How to Make Salt-free Blackened Seasoning

Shrimp is delicious coated in blackened seasoning.

Blackened seasoning is a Cajun food ingredient that lends both a spicy flavor and a dark color to foods. Many items can be blackened, including steaks, pork, chicken, fish, shrimp and vegetables. Store-bought seasonings often contain salt, which can give the products an overly salty flavor when applied liberally. Whether you are on a salt-free diet or simply wish to limit your salt intake, it is relatively easy to whip up a batch of salt-free blackened seasoning at home.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring spoons
• Bowl
• 1 1/2 tbsp. paprika
• 1 tbsp. garlic powder
• 1 tbsp. onion powder
• 1 tbsp. ground thyme
• 1 tsp. black pepper
• 1 tsp. dried basil
• 1 tsp. dried oregano
• 1 tbsp. granulated sugar (optional)
• 1 tsp. cayenne pepper (optional)
• Spice grinder (optional)
• Empty jar or container with lid

Instructions

1. Place the ingredients on your workspace. Use a bowl to mix together the spice mixture. Also keep a lidded jar or similar container close by; after the mixing process, you'll want to pour the blackened seasoning into it.

2. Mix together 1 1/2 tbsp. of paprika, 1 tbsp. of garlic powder, 1 tbsp. of onion powder, 1 tbsp. of ground thyme, 1 tsp. of black pepper, 1 tsp. of dried basil and 1 tsp. of dried oregano in your bowl.

3. Add additional components to the blackened seasoning if desired. For instance, add one tbsp. of granulated white sugar if you are not on a diet that restricts sugar. You can also add 1 tsp. of cayenne pepper if you want the mixture to have a hotter, spicier flavor.

4. Grind the ingredients in a spice or coffee grinder. This will give the mixture a very fine texture. If you don't have a grinder, manually blend the ingredients together so that they are thoroughly mixed.

5. Place your salt-free blackened seasoning in a lidded jar or container. This mixture will last for three to six months when stored in this manner.

References

• Seattle Times: Recipe: Cajun Blackening Seasoning Mix