Quick Gluten Free Cajun Seasoning (+ No Salt Option)

Make your own gluten free Cajun seasoning using a handful of spices and herbs! This easy recipe saves you money overall and ensures that the seasoning blend you're using has no additives.

Keep reading for tips on how to use this spicy blend, plus ways to adjust it to your tastes!

Ingredients in Cajun seasoning

Cajun seasoning is a classic blend of herbs and spices that originated in Louisiana's rustic Cajun cuisine. It adds a unique and bold flavor profile to various dishes, including meats, seafood, vegetables, and even popcorn!

Typically, Cajun seasoning contains a combination of:

• black pepper
• white pepper
• cayenne pepper
• garlic powder
• onion powder
• paprika
• thyme
• oregano
• salt

Is Cajun seasoning gluten free?

Usually, yes! However, if you're buying a store-bought blend, you'll have to pay close attention to the label. Some brands contain additives like wheat flour, cornstarch, or maltodextrin.

Fortunately, making your own Cajun seasoning is cheaper overall (you'll spend more on each spice but make multiple batches of Cajun blend) AND you'll know for sure there's no hidden gluten!

How to make your own gluten free Cajun seasoning

This couldn't be easier. Get all your spices and herbs together, measure everything into a bowl, and stir until combined.

It's that simple!

Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

What's the difference between Cajun and Creole seasonings?

Yes, Cajun and Creole seasonings are different, although they have a similar flavor profile.

As a great Masterclass article explains, Cajun seasoning often uses multiple types of pepper (here we have black pepper, white pepper, and cayenne pepper). Therefore, it's spicier and bolder overall.

Creole seasoning, on the other hand, has more herbal notes thanks to more oregano and thyme, basil, and sometimes parsley and rosemary. It uses less pepper overall.

So, if you want something a little more mild, opt for Creole seasoning!

How to adjust this spice blend to your tastes

By making your own seasoning blend, you've got the power to adjust the blend however you'd like! Add a little more of one ingredient or a little less of another.

However, here are the top ways to adjust this gluten free Cajun seasoning:

To make a salt free seasoning

Simple: just omit the salt!

Personally I think all spice blends are better WITH salt, but if for whatever reason you need to reduce the amount of salt in your life, you can easily omit it from the blend.

To make a mild Cajun seasoning

Reduce or omit the cayenne pepper and/or red pepper flakes.

This recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of each. So if you want a milder seasoning that still has a little kick, add 1 teaspoon each.

Otherwise, you can omit both.

To make a spicier Cajun seasoning

Add a little more cayenne pepper, starting with ½ teaspoon and building from there.

Otherwise, you can add a bit of spice and a bit of smokiness by adding 1 teaspoon chipotle pepper!

Ways to use this gluten free Cajun seasoning

Now that you've got your Cajun seasoning blend made, how do you use it?!

Cajun seasoning works well with poultry, seafood, and pork.

Use Cajun seasoning to add a kick to meal prep Cast Iron Chicken Breast or Grilled Pork Chops.

Add it to rice or beans. Sprinkle it into a seafood boil or onto roasted fish. Or keep it on hand for making jambalaya or gluten free slow cooker gumbo.

You can also stir a bit into breading for chicken cutlets or fried fish!

A dusting of Cajun seasoning can also add a spicy kick to potatoes, whether you're making Oven-Roasted Potato Rounds, fries, or home fries!

More gluten free dressings, sauces, and spice blends to jazz up your meals