Give your favorite dish a spicy kick with this Blackened Seasoning Recipe! It only requires 5 minutes and nine dry spices you likely have on hand. It’s such a flavorful way to spice up any dish! Once you try this tasty blend, you won’t want store-bought again!

This homemade blackened seasoning is an epic spice blend that adds a big, bold spicy kick to any dish! It may seem easier to buy seasoning blends from the store, but it’s really easy and so much tastier to make your own at home. Plus, you don’t have to worry about any added preservatives or fillers. You’re also able to control the level of heat, amount of salt, and sugar. Use this on any foods you’re blackening, from fish and shrimp to chicken, beef, and vegetables. It will really take your dish up a notch in the flavor department!

Reasons to love this recipe

So delicious: This mix of spices is packed with incredible flavor. It’s not overly spicy, but you can also easily adjust it to your own heat preference.
Quick, easy & great for prepping: Homemade blackened seasoning can be mixed together in just 5 minutes and then you’ll have a cup of it on hand for whenever you’re craving blackened salmon tacos!
Budget-friendly: It’s way more cost-effective to make your own spice blends in bulk.
Healthier: You control the ingredients, so you can ensure this is gluten-free and free from any preservatives, fillers, or sugar.

Ingredients needed

This blackened seasoning recipe uses very common ingredients that you are likely to already have in your pantry! Here’s everything you’ll need:

Smoked paprika: We love the smoky flavor of smoked paprika, but regular will work too.
Cayenne powder: Gives this mix all the heat!
Onion powder & garlic powder: This duo adds delicious savory goodness.
Kosher salt: We like to use Kosher salt instead of table salt because it has larger granules and no additives such as iodine, or non-clumping agents. If you prefer a salt-free seasoning, omit the salt.
Ground black pepper: Delivers a sharp aroma and kick of earthy heat.
Dried oregano, dried thyme, and dried basil: These three dried aromatics provide an herbal balance to the blend.

How to make this recipe

Blackening seasoning is so quick and easy to make, that you will never go back to buying this again! This recipe makes just over 1 cup of spice mix. Feel free to double or half it, depending on how much you want to make. Here’s how to mix it up:

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl or spice jar until evenly combined.
Use immediately, or store in a sealed container in a cool dry place for up to 1 year.

Expert Tips

Spiciness: If you’re sensitive to heat, add less cayenne pepper to the mix. On the other hand, to make this spicier, add more cayenne.
Less salt: If you typically find seasoning blends too salty, reduce the salt by about a tsp. You can also try making this without any salt at all and just plan on salting your food to taste.

Frequently asked questions

Is Cajun seasoning the same as blackened?

The terms cajun seasoning and blackening seasoning are sometimes used interchangeably. They are very similar and typically both contain paprika, cayenne pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, dried thyme and dried oregano. However, blackened seasoning is more of a cross between cajun seasoning and creole seasoning and is usually not quite as spicy as cajun seasoning.

How do you cook with blackened seasoning?

When blackening food, you dip or dredge it in melted butter and then toss it in the blackening seasoning. It is then seared over high heat, usually in a dry cast iron skillet. The joining of butter, high heat, and seasoning gives the protein you’re cooking a dark crust, which is why we call it blackened.

Ways to use

Here are just a few ways you can use this delicious blackened spice blend:

Blackened salmon – a flavorful seafood dish that tastes just like what you would expect to get at a fancy restaurant in 15 minutes!
Blackened chicken breasts – a hint of spice with a tangy, buttery sauce that compliments the meat so well.
Blackened tilapia – a healthy 15-minute seafood recipe made with a generous blend of spices that transforms this humble cut of fish into a 5-star dish!
Tacos with blackened salmon – crispy blackened salmon topped with lettuce, tomato, onion, and a drizzle of creamy tomatillo avocado salsa.
Blackened shrimp – tender and juicy shrimp in just 10 minutes!

Storage recommendations

Blackened seasoning is so convenient to have on hand to add to a variety of different recipes. It stores well and will last a long time. Here is how you store it:

Storing: To store this, we like to reuse an old spice jar. You can also buy a new, empty spice jar or even use a ziplock bag! Be sure that whatever you use, you can seal it tightly or your spices might clump together.
How long can this be stored? This can be stored in an airtight container, in a cool dry place for up to 1 year.

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