Creole Seasoning

Published Aug. 14, 2024

Creole Seasoning
Christopher Testani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.
Total Time
5 minutes
Prep Time
4 minutes
Cook Time
1 minute
Rating
5(9)
Comments
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Most Louisiana residents keep a container of Creole or Cajun seasoning within easy reach of their stovetop. To many Louisianans, a savory dish is not complete if it hasn’t been seasoned with a blend of sweet peppers, hot peppers, onions and garlic. This version is a blend of dried, ground spices that are likely already in your spice cabinet. Once combined, you get something uniquely and quintessentially Southern. There’s just enough cayenne to add a little heat, but feel free to adjust it to your liking by increasing it or eliminating it altogether. Many commercially-prepared blends use a hefty amount of salt, so be mindful of adjusting the salt to taste. Don’t limit yourself to using this blend in traditional Creole or Cajun fare like shrimp Creole, gumbo or dirty rice; it is versatile enough to go on pretty much any savory dish, from scrambled eggs to sautéed spinach.

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Ingredients

Yield:¼ cup
  • 1tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1tablespoon chili powder
  • 1teaspoon onion powder
  • 1teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½teaspoon ground cayenne (or less, if desired)
  • ½teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ½teaspoon black pepper
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (2 servings)

33 calories; 1 gram fat; 0 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 0 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 7 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams dietary fiber; 1 gram sugars; 2 grams protein; 119 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and stir together. The seasoning makes about ¼ cup; store it in a closed container in a cool, dry place.

Ratings

5 out of 5
9 user ratings
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Comments

My New Orleans roots say this is about perfect. We substituted white pepper ¼tsp/Cayenne pepper ¼tsp for the cayenne pepper but this is it. We also kept Filé (dried, ground sassafras leaves) stoveside, too.

Per the recipe, it is chili powder, the kind you use to make chili. A tablespoon of chile powder (e.g., cayenne) would take your head off!

I’ve made many spice blends including Cajun to reduce salt and they all clump if I try and make them up ahead. Are there any natural ways to keep them flowing? I break up the clumps each time but that can get a little annoying.

Per the recipe, it is chili powder, the kind you use to make chili. A tablespoon of chile powder (e.g., cayenne) would take your head off!

What about the file powder? It seems essential to the mix?

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