Last Updated on May 5, 2021 by Chef Mireille
Homemade Creole Seasoning is a bold mix with just the right amount of smoke, herbs and aromatics. Not only just for Cajun and Creole cooking, but this Cajun Creole Seasoning can be used to flavor everyday meals like grilled chicken or burgers. However, some people prefer a little less spice so here you get two methods, depending on your palate.
Have you ever been to New Orleans?
What is the most memorable thing about your trip there? I bet you at least 99% of you will say the food.
Beignet’s for breakfast, jambalaya, gumbo, etouffee, seafood boil, brioche french toast….I can go on forever!
Of all regional American cuisines, the Cajun and Creole cooking of Louisiana is by far the most popular.
Creole Cooking is really America’s first fusion cuisine of Caribbean, French, Spanish, Native American and African American culinary traditions.
This post may include affiliate links.
Creole Cooking
There is a lot of variety of Creole Cooking and creole spice mixes. Everybody has a different palate and makes it a little different. Some people prefer it a little more herbaceous and not as much smoke and spice, while other prefer it bold and smoky where it punches you in the face, so here I created two Cajun Creole Recipes for everyone!
Creole Cooking has always felt familiar to me from the first time I tried it when I visited New Orleans for the first time when I was about 12. I later found out why.
The first Caribbeans who came to America were Haitians. As the first independent black country in the world, it was a regiment of Haitian soldiers that helped America during the American Revolution. Many Haitians stayed in French controlled Louisiana. With a common language, they felt at home there.
Haitian History in America
If you want to learn more about Haitian contributions, read all about it here in my Savannah travel post, where a statue detailing their contributions exists.
Therefore, Haitian cuisine largely influenced Louisiana cuisine.
There are many store bought Creole Seasoning brands you can purchase like Zatarain’s Creole Seasoning and Tony’s Cajun Seasoning being the most popular.
However there are a lot of reasons to make it yourself!
Why should you make your own homemade Creole seasoning?
- Customization – Many store bought brands are loaded with excess salt, which is not necessary. Also if you prefer less spice, you can customize the amount of cayenne pepper in the recipe to your own palate.
- MSG – Many brands include MSG as a preservative, which many people are allergic to.
- By making it in smaller amounts at home, the spices are fresher which produce optimal flavor.
Creole Seasoning Uses
There are many ways to use Creole Seasoning both in traditional Cajun and Creole recipes, as well as in everyday meals.
- use as jambalaya seasoning mix
- use as a substitute for blackened seasoning
- use as creole seafood boil seasoning (you can use this Creole Seasoning instead of Old Bay)
- roast chicken
- popcorn
- French Fries
- Plantain Chips
- burgers, steaks, veggies – anything on the grill for barbecue season
So if you want to add a little creole kick to any of your everyday meals, this Creole Spice Blend definitely hits the mark!
Frequently Asked Questions
And if you would like to make some more DIY spice blends, check these out!
and download my FREE Spice Blend Cookbook – Spice it up!
I like to have a variety of spice mixes always made, so that when I’m cooking or just want to spice up my homemade popcorn, I am not relegated to just one.
Here are the tools you will need to start making all of your own Homemade Spice Mixes.
- air tight jars with labels
- funnel
- sifter
Make sure to label them differently, so you know what’s what!
So now you have everything you need, let’s check the pantry to make sure you have all the spices in house.
The ingredients are the same for both versions of Creole Seasoning. It’s only the quantities.
So now you can make both Mild Creole Seasoning and Extra Bold Creole Seasoning
Ingredients for Creole Seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Sweet paprika
- Smoked paprika
- Thyme
- Oregano
- Parsley
- Black pepper
- Cayenne pepper
- Salt
- Sugar
How to make Creole Seasoning Blend
- Sift the powdered ingredients to avoid any lumps.
- Add the dried herbs.
- Store in an air tight jar.
Homemade Creole Seasoning
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons Onion powder
- 1 tablespoon Sweet paprika
- 2 teaspoons Smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons Thyme
- 2 teaspoons Oregano
- 1 tablespoon Parsley
- ½ teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 teaspoons Cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon Salt
- 2 teaspoons Sugar
Extra Bold Creole Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 2 teaspoons sugar
Instructions
- Using a sifter, sift the garlic powder, onion powder, sweet paprika, smoked paprika, black pepper, cayenne pepper, salt and sugar into a bowl.
- Whisk to combine and verify there are no lumps.
- Add the thyme, oregano and parsley. MIx to combine.
Notes
Don’t forget to visit the RECIPE INDEX with over 1000 recipes from around the world including lots of Vegetarian Recipes and Gluten Free Recipes!
There is nothing more satisfying than making your own spice blends , this way you can customise them to your exact taste. I love the sound of this Creole spice mix and all the components that have been used to make it. I can just imagine the taste of this sprinkled on some home made plaintain chips.😍
Home made Creole seasoning looks so nice and the best part is we can mix everything as per our liking. Thanks for sharing. I have most of the ingredients and will make it and try out some recipes that you suggested.
You got me at Plantain Chips & Fries, Mir 🙂 loving the variation in this spice blend – the bold and the not-so-spicy… gotto try this ASAP
Yes that way there’s a mild kid friendly version as well as a bold and spicy one. I am sure you and your family will love both!
Just so everyone knows, “Creole” and “Cajun” are not the same thing
Yes there is a difference although many use it exchangeably which is why I named it as both. However, I detailed some of the differences in the Creole Sauce recipe post.