Bring restaurant-inspired flavor into your kitchen with this Red Lobster Copycat Cajun Seasoning recipe. This homemade Cajun seasoning blend is an easy way to add bold, savory flavor to seafood and other favorite dishes. Mix up a batch using your common spices and keep it ready whenever you’re craving a little restaurant-style flair at home. Use it to season lobster, shrimp, fish, chicken, roasted potatoes, and more. It’s also the key seasoning in our popular Creamy Cajun Butter Sauce, making it a useful pantry staple for creating dishes inspired by Red Lobster. Once you have a jar ready to go, you’ll find plenty of delicious ways to use it.

Love the bold, savory flavor of restaurant-style Cajun seafood? A homemade Cajun seasoning blend is an easy way to bring those flavors into your own kitchen.

This Red Lobster Copycat Cajun Seasoning is designed to help you recreate restaurant-inspired dishes using a simple combination of spices and herbs. Instead of reaching for a store-bought blend every time you want to make Cajun shrimp, lobster, or a flavorful seafood side, you can mix your own batch and keep it on hand.

The best part about making seasoning blends at home is how easily they fit into your everyday cooking. A little Cajun seasoning can add character to seafood, chicken, roasted potatoes, vegetables, rice, and pasta. It’s also a convenient way to build flavor into sauces without measuring several different spices every time you cook.

We use this seasoning in our favorite creamy Cajun Butter Sauce, which is especially delicious when served with lobster and creamy mashed potatoes. We also love it in our Salmon New Orleans with Shrimp.

We also love it in Cajun seasoned grilled tilapia, as a seasoning for grilled chicken atop linguine alfredo and in Cajun seafood boils. Together, these recipes show how one simple pantry blend can become the starting point for an entire restaurant-inspired meal.

Make a batch, store it in an airtight jar, and keep it ready for your next seafood night. We love to think of it as, homemade where it matters, with smart shortcuts where they make sense!

Note: This is a homemade copycat-inspired seasoning blend, not an official Red Lobster formula.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Restaurant-inspired flavor at home: Create your own version of the bold Cajun flavor associated with Red Lobster-inspired dishes.
• Easy to make: Simply measure and mix your seasoning ingredients.
• A useful pantry staple: Keep a jar ready for seafood nights and quick weeknight meals.
• More than just seafood seasoning: Use it on chicken, potatoes, vegetables, rice, and pasta.
• Easy to customize: Adjust the heat or salt level to suit your preferences, while keeping in mind that changing the ratios will change the flavor.
• Perfect for homemade sauces: Use it as the seasoning base for our Creamy Cajun Butter Sauce.
• Part of a restaurant-at-home cooking system: Build multiple dishes around one dependable flavor blend.

Ingredients used in Cajun Seasoning

The spices required for Cajun seasoning blend are relatively common and should be easy to find at most grocery stores.

• Cayenne Pepper – this spice blend has a substantial amount of cayenne pepper in it. Wash your hands if your hands happen to touch any cayenne pepper, and avoid touching your eyes.
• Salt – we use Himalayan pink salt such as Kirkland brand.
• Black Pepper – freshly ground black pepper
• Paprika – smoked paprika is an excellent choice for this spice blend, but others can be used.
• Cumin – ground cumin adds a savory element to this seasoning mix.
• Onion Powder
• Garlic Powder
• Thyme – dried thyme
• Oregano – dried oregano
• Mustard Powder, optional

Variations and Substitutions

Make It Milder

Reduce the amount of cayenne pepper for a gentler seasoning. This will change the overall flavor balance, so adjust gradually.

Make It Spicier

Increase the amount of cayenne pepper in small increments until you reach your preferred heat level.

Adjust the Salt

If your blend contains salt, you can experiment with reducing it and seasoning individual dishes separately. Keep in mind that the result won’t taste exactly like the original blend.

Make a Larger Batch

Multiply all ingredients by the same amount to prepare a larger batch. Mix thoroughly before transferring it to a storage jar.

Create Your Own Cajun Blend

Once you’ve tried this copycat-inspired recipe, you can experiment with the ratios to create a house Cajun seasoning that suits your family’s preferences.

Recommended Equipment

A set of measuring spoons and cups and spice jars are handy when making homemade spice blends.

Measuring Spoons and Cups

Mixing Bowl

Spice Jar

You can mix the spices in a mixing bowl and then transfer to a spice jar, or if you’re making a small batch, measure the spices directly into an empty spice jar and stir.

How to Make Red Lobster Copycat Cajun Seasoning

1. Measure the ingredients. Measure each spice and herb according to the recipe card.
2. Combine the spices. Add everything to a small mixing bowl.
3. Mix thoroughly. Stir or whisk until the ingredients are evenly distributed and the color is uniform.
4. Transfer to a jar. Spoon the seasoning into a clean, completely dry, airtight container.
5. Label and store. Add the name and date to the jar so you can easily identify your homemade blend.

That’s it! Your homemade Cajun seasoning is ready to use whenever you’re craving restaurant-inspired flavor.

STEP 1 — Add Spices To Bowl

Measure out all of the Cajun seasoning recipe ingredients into a small or medium mixing bowl.

STEP 2 — Mix it Up

With a spoon, combine the spices until they are thoroughly mixed.

STEP 3 — Pour into Spice Jar

After your Cajun seasoning blend is well mixed, pour it into a spice jar. Store the jar in a cool, dry place.

Tips for the Best Homemade Cajun Seasoning

• Measure carefully: The proportions determine the balance of flavor, saltiness, and heat.
• Use fresh spices: Spices lose their aroma and intensity over time, so fresher ingredients generally produce a more flavorful blend.
• Mix thoroughly: Make sure the salt, herbs, and ground spices are evenly distributed.
• Keep moisture out: Always use a dry spoon when scooping seasoning from the jar.
• Taste as you cook: Cajun seasoning blends vary in heat and saltiness, so start with the recommended amount and adjust to taste.
• Make a batch that suits your cooking: Once you’ve settled on your favorite ratio, you can scale the recipe up for a larger jar.

