Blackening Seasoning Recipe
If you love spicy foods, whether they are mildly spicy, or hang-onto-your-hiney spicy, you have to try some homemade blackening seasoning.
Blackening seasoning is a spice, smokey, savory, seasoning mix that has its origins in Cajun and Creole cooking. It’s a delicious mix that can be used on fish, chicken, beef, or pork, and is usually cooked with high heat to sear the herbs onto the meat they are covering.
What Is Blackening Seasoning
The name itself actually refers to two different things.
- The seasoning itself.
- The cooking technique used with this seasoning.
Blackening something you are cooking doesn’t mean you are burning it. Nobody wants to eat charcoal-crusted chicken. But it does mean that you will be searing your meat at a high temperature. The high heat turns the seasoning black, which creates that dark, crispy crust that is classic in a blackened dish.
Ways to Use Blackening Seasoning
Blackened Fish or Chicken – Coat the meat with the spice mix and then sear it on high heat. Then cook at normal heat until done.
Seasoning for Vegetables – Simply toss the vegetables with a teaspoon or two of the seasoning.
Flavor Boost for Soups – Add 1 tsp. to 1 tbsp. of seasoning to your soup, depending on the size of the pot.
Spicy Pasta Sauce – Stir this into some cream sauce for a spicy, smokey, sauce that is tough to top.
Rub for Meat – Use it as a dry rub for meat before you grill it.
Seasoned Rice or Quinoa – Add a teaspoon or two to the cooking water of your rice or quinoa to season it, much like you would use a seasoning packet.
Blackened Shrimp: Just like meat, you can coat shrimp in oil and seasoning and cook them in a skillet until cooked through.
Savory Popcorn – This makes a nice and spicy seasoning for movie night popcorn. Just sprinkle on a teaspoon or so of this and toss with some oil to help it stick.
Spicy Eggs – This makes delicious deviled eggs, scrambled eggs, or even omelets.
Marinades – Use this to season homemade marinades for roasted or grilled meats.
About The Ingredients
Paprika – This is regular paprika. But if you prefer a heavier smokey flavor, smoked paprika will work just as well.
Garlic granules – Or garlic powder.
Onion granules – Or onion powder.
Ground black pepper
Salt
Cayenne pepper – You can go up to 1 full tablespoon if you like things spicy.
Dried basil
Dried thyme
Dried oregano
How To Make Blackening Seasoning
Measure all the spices.
In a small bowl, mix all the ingredients with a whisk or fork.
Transfer the seasoning mix to an airtight container.
Store in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months.
Storage
As long as you pack this up in an airtight container or spice jar, this will last as long as any other spices in your spice cabinet.
Freezing
To make it last even longer, you can double-wrap this and keep it in the freezer for up to about two years!
More Spice Mix Recipes
- No Salt Seasoning
- Adobo Seasoning
- Taco Seasoning
- Chili Seasoning
- Fajita Seasoning
- Italian Seasoning
- Pumpkin Pie Spice
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Blackening Seasoning Recipe
Equipment
- 1 spice jar
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp. paprika
- 1 tbsp. garlic granules (or garlic powder)
- 1 tbsp. onion granules (or onion powder)
- 1 tbsp. ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp. salt
- 1 tsp. cayenne pepper (you can go up to 1 full tablespoon if you like things spicy)
- 1 tsp. dried basil
- 1 tsp. dried thyme
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
Instructions
- Measure all the spices.
- In a small bowl, mix all the ingredients with a whisk or fork.
- Transfer the seasoning mix to an airtight container.
- Store in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months.
Notes
Nutrition
