Salt-Free Cajun Spice Blend

cajun seasoning ingredients
Diana Rattray
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 10 mins
Servings: 16 servings
Yield: 1/2 cup

Store-bought seasoning blends contain varying amounts of sodium that many people need to abstain from for dietary or health reasons. Making your own blend at home is very easy and quick, and can provide your meals with delicious flavors without the need for excess salt. Our Cajun blend is just that—it's combination of peppercorns, dried herbs, paprika, onion, and garlic makes an easy-to-use mix that can enhance the flavors of an infinite number of dishes. Use it to season steak or chicken, add it to roasted vegetables, or sprinkle it on top of buttered bread. There is no wrong way of using this seasoning in savory meals, and the flavoring is so bold that you might not even miss the lack of salt. Our mixture makes half a cup of the blend, which you can store in an airtight container away from heat and sun for up to six months.

For our blend, and most homemade spice mixtures, we recommend buying the spices in their whole form when available and then grinding them at home. Whole spices keep their flavor for longer periods than their already ground counterparts, although ground spices release their flavor instantly and sometimes are more potent than whole ones. In either case, it's a good idea to have a little of both in your pantry, ground for when you need to mix up flavors in a pinch, and whole for when you have the available time to grind and mix the spices. That said, buy spices that are organic; sometimes ground spices contain fillers and additives like citric acid, silicon dioxide, or maltodextrin, which you don't want or need in your food. Having a coffee grinder at hand for the sole purpose of grinding spices is a great investment, and there are many of these small appliances in a budget-friendly range.

Our Cajun blend is a delicious addition to your spice cabinet and can transform old recipes into new and vibrant ones with a punch of flavor and spice. Use the blend with olive oil and lemon juice to coat chicken breasts, flank steak, or any other meat of your preference. Allow to marinate for at least one hour and then cook on the grill. Mix half a cup of full-fat cream cheese, sour cream, or Greek yogurt with a teaspoon of Cajun blend and make a dipping sauce or spread for vegetables, sandwiches, wraps, and all types of chips. Mix three parts of oil, one part of apple cider vinegar, and one teaspoon of the blend to make a Cajun dressing for greens or steamed vegetables. Add the blend to meat and vegan stews, soups, and sauces. If in need of extra spice, add cayenne pepper to taste and make your own version of this tasty spice blend.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons onion powder

  • 2 tablespoons sweet paprika

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons garlic powder

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons thyme

  • 3/4 teaspoon oregano

  • 1 teaspoon chili powder

  • 1 teaspoon black peppercorns

  • 1 medium bay leaf

  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Grind all ingredients in a spice grinder, a small processor, or coffee grinder.

  3. Use the spice blend in any recipe calling for Cajun spices. Since this seasoning blend does not contain salt—many seasoning blends do—make sure to taste the food and adjust the seasonings, as needed.

  4. Makes about 1/2 cup of Cajun seasoning.

  5. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
10 Calories
0g Fat
2g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 16
Amount per serving
Calories 10
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 7mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 2g 1%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 0mg 2%
Calcium 9mg 1%
Iron 0mg 2%
Potassium 47mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)