Homemade Creole Seasoning Recipe
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Our Creole Seasoning recipe makes a great dry rub, marinade, or extra seasoning any time you want to bump up the intensity of your food. Making your own homemade seasoning blend gives you so much control over the flavors of your dish!
I was recently working on my recipe for Jambalaya and while it was amazing I knew it could be better with my own blend of spices. Once you see how easy it is to make your own seasoning blends, you won’t want to use store-bought packets anymore. We’ll show you how to mix your own with this easy recipe.
What’s to Love about our Homemade Creole Seasoning Recipe
You’ll love how inexpensive it is to make your own seasoning blends. Plus, all the spices will be fresh and flavorful! You can control the amount of salt in your seasoning, and the amount of heat in your seasoning without sacrificing any flavor. And, you’ll appreciate the versatility of being able to adapt the amounts of specific spices to your taste.
I’ve been deep-diving into Louisiana recipes lately. Just thinking about it has me tapping my toes to a little New Orleans Jazz and craving Creole cuisine. I’m not going to even pretend that I have any southern roots or claim to have any authentic Cajun or Creole recipes. What I do have is a powerful craving for the food we enjoyed while visiting New Orleans and the surrounding areas and a drive to replicate that amazing food at home.
What is Creole Seasoning?
According to Wikipedia, Creole cuisine is a combination of “West African, French, Spanish, and Native American cultures, as well as from the general cuisine of the Southern United States.” It originated in Louisiana. Creole seasoning is a blend of herbs and spices related to these various cuisines and will almost certainly include paprika, garlic powder, thyme, and oregano as staples. Other ingredients for the blend will vary from one kitchen to the next, and usually includes something that bumps up the heat.
What’s the difference between Cajun vs Creole and their seasoning?
There is so much information regarding the differences between Cajun and Creole. I found some great information on LouisianaTravel.com. Cajun seasoning relies more on peppers and spice while Creole seasoning use more herbs. There are some crossovers but it’s said to truly know the difference is to know the people. When I put my mix together I used the best of both cultures and it could be called a Cajun-Creole Spice Blend.
Ingredients for Creole Seasoning to Highlight
- Paprika. I used smoked paprika because we love that smoky flavor, but regular paprika will also work.
- Cayenne Pepper. This is what delivers the heat. You can increase or decrease this ingredient according to your family’s preferences.
- White Pepper. The main difference between this and black pepper is that white pepper is picked when ripe. It is soaked to ferment, and then the outer layer is removed. White pepper is milder, so you can use more of it for flavor. This way, it won’t make the dish too hot.
How to Make Homemade Creole Seasoning
It’s very easy! Just combine all of the ingredients together! I like to put it in a bowl and use a whisk, or put it all in a big mason jar and then shake it up until it is thoroughly blended. There really is no wrong way to do this! All you need is to get it mixed well.
Hostess Tips
Use fresh spices. Replace your jars of spice every six months or when you can no longer smell their aroma. Store them in a cool, dry location away from the heat of your cooktop. Check expiration dates.
Use a quality container. Make sure you have an airtight seal on your spice jar. Glass works better than plastic for preserving the freshness of your spices. Avoid exposure to light or moisture.
How do you Use This Creole Seasoning Recipe?
I created this spice blend to use in my jambalaya, and it definitely works well for dishes such as gumbo. It’s also an easy way to bump up the flavor of Soup, Stew, or Chowder. It can be used as a dry rub or seasoning blend for chicken, fish, shrimp or seafood, beef, pork, or tofu. It’s delicious on potatoes (diced potatoes, fried potatoes, French fries, etc.), roasted veggies (broccoli, asparagus, green beans), or mixed with dressing for a salad. I like to make a pasta version of jambalaya in my Instant Pot — pasta, broth, chicken, shrimp, and veggies with this seasoning cooked for nine minutes on high pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does creole seasoning taste like?
Creole Seasoning is a deeply flavorful blend of herbs and spices that add a spicy savory flavor to anything you use it on or in. Also, the color can vary according to the ingredients that you use.
Is creole seasoning mix spicy?
Not always. Creole cooking is more focused on herbs than spice. Our recipe is a hybrid of the two (Cajun and Creole) and includes cayenne pepper. If you want to vary the heat level, you can increase or decrease this ingredient, or add hot sauce, ancho chili powder, or red pepper flakes to your dish.
How to Store Homemade Creole Seasoning Recipe
Make sure to keep the spice mixture in an airtight container. A plastic zipper bag is not sufficient to keep the spices fresh. A Mason jar or spice jar with a good lid will work well. You can also use plastic containers, though this does come with a risk of plastic “taste” or smell getting into your seasoning.
Some of My Favorite Seasonings Blend Recipes
This Homemade Blackened Seasoning is perfect on grilled fish or pork. Our Taco Seasoning Recipe will make up the perfect taco, chicken salad, or tortilla soup using this blend. We slather Dry Spice Rub on a rack of ribs or chops and use it as a marinade or dry rub.
You’ll also love these Creole Recipes
Our Slow Cooker Cajun Jambalaya Recipe makes it easy to plan ahead and have a hot meal ready after a long day. This simple Chicken Shrimp Sausage Gumbo is one of our favorites. If you want to be a little more fancy, make this Duck and Shrimp Gumbo.
I hope you enjoyed this delicious recipe as much as we do. Drop me a comment below, and don’t forget to give it a star rating. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. Your comments and ratings help others decide if this recipe is for them too.
