Cajun Seasoning Mix

A cajun seasoning mix is used in many cajun recipes.  It is basically salt with a variety of spices.  There are many commercial seasoning mixes on the market.  Probably the most common is Tony Chachere's Original Seasoning.  Another excellent seasoning mix is Zatarain's Seasoning.  Below is a seasoning mix recipe if you would like to make your own.  Experiment with every batch until you have the spice combination you like.

Ingredients
  • table salt, 26 oz
  • cayenne pepper, 5 tbs
  • black pepper, 3 tbs
  • onion powder, 3 tbs
  • garlic powder, 3 tbs
  • chili powder, 3 tbs
  • thyme, 1 tbs
  • sweet basil, 1 tbs
  • bay leaf, 1 tbs

Mix Seasoning

  • Add all the seasoning, except salt, in a blender.  Cover and blend to a fine consistency.  Don't breath the dust - it throws me into a sneezing frenzy !
  • Mix the blended spices with the salt until you achieve a uniform color.
  • Use as you would salt.
Adding monosodium glutamate (MSG)
  • Some of the commercial seasoning mixes add monosodium sodium glutumate (MSG) as a flavor enchancer. 
  • MSG does not have much of a taste on its own.  My "food science buddies" tell me MSG enhances the flavor of foods by making your taste buds more sensitive to flavors.  However, a 5th taste called umami has been recognized, and glutumate the main compound that contributes the umami taste (in other words glutumate is to umami taste as table salt, sodium chloride, is to salty taste).  For more information on taste and umami.
  • So adding MSG will enhance the flavor imparted by your cajun seasoning mix.
  • If you want to add MSG to your cajun seasoning mix, add 1 oz of Accent to the above recipe.
  • However, you should be aware that some people are sensitive to MSG, and may have a reaction to it.  If you are concerned, search the internet for monosodium glutamate, and you will get the latest information.
©David Wm. Reed