Spice up your meals with this easy homemade Blackened Seasoning!  It’s a delicious blend of herbs and spices, complete with a kick of heat that you can customize to suit your tastes.  It takes minutes to make with ingredients that you already have on hand, and it’s perfect with chicken, seafood and more!

Blackened seasoning in a white bowl with a spoon nestled inside

Using a variety of seasonings is one of the best ways to shake up the dinner routine. I love having homemade spice blends prepped and ready to go so I never get into a rut!

My homemade taco seasoning and BBQ chicken rub are staples for me, but this Blackened Seasoning recipe is what I turn to to shake things up.

It’s got a wonderful savory flavor with a mild kick of heat, and it works so well with my air fryer salmon, grilled shrimp and almost anything!

I would never purchase store bought blackened seasoning because my family is pretty spice intolerant. This homemade blackened seasoning allows me to control the level of heat to suit our tastes, so it’s a win-win.

Blackened seasonings segmented on a plate

Why you’ll love this recipe:

  • Blackened seasoning is savory, spicy and a great way to change up your meal routine!
  • This is a versatile seasoning that works well with beef, seafood, chicken, veggies and more!
  • It’s an easy recipe that includes a few pantry staples. It’s one of the easiest pantry recipes!
  • Because it’s homemade, it’s got a fresher flavor and you can customize the sodium and level of heat to suit your tastes.

Recipe ingredients

The great thing about blackened seasoning is that it doesn’t contain any fancy ingredients. You more than likely have everything you need in your pantry!

Blackened seasoning ingredients

Ingredient notes

  • Paprika. I highly recommend using smoked paprika as it adds a nice smoky flavor, but regular paprika may be used as well.
  • Cayenne pepper. The recipe is mild in spice as it is written, so if you enjoy more heat, add more to suit your tastes.
  • Salt. I use kosher salt, which is grains of salt that are larger in size compared to regular table salt. If you use sea salt or regular table salt, use half the amount listed in the recipe and adjust to suit your tastes.

How to make this recipe

This blackened seasoning recipe couldn’t be easier to make. Gather your ingredients and it’s done in 5-10 minutes!

Pro tip:  Prepare it in advance to make meal prep easier during the week!

How to make blackened seasoning
  1. Add all ingredients to a small bowl.
  2. Whisk until well combined and no lumps remain.
Homemade blackened seasoning in a white bowl with linen behind

FAQs

What is blackened seasoning made of?

Blackened seasoning is a blend of paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, thyme, oregano, cayenne pepper, kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. It has a delicious savory flavor with a kick of heat that’s easily customizable to suit your tastes.

Does blackened mean spicy?

The term “blackened” typically means that there is some level of spice, but it shouldn’t be incredibly spicy. Most blackened seasoning is a balanced blend of herbs, spices and cayenne pepper to add a touch of heat.

If you don’t tolerate spice well, it’s always best to make your own seasoning to suit your tastes.

How do you use blackened seasoning?

Sprinkle blackened seasoning over your favorite protein source such as beef, chicken, pork or seafood, and pan sear, bake or grill.

What’s the difference between Cajun and blackened seasoning?

Cajun and blackened seasoning are very similar as they contain many of the same ingredients, but cajun seasoning tends to be spicier.

Serving suggestions

This blackened seasoning recipe is extremely versatile, so it may be served a number of ways. There’s really no wrong answer!

Recipe notes

  • Pro tip:  Prepare blackened seasoning in advance to make meal prep easier during the week!
  • This recipe is mild in spice as written as my family doesn’t tolerate a lot of heat.  If you like things spicy simply add more cayenne pepper.
  • Store seasoning in an air tight container in a cool, dark cabinet for up to 3 months.
Blackened seasoning in a bowl with a linen alongside

More homemade seasonings you’ll love:

If you try this recipe I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment and rating below, or tag me at @flavorthemoments on Instagram!

Blackened seasoning in a white bowl with a spoon nestled inside

Easy Blackened Seasoning Recipe

This Blackened Seasoning recipe is a tasty blend of herbs and spices with a kick of heat that's customizable to suit your tastes. It's a versatile addition to any meal and it's so easy to make!
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Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons paprika smoked or regular
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons dried thyme
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper add more if you like your seasoning spicy!
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt use half the amount of salt if it's not kosher
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions 

  • Add all ingredients to a small bowl.
  • Whisk until well combined and no lumps remain.
    How to make blackened seasoning

Notes

  • Pro tip:  Prepare blackened seasoning in advance to make meal prep easier during the week!
  • This recipe is mild in spice as written as my family doesn’t tolerate a lot of heat.  If you like things spicy simply add more cayenne pepper.
  • Store seasoning in an air tight container in a cool, dark cabinet for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tablespoon, Calories: 12kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 334mg, Potassium: 49mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 265IU, Vitamin C: 6mg, Calcium: 21mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.

Did you try this recipe?Be sure to tag @flavorthemoments with the hashtag #flavorthemoments on Instagram so I can see what you made!

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