Homemade Blackened Seasoning

Combining herbs and spices into a mix can be the best way to season many foods. There are tons of options in the market for different spice mixes from Lemon Pepper to Steak Seasoning. The only problem with these blends is it can sometimes be tough to tell exactly how much salt and other ingredients might be in them. That's why I like to make my own. Creating your own seasoning blends takes minutes and can save you a lot of money. A well stocked spice cabinet gives you endless opportunities to create new and exciting flavors for chicken, fish, steak and even salad dressing.

This recipe is one of my favorites to use during the warmer months. It's delicious on any kind of meat or poultry you like. It's great for the barbecue, grill pan or broiler.

All it takes are these seven items and an old spice bottle or tupperware to shake them up in. You can easily halve or double this recipe depending on how much you plan on using. This recipe is enough to generously season about 4-5 pieces of meat.

Homemade Blackened Seasoning
Adapted from Southern Food

1 heaping T Paprika
1 tsp. salt
1 heaping tsp. garlic powder
1 heaping tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1/2 tsp. dried oregano

Mix all spices and herbs together in a small container and shake well. The blend will keep for about a month or two in a cool, dry and dark spot. You can add more or less of the salt, pepper and cayenne pepper depending on your preferences. These amounts are what I found to be the tastiest.

Enjoy!