Cajun Seasoning

It’s a heady blend of earthy spices and herbs that takes the taste of meat, fish and vegetable and rice dishes to another dimension.

Although it’s readily available in good supermarkets and food stores, you can easily make this wonderful Cajun seasoning blend yourself. 

This magical mixture was first conjured up in Louisiana. The capital of Cajun cuisine, Louisiana became home to Acadians (French settlers), who had moved south from Canada in the 17th century.

The Acadians developed their cuisine based on the local ingredients available to them. So, oysters, crab, alligator, shrimp, crawfish and catfish, all caught off the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and in the local bayou, became staple foods.

The best seasoning for these ingredients were exotic spices like cayenne pepper and paprika, especially considering the influence of Spanish cuisine on the Acadians.

This kind of rustic, hearty cooking soon made Louisiana the home of delicious Cajun cuisine. The traditional spice blend would develop to include ground black pepper, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper and oregano.

Both types of food originated in Louisiana and both have a similar list of ingredients and flavor profile. However, there are a few key differences.

Firstly, Creole food tends to be tomato-based, unlike Cajun food. Another simple distinction is that Cajun is considered “country food”, whereas Creole is said to be “city food.”

You need to keep Cajun seasoning in an airtight container. I recommend storing it in small glass jars and keeping them in a dry, dark place – in other words, in your cupboard.

If stored properly, Cajun seasoning will last up to a year. However, after 3 months, it will start to lose its potency.

If you’re a heat junkie, add more cayenne pepper! You could also opt for a hot paprika rather than a mild one.

In terms of herbs, you can swap out either oregano or thyme with rosemary or marjoram. You could even throw in a teaspoon of Italian seasoning blend or herbes de provence. 

Here are a few handy tips to get the best out of this wonderful Cajun seasoning:

Double or triple the measurements of this seasoning blend to make sure you always have some readily available

There are two main types of paprika – sweet and smoked. Go for the one that best suits your tastes

There are also two types of oregano – Mexican and Mediterranean. Mexican has lemony citrus flavors, which are a better fit with the spices that make Cajun seasoning so delicious

If you find some of the ingredients become too lumpy, break them down in a spice grinder or food processor

Use freshly ground black pepper for maximum flavor

As this seasoning mix contains smoked paprika and salt, you won’t need to add any extra salt to the meat, fish or vegetables that you use it with

You don’t have to use this Cajun seasoning recipe with Cajun food. Here are some ideas of how to get the best out of this magical seasoning.

With meat

This smoky seasoning works wonders with any kind of meat, particularly chicken. Use it in this oven baked barbecue chicken recipe, replacing the ingredients in the recipe with the Cajun seasoning recipe. Smoked chicken Cajun-style is another great idea and of course, you can use this very well with my Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe.

With potatoes

A great way to give your potatoes an edge is to sprinkle some Cajun seasoning over them before cooking. Make these parmentier potatoes with the addition of a bit of Cajun spice for an out of this world side.

With rice

It’s got to be jambalaya. Try this vegan jambalaya for the perfect vegan Cajun rice dish.

With pasta

Take a standard in a totally new direction. Cajun seasoning works with pretty much any pasta dish, but try my Cajun chicken pasta and you’ll be seriously impressed!

With fish and seafood

Meaty white fish and rich seafood make a perfect pairing with a bit of Cajun spice. Cook up some pan-fried garlic butter prawns, crab, crawfish or oysters and make it sing with some delicious Cajun seasoning. You should also check out my prawn etouffee recipe, a Cajun classic!

With vegetables

Any hearty vegetables taste great with this spice blend. Go for broccoli or cauliflower and throw into a vegetable stir fry. Also, add this seasoning to sautéed peppers and onions for a sumptuous spiced side dish.

With beans or chickpeas

Spice up a white bean dip with some of your special seasoning or make roasted chickpeas with this spice blend for a sensational snack.