What are Cajun Spices?

Cajun spices originated from the culture of Louisiana. Often confused with creole cooking, these spices create a bold blend of flavor that many cajuns will use in lieu of salt. Cajun cooking relies heavily on butter, cream and, of course, the cajun spices.

Oftentimes, Cajuns will blend a variety of the spices together, creating one mixture of spices. The mixture of spices becomes a Cajun spice. Some popular Cajun spices include: paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper and oregano.

Paprika:
The paprika spice comes from grinding dried bell peppers and chili peppers. Paprika seasoning comes in a variety of flavors, which can range from mild to hot. This spice adds flavor and color to any dish. Used widely in European countries, paprika was brought over to the Cajun culture and has become an important Cajun spice.

Garlic Powder: 
After garlic has been dehydrated, you can grind it into a powder. Garlic powder does not have the same taste as fresh garlic, but can be used as a garlic substitute when needed. In Cajun dishes, cooks use garlic powder to add to the spicy flavor of the meal.

Cayenne Pepper: 
Originating from red hot chili peppers (also commonly known as cayenne peppers), this spice adds a kick of potent spice into any dish. After a red hot chili pepper has been dried, pepper makers grind it into this powerful spice.

Oregano: 
Less powerful than the other Cajun spices, oregano is a dried herb used in a variety of dishes throughout the world. Closely related to the marjoram spice, oregano comes from the leaves of a perennial herb.

These are a few popular Cajun spices. Next time you want to create a batch of Jambalaya or Gumbo, consider using some of these spices to add a bit of Cajun flavor to your dish.