Creole Spice Blend
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp cumin
- 5 tbsp paprika I used smoked. Any will work
- 2 tbsp onion powder
- 2 tbsp garlic powder
- 3 tbsp salt Kosher
- 1 tbsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp white pepper
- 2 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tbsp dried thyme
- 2 tbsp dried basil
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients together. Store cool area in air-tight containers
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
This recipe was calculated using the exact brands and measurements I used to make this recipe. If you are following a strict diet please note changing anything will cause the nutritional info to change. My calculations are intended as a guide only.
Do you have Cajun or Creole roots? What is your favorite Creole food or Cajun food recipe? Please let me know in the comments if you try it and what you think! I love hearing how my recipes turn out in your kitchens.
Did you enjoy this recipe? Don’t forget to pin it for later and follow me on Pinterest for more delicious recipes like this one!
This Creole Seasoning recipe was first published on March 2, 2019. It has been updated to make it better for our readers. No changes were made to the actual recipe.
So delicious! I’ll never buy Creole seasoning again. It’s hard to find one that’s not loaded with salt. It’s so good I want to put it on everything! I made it for gumbo but I’ve already been imagining it on fries and popcorn.
Thank you! I love the idea of adding it to fries too!
I love homemade seasonings!!! This creole is something I can’t wait to make!
Thank you Deanna!
I don’t know, this looks pretty authentic to me!! Loving this big bowl of deliciousness!
Thank you Deb! We put that seasoning mix on so many things!
Homemade seasoning blends are SOOO much better than store-bought!!!!! My mouth is watering right now! I am making this ASAP!!!!
Thank you, Brandi!
Oh man, I am alll over this Creole spice blend! Who knew I always have all of the ingredients just laying around for the perfect Creole flavor?! I’m surprised, actually, but even more excited about how good this will be on EVERYTHING. Thanks for the recipes 🙂
Thank you, Traci! It’s really yummy on so many things!
I’m with you….I want to know what’s going into my spice mix. AND, I prefer to make it myself to cater towards my own tastes. Creole/Cajun….either label is OK with me, but this flavor combo you’ve put together is super tasty, (I put it on white fish with some olive oil and baked it) I’m going to stick with it.
Thank you Debra! That would be so good on fish!
I’m kind of obsessed with making my own spice blends, but I’ve never tried creole seasoning before! I didn’t know there was a difference between creole and cajun either. This is a must make for sure!
Thank you, Trish!
I love this spice blend! I never realized just how much better homemade spice blends could be until I started making them myself. I’ll sacrifice the convenience (and cost!) of buying specific blends for the few moments it takes to measure and mix my own any day. This is so so flavorful and I LOVE it with shrimp!
Thank you, Dana! It would be amazing on shrimp!
This is a fantastic blend of spices! I can’t wait to make it myself!
Thank you, Lisa!
Homemade seasoning is so much better than store bought. First of all, there is no added ingredients that you have to be a chemist to understand. And second, you can whip up what you need any ole time. We do quite a bit of Cajun and Creole dishes — we love the spice and the flavors. There are so many dishes out there that we’ve yet to try. Your seasoning would do well with any of the dishes.
Thank you, Marisa! I’ve really learned a lot about it too!
this seasoning is so easy to make… it worked great on top of a simple baked potato too! (I know, a weird combo, but it was delicious!) Thanks!
I would love that too, Michele! Thank you!
There are so many dishes I can make using this combination of spices. Now to decide which one to make first.
Thanks Jennifer!
I love making my own blends and this one tastes amazing!!
Thank you Kylee!
Homemade spice blends are so much better than any store bought seasoning. Thanks for the explanation between Cajun and Creole. Whipping up a batch right now to add to my collection. Thank you!
Thank you Sandra!
This seasoning will be perfect on everything from shrimp to pasta. Oh, maybe even in butter to spread on some freshly baked bread!
Thank you! Putting it in butter would be fantastic!
Yum! Just in time for Mardi Gras! I’ve been looking for something to inspire me to make a Creole-inspired meal, and this seasoning is just the thing. I think I’m going to use it as a rub on some chicken thighs and serve them alongside some Andouille sausage and Brussels sprouts.
Thank you Daniela! We are definitely on the same page for our spices!
I agree 100% — I want to know what’s in my spice blends, plus it makes it easier to add more heat (or less) depending on tastes. I’ve been on a Cajun and Creole kick lately — jambalaya and gumbo… I think your spice blend is exactly what I need to use as a base for my next pot of soup – plus more to sprinkle on top! It’s like a trip to New Orleans without the airfare!
Thank you Lisa! We’ve been really enjoying this blend in our soups and so many other dishes!
Making your own spice blends is such a great idea. You can customize it just the way you like. Certainly more economical than store bought. Makes a great food gift too.
Thank you, Gloria! I think they would make the best gift ideas!
Oh I can think of so many things to use this on. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Carrie! We used it as a dry rub on chicken last night!
Thank you for the great recipe and information. I knew Cajun but I have never heard anything about Creole. I am going to use Creole seasoning from now on.
Thank you Shih!
Such vibrant colors in that Creole spice mix, Julie. It looks like you and Sandhya had “creole” on your minds last week. Well I guess it’s only natural to come up with the flavors from the south during this month eh? I will have to try out your creole seasoning, love the flavors.
Thank you, Loretta! Sandhya and I must both be creole or cajun right now in celebration of Mardi Gras? Can’t let a reason for celebrating go by you know!
Fantastic blend of spices ! I agree it’s always better to make your own instead of a mystery jar.
Thank you, Brandi!
I totally agree with you on making your own homemade splice bends Julie! Saves money and I know what’s in it. I LOVE creole cuisine too, but haven’t made my own spice blend before. So thank you so much for sharing, this sounds great and really simple too!
Thank you, Dini!