Our Blackening seasoning recipe is a versatile spice blend that can be used to add a delicious, smoky flavor to a variety of dishes. This homemade recipe for blackened seasoning is perfect on fish, chicken, and meats!
Why You Will Love This Blackening Recipe
Blackening is made with a combination of paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano, and salt. The spices are blended together to create a unique flavor that is both savory and spicy.
Jump to:
- Why You Will Love This Blackening Recipe
- Cajun Blackening Spice Recipe Ingredients
- How to Make Cajun Blackening Spice
- Blackening Seasoning Uses
- Related Recipes
- Substitutions and Variations
- Equipment
- Storage and Reheating
- Blackening Tips for Success
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Food Safety
- Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
- Connect with Smells Like Delish!
- 📖 Recipe
Cajun Blackening Spice Recipe Ingredients
One of the best things about blending your own homemade spice blends is that you control the ingredients and can adjust according to your preference or taste.
This means if you want your blackened blend to be less hot, you just reduce the cayenne. If you like a smokier flavor, substitute Smoked Paprika instead of regular paprika.
- Paprika - Domestic is the mildest. Hungarian Paprika is available as sweetand hot, however, even the 'sweet' is hot!
- Cayenne pepper - Medium heat ground cayenne chile peppers.
- Onion powder - Use powder or granules, not minced.
- Garlic powder - Use powder or granules, not minced.
- Italian blend - You can use our Italian Blend recipe, or use a store bought Italian spice blend. Since I used to be a spice seller, I usually blend my own.
- Salt - Sea salt has more flavor than iodized table salt.
- Black pepper - Use fine ground or medium fine ground.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make Cajun Blackening Spice
You'll be able to use this delicious Blackening spice mix for blackening shrimp, salmon, steaks, chicken, and pork chops. You can also sprinkle it on slices of eggplant, zucchini sliced lengthwise, and so much more!
Try a little added to your cornbread of biscuit dough also!
Measure The Spices
- Measure out the spices into a shallow mixing bowl.
Blend Together
- Whisk the spices together until evenly blended.
Fill Spice Jars
- Transfer the blackening spice blend to storage jars, or spice jars, and store is a cool, dry, dark storage area.
Blackening Seasoning Uses
Blackening spice blends add a smoky flavor or crust to meats and vegetables. It is a great seasoning to have on hand for grilling and barbecues. Next time you are looking or a way to add some extra pizazz to your food, give blackening spice a try.
Blacken spices can be used in a variety of ways, including:
- Makes a perfect dry rub for meat or seafood.
- Use to marinate meats.
- Seasoning for popcorn.
- As a seasoning for vegetables.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Related Recipes
Substitutions and Variations
Here are a few variations using this blackened spice blend recipe as a base:
- Salt Free Blacken Seasoning Blend - Simply omit the salt when blending the spices. You can use salt separately when seasoning and cooking your meat or vegetables.
- Try varying common oregano with Mexican oregano and Greek oregano, they are similar, but also different.
- I add a tablespoon of blackening spice mix to my cornbread recipe so that I have a bit of spice added.
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use when making this Blackening Seasoning Recipe
Storage and Reheating
Blackening seasoning can be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months. The seasoning can also be frozen for up to 1 year.
Blackening Tips for Success
- Start with a hot pan. This will help to create a nice crust on the food.
- Use a light hand when seasoning. The seasoning is very flavorful, so you don't need to use a lot of it.
- Don't overcook the food. The blackening seasoning should only take a few minutes to cook.
- Serve with your favorite sides. Blackening seasoning goes well with rice, beans, vegetables, or pasta.
- Store the seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Blackening spices and Cajun spices are both spice blends that add a smoky, spicy flavor to food. The key differences between the two are that Blackening blends usually contains more paprika and cayenne pepper, while Cajun blends contains more garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano.
The amount of blackening seasoning you use will depend on the amount of food you are cooking. A good rule of thumb is to use 1-2 tablespoons of blackening seasoning per pound of food.
Yes, blackening seasoning a great seasoning for chicken, pork, tofu, and vegetables.
To cook with blackening seasoning, simply rub the seasoning onto your food. Then, cook the food over high heat until it is golden brown and cooked through.
Food Safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat.
- Wash hands after touching raw meat.
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods.
- Never leave cooking food unattended.
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds.
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove.
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
Connect with Smells Like Delish!
📖 Recipe
Blackening Seasoning Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoon paprika
- 2 tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 2 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Measure out the spices into a shallow mixing bowl.6 tablespoon paprika, 2 tablespoon cayenne pepper, 2 teaspoon onion powder, 2 teaspoon garlic powder, 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 2 teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoon black pepper
- Whisk the spices together until evenly blended.
- Transfer the blackening spice blend to storage jars, or spice jars, and store is a cool, dry, dark storage area.
Notes
- Start with a hot pan. This will help to create a nice crust on the food.
- Use a light hand when seasoning. The seasoning is very flavorful, so you don't need to use a lot of it.
- Don't overcook the food. The blackening seasoning should only take a few minutes to cook.
- Serve with your favorite sides. Blackening seasoning goes well with rice, beans, vegetables, or pasta.
- Store the seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
Leave a Reply