Alternatives for Cajun Seasoning
Cajun seasoning is a great way to add unique flavors to any dish! If you find that you have run out of Cajun seasoning or want to try making your own, I have a few recommendations for alternatives to Cajun seasoning that will help you in a pinch!
What is Cajun seasoning?
Cajun seasoning is a spice blend that is influenced by French, African and Native American cuisines and is native to Louisiana. Many people associate Cajun seasoning with the cuisine from New Orleans.
You will typically find many different spices in each blend depending on those influences but there is a unique spicy, smoky, savory flavor from Cajun seasoning that gives a unique taste to any meal!
The best alternative for Cajun seasoning?
Make your own Cajun seasoning with pantry ingredients! This is my go-to recommendation because you get to control the ingredients, the spice level and ensure there are no unnecessary sugars or preservatives! My homemade Cajun seasoning includes:
- Paprika
- Dried chives
- Dried thyme
- Fennel seeds
- Ground cumin
- Salt
- Cayenne Pepper
How to make homemade Cajun seasoning
For this recipe, the fennel seeds need to be ground down before you can use the seasoning. You can use a spice grinder, but I prefer to put everything in a high speed bullet blender and blend together. This also helps to break down the dried chives. Simply blend until the fennel seeds are broken down and easy to sprinkle.
What are other spices you can add to homemade cajun seasoning?
This spice mix is just a base recipe that you can tweak to make your own. Some other common ingredients include:
- Onion powder (use 1 teaspoon)
- Garlic powder (use 1 teaspoon)
- Dried basil (use 1 teaspoon)
- Dried oregano (use 1/2 teaspoon)
- Turmeric (use 1/2 teaspoon)
- Black pepper or white pepper (use ¼-1 teaspoon depending on your preferences)
Note: The ingredients in my homemade Cajun seasoning are low FODMAP friendly, so there are no onions or garlic included. Instead, I use dried chives which really brings a special flavor to the Cajun seasoning (and I highly recommend using if you have them on hand). If you are not low FODMAP, you can also include the onion powder and garlic powder in this recipe.
Why should you make your own cajun seasoning at home?
I highly recommend making your own spice blends anytime you can because you get to control the ingredients, the level of heat (spiciness), how much salt is used and the quality of the ingredients used (no added sugars or fillers, no preservatives, organic if desired, etc.).
Since you are controlling the ingredients, you can make the Cajun seasoning fit your needs. This Cajun seasoning is vegan, gluten free, dairy free, keto, low carb, Whole30 and low FODMAP friendly.
How to store homemade Cajun seasoning?
Store the Cajun seasoning substitute in a glass jar with a tight fitting lid. Be sure to store it in a dark, cool place. Do not store your spices or oil right above the stove out in the direct light or your spices will not last as long. Store for up to a year in a tightly sealed container. I like to save my previous spice jars and remove the labels.
Other alternatives to Cajun seasoning
Creole Seasoning
Creole seasoning is often interchanged with Cajun seasoning since the flavor profiles are so similar. Creole seasoning has a heavy African and Native American influence, but there often is not much heat in Creole seasoning. If you want to make this more like Cajun seasoning, add your own cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes.
Old Bay Seasoning
Old Bay seasoning is surprisingly similar to Cajun seasoning as it is typically a combination of paprika, black pepper, cayenne pepper, celery salt, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, cloves and cardamom. If you wanted to change the old bay seasoning a bit to make it more like Cajun seasoning, I would add dried thyme and possibly ground fennel.
Adobo Seasoning
Adobo seasoning has many of the same base flavors as Cajun seasoning but definitely have more of a Mexican or Southwestern flavor than Cajun seasoning. Most adobo seasonings include garlic powder, oregano and ground cumin. To make this more like Cajun seasoning, add paprika and cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes.
Chili powder + dried thyme + cayenne pepper
If you really don’t have many ingredients in your pantry, you can pull together a basic substitute for Cajun seasoning using 1 tablespoon of chili powder, 1 teaspoon of dried thyme and 1/4- 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
Ways to use Cajun seasoning
Cajun seasoning is so good on so many different foods. I love to use it as a way to infuse lots of flavor in a short period of time because its got such bold seasonings. Here are some of my favorite ways to use it:
- Slow Cooked Shredded Cajun Chicken (make into tacos, lettuce wraps or on rice or potatoes)
- Cajun Salmon and Veggies – this is a great low carb meal, or you can add potatoes, rice or pasta
- Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta – this is Whole30 friendly because it uses rutabaga noodles instead of pasta. You can also make this with spaghetti squash, regular pasta or zucchini noodles.
- Cajun Parsnip Fries – these are so yummy and savory. The Cajun seasoning and parsnips work so well together.
- Instant Pot Cajun Chicken and Rice – perfect for weeknight meals! So filling and flavorful!
- Air Fryer Baby Potatoes – check out the tips on how to make this with Cajun seasoning! So flavorful and perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner!
- Cajun Frozen Shrimp Cooked in the Air Fryer – use this homemade Cajun seasoning or any of these alternative Cajun seasoning ideas on the shrimp before cooking in the air fryer for a quick and easy dinner!
- As a seasoning for air fryer sweet potato wedges, air fryer sweet potato cubes or vegan roasted potatoes (add 1 tablespoon or more).
- As a seasoning for eggs. Add 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning to the egg mixture in these egg stuffed peppers for a fun twist!
If you love making your own spices and sauces, check out these other great recipes
Homemade Taco Seasoning (low FODMAP)
Homemade Cajun Seasoning
$1.73 Recipe/$0.35 ServingIngredients
- 2 tbsp paprika - $0.60
- 1 tbsp dried chives - $0.30
- 1 tbsp dried thyme - $0.30
- 1 tbsp fennel seeds - $0.30
- 1/2 tbsp ground cumin - $0.15
- 1 tsp sea salt - $0.05
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (up to 1 teaspoon) - $0.03
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a high speed bullet blender or spice grinder.
- Blend until the fennel seeds are pulverized and crushed down.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 1 year.
Equipment
Notes
- Onion powder (use 1 teaspoon)
- Garlic powder (use 1 teaspoon)
- Dried basil (use 1 teaspoon)
- Dried oregano (use 1/2 teaspoon)
- Turmeric (use 1/2 teaspoon)
- Black pepper or white pepper (use ¼-1 teaspoon depending on your preferences)
