Cajun Seafood Boil Seasoning (Salt Free!)
This homemade Cajun seafood boil seasoning comes together in about five minutes with pantry spices and zero cooking. It's built on two paprikas, smoked and sweet, with a heat-forward mix of cayenne, red pepper flakes, and black and white pepper, plus thyme, oregano, and a little ground coriander for a citrusy note that seafood loves. Whisk everything together, store it in an airtight jar, and you'll have enough to season a seafood boil, stir into garlic butter sauce, or rub onto shrimp all season long. This recipe makes about 1¼ cups (20 tablespoons). Stir a few tablespoons into your boil water, bloom a spoonful in butter for a pour-over sauce, or use about 1 tablespoon per pound of shrimp!
Servings: 20 servings, 1 tablespoon each
Calories: 21kcal
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 3 tablespoons sweet paprika or regular paprika
- 3 tablespoons garlic powder
- 3 tablespoons onion powder
- 2 tablespoons dried thyme
- 2 tablespoons dried oregano
- 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper see notes for milder version
- 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon coarse black pepper
- 2 teaspoons white pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 to 2 teaspoons dried parsley optional, for visible green flecks
Instructions
- Grind the coriander (optional). If using whole coriander seeds, grind them fresh in a mortar and pestle until you have a coarse powder. Pre-ground coriander works too.1 teaspoon ground coriander
- Combine the spices. Add the smoked paprika, sweet paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, black pepper, white pepper, ground coriander, and optional parsley to a medium bowl.4 tablespoons smoked paprika, 3 tablespoons sweet paprika, 3 tablespoons garlic powder, 3 tablespoons onion powder, 2 tablespoons dried thyme, 2 tablespoons dried oregano, 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper, 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes, 1 tablespoon coarse black pepper, 2 teaspoons white pepper, 1 to 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- Mix well. Whisk for about 30 seconds, until the color is even and there are no pockets of any one spice. Break up any clumps of garlic or onion powder as you go.
- Store. Transfer to an airtight container or spice jar. Store in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.
Notes
- How much to use: Stir a few tablespoons into the water for a seafood boil, bloom a spoonful in melted butter for a pour-over sauce, or use about 1 tablespoon per pound of shrimp. Adjust to taste!
- Why salt-free: We keep ours without salt so we can control the seasoning in each recipe.
- Want to add salt? Add 1 to 2 tablespoons kosher salt if you prefer an all-in-one seasoned blend. Start with 1 tablespoon and adjust to taste.
- Adjust the heat: Use 2 tablespoons of cayenne for a bold blend with real kick. For milder heat, reduce to 1½ tablespoons or 1 tablespoon. The red pepper flakes add another layer of heat, so cut those back too if you want it gentle.
- About the two paprikas: Smoked paprika brings campfire depth, and sweet paprika brings bright color and a rounder flavor. Using both is what gives the blend its deep red-orange color. In a pinch, regular paprika works in place of the sweet.
- No white pepper? Use 1½ tablespoons of black pepper instead.
- Fresh coriander: If you grow cilantro, let some bolt and go to seed, then grind the seeds fresh. The citrusy note is so much brighter and pairs beautifully with seafood.
- Storage: Keeps in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months. The flavors are best within the first 3 months.
- Cajun vs. Creole: This blend leans Cajun, pepper-forward, and smoky, but works for either style. Use it anywhere you'd reach for a bold seafood seasoning.
- Try it in: our Garlic Butter Seafood Boil Foil Packets for Two, our Garlic Butter Seafood Boil Sauce, or our Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil!
Nutrition
Calories: 21kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 10mg | Potassium: 113mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 0.5g | Vitamin A: 1559IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg