Spice it up with Homemade Blackened Seasoning Recipe

A flavorful and versatile homemade blackened seasoning recipe that adds a spicy kick to any dish. Perfect for seasoning meats, seafood, vegetables, and more. Customize the heat level by adjusting the amount of cayenne pepper used.

This recipe has been updated to improve our readers experience. No changes were made to the recipe.

Elevate your meals with a homemade blackened seasoning blend that adds a perfect blend of smoky, spicy, and savory flavors to your dishes. This versatile seasoning mix is easy to make and perfect for adding a bold kick to your favorite recipe. Learn how to make your own batch of blackened seasoning and take your cooking to the next level.

Why do people make their own spice blends? You can find about any blend of spices already put together and conveniently bottled at the grocery store right?

Have you ever been to New Orleans? The city has something for everyone and we just fell in love with the people and their culture.

They have some amazing restaurants by some famous chefs that we got to try. One very memorable dish was fish with a deep spicy crusty char covered in a lemon butter sauce.

HOMEMADE BLACKENED SEASONING

As a result, we’ve been using a lot of blackening spices. It’s our go-to flavor for grilled fish and shrimp as well as some of those Cajun and Creole dishes.

You can find a dozen different kinds of Blackened Seasoning Brands. I know because I’ve bought several.

They were either so hot that it’s the only thing I could taste or so salty that you balloon up after eating it.

We kept experimenting with creating our own. It wasn’t easy finding a blackened seasoning recipe that we both liked until we landed this winner!

It has a lot less black pepper and salt than what you’ll find in some commercial blends and tons of fresh clean blackening flavor.

What kind of seasoning is blackening spice?

Blackening seasoning is associated with Cajun or Creole cooking.

It’s said that it was made popular in New Orleans Louisiana by the late Chef Paul Prudhomme. He was known for dipping food in melted butter and then dredging it in seasonings.

The food was generally fried in a cast iron pan which gives it that charred, black crusty appearance.

This blackened seasoning recipe is a blend of herbs and spices. The red appearance is the result of paprika and cayenne. Blackening spice mix has flavor as well as a spicy kick.

Why should I make my own seasoning?

• You can control the ingredients. A lot of commercial brands include preservatives and anti-clumping ingredients and can have a large amount of sodium. John loves a lot of heat so I can adjust the ingredients just for him (think flame thrower). I like mine milder (wimp comes to mind).
  • To add heat add more ground cayenne pepper, not chili powder which will change the flavor.
• You know exactly how fresh your seasoning is.
• You can make it up ahead of time or as you need it.
• Making your own spice blends are less expensive and use spices that you probably already have in your pantry. Besides this amazing recipe for blackening seasoning, check out our Creole Seasoning, Taco Seasoning, and our Spice Rub Recipe
• It doesn’t matter what cooking process you use, homemade blackened seasoning can be used.

You May Need:

• Spice Bottles – I keep these small glass jars on hand and put dried herbs and spices in them.
• Spice Bottle Organizer – I always know exactly what’s on hand and what needs to be replaced. That makes me very happy!

Blackened seasoning Ingredients

There are no standard blackening seasoning recipes. These are the ingredients I use. Note that they are all dried and not fresh so they will last a long time in your spice cabinet.

• Regular Paprika. Hungarian paprika is a sweet paprika versus smoked paprika.
• Salt
• Ground black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Cayenne pepper
• Onion powder
• Dried oregano
• Thyme
• Cumin

You don’t need any instructions on how to make blackened seasoning. Just combine all of the ingredients and whisk them together. It doesn’t hurt to shake it up before you use it in case some of the ingredients settle in the jar.

How do I use Blackening seasoning?

Regardless of the cooking technique, you can flavor your favorite foods with homemade blackened seasoning. 

• Dip food in butter or olive oil and then coat heavily with the blackened seasoning. Food can be fried or grilled. Don’t move the food in the hot skillet until it develops a coating from the spice. Using a hot pan will keep that coating adhered to the food.
• Spray food with cooking oil so the blackening seasoning will stick to it. If food is on a baking rack there is no need to turn it.
• Use blackening seasoning in salad dressings, marinades, soups, and stews such as gumbo.
• Adding spice blends to vegetables, rice, pasta, and sauces is a great way to add bold flavors without calories.
• This homemade spice seasoning will turn plain chicken or ground beef into a memorable meal.
• You can add oil to your spice mix and use it as a marinade or lightly spray or rub your meat with oil and use it as a dry spice rub.

TIPS:

• Store spices in airtight containers and label the jar. Store in a cool area out of direct sunlight.
• You know your spices are fresh if you remove the lid and can smell them. Once spices lose their aroma, they lose their flavor.
• Any time you cook food with a spicy seasoning, make sure you do it in a ventilated area. The strong spicy aroma can affect your breathing.

Blackening Seasoning Variations

This is a versatile seasoning recipe. If there is a flavor that you dislike, leave it out. The same is said with a seasoning flavor you do like. Don’t be afraid to add more or less of what I use.

Spice it up! We like a sweet and spicy combination. If we use a sweet rub or marinade that contains brown sugar, we’ll add extra heat. Extra cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes are my favorites to make a spicier blend.

If you’re looking for a zesty flavor, lemon pepper, Italian seasoning, or even dried basil.

 Here are some great dishes that are just begging for this great Blackened Seasoning Recipe!

• Baked Blackened Shrimp Recipe
• Blackened Shrimp & Crisp Chilled Cucumbers
• Baked Blackened Salmon
• Blackened Fish Tacos
• Chicken Fajitas

In conclusion, adding homemade blackened seasoning to your dishes is an easy and flavorful way to elevate your cooking game. With a blend of spices and herbs tailored to your taste, you can achieve the perfect balance of heat and flavor in every dish. So go ahead and give it a try, and enjoy the delicious results!

If you tried this delicious recipe, don’t forget to rate it and leave me a comment telling me what you think. I love hearing from you!

Want more delicious recipes? Follow Hostess At Heart on Pinterest!