By: Jill Mills Posted: Apr 27, 2026

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This easy Blackened Seasoning is a smoky, spicy homemade blend that adds instant Cajun-style flavor to fish, chicken, shrimp, or vegetables. Made with simple pantry spices, it comes together in just minutes and delivers big flavor with minimal effort. Having this seasoning mix in the pantry makes quick weeknight dinners and summer grilling!

A glass jar of blackened seasoning with a wooden spoon in front

I love to make my favorite seasoning blends at home. It’s usually more cost-effective, and I can customize the flavor to get it just right. It’s been a long time since I’ve bought taco seasoning or Italian seasoning at the store!

This homemade blackened seasoning is another staple in my kitchen. It’s made with a handful of spices I always have on hand, it has just the right amount of heat, and it makes the most beautiful blackened crust when added to meat or fish.

Why I Love This Blackened Seasoning Recipe

Only 8 spices. This seasoning blend is made with 8 very common spices, like smoked paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder. I love that they’re all spices most people have in their kitchen already, making it easy to whip up anytime.
Stores well. Once the spices are combined, this blackened seasoning keeps for up to 6 months. It’s great to keep on hand to add flavor to recipes anytime you want.
Versatile. Most people think of blackened shrimp or fish, but this seasoning has nearly unlimited uses. My go-to is blackened fish tacos, but it’s also great on other protein, like chicken, and even vegetables and potatoes.

A spoon of blackened seasoning next to a plate with blackened fish

What Is Blackening? Is It Just Burnt?

Blackening is a common technique, particularly in Cajun and Creole cuisines, that essentially means to coat something in blackened seasoning and cook it on the stovetop or grill. The seasoning forms a dark brown or black crust on the outside of the meat (or veggies or potatoes). It’s made with a paprika base, so there’s lots of warm, smoky, and sometimes spicy flavor. It should not taste burnt. The seasoning mixture is what blackens, not the meat burning.

Overhead view of the spices needed to make blackened seasoning

Key Ingredients

One of the best parts of this homemade seasoning blend is that it’s made with basic spices likely already in the cupboard. Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the exact measurements.

Smoked paprika – Smoked paprika gives the seasoning its signature depth; try not to substitute with regular paprika.
Garlic & onion powder – Add savory, earthy flavor and a bit of umami.
Dried thyme & oregano – Add herby flavor depth to the mixture, which helps balance the paprika.
Salt – One of the best parts of homemade blackening seasoning is that you can fully control the amount of salt added. Adjust as desired.
Ground black pepper – Adds the sharp peppery bite.
Cayenne pepper – Really brings the heat to the seasoning blend. Feel free to increase it to 1 teaspoon for a spicy blackened seasoning.

How To Make Blackened Seasoning

It takes just seconds to make this seasoning blend.

Spices for blackened seasoning in a bowl

Whisking the blackening seasoning spices together

Combine. Add all of the spices to a bowl. Whisk to combine.
Use or store. Use immediately or transfer to an airtight container.

A wooden spoon in a bowl of blackened seasoning

Recipe Tips & Tricks

Here are a few things to keep in mind when customizing this blackened seasoning recipe.

Adjust the spice level. This blackened seasoning has a kick to it, but it’s not super spicy. For a milder version, skip the cayenne pepper completely. For a spicier version, add more.
Double the recipe. Feel free to double or triple the amounts of the ingredients to make extra, especially if use it regularly.
Control the salt. There’s only a teaspoon of salt in about half a cup of seasoning, which is less than most store-bought brands. However, if you are sensitive to salt, then feel free to reduce it a bit.

A spoon sprinkling blackened seasoning over fish

Ways To Use It

A few of my favorite ways to use this blend are on blackened shrimp and blackened fish tacos.

Beyond that, it works well on any fish, shrimp, and chicken but also on roasted vegetables and potatoes. You could easily swap the herbs for this seasoning in my oven roasted potatoes or rub it on any piece of meat.

Proper Storage

Homemade blackened seasoning will stay fresh for up to 6 months when stored properly. Just keep it in an airtight container, preferably glass, in the pantry.