Do you love hot and spicy seasoning blends? Then don't miss out on this cajun style seasoning for your southern cuisines, just as authentic as what you'd get in New Orleans.
I thought it was about time that I'd introduced a few seasoning recipes to you all.
This cajun seasoning mix is raw, fresh and straight out of the dirty south. This spice blend contains a handful of common pantry ingredients and made within a matter of minutes.
Is creole and cajun seasoning the same?
Although these names are used quite loosely and interchangeable to many people who don't know about the history and its depth. No these seasonings are not the same at all.
The difference between cajun and creole seasoning
One of the major difference between cajun and creole seasoning is that creole seasoning contains tomato. On the contray, cajun seasoning does not contain any tomatoes.
In fact cajun food/cooking was originally eaten by only the farmers, it was known as peasant food where ingredients such as alligator, turtle and crawfish were used.
Times have changes and with the evolution of food and trends these very same ingredients mentioned above have now been incorporated into creole cooking too. Creole food/cooking is known as the city dwellers creation, they founded it!
Some people also like to make the distinction that creole is "city food" and that cajun is "country food"
Other things such as - creole Jambalaya contains tomatoes, where as Cajun doesn't. Creole roux is made from flour and butter and Cajun roux is made from oil and flour.
Creole vs cajun seasoning
Although both creole and cajun ingredients have now become much more interlinked. If you separate the two and go back to basics, in truth it's really about generously seasoned versus flaming hot.
If you like bold flavours that fragrant herbaceous, complementary flavours without the heat factor then creole is what you would appreciate.
Cajun seasoning/cuisine
The word Cajun derives from the French speaking Acadian people who migrated to South Louisiana and brought there wonderful cuisine.
Cajun cuisine is based on the three pot method - one pot is for the main dish, the other is for the rice and the third would be for the vegetables.
Cajun seasoning relies more on ground spices, peppers i.e white/black pepper, bell peppers and it's the heat that can be quite intense from the use of cayenne pepper making it more of a fiery contender.
Many cajun dishes start with a foundation which is a medley of vegetables known as "the holy trinity"(onion, celery and bell peppers). It's not uncommon to find green onions, parsley, thyme, file, paprika salt and garlic in the seasoning blend either.
Creole seasoning/cuisine
Creole comes from an admixture of cultures ranging from Irish, Spanish, Caribbean, French all the way back to West Africa.
The people who were born to settlers in Louisiana had founded it. It's much more herbaceous i.e parsley, oregano, thyme, bay leaves, rosemary and basil.
Ingredients you will need
Why you should make your own spice blends from scratch
- When purchasing your herbs/spices in bulk it's cheaper
- You can double or triple the batch making it last even longer
- there's no MSG, no anti caking agents or any processed fillers to worry about.
- You doesn't take very long to prepare it all
- You can customise according to your taste/preference
- It's fun!!
The steps (spice grinder version)
- All of the ingredients to a spice/coffee grinder
- Blitz into a fine consistency and transfer to a spice jar.
What recipes to use this seasoning in
This seasoning is a favourite of mine it's fiery and extra spicy, if you like HOT flavours then this spice is mindblowing and multi-purpose.
Try this seasoning in any of the following recipes;
Notes and tips
- Store the seasoning in an air tight container to increase longevity.
- Store in a cool dark place away from warmth so it doesn't clump together.
- This seasoning should last for at least a year.
- Use dried herbs and spices to prepare the spice blend, you don't need fresh ingredients and will save yourself some money by following the former.
- Double, triple and quadruple the amount as required.
- The recipe makes 3-4 tablespoons worth of spice blend.
- If you don't like nor care for a lot of heat simply reduce the amount of chilli flakes and/or cayenne. There's even the option to remove the chilli/pepper if you wish.
- Add the salt separately if you prefer to include when making your dishes instead
- If you want a finer/powdery consistency simply blitz the ingredients in a spice/coffee grinder
Other spice blends you make like
**Don't forget to comment below and star rate if you have tried my recipes. Let's be friends and engage on Facebook and Instagram I also like to pin on Pinterest, where you can find more amazing recipes.**
Cajun Seasoning Mix
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon himalayan pink salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon red chill flakes optional
- ½ teaspoon thyme
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to an airtight container and mix together.
- Put the lid on the container and shake well.
Notes
- Store the seasoning in an air tight container to increase longevity.
- Store in a cool dark place away from warmth so it doesn't clump together.
- This seasoning should last for at least a year.
- Use dried herbs and spices to prepare the spice blend, you don't need fresh ingredients and will save yourself some money by following the former.
- Double, triple and quadruple the amount as required.
- The recipe makes 3-4 tablespoons worth of spice blend.
- If you don't like nor care for a lot of heat simply reduce the amount of chilli flakes and/or cayenne. There's even the option to remove the chilli/pepper if you wish.
- Add the salt separately if you prefer to include when making your dishes instead
- If you want a finer/powdery consistency simply blitz the ingredients in a spice/coffee grinder
Michelle
This is by far the best Cajun seasoning blend I’ve tried. I tripled the recipe! Thanks for making such great recipes!
Charla
Thank you so much Michelle. Glad you liked it!
Melonie
It says garlic pepper.
Did you mean garlic powder??
Charla
Yes. It should say garlic powder, just corrected the recipe card. Sorry about that!!
Heather Bryant
If I don't have the Himalayan pink salt can I use regular salt?
Charla
Yes, you can use regular salt although I tend to avoid using it because it has zero nutritional content.
Mila
I love homemade seasoning and create my own pretty often too. 🙂 Thanks for sharing this Cajun spice mix! 🙂
Charla
You are very welcome Mila
Stella @ Stellicious Life
I always like making spice mixes at home, but so far I havn't made Cajun mix, thanks for the recipe, pinning it!
Charla
Thank you! This one is a keeper!
Ange
Thanks for sharing. I love making my own spice mixes and will add this to my stash.
Gorgeous photos too
Ange
Charla
You're welcome, I hope you like it and use it in many things.
Melanie
This sounds so delicious! Love the red hot pepper flakes for added heat!!
Charla
It truly is and it's so multi-purpose you can sprinkle a bit in anything you desire.
Brandy M
I love homemade spices. They taste SO much better than the stuff in the store. We need to make a batch of this it looks amazing!
Charla
Nothing beats homemade spices, I promise you will benefit from this cajun seasoning. You can use it in so many dishes.
Heather | All Roads Lead to the Kitchen
Spice blends are always so much better when you customize them yourself. I need to mix a batch of this up...specifically to make those sweet potato fries!
Charla
I highly recommend it, it gives the fries such a good kick.