This smoky, savory, spicy blackening seasoning mix is a flavorful spice blend perfect for the protein of your choice. From fish to shrimp to chicken, you'll have an incredibly delicious dinner ready in a flash with this homemade spice mix!
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love this Blackened Seasoning
- What You'll Need for this Blackening Seasoning Mix
- How to Make This Blackening Spice Recipe
- Recommended Equipment
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Variations and Substitutions
- Storing Homemade Blackening Spice
- Expert Tips
- How to Serve Blackened Seasoning at Home
- More Spicy Recipes to Try
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
Why You'll Love this Blackened Seasoning
First, it's simple, easy, and quick! Really all you need to do is buy the ingredients (if you don't already have them on hand), measure them, and stir them together. It only takes a few minutes to have a delicious blend.
But this homemade blackening seasoning recipe is better than store-bought. By adding each of the ingredients yourself, you are given the opportunity to adjust to your tastes. Not a fan of spicier food? Add less cayenne. Want it super garlicky? Go for it!
This seasoning will also last for a long time. It will start losing its flavor after about 3 months.
It scales incredibly well, too. Worried about using all of the seasoning in 3 months? This recipe only makes enough seasoning for about a pound of meat or fish, but you can easily use the serving adjustment bar in the recipe card below to create a double or triple batch of the seasoning.
Just click on the number next to "Servings" and a bar will appear that you can slide to the right to increase the recipe output.
Finally, and probably most importantly, it's super delicious. It's the best blackening seasoning mix I've tried, and I went through many tests and iterations to reach the final result.
It's a bold but balanced blend of smoky, spicy, savory, and earthy flavors. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! Be sure to let me know if you give it a try by leaving a comment below.
What You'll Need for this Blackening Seasoning Mix
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- Cayenne Pepper This adds the heat to this spice blend. If you can't find any, or you're worried about it being too hot, try swapping in some chili powder.
- Garlic Powder
- Thyme Dried thyme is what I recommend for this recipe.
- Oregano I also recommend using dried oregano.
- Paprika I used sweet paprika when testing this seasoning blend, but smoked paprika would be excellent as well. It will have an overall smokier taste (surprising, I know).
- Black Pepper Freshly ground black pepper will add the most flavor to the blend.
- Kosher Salt I always use kosher salt in my recipes. Because this recipe uses a specific amount of salt, be sure to use less if you are substituting table salt or sea salt. They can be up to twice as salty per teaspoon as kosher salt.
How to Make This Blackening Spice Recipe
Step One Measure all of the ingredients for the blackened seasoning mix recipe and place them in a dish.
Step Two Stir well and taste for seasoning.
Step Three Use right away or store for later use.
Recommended Equipment
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Blackening seasoning is a mix of dried herbs and spices that is used to season "blackened" dishes such as blackened fish, shrimp, or chicken. It is a smoky, somewhat spicy blend that is very similar to Cajun or Creole seasoning.
Blackening seasoning can be spicy depending on the amount of cayenne pepper used. If you find that your blackening seasoning is too mild, feel free to add another pinch of cayenne. If your blackening seasoning comes out too spicy, add a bit more of the other ingredients to tone down the spice.
Cajun seasoning and blackening seasoning are quite similar. They both have a base of garlic powder and pepper. However, blackening seasoning adds several other dried herbs and spices, including oregano and paprika.
Variations and Substitutions
Dried Basil Some people like to add dried basil to their mix. Feel free to try this out and see if you like it!
Onion Powder I didn't feel that the recipe needed both garlic and onion powder. However, if you feel like you're missing that flavor, by all means add it!
White Pepper A few recipes add white pepper in place of black pepper. It has a lighter, more nuanced flavor than black pepper. If that sounds appealing, give it a try.
Storing Homemade Blackening Spice
Fridge Store the seasoning mix in an airtight container, like a jar with a lid. It will last in a cool, dark place, like a cabinet or pantry, for about 3 months before starting to lose flavor.
Freezer I do not recommend freezing blackening seasoning blend.
Expert Tips
- For a smokier seasoning blend, opt for smoked paprika in place of sweet paprika.
- For a spicier seasoning blend, you can add a pinch of extra cayenne.
- Be sure to taste your seasoning before you use it on the protein of your choice. This is your opportunity to refine the blend to meet your individual preferences.
How to Serve Blackened Seasoning at Home
Use blackening seasoning for...
Chicken A piece of grilled chicken would be delicious with this seasoning. It creates a flavorful dark crust you'll love.
Shrimp Adding this blend of spices and herbs to raw shrimp and then grilling or pan-frying the shrimp is so good!
Fish Serve up your favorite white fish or salmon with blackened seasoning! It's delicious used in these blackened fish tacos.
Steak is another popular protein for using blackening seasoning. In this scenario, you don't need to buy the most expensive cut, because the blackening seasoning will provide all the flavor.
Did you make this recipe? Be sure to leave a comment 💬 and a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below! You can also tag us @twocloveskitchen on Instagram or follow us on Facebook!
More Spicy Recipes to Try
📖 Recipe
Homemade Blackening Seasoning Mix
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon cayenne
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt or to taste, see note 2
Instructions
- Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl.
- Serve or store for later use.
Notes
- This recipe makes 2.83 tablespoons or 8.5 teaspoons. This is enough to generously season 1 pound of meat, fish, or shrimp.
- If you are not using kosher salt, be sure to start with half of the amount listed and then taste for seasoning. Table salt and sea salt can be twice as salty per teaspoon than kosher salt.
- Fridge Store the seasoning mix in an airtight container, like a jar with a lid. It will last in a cool, dark place, like a cabinet or pantry, for about 3 months before starting to lose flavor.
- Freezer I do not recommend freezing blackening seasoning blend.
Inger says
So much flavor!
Genevieve says
Thank you so much!