Homemade Blackened Seasoning Blend recipe is a delicious mix of herbs and spices. Blackening Seasoning has a great flavor followed by a spicy kick.
Homemade Blackened Seasoning Blend recipe will be the last recipe you try before you make it your own. 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?
HOMEMADE BLACKENED SEASONING
If you’ve never visited New Orleans you’ve really got to do it. I heard stories of all the craziness long before we made our first trip to the Mardi Gras capital of the world and to tell you the truth I was a little nervous about going. I’d heard a lot about the antics and didn’t know if I would make a fool of myself reviving my crazy ways or what.
As it turns out the city has something for everyone and we just fell in love with the people and their culture. We went to some amazing restaurants and ate some dishes that I didn’t have a lot of experience with. One of those dishes was fish with this deep dark spicy crust covered in a lemon butter sauce. I’m sure my veins are clogging just thinking about it. I may have licked the plate (guilty not guilty).
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.
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 what you usually have on hand.
What are the ingredients in blackening seasoning?
There are no standard blackening seasoning recipes. These are the ingredients I use and please note that they are all dried and not fresh.
- Paprika
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Cayenne pepper
- Onion powder
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Cumin
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How do I use Blackening seasoning?
- Dip food in butter or oil and then coated heavily with the blackened seasoning. Food can be fried or grilled. Don’t move the food in the pan until it develops a coating from the spice. This 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 soups and stews such as gumbo.
- Add seasoning to vegetables, rice, pasta, and sauces.
- 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.
- 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.
You May Need:
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- SimpleHouseware 12 Square Spice Bottles w/label Set – I keep these jars on hand and put dried herbs and spices in them.
- Spice Bottle Organizer – You can see how nicely this organizer fits into my cabinet. I always know exactly what’s on hand and what needs to be replaced. That makes me very happy!
Here are some great dishes that are just begging for this great Blackened Seasoning Recipe!
- Sensational Baked Blackened Shrimp Recipe
- Blackened Shrimp & Crisp Chilled Cucumbers – An Affair From The Heart
- Blackened Shrimp Pasta – Seduction In The Kitchen
- Baked Blackened Salmon with Brown Butter Lemon Butter
Homemade Blackened Seasoning Blend Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt Kosher
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp cayenne
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp cumin
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients together. Store in an airtight container.
Nutrition
If you love this recipe, you’re going to love making your own Taco seasoning and Spice Rub recipes too!
Miranda Young says
is it equal amounts of each?
Miranda Young says
oh my computer was having a loading issue i see the recipe at the bottom thanks
Julie Menghini says
That’s great! Thank you for letting me know!
Julie Menghini says
Not quite Miranda, there’s a recipe card in the post. Thank you for commenting!
michele says
Homemade is so much better…. I didn’t have a recipe for something like this so IM so excited to make it! I have several ideas how to use it!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you, Michele! I’ve tweaked it several times and finally decided this was our best yet.
Debbie Spivey says
We love making our own spice blends. This one sounds wonderful for salmon!
Julie Menghini says
Thanks, Debbie! It is great on seafood! I love putting it on shrimp too.
Loretta says
This homemade blackened blend sounds delicious and easy to put together. Love the antiquated look of your lid Julie, it fits into the picture so well 🙂
Julie Menghini says
Thank you, Loretta! Making our own blends has sure spoiled us and I found that I was remaking them differently because I would lose my chicken scratches so on the blog it goes!. I found that little jar at an antique shop that I need to stay out of!
Judith Graber says
I like spicy and seasoned food and your blend would suit me just fine. I try to avoid blends with salt as I really don’t miss it.
Julie Menghini says
Thank you Judi! I think they use a lot of salt because it’s cheap and people mistake it as flavor.
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says
I always make my own spice blends–I’m a bit of a control freak :). But I’ve never made my own blackened blend. I love all the flavors going on in here so I’ll have to try it!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you Kels! I guess I’m kind of a control freak too LOL! I think they’re full of cheap ingredients like salt too instead of the great flavorful spices.
Liz says
I don’t usually use the blackened blends because I find they overwhelm the flavor of food. This one sounds good.
Julie Menghini says
I agree with you Liz! My husband uses a lot of heat but I like a little more of a balance.
sonal says
This sounds like a great flavor profile Julie
Julie Menghini says
Thank you, Sonal! A great compliment from the queen of spices!
Julie says
I make spincd blends because it is so much cheaper and tastes better than any you can by. This one wil be going on my spice wall. Julie
Julie Menghini says
Thank you Julie! I totally agree with you!
Suzanne says
Wonderful spice blend. I often don’t buy spice blends because I am so picky and love the idea of making it to taste. It sounds delicious!
Julie Menghini says
Thank you, Suzanne! I totally agree with you. They taste about 80% salt most of the time.