The intense flavor of this seasoning pairs well with the savory taste of grilled steak, any fish recipe, or chicken, and the spices help to create a crispy, charred crust. You can even add it to kale chips to give them a spicy flavor. With so many uses, you’ll want to make this blend a staple in your kitchen.
What Is Blackened Seasoning?
Blackened seasoning is a popular spice blend used for flavoring fish, chicken, steak, and other meats in Cajun and Creole cuisine. It commonly includes paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, and oregano. Blackened recipes often combine this mix with melted butter or oil, which helps to create a dark, flavorful crust on meats after cooking. This is how the seasoning gets its name.
What is in Blackened Seasoning?
Here I explain the best blackened seasoning ingredients, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
Sea Salt – Using salt seasons the meat, makes it more tender, and helps it retain its own juices. Some blackened seasoning recipes don’t have salt and add it separately, but I like it included for convenience. This way you always get the perfect amount of salt. Paprika – You will need both sweet paprika and smoked paprika. The sweet variety tones down the heat, while the smoked one adds a subtle smokiness to meats and vegetables. However, you could use just one or the other if you only have one of them. Dried Herbs – Including dried thyme and dried oregano. Aromatics – Including onion powder and garlic powder. Heat – You’ll need crushed red pepper flakes, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
How To Make Homemade Blackened Seasoning
Whisk all the blackening spice ingredients together in a small bowl, then place in an airtight container or small glass jar.
What is the Difference Between Blackened and Cajun Seasoning?
Blackened seasoning is usually darker in color than Cajun seasoning, is a little more spicy (with higher amounts of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes), and contains smoked paprika, which gives it a deeper flavor. When it comes to cooking, blackening spices typically flavor meat that will be cooked over high heat, often in a cast iron skillet or on the grill, giving it a charred crust. Cajun is more versatile and is used in a variety of dishes.
Storage Instructions
Store homemade blackening seasoning blend in an airtight container, such as spice jars, small multi purpose jars, or a pantry spice organizer in a dry place like the pantry. This spice mix will last 1-2 years, but is best within a year for the best flavor.
What Is Blackened Seasoning Used For?
If you’ve ever eaten out at a Cajun or Creole restaurant, then you’ve probably tasted blackened seasoning. This unique blend of spices gives dishes like jambalaya and gumbo their characteristic flavor. Here are some other ways to use it:
Chicken – The perfect example of using blackening seasoning is for chicken. In fact, this blackened chicken recipe uses this exact mix of spices. But, you could also use it on baked whole chicken wings, grilled chicken kabobs, or even baked chicken for the same flavors. Seafood – I also use this same spice blend for my blackened salmon recipe. But, this spice blend also adds a smoky charred flavor to grilled shrimp, makes a perfect seasoning swap in jerk salmon, and can replace the spices in Cajun grilled cod. It’s a particularly excellent blackened fish seasoning. Grilled Steak – Use this seasoning blend before you grill up your beef chuck eye steak, juicy grilled steak, or use it on air fryer filet mignon. Vegetables – For spicy, smoky veggies, sprinkle on grilled asparagus, crispy grilled broccoli, or baked zucchini slices with a bit of this seasoning blend.
More Spicy Homemade Seasonings
If you like homemade spice blends, try these other spice mixes you can make in just a few minutes: Please enter your first name for your account. Your saved recipe will also be sent to your email. Makes 1/2 cup. This amount of seasoning is enough for 4 pounds of meat.
