Cajun spices: the flavor of the American South

Today we want to talk to you about the well-known spice blend from the deep south of the United States: the Cajun seasoning. Many people have heard of it, but we often get the question what Cajun spices actually are and especially how you can use them. To answer all these questions in a handy way, we have put together this blog.

In this blog we go deeper into the history of Cajun spices, what they consist of and how you can make them yourself. We also give the recipe for the most famous Cajun dish and how you can use it further in the kitchen. Always wanted to know exactly what Cajun spices are or curious how to make them yourself with herbs and spices you probably already have at home? In this blog you can read all about it!

First it's time for a short history lesson, because this spice mix has a rich history. The story begins in the 18th century, when French colonists settled in Acadia, a region in eastern Canada. Later, when the British dared to make the perilous crossing across the Atlantic Ocean and conquered this region, the French-speaking inhabitants of this area, better known as Acadians, were expelled. Some returned to France, but most settled in the deep south of the United States, in the state now called Louisiana. 

The term ‘Cajun’ is an abbreviation of ‘Acadian’, which became the namesake of the Cajun culture and thus the Cajun cuisine. This culture today is a mix of French, Spanish, African and Native American influences. Over the past two hundred years they developed their own culinary traditions, from which the Cajun spices were born. To this day this spice mix is an important part of the identity of Louisiana and Cajun culture, because it gives dishes that characteristic Cajun flavor that represents that culture. The so-called Cajuns also use it to make their own typical dishes, such as gumbo and jambalaya, which we discuss further in this blog.

Now that you know the origin of Cajun spices it's time to go into more detail about what the spice mix actually is. There is actually no single recipe for this spice mix, because different cooks add different ingredients to the mix to give it their own twist. Yet the base is the same for every Cajun chef, which of course we are happy to take you through. 

The spice that you will definitely find in every Cajun seasoning is smoked paprika powder, which provides a smoky flavor and the characteristic red color. In addition there is always garlic powder in it to give this mix a delicious aromatic taste. Furthermore, every Cajun seasoning always includes dried thyme and dried oregano for a herby dimension. A bit of heat cannot be missed either, which is added by cayenne pepper. And you will also always see onion powder returning. Finally, to every Cajun seasoning, as with practically every spice mix, salt and black pepper are added. 

Some Cajun seasonings include, in addition to the above base, also dried basil for extra aroma, dried parsley for extra freshness, or ground mustard seed for a nice kick. However, this really depends on the personal preference of the chef. 

By combining the herbs and spices above you can very easily make your own Cajun seasoning. Of course you are free to play with the proportions to taste. You can also have fun experimenting by adding one of the optional herbs, or perhaps a completely different herb that we did not mention! 

Because there is no fixed Cajun seasoning (only a list of base spices), there is also no clear alternative. Simply assemble your own Cajun seasoning by making a mix of the aforementioned herbs and spices, with which you create your own unique Cajun blend that is perfect for you! 

However, if you don't feel like or have the time to put your own spice mix together, we have already done the hard work for you. In our range you can find both a ready-made Cajun seasoning and one without salt . That way you have the option to control the salt content of your dishes yourself. Good for your health. We have carefully composed our Cajun seasonings, to which we added a number of herbs and spices in addition to the base spices. After many rounds of testing and tasting, we believe we have made the flavor as complete and authentic as possible. 

What a Cajun seasoning exactly is should now be clear, but then of course the question remains: which dishes can you make with it? Below we go into the most famous authentic Cajun dish, which has its origins in the deep south of the United States: gumbo.

Normally we talk about multiple applications of a spice mix, but for the Cajun seasoning there is really only one authentic dish we need to discuss: gumbo. Gumbo is a flavorful and savory stew, perfect for a cold winter day. It is traditionally prepared with a mix of different types of meat, vegetables, and served with rice. Let's begin. 

1. 
   Gumbo always begins with a roux. But not a roux as you probably know it, which is a combination of butter and flour. Gumbo actually starts with a so-called dark roux, which is made by heating oil in the pan, to which you gradually add flour while stirring. The process of making the roux is practically the same, however the result will be essentially different. After about 15 minutes you will have a brown roux, which is the base of this wonderfully thickened stew.
2. Then add finely chopped onion, celery, red or green bell pepper and garlic, which you sauté until the vegetables are soft. After that it's time to add the mix of meats, but to keep it simple today we stick to just cubes of chicken breast. Fry these until the chicken is cooked through.
3. After that add the Cajun seasoning, a few bay leaves and the liquid. The liquid in a gumbo traditionally consists of a mix of peeled tomatoes and chicken stock. Add at least one can of peeled tomatoes (but more is fine!), after which you want to cover all the ingredients with chicken stock. And now you wait; let the whole simmer for about 30 to 60 minutes so the flavors have a chance to get to know each other.
4. After the 30 to 60 minutes of simmering, simply remove the bay leaves, after which you can serve this delicious stew with cooked white rice. Optionally you can garnish the gumbo with a finely chopped spring onion to finish it off completely! And then enjoy this authentic Cajun dish. 

Because it is a stew, this dish is particularly suitable to prepare in large quantities. Great for a dinner party, or if for whatever reason you have many guests over. (And of course don't immediately give away your unique Cajun seasoning!)

Besides using the Cajun seasoning in gumbo, you can of course use it for many other purposes. Jambalaya, which is a similar Cajun dish to gumbo, is also seasoned with this delicious spice mix. You can also use Cajun seasoning very well to marinate a piece of meat or chicken, giving it both a herby and spicy flavor. Nice for the barbecue or for a piece of meat or chicken from the grill!

Through this blog we have taken you to the deep south of the United States, where Cajun culture and thus the Cajun seasoning has its origin. We have told you what a Cajun seasoning at least consists of, giving you the base from which you can continue to experiment. Of course you can find both the individual herbs and spices and the ready-made Cajun seasonings with and without salt in our assortment on the website. 

Hopefully we have answered all the questions you had regarding Cajun spices. And if not, you can always send us a message! We will do everything we can to answer your question as well as possible. Have fun experimenting with this delicious, authentic spice mix, and of course with making the gumbo this winter. Enjoy and bon appétit!

Frequently asked questions about Cajun spices

1. What exactly are Cajun spices?
Cajun spices are a spicy blend originating from the Cajun cuisine in Louisiana. The mix usually contains paprika powder, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano and black pepper. It is known for its herby, smoky and slightly spicy flavor.

2. Are Cajun spices always spicy?
Not necessarily. Traditionally the mix contains cayenne pepper, which provides heat, but you can adjust the amount. Some variants are mild and more aromatic than hot.

3. What do you use Cajun spices for?
Cajun spices are versatile and delicious on chicken, shrimp, salmon, potatoes, vegetables or in stews like gumbo. They also work well as a dry rub for the barbecue or as a seasoning in the air fryer.

4. What is the difference between Cajun and Creole spices?
Cajun spices are often a bit simpler and spicier in flavor. Creole spices usually contain more herbs such as bay leaf and sometimes more paprika for a milder, more complex flavor.

5. Can you make Cajun spices yourself?
Yes, definitely. By mixing paprika powder, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme and black pepper, you can easily make your own version. This way you can determine the saltiness and spiciness level yourself.