Southwest Cajun Dry Rub

If you’re looking to add a serious kick to your grilling game or spice up your everyday meals, this Southwest Cajun Dry Rub is the seasoning you’ve been missing. It brings together bold Cajun flavors with a Southwest twist—smoky, spicy, and savory, all in one. Perfect for grilling, roasting, or even just tossing on some veggies!

This Southwest Cajun dry rub was inspired by the vibrant mix of flavors found in Cajun cooking, with a Southwest twist that kicks things up a notch. Cajun flavors are unique, originating from a blend of cultures in the South that mix French herbs with chiles and warm spices from the Caribbean and Central America.

Inspired by the fusion of cultures, I decided to press the flavors towards the Southwest, focusing on savory herbs and local chiles. We’re talking smoky paprika, earthy chipotle, and a hit of Mexican oregano layered with classic Cajun elements like cayenne, thyme, and allspice. The result? A rub that’s great for grilling or smoking meats, but it doesn’t stop there—try it on smoked turkey breast, Cajun chicken wings, Cajun pork ribs, roasted veggies, beans, or even scrambled eggs!

Key Ingredients

• Salt & pepper — I recommend kosher coarse salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
• Smoked paprika — For a hint of smoky flavor. If you don’t have it, you can just regular paprika instead.
• Cayenne pepper — Gives this rub its signature heat. Add more if you like it spicy!
• Mexican oregano — Stronger than your regular oregano, it’s slightly citrusy and pairs well with the smoky and spicy elements in this dry rub.
• Granulated garlic — An essential ingredient to add a savory depth!
• Chipotle powder — Smoky, spicy, and just a little bit earthy.
• Dried parsley — For a little bit of freshness!
• Dried thyme — Thyme lends those Cajun vibes.
• Ground allspice — Brings a warming spice element that’s also key to a Cajun-inspired rub.

Substitutions or Variations for Flavor

• Chipotle powder: Can’t find it? Swap in smoked chili powder or even ground ancho chile for a slightly milder heat.
• Mexican oregano: Regular oregano will work in a pinch, but the flavor won’t be quite as bold.
• More heat: Throw in extra cayenne or even some red pepper flakes if you want to really crank up the spice.
• Need a Salt Free Cajun Seasoning? Use this recipe and skip the salt. It’s packed with plenty of flavors from the chiles, herbs, and spices. You can use it to season soups, beans, rice, vegetables, and anything else that would require little to no added salt.

How to Make Southwest Cajun Dry Rub

1. Combine ingredients. Mix the ingredients in a small bowl. Taste and adjust as needed.
2. Store. Store in an airtight container. This dry rub recipe will stay the freshest for about a month.

Top Tips

• Adjust to taste. Everyone’s spice tolerance is different, so taste as you go. You can always add more heat but you can’t take it away! Luckily, Southwest Cajun dry rub is versatile so you can adjust it to your own liking.
• To store, keep your rub in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, and it’ll stay fresh for about a month.
• For the best results, apply this BBQ rub generously and let it sit on the meat for at least 30 minutes before cooking to let those flavors really sink in!

How to Use Southwest Cajun Dry Rub

This Cajun rub can be used for grilling or smoking, as it has no sugar (similar to Sedona Sand All-Purpose Seasoning). So you can try it on any grilled or smoked meats like reverse seared tri-tip steaks or smoked chicken drumsticks!

Or, you can use this dry rub with any of my Cajun-inspired recipes like my Cajun chicken wings, spicy Cajun pork ribs, or Cajun steak and shrimp etouffee. It will really take the spicy, Cajun flavors up a notch!

It’s also a great seasoning to sprinkle on roasted veggies, homemade beans, or eggs as well. It would go amazingly sprinkled into blackened corn, Tennessee onions, Southwest creamed corn, or stirred into Southern macaroni salad!

Frequently Asked Questions

More Recipes to Try

• Nashville Hot Seasoning
• Homemade Hot Honey
• Smoky Southwest Dry Rub
• Korean BBQ Sauce
• Mexican Buffalo Sauce

Thank You For Trying Our Recipe!

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