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posted April 27, 2021

The Best Blackened Seasoning

This Blackened Seasoning is spicy, savory, and perfectly balanced with herbs and spices. It’s delicious on chicken, seafood, and more to give your meat some life and a kick of heat!

Blackened seasoning on a metal spoon over a white bowl with text overlay - Blackened Seasoning.

What is Blackened Seasoning?

 
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. 
 
Ingredients for blackened seasoning in a white bowl.

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 this this recipe makes for a great balance.

Here’s the whole list of ingredients for this blackened seasoning. Make sure to scroll to the recipe card below for the printable list with ingredient amounts.

  • Smoked paprika
  • Salt
  • Onion powder
  • Garlic powder
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Fresh ground white pepper
  • Fresh ground black pepper
  • Dried thyme leaves
  • Dried oregano leaves

Blackened seasoning on four mahi mahi filets.

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.

Once you have your seasoning mixed to your liking, it’s ready to go on your favorite cut of meat or even sprinkled on Grilled Vegetables. You can use this seasoning immediately, or store it in a sealed jar in your pantry. I always have some empty glass spice jars on hand so I’m ready to store all my homemade seasonings anytime I whip up a batch. I recommend using this seasoning within 12 months.

Grilled mahi mahi seasoned with homemade blackened seasoning.

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.

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Blackened seasoning on a metal spoon in a white bowl of blackened seasoning.

Blackened Seasoning

Susie Bulloch (heygrillhey.com)
This Blackened Seasoning is spicy, savory, and perfectly balanced with herbs and spices. It's perfect on chicken, seafood, and more to give your meat some life and a kick of heat!
Prep Time : 5 mins
Total Time : 5 mins
Servings : 24 servings
Calories : 2kcal

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 fresh ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano leaves

Instructions

  • Make the blackened seasoning. Combine all ingredients and stir until well distributed.
  • Use immediately, or store in a lidded container. Use within 12 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 2kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 194mg | Potassium: 12mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 180IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 1mg
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