Top 5 Substitutes for Cajun Seasoning
Here are 5 substitutes for cajun seasoning just in case you run out in the middle of cooking some scrumptious jambalaya. Cajun seasoning is a delicious spice blend that originated in Louisiana and it is one of the flavor profiles we’ve come to love now.
Cajun seasoning is a rustic blend of seasoning from the state of Louisiana in the United States. Louisiana is home to Cajun cuisine, a much-celebrated cuisine globally. Cajun cuisine is known for its spicy cuisine and hearty dishes. Cajuns were the French people deported to the United States by the British from Nova Scotia. The true Frenchmen they were, created a delicious cuisine that is loved worldwide now. Although French in origin, Cajun cuisine blended in with the cuisines of the Native Americans and Africa.
Cajun blend is a rustic blend of spices both hot and savory. Cajun seasoning can be used in any kind of dish like vegetables, stews, rubs, salad dressings or even rice.
This seasoning is very easy to make at home because the individual ingredients of this blend is widely available in grocery stores. Some of the components of Cajun seasoning are onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt and oregano.
Here’s are the top 10 substitutes for Cajun seasoning.
Table of Contents
1. Creole Seasoning
Creole seasoning is the most similar to Cajun seasoning on this list. Their origins aren’t too far apart being that it’s from New Orleans, a city in Louisiana. Creole uses more herbs than Cajun seasoning. It makes the perfect substitute for Cajun seasoning in Jambalaya and Cajun Andouille sausages. If you want that very Cajun effect to it, add a little bit of cayenne pepper if you have.
2. Old Bay
Old Bay is a seasoning that people use pretty much on anything, just like Cajun seasoning. The comparison between the two, however, is more distinct. Cajun seasoning focuses more on the blend of peppers while Old Bay focuses more on the blend of spices. It contains more striking spices such as allspice, cloves, nutmeg and cardamom.
You may use Old Bay as a substitute for Cajun seasoning in salads, cauliflower rice, or other dishes.
3. Adobo Seasoning
Adobo seasoning is the Cajun seasoning version in Latin America. Its origin is also from Europe but blended in with Latin American spices like cumin. Adobo seasoning could be used as a substitute for Cajun seasoning but you may want to dial it down a little so that the cumin doesn’t overpower the dish.
4. Chili Powder
Chili powder is a very simple kind of substitute for Cajun seasoning. Chili powder can bring out the heat that Cajun seasoning creates when mixed into dishes without the savory aspects of it. You may add some of the extra spices that Cajun seasoning contains if you have them in your pantry.
5. Make Your Own
This is the best bet if you run out of readymade Cajun seasoning. If you have onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, salt, pepper, you’re pretty much solved!
