Blackened Seasoning
by Sommer Collier — last updated on Oct 10, 2025 
Best Ever Blackened Seasoning Recipe – Our all-time favorite blackened seasoning recipe features a spice blend made with thyme, oregano, garlic, cayenne, and a surprise ingredient!
Why We Love This Blackened Seasoning Recipe
A good blackened seasoning spice blend offers a hint of heat, herbaceous notes, and a wealth of zesty flavor and depth.
These enticing undertones are derived from paprika, garlic, onions, and salt. However, my “secret ingredient,” so to speak, is smoked paprika. The smoky essence of smoked paprika takes our best ever blackened seasoning to the next level.
It makes everything you sprinkle seasoning mix on taste like fireworks in your mouth!
Ingredients You Need
- Smoked Paprika – Use high-quality smoked paprika for the best flavor; both sweet and hot varieties work, depending on your spice preference.
- Onion Powder – Make sure it’s fresh and clump-free.
- Sea Salt – You can use either fine sea salt or flaky salt.
- Garlic Powder – Go for garlic powder, not garlic salt.
- Black Pepper – Use fresh, ground black pepper.
- Dried Thyme – Use a high-quality version here, too.
- Dried Oregano – Use dried leaves rather than ground for the best flavor.
- Cayenne Pepper – Adjust the amount based on how spicy you want it!
How To Make Blackened Seasoning
- Toss the smoked paprika, onion powder, sea salt, garlic powder, black pepper, dried thyme, oregano, and cayenne powder into a small bowl or jar. Mix everything together.
- Store your blackened seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dry spot.
How to Use Blackened Seasoning
Use our best-ever blackening seasoning recipe to create a spicy crust on blackened fish, chicken, shrimp, steaks, and grilled vegetables. It’s the perfect touch to some of our favorite dishes like grilled blackened mahi mahi and grilled blackened chicken.
You can also use it to season soups, chilis, dips and spreads, party mix, rice, and even scrambled eggs and bacon!
I can’t think of a single savory dish that this dazzling little spice mix concoction wouldn’t improve. My favorite foods to use this seasoning blend with are shrimp, salmon, potatoes, pork chops, and tenderloin, and hamburger patties.
Recipe Variations
- Cayenne pepper – Add more cayenne pepper if you want to turn up the heat on this homemade blackened seasoning recipe.
- Dried basil – Add a touch of dried basil for some extra herby flavors.
- Salt – Adjust the sodium levels based on your preferences.
- Dried lemon zest – Add some lemon zest (fresh or dry) for a bright, zesty twist.
- Sugar – Add some brown sugar or coconut sugar to make your spice blend slightly sweeter.
Get the Complete (Printable) Homemade Spice Blends – Blackening Seasoning Recipe Below. Enjoy!
Blackened Seasoning Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2-1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Measure and dump all the herbs and spices in a jar and stir to combine.
- Use immediately, or cover and store in a dark dry place.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
All three spice blends fall under the same category, sharing standard base ingredients such as paprika, pepper, garlic, and onion powder.
However, Cajun seasoning tends to be the spiciest, while Creole seasoning often features a variety of herbs.
My rule of thumb: When in doubt, go with blackened seasoning, a spice blend that tends to fall directly in the middle.
Totally! In fact, blackened seasoning makes a great dry rub for seafood and meats. Once you coat your meat or seafood, let it sit with the blackened seasoning for about 15 minutes to achieve optimal flavor.
If you store it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place (like the pantry), the seasoning can last up to 6 months.
This blackened seasoning is so good! Love the smoked paprika in this recipe. I’ve used this seasoning on all sorts of fish.
What is the secret ingredient that you spoke about?
Hi Christi,
I like to add smoked paprika for extra depth of flavor!
One question…can I substitute Kosher salt or regular table salt for the sea salt?
Hi Marti,
Absolutely! :)
I really love the recipe thank you
This is the 4th time making this blackened seasoning. I add a small pinch of cumin, white pepper and parsley (last for color). Enjoy!!
Speed Test : Ookla, Orange, UPC, T-mobile | InternetSpeedTest.pl licznik prędkości internetu
You had me at smoked paprika!!!! This recipe is simple enough that you can tweak to your personal taste and health needs.
Very tasty! Enjoyed this evening on our wild caught salmon. I started with the half teaspoon of Cayenne…. but after tasting the mix, we upped it to 3/4 tsp. So, I believe your recommendations are spot on! Of course, we live in California, so we are used to a variety of cultural heat, be it South American, Asian, Mexican, Indian, Cajun, etc.
Will this seasoning taste just as good withOUT the sea salt?
Hi Kristi,
In my personal opinion, no. Salt brings out the flavor of all the other spices. That’s why we salt everything we make, as a flavor enhancer. That being said, feel free to omit it, or reduce the salt as needed. We all have to do what we have to do to protect our health.
I make a lot of blackened fish, and I love this particular seasoning recipe. Smoked paprika is my favorite spice, it really makes the dish sensational! I used 1/2 tsp cayenne, which was just right for me.
Too much cayenne pepper. Maybe 1/8 tsp.
77563
I make this all the time and use it on my salmon or boneless chicken breast. We LOVE it!! I keep it in an empty garlic powder bottle so I can shake it onto my food easily. The only thing is the cayenne pepper. I LOVE spicy food but one teaspoon of cayenne pepper is crazy spicy!! I used half a teaspoon and the family couldn’t eat in (I was fine.) So I just use a big pinch . I sprinkle a bit extra on my food. But we love this recipe and especially when it’s already prepared and stored in the cabinet, it’s an easy dinner. The recipe really makes a huge amount. Thank you for sharing your family recipe.