This quick homemade Cajun spice seasoning is the perfect seasoning for burgers, steaks, chicken, seafood and even Cajun dishes like Jambalya!
My husband and I were grocery shopping at Kroger and we were perusing the meat section when we noticed that smoked sausage was on sale. I was already thinking that some homemade Jambalaya sounded good. And then my husband said, "You know some black beans and rice or Jambalaya sounds good."
Great minds think alike!
Only, I wanted to try something a little different. Instead of using pre-packaged Zatarains (which we love), I wanted to try using cauliflower rice. Plus, I'm really trying to avoid all the fillers, ingredients I can't pronounce and preservatives.
So, I thought if I made my own using cauliflower, chicken, beef smoked sausage, black beans and Cajun spice seasoning, I just might be able to make a healthier version of a dish we already love.
A Zatarains Copycat?
I was pretty sure the seasoning would be the hard part of this recipe. Because, how do you replicate Cajun spice seasoning from something you buy in a pre-packaged box? I wasn't sure where to even start,
Then I had the bright idea of simply checking the list of ingredients on the box of Zatarains Black Beans & Rice. Here is the list of ingredients:
ENRICHED LONG GRAIN PARBOILED RICE (RICE, IRON, NIACIN, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, FOLIC ACID), BLACK BEANS, SALT, POTATO, ONION, ENRICHED BLEACHED WHEAT FLOUR (WHEAT & MALT BARLEY FLOUR, NIACIN, IRON, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, RIBOFLAVIN, FOLIC ACID), YEAST EXTRACT, TAMARI SOY SAUCE (SOYBEAN, SALT), RED AND GREEN BELL PEPPER, TORULA YEAST, SPICES (INCLUDING RED PEPPER), MALTED BARLEY, FLOUR, GARLIC, NATURAL FLAVOR (INCLUDING HICKORY SMOKE) & EXTRACTIVES OF PAPRIKA.
Did you catch the part that simply said "spices"? The package also revealed that there are 47g carbs ad 230 calories per serving (and I'm pretty sure that's without the addition of meat).
So, I checked the packaging for Zatarains Jambalaya. Here is the list of ingredients:
ENRICHED LONG GRAIN PARBOILED RICE (RICE, IRON, NIACIN, THIAMINE MONONITRATE, FOLIC ACID), ONION, SALT, SPICES (INCLUDING PAPRIKA, RED PEPPER, CHILI PEPPER), RED AND GREEN BELL PEPPER, YEAST EXTRACT & GARLIC.
Did you know the FDA does not require that the individual spices be listed on packages? That's because they consider the spices as seasoning and not of "substantial nutritional value". I had no idea!
Cajun Spice Seasoning in Recipes
Since the packages turned up nothing helpful, I did some searching online for Jambalaya and Black Beans and Rice recipes to see what they were using for spices and seasoning in their recipes. I was surprised to find that most of the recipes simply said "Cajun spice seasoning". I did finally find a recipe for Jambalaya that had the spices listed and a couple other recipes for just Cajun spice.
At least now I had a better idea of what spices to include. I knew I already had all those spices on hand at home, so I bought some chicken breasts, beef smoked sausage and some riced cauliflower (Kroger had it on sale - I typically prefer to rice my own cauliflower).
Most of the recipes for Cajun dishes and spice mixes I found included cayenne pepper. But my husband is very sensitive to it, so I omitted it from my spice mix. I've included it in this recipe, because, like I said, it seems to be included in a lot of Cajun dishes.
Homemade Cajun Spice Seasoning Recipe
Armed with a little bit of knowledge (that can be dangerous) and knowing our taste preferences and that I didn't want to include cayenne pepper, here is the Cajun Spice Seasoning Recipe blend that I made.
I simply measured all my spices into a bowl and then mixed them up with a small whisk until they were all well blended. I then poured my spice mix into a little half- pint glass jar.
Cajun Spice Seasoning
This quick homemade Cajun spice seasoning is the perfect seasoning for burgers, steaks, chicken, seafood and even Cajun dishes like Jambalaya!
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoon paprika
- 2 tablespoon fine salt
- 2 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon ground white pepper
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon dried italian seasoning
- ½ tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon cayenne optional
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well combined. Store in an airtight jar or container.
Notes
Can be stored in airtight container for up to one year.
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You know, you could totally make up a large batch of this spice mix and gift it. I think it would be great on blackened chicken, seafood, steak or burgers.
Cajun Spice Mix Labels
And just in case you want to gift some Cajun Spice Mix or label your own jars, I created this set of free printable labels. These labels are compatible with Avery 22817 2" Round Labels (or just about any of their 2" round labels).
How to Download
As with most free printables here on The Birch Cottage blog, these labels are available as a free download exclusively to subscribers of The Birch Cottage newsletter. You can sign up below:
I made low carb Jambalaya with chicken, beef sausage, black beans and cauliflower rice using this Cajun Spice Mix Recipe and it turned out absolutely amazing. I can't wait to share that recipe with you. Soon, I promise!
What will you use this Cajun spice seasoning recipe with? As always, I love hearing your ideas and recommendations. Please let me a comment below.
Til next time...
