This homemade blackened seasoning recipe is savory and spicy at the same time! Season any protein with this spice mixture for a major flavor upgrade.

blackened seasoning in pot

Frying, baking or grilling protein with this Blackened Seasoning recipe will give you the most deliciously seasoned dish. A little seasoning goes a long way and makes weeknight meals so much better!

I use this for my Blackened Salmon recipe and Blackened Shrimp Alfredo, but it works on other types of fish and seafood, chicken, shrimp, and even veggies. It really adds the perfect flavor kick!

How To Make This Blackened Seasoning Recipe – Step By Step

Whisk all ingredients in a small bowl.
 
Store in an airtight glass jar, up to 3 months.
 
Enjoy!

blackened seasoning on salmon

What Is “Blackened Food”?

Blackened food is not burnt food. Blackened food traditionally means coating food in melted butter and then a mixture of spices. The spices stick to the butter, darken in color and create an incredibly delicious crust to the food. If you want to make blackened food a little healthier (or dairy-free), you can use olive oil or avocado oil in place of the butter and it’s still super flavorful!

What Is Blackening Seasoning Made Of?

A mix of dried herbs such as thyme and oregano, plus ground powders such as garlic and onion. Paprika is almost always used, as well as varying amounts of cayenne pepper which adds heat.

How To Use Blackened Seasoning

One of the best things about blackened seasoning is that you don’t have to remember to prep it in advance like you do with marinating! If you want to pre-season a protein for grilling, you can measure out all of the spices into a ziplock baggie, coat your protein with olive oil, add the protein to the spice mixture and shake it up! If you’re cooking something in a pan (like shrimp), you’ll just add the butter or oil as well as the seasoning blend and toss to coat. It’s so easy and super flavorful.

blackened salmon

Top Tips For This Blackened Seasoning Recipe

  • You can add some smoked paprika for a wonderfully smokey flavor.
  • This simple blackening seasoning recipe makes a great gift, too. Add the mix to small jars for Christmas and birthday gifts.
  • If you want to decrease or increase the spice level in this mix, adjust the cayenne pepper according to your taste preference.
  • Store in an airtight container. 

blackened spice recipe in a pot

More homemade spices and seasonings:

Have you tried this Blackened Seasoning recipe? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Recipe Card

Homemade Blackened Seasoning for Chicken, Salmon, and Veggies

4.48 from 21 votes
Prep: 3 minutes
Total: 3 minutes
Servings: 12 people
Author: Becky Hardin
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This homemade blackened seasoning recipe is savory and spicy at the same time! Season any protein with this spice mixture for a major flavor upgrade.
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Ingredients 

  • teaspoons sweet paprika
  • teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoon2 cayenne pepper
  • teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon granulated onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme

Instructions 

  • Whisk all ingredients in a small bowl. Store in an airtight glass jar, up to 3 months.
  • Enjoy!

Becky's Tips

Makes approximately 1/3 cup seasoning mix.
Calories: 6kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 291mgPotassium: 20mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 371IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 1mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

4.48 from 21 votes (17 ratings without comment)
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tom t
tom t
September 20, 2024 6:53 pm

I double the ingredients. If it’s too spicy go easy on Cayenne pepper and add more brown sugar (that makes the glaze even darker). Olive oil is a great alternative to butter. This mix is similar to a salmon rub: similar mix minus the onion powder and minus the dry herbs, but added cumin). Thanks for the recipe.5 stars

Val G
Val G
March 3, 2024 6:07 pm

This is Tooooo spicy!! I think 2 tsp of cayenne is too much. I can’t even eat it my mouth is burning up 😝

Bicolas Ticolas
Bicolas Ticolas
August 10, 2024 1:05 pm
Reply to  Val G

Don’t eat the seasoning raw!

Kim
Kim
December 25, 2023 5:44 pm

The seasoning turned out well. I needed to crisp mine more and added lemon after seasoning instead of before, but it cooked well.5 stars

Jim
Jim
February 11, 2023 5:04 pm

This was an excellent spice for blackened chicken. went with half the cayenne pepper though as I would have been too hot. Otherwise very delicious5 stars

Samantha Marceau
February 13, 2023 9:21 am
Reply to  Jim

Thanks so much for sharing your experience, Jim!

Fred Stumpf
Fred Stumpf
October 30, 2021 8:36 am

Good show.5 stars