Homemade Blackened Seasoning Blend Recipe

Homemade Blackened Seasoning Blend recipe is a delicious mix of herbs and spices. Blackening Seasoning has a great flavor followed by a spicy kick.

This Post was updated on 1/9/19 to improve the reader experience. No changes were made to the recipe.

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:

Some of the items below contain affiliate links; I am a participant in a variety of affiliate programs, including the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. However, I only promote things that I love and think you will love, too. For more information, please see our disclosure.

• 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!

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 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

If you love this recipe, you’re going to love making your own Taco seasoning and Spice Rub recipes too!