How To Use Cajun Seasoning

Seafood

• Lobster tails
• Add Cajun seasoning to shrimp scampi
• Sprinkle Cajun on baked or pan-seared fish like tilapia or salmon fillets
• Add to Crab and other shellfish, and in Cajun seafood boils
• Try putting a little Cajun seasoning in seafood pasta like Bar Harbor Lobster Bake

Potatoes and Vegetables

• Roasted potatoes
• Mashed potatoes
• Baked potatoes
• Corn on the cob
• Roasted cauliflower
• Sautéed green beans

Chicken and Other Mains

• Cajun-seasoned chicken, add some Cajun spice to chicken nuggets (for the grown-ups, not kids) and in marinated air fryer chicken wings.
• Chicken pasta
• Rice bowls
• Sheet-pan dinners
• Homemade seafood-inspired meals

Sauces and Flavor Boosters

• Creamy Cajun Butter Sauce
• Creamy seafood sauces
• Cajun-inspired pasta sauces
• Butter sauces for lobster or shrimp

Start with the amount recommended in your individual recipe. If you’re seasoning a dish without a specific recipe, add a little at a time and taste as you go, particularly if your blend contains salt or a generous amount of cayenne.

What to Make with This Cajun Seasoning

Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy Cajun seasoning:

• Creamy Cajun Butter Sauce: Turn the seasoning into a rich, creamy sauce for seafood and other dishes.
• Lobster Mashed Potatoes: Combine creamy mashed potatoes with creamy Cajun butter sauce, and cooked lobster for a special side dish.
• Baked Lobster: Use the seasoning as directed in your preferred lobster preparation.
• Cajun Shrimp Scampi: Season shrimp with a little Cajun seasoning for a quick seafood dinner.
• Cajun Seafood Pasta: Use the blend to build flavor in a creamy or buttery pasta sauce.
• Salmon New Orleans With Shrimp: a stunning dish with salmon fillets and shrimp with creamy Cajun butter sauce.
• Seafood Boil: serve with shrimp, crab, potatoes, corn on the cob and sausage.
• Cajun Chicken Linguine Alfredo: prepare a Red Lobster-inspired Cajun-seasoned chicken breast with linguine and alfredo sauce.
• Shrimp Linguine Alfredo: add some Cajun seasoning to the shrimp.

Storage Tips

Storage: Keep your homemade Cajun seasoning in a clean, dry, airtight jar in a cool, dark cupboard away from heat and moisture.

Shelf life: For the best flavor, aim to use the blend within about six months. It may remain usable longer if stored properly, but its aroma and flavor will gradually fade.

Refrigeration: Refrigeration isn’t necessary for a dry seasoning blend and can introduce moisture through condensation.

Freezing: Freezing isn’t usually necessary. A tightly sealed jar stored in a cool, dry cupboard is more convenient for everyday use.

How to tell if it’s past its best: Check for moisture, clumping caused by dampness, unusual odors, or any signs of mold. Discard the blend if you notice signs of spoilage.

More Homemade Seasonings

• Doner Kebab Spice Blend
• Greek Seasoning
• BBQ Dry Rub
• Pumpkin Spice
• Gingerbread Spice
• All Purpose Seasoning
• Spicy All Purpose (Indian-inspired)
• Everything Bagel

You’ll Also Love

You’ve got to try this Red Lobster-inspired Salmon New Orleans With Shrimp with a side of lobster mashed potatoes and creamy Cajun butter sauce over both dishes! Serve with a vegetable side dish like garlic green beans, easy sautéed spinach or broccolini.

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Red Lobster Copycat Cajun Seasoning

Susan & Björn

This homemade Red Lobster Copycat Cajun Seasoning is an easy spice blend for adding restaurant-inspired Cajun flavor to seafood, chicken, potatoes, and sauces.

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servingsServings 8 Tablespoons

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Course Spice Blend

Cuisine American, Red Lobster

Calories 18 kcal

Fiber 1 g

Carbohydrates 4 g

Equipment

Measuring Spoons and Cups

Mixing Bowl

Spice Jar

Ingredients

 

USMetric

 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 4 teaspoons Cayenne Pepper
• ▢ 1 tablespoon Salt
• ▢ 1 tablespoon Black Pepper, ground
• ▢ 1 tablespoon Smoked Paprika, Smoked is preferred but other kinds can be used
• ▢ 1 tablespoon Cumin
• ▢ 1 tablespoon Onion Powder
• ▢ 1 tablespoon Garlic Powder
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Thyme
• ▢ 1 teaspoon Oregano
• ▢ 2 teaspoons Mustard Powder, optional

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Instructions

 

• Gather all the ingredients and measure them out each into a bowl.
  
• Use a spoon to combine the spices into a lovely seasoning blend.
  
• After your spice blend is well mixed, pour into a spice jar and store in a cool, dry place.
  

Nutrition

Calories: 18kcal Carbohydrates: 4g Fiber: 1g Net Carbohydrates: 2g Protein: 1g Fat: 1g Saturated Fat: 0.1g Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g Sodium: 888mg Potassium: 90mg Sugar: 0.3g Vitamin A: 882IU Vitamin C: 1mg Calcium: 25mg Iron: 1mg

Note

This recipe is provided for informational purposes only. The above nutritional values are estimates and should only be used as a guide. Please use proper food safety practices, always use a food thermometer to ensure safe cooking temperature, and consult a professional if you have dietary restrictions or allergies.

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