This blackened seasoning is spicy, savory, and balanced with nine herbs and spices. It brightens chicken, seafood, and more with a satisfying kick of heat.
What is Blackened Seasoning?
Blackened seasoning is a flavorful, spicy blend rooted in Southern cooking. It sits between Creole and Cajun spice blends in heat—usually milder than Cajun but bolder than Creole—and provides a great balance of warmth and savory depth. The technique of blackening was popularized by Chef Paul Prudhomme, who famously used it on redfish, coating the fish with butter and a spicy rub before searing it in a hot cast iron skillet to form a dark crust.
The term “blackened” refers to the cooking method rather than the color of the dry spice mix. When fish, shrimp, or chicken coated in the seasoning is cooked at very high heat, it develops a dark, charred exterior that concentrates the flavor.
What’s in Blackened Seasoning?
A classic blackened seasoning blends salt, multiple peppers, heat from cayenne, and aromatic herbs. A few ingredients make the mix stand out: smoked paprika for a smoky base, plus a mix of white and black pepper for layered heat and flavor. The rest are common pantry spices that combine easily into a versatile rub.
- 1 Tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¾ teaspoon fresh ground white pepper
- ¾ teaspoon cracked black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
How to Make Blackened Seasoning
Making this blend at home is quick and straightforward. Measure the ingredients, combine them in a bowl, and stir until evenly distributed. You can scale the amounts up or down depending on how much you want to make.
Adjust the cayenne to suit your heat preference: reduce it for a milder blend for family meals, or add more for a bigger punch. Likewise, tweak any of the other spices to match your flavor preferences—this recipe is a flexible baseline.
Ways to Use this Blend
This blackened seasoning is excellent on seafood and meats, but it also works well sprinkled on grilled vegetables or roasted potatoes. Try it on fish fillets, shrimp skewers, chicken breasts, or firm white fish. Use it as a dry rub before high-heat searing to create a flavorful crust, or mix with a little oil or melted butter to form a paste for brushing.
Recipes
Grilled Blackened Salmon
Seafood
Blackened Grilled Shrimp Skewers
Seafood
Grilled Cod with Blackened Seasoning
Seafood
Grilled Mahi Mahi with Blackened Seasoning
Storage and Shelf Life
Store the spice blend in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Properly stored, the seasoning retains good flavor for several months. For best results, use it within 6 months to keep the spices bright and aromatic.
More Seasoning Recipes
If you enjoy making your own blends, try other homemade rubs and seasonings for different meats and vegetables. A few popular options include sweet and smoky salmon seasoning, pork chop seasoning, lemon herb chicken seasoning, and a classic steak seasoning.
Rubs & Seasonings
Sweet & Smoky Salmon Seasoning
Recipes
The Best Pork Chop Seasoning
Rubs & Seasonings
Lemon Herb Chicken Seasoning
Recipes
The BEST Steak Seasoning
Blackened Seasoning Recipe
Making great BBQ should be easy. Below is the recipe and simple instructions to make this blackened seasoning at home.
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¾ teaspoon fresh ground white pepper
- ¾ teaspoon cracked black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
Instructions
- Make the blackened seasoning. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir until well distributed.
- Use or store. Use immediately, or transfer to a lidded container and store in a cool, dry place. Use within 6 months for best flavor.
Nutrition
Calories: 2 kcal | Carbohydrates: 1 g | Protein: 1 g | Fat: 1 g | Sodium: 194 mg
Nutrition information is an approximation.
This recipe was originally published in April 2021 and has been updated with additional information and tips while keeping the original seasoning formula intact.