Homemade Blackening Seasoning

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Homemade Blackening Seasoning

When you want an easy weeknight meal, this homemade blackening seasoning is all you need to transform average ingredients into a delicious, healthy dinner. 

Blackening seasoning is full of flavor and can be as versatile as you want. Use it as a rub to season meats or toss vegetables in the seasoning (with the help of a little oil) and roast them, stir fry them or throw them on the grill.

What is blackening seasoning made of:

A spicy blend of herbs and spices almost always featuring paprika and cayenne pepper, it’s commonly used as a rub to season protein like fish, chicken and beef.

Our blackening seasoning recipe (also known as blackened seasoning) offers just the right hint of spice. It’s flavorful without adding too much heat. If heat is your thing, you can always up the amount of cayenne pepper. 

What to use blackening seasoning for:

  • Salmon (see our Slammin’ Salmon recipe below)

  • Shrimp

  • Chicken

  • Beef

  • Vegetables

Small jars of this homemade blackening seasoning make for unique gifts.

Tips for gifting this homemade blackening seasoning:

  • Tiny Mason jars or hinged jars make the cutest containers for gifting this homemade blackening seasoning. If you want to be more sustainable, reuse containers you already have or go thrifting to hunt down secondhand jars

  • Decorate the jar with a pretty ribbon or tie with twine

  • Include a handwritten recipe card with tips for how to use the blackening seasoning (instructions below)

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Homemade Blackening Seasoning
Start to finish: 5 minutes
Makes: Three 2-ounce jars 

Ingredients
2 tablespoons smoked paprika
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 tablespoons ground cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning 

Method
Add ingredients to a small mixing bowl and stir to combine. Pour into a clear jar. Package with preparation instructions. 

Preparation instructions
To use, sprinkle on protein or vegetables and cook until desired doneness. Slammin’ Salmon: Heat oven to 450 F. Spread 1 salmon filet with 2 tablespoons plain yogurt. Season with 1 teaspoon homemade blackening seasoning blend. Bake 15 minutes or until desired doneness.

Notes: We filled three 2-ounce jars and still had some seasoning left over. Triple or quadruple the batch to fill more jars of various sizes.