The Best Blackened Seasoning
On February 11, 2025
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This Blackened Seasoning is spicy, savory, and perfectly balanced with nine herbs and spices. It’s delicious on chicken, seafood, and more when you want to give your meal a kick of blackened heat.
What is Blackened Seasoning?
Blackened seasoning is a traditional seasoning blend with lots of flavor and good heat. It’s similar to Creole and Cajun-style seasoning blends. It tends to be less spicy than Cajun seasoning and slightly spicier than Creole. I like to think of blackened seasoning as that perfect middle ground for heat.
Blackened seasoning (and the technique used to cook food with blackened seasoning) was invented by Chef Paul Prudhomme. The traditional recipe uses redfish dipped in butter then sprinkled with blackened seasoning.
The name doesn’t come from the color of the seasoning itself, but more from the cooking process. Seasoned fish, shrimp, or chicken is typically seasoned and then cooked at high temperatures in a cast iron skillet for a dark “blackened” crust.
What’s in Blackened Seasoning?
Blackened seasoning usually combines salt, pepper, heat (cayenne or chili), and herbs. I’ve found that the best blackened seasoning uses a few key ingredients to make it stand out.
First up is the smoked paprika. Smoked paprika is made from peppers that are smoked, and this adds a punch of flavor to the seasoning.
Next up is the combo of both white and black pepper. White pepper is milder than black pepper while still adding some good flavor and heat, so using both white and black pepper in this recipe makes for a great balance.
Here’s the whole list of ingredients you’ll need. Most of the items are pantry staples, so this blackening spice comes together easy.
- 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 your own seasoning blend at home could not be easier. All you have to do is combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir to combine. Depending on how much you plan on using this seasoning, you can adjust the recipe as needed to make more or less.
As with everything else I make and share on this site, I’m all about you making this your own. Feel free to play around with ingredient amounts to make this work for you. If you’re making this seasoning for you family and you need to decrease the spice, use less cayenne pepper. Want your fish to have a massive kick? Sprinkle a little extra pepper and cayenne in the mix.
Ways to Use this Blend
Once you have your seasoning mixed to your liking, it’s ready to go on your favorite seafood or cut of meat. It’s even great in ways you might not expect (like sprinkled on your grilled vegetables or potatoes). Here are a few of my favorite ways to use blackened seasoning, so you can get grilling right away:
Storage and Shelf Life
If you have any leftover blackened seasoning, or you just want to make it ahead, that’s totally fine. This blend stores easily, so you can have it on hand whenever the craving for some delicious blackened shrimp or chicken hits. Place your seasoning in an airtight container (I love these glass spice jars), then store in your pantry, cupboard, or any dry place. Your seasoning will maintain its fresh, blackened taste for up to 6 months.
More Seasoning Recipes
Now that you know how easy it is to make your own seasoning at home, why stop at this recipe? Hey Grill Hey has a plethora of homemade seasonings and rubs for just about any meat and veggie you’re cooking at home or on the grill. Check out a few of our favorites below!
Blackened Seasoning Recipe
Making some epic BBQ should be easy, and Hey Grill Hey is here to help. Join my members-only group The Grill Squad today for access to my master classes, podcasts, and so much more. It’s an amazing community of grillers that will help support you and increase your confidence of all things BBQ.
Hey BBQ rub lover! Did you know the Hey Grill Hey Store has Signature Hey Grill Hey rubs, sauces, and glazes deliciously made and shipped directly to your door? Head over there so you can grab your own bottle today!
Blackened Seasoning
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 leaves
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
Instructions
- Make the blackened seasoning. Combine all ingredients and stir until well distributed.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
- Use or store. Use immediately, or store in a lidded container. Use within 12 months.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
**I originally published this post in April 2021, but recently updated it with more information and helpful tips. However, the recipe remains the same.
