If you love bold, smoky flavors, this homemade Blackened Seasoning for Fish is the perfect spice blend to keep in your pantry. It combines paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, herbs, and just the right amount of heat to create a flavorful crust on fish without overpowering its natural taste.
Whether you're cooking Grilled Walleye Recipe, tilapia, cod, mahi mahi, catfish, or salmon, this easy seasoning blend brings restaurant-quality flavor to your kitchen in just a few minutes. Mix up a batch ahead of time and you'll always have a delicious homemade seasoning ready whenever fish is on the menu.
You might also like these recipes for Jamaican Jerk Chicken Seasoning, Low Sodium Taco Seasoning Recipe, or Taco John's Potato Ole Seasoning
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Why This Works
- Made with pantry staples you probably already have.
- Ready in less than 5 minutes.
- Adds smoky, savory flavor with a touch of spice.
- Works with almost any white fish or salmon.
- Easy to customize by making it milder or spicier.
- Great for pan searing, grilling, baking, air frying, or cooking on a Blackstone griddle.
- Stores well so you can make a large batch for future meals.
Ingredients Needed
- Paprika - Paprika forms the base of the seasoning and gives fish its signature deep red color. Regular paprika creates a balanced flavor, while smoked paprika adds an extra layer of smoky richness.
- Garlic Powder - Garlic powder provides savory flavor that blends evenly throughout the seasoning without the moisture of fresh garlic.
- Onion Powder - Onion powder adds mild sweetness and depth that complements delicate fish.
- Dried Thyme - Thyme brings an earthy, herbaceous flavor that pairs beautifully with seafood.
- Dried Oregano - Oregano adds a slightly peppery herbal note that balances the spices.
- Cayenne Pepper - Cayenne gives the seasoning its signature kick. Adjust the amount depending on how spicy you like your food.
- Black Pepper - Freshly ground black pepper adds warmth and enhances all of the other spices.
- Kosher Salt - Salt ties the seasoning together and helps bring out the natural flavor of the fish.
How to Make Blackened Seasoning
Gather all the ingredients needed for the seasoning mixture. Measure all of the spices into a small mixing bowl.
Stir well until everything is evenly combined and there are no clumps.
Transfer the seasoning to an airtight spice jar or glass container.
When you're ready to cook, pat the fish dry with paper towels and lightly coat it with oil or melted butter.
Sprinkle the seasoning generously over both sides of the fish and gently press it into the surface.
Cook the fish using your favorite method, including a cast iron skillet, grill, air fryer, oven, or Blackstone griddle until it flakes easily with a fork.
Pro Tips for Blackened Seasoning
- Pat the fish dry before seasoning so the spices stick better and create a flavorful crust.
- Coat the fish lightly with oil or melted butter before adding the seasoning.
- Cast iron skillets work especially well for achieving the classic blackened exterior.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper to match your preferred spice level.
- Avoid overcrowding the pan so the fish develops a nice crust.
- Fresh seasoning always provides the best flavor, so replace older spices as needed.
- This seasoning works well on shrimp, scallops, chicken, and roasted vegetables too.
Storage
Store blackened fish seasoning in an airtight spice jar or sealed container in a cool, dry pantry away from direct sunlight.
For the freshest flavor, use the seasoning within 6 months. While dried spices remain safe longer, their flavor gradually fades over time.
Label the container with the date you made it so you'll always know when it's time to mix up a fresh batch.
Serving Suggestions
This seasoning pairs well with a variety of fish including walleye, cod, tilapia, halibut, mahi mahi, salmon, catfish, and snapper.
Serve blackened fish with:
- Instant Pot Jasmine Rice or Instant Pot Quinoa
- Air Fryer Baby Potatoes
- Corn on the cob
- Coleslaw
- Grilled asparagus
- Green beans
- Caesar salad
- Macaroni salad
- Fresh lemon wedges
- Homemade tartar sauce or remoulade
Blackened fish also makes an excellent filling for tacos, sandwiches, grain bowls, and fresh salads.
Recipe FAQs
Blackened seasoning is a blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, herbs, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. When cooked over high heat, it creates a flavorful crust on fish while keeping the inside tender and flaky.
White fish like walleye, cod, tilapia, halibut, snapper, and mahi mahi are excellent choices. Salmon and catfish are also delicious with blackened seasoning.
Not necessarily. Most of the heat comes from cayenne pepper, so you can easily reduce or increase the amount to match your taste.
Do I need a cast iron skillet?
No. While cast iron is traditional for blackened fish, you can also cook seasoned fish in a nonstick skillet, on a grill, in the oven, in an air fryer, or on a Blackstone griddle.
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Blackened Seasoning for Fish
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Total Time: 5 min
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Blend
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Pescatarian
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
Instructions
- Add all of the spices to a small mixing bowl. Stir until the seasonings are thoroughly combined.
- Transfer the seasoning blend to an airtight spice jar or container.
- To use, pat fish dry with paper towels and lightly coat with olive oil or melted butter.
- Sprinkle about 1 tablespoon of seasoning over 1 pound of fish, coating both sides evenly.
- Cook the fish using your preferred method until it flakes easily with a fork. This seasoning works well for pan searing, grilling, baking, air frying, or cooking on a Blackstone griddle.
Notes
- Smoked paprika can be substituted for regular paprika for a deeper smoky flavor.
- Reduce the cayenne pepper for a milder seasoning or increase it for extra heat.
- This recipe seasons about 4 to 5 pounds of fish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 13
- Sugar: 1g
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
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