in an airtight container, such as spice jars, small multi purpose jars, or a pantry spice organizer in a dry place like the pantry. This spice mix will last 1-2 years, but is best within a year for the best flavor.

What Is Blackened Seasoning Used For?

If you’ve ever eaten out at a Cajun or Creole restaurant, then you’ve probably tasted blackened seasoning. This unique blend of spices gives dishes like jambalaya and gumbo their characteristic flavor. Here are some other ways to use it:

Chicken – The perfect example of using blackening seasoning is for chicken. In fact, this blackened chicken recipe uses this exact mix of spices. But, you could also use it on whole chicken wings, grilled chicken kabobs, or even baked chicken for the same flavors.
Seafood – I also use this same spice blend for my blackened salmon recipe. But, this spice blend also adds a smoky charred flavor to grilled shrimp, makes a perfect seasoning swap in jerk salmon, and can replace the spices in Cajun grilled cod. It’s a particularly excellent blackened fish seasoning.
Grilled Steak – Use this seasoning blend before you grill up your chuck eye steak, juicy grilled steak, or use it on air fryer filet mignon.
Vegetables – For spicy, smoky veggies, sprinkle on grilled asparagus, crispy grilled broccoli, or roasted zucchini with a bit of this seasoning blend.

More Spicy Homemade Seasonings

If you like homemade spice blends, try these other spice mixes you can make in just a few minutes:

Taco seasoning recipe in a jar with a measuring spoon.

Recommended Tools

Small Airtight Jars – These jars are the perfect size for storing all your homemade seasonings and spices.

Blackened Seasoning Recipe

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5 Comments

Gina
0 March 28, 2023Reply

Love using blackening seasoning on fish and meat all the time for big flavor that’s not complicated. So much cheaper to make my own with this recipe!
Rose
0 March 27, 2023Reply

I enjoyed making this blackened seasoning recipe! So good!
Michelle
0 March 27, 2023Reply

The perfect seasoning! I used it on some fish tonight and it was super flavorful! Thank you!
Sharon
0 March 27, 2023Reply

This was a really tasty blend! I loved the sweet/smoky/spicy flavors. We used it on kale chips and munched them all up. Thanks!
Addison
0 March 27, 2023Reply

This blackened seasoning was so good on chicken! Loved the hearty flavor for salmon too.