What Is Cajun Seasoning and How Do You Make It At Home?

Plus, what’s a good substitute?

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Published on February 2, 2022

close up of salt-free cajun seasoning mix made with dried thyme, paprika, and cayenne pepper in a bowl — Photo: Brie Passano

Chances are you have a bottle or jar of Cajun seasoning at home. But do you know exactly what's in Cajun seasoning – and what to use if you run out? Here's what you need to know about the spice drawer staple, including what it is how to make it at home:

What Is Cajun Seasoning?

closeup of a small bowl of homemade seasoning mix with a metal measuring spoon — TTV78

Cajun seasoning is a spice blend used to add savory flavor to all sorts of dishes, from burgers and seafood to soups and stews. Most commercial blends contain some combination of the following ingredients:

Salt (though salt-free versions do exist)
Paprika
Red pepper
Black pepper
Thyme
Celery seed
Garlic powder
Onion powder

Cajun Seasoning Uses

Shrimp, Sausage, and Fish Jambalaya — Brie Passano

You can add Cajun seasoning to anything that needs a little Cajun kick. For instance, it works well in:

Soups and stews (especially gumbo, jambalaya, and red beans and rice)
Spice rubs for grilled chicken, beef, pork, and seafood
Seafood dishes with shrimp or fish
Fried chicken batter or breading
Sauces to serve over pasta or rice
Spicy barbecue sauces
Hamburger patties and meatballs
Seafood patties and fish cakes
French fries, sweet potato fries, and hashbrowns

Cajun Seasoning Substitute

The best substitute for store-bought Cajun seasoning is DIY Cajun seasoning (more on that below).

However, if you don't have time to whip up your own spice blend, Old Bay is a good substitute for Cajun seasoning. They both contain salt, red pepper, paprika, and herbs. Old Bay is a bit more complex – with warming spices like cardamom, cloves, and more – so keep in mind that it will affect the overall flavor of your dish.

You can also substitute Creole seasoning for Cajun seasoning, though Creole seasoning generally has an earthier flavor than spicy Cajun seasoning.

Again, when you don't have Cajun seasoning on hand, your best bet is a homemade version.

Learn more: What Is Old Bay?

How to Make Cajun Seasoning

A small bowl of DIY Salt-Free Cajun Seasoning — Allrecipes Magazine

It couldn't be easier to make Cajun seasoning at home with ingredients you already have on hand. It's as simple as combining spices in a jar! You can store your DIY mixture in your spice drawer or cabinet. Just store it in an airtight container – it'll stay good for up to a year.

Our top-rated Cajun seasoning recipe has earned more than 400 rave reviews from the Allrecipes community.

"Yum! This recipe was easy to mix up using ingredients I already had on hand," according to reviewer JUMAHA. "This was my first time cooking with Cajun spice and I really liked it."

Get the recipe: Cajun Spice Mix