Updated on April 9th, 2023
So, are you a fan of smoking hot food or love cooking food that can make people go teary-eyed? If that’s the case, then chances that you never heard of Creole seasoning are very slim. Straight from the Caribbean kitchens and blended with English cooking, these Creole seasonings are a must for making any spicy food great again.
What is Creole?
Creole seasoning refers to those taste boosters that find their origin in Louisiana. These seasonings blend the influence of many places. A few of them include West Africa, France, Spain, and the Southern United States. Creole finds a special place in Louisianan cuisine with increasing influence over Mexican cuisine.
Foods it Goes well With
Originally, Louisianan cuisine used it, followed by the Mexicans, who also added it to their dishes. Creole’s influence has been so great in certain cuisine that some of the dishes have also been named after it. It is used to enhance the flavors of the following dishes with a classic Louisianan touch:
However, situations turn tight when you have cravings for some delicious spicy food but find out that you’ve run out of creoles. You might think of changing your plans for spicy food. What if someone tells you that you don’t need to because there’s something that can go just right with it? This article is exactly going to serve the very same purpose.
Substitutes for Creole Seasoning
It just takes some mixing and matching to create a unique dish. You may have run out of Creole seasoning, okay. But don’t worry. Because here are some substitutes for Creole seasoning:
Cajun
If you ever find yourself in situations where you run out of Creole, Cajun will be your savior. Named after the ethnic group based in Louisiana, it is another great spicy seasoning that is hard to beat. It is a product of a deadly combination of common spices that can be found in homes.
How to Prepare Cajun?
It consists of salt, garlic powder, Paprika, black pepper, onion powder, dried oregano, thyme, cayenne pepper, and red pepper taste-wise. If you have most of these things, then bingo! Your plans for a spicy evening have been successfully rescued. Now, all you have to do is to take all of them in a big container and stir the mixture until it becomes uniform. Store it in an air-tight jar so that the aroma doesn’t fade away. There you go, with your first
Creole Seasoning Substitute
Recipes That Go Fine With Cajun
- Indian cuisine goes perfectly well with Cajun. It is because Indian foods are known to be spicy. You can add some spiciness of Cajun to the delicious Shrimp Masala. Indian cuisines boast unique chicken dishes that go fine with these seasonings. Some of them include grilled Cajun chicken, Cajun spiced chicken, etc.
- There is another dish, a part of Louisianan cuisine, that you must try if you like Cajun. It is called Jambalaya- a blend of highly seasoned rice, meat, and vegetables. The addition of Cajun to them makes them taste like something out of the world.
- Another region famous for its cuisine is Mexico. Mexican cuisine, amongst other cuisines, uses seasonings, like Cajun, to enhance the flavor in it. One of the famous dishes is called Cajun Mexican Queso. It proudly boasts of a flavor that the seasonings can only impart it is named after.
- The Louisianan Cajun has also found its place in Italian cuisine. Many pasta dishes have been using Cajun for a better and unique flavor. Some of the mouth-watering dishes are creamy Cajun shrimp spaghetti; Cajun Italian stuffed peppers, etc.
Old Bay
You might have heard about it on the TV during the ad breaks. A product of McCormick & Co., it has been a part of American kitchens for more than 80 years. And probably this will be the one to retain the spiciness of your food. It contains most of the spices Cajun does. But some exotic additions in Old Bay make its taste even better. These ingredients consist of laurel leaves, cardamom, cloves, and mustard.
How to Prepare It?
You don’t need to. You just have to visit your nearest store and buy it.
Recipes That Go Fine With Old Bay
- The American Old Bay has been found by the Mexican cuisine to blow its taste off the charts. The very famous burritos go so well with Old Bay that it’s a must that you try it. Old Bay shrimp burritos depend on the classic Old Bay taste for its flavor. The other household Mexican dish that is flavored by Old Bay is tacos. Another famous recipe is Old Bay shrimp Quesadillas.
- Talking about Italian dishes, pasta is a dish that goes well with nearly every top-notch seasoning. Of course, these seasonings include the Old Bay too. The Old Bay shrimp scampi is another dish you might not have heard of but is equally delicious.
Adobo Seasoning
It comes from the Spanish preservation method of marinating meat in spices and vinegar. The best part about it is that it is an all-purpose seasoning. It is a by-product of mixing several other types of seasonings and spices. So, it’s kind of a seasoning hybrid. So, you don’t need to think twice about which food it will go well with.
How to Prepare It?
You need Paprika, ground black pepper, onion powder, dried oregano, ground cumin garlic powder, chili powder, and salt. All you have to do is take them in a sufficiently big container and stir the contents until the mixture becomes uniform. Then, to preserve its aroma, store it in an air-tight container.
Recipes That Go Fine with Adobo
Due to its Spanish origin, it is a big hit in Mexican and Filipino cuisines. Some of the Mexican dishes with Adobo seasoning are:
- Mexican Chicken Adobo
- Chipotles
- Easy Red Sauce Enchiladas
- Chipotle and Cheese Bean Dip
- Chicken Tinga Tacos
Coming to Filipino cuisine, the following dishes carry the special taste of the Adobo seasoning:
- Slow Cooker Filipino Chicken Adobo
- Adobo Chicken with Ginger
- Filipino Rice Cake
A Unique Mixture of Common Kitchen Ingredients
The best way to get something as you like is to make it yourself. And that’s exactly what you will be doing here. You will be preparing your Creole substitute. A mixture of the right amount of ingredients will give you an unbeatable and tasty seasoning.
How to Prepare It?
Take out the spices in your kitchen and create some spicy magic. All you need is Paprika, cayenne pepper, oregano, dried sweet basil, and some other spices like red pepper.
It is not a substitute but is a homemade version of Creole seasoning. So now your Creole seasoning is ready. Put it in your food and bring its best taste and aroma out.
Recipes That Go Fine With Your Homemade Creole
1. If you’re a fan of Mexican cuisine, then you certainly have hit the jackpot. It goes as a flavor enhancer with many Mexican foods. Two of the dishes that it goes best with are:
- Nachos
- Creole Mexican Catfish
2. If you like Creole, it’s a must that you try Louisiana’s Creole cuisine. It blends the elements of cuisines of so many places like West Africa, France, Spain, and the Southern United States. Some of the most famous recipes include:
- Jambalaya (which goes well with Cajun too)
- Dirty rice
- Gumbo
Conclusion
Creole seasoning is a great flavor enhancer for spicy foods. Having an idea about its ingredients will enable you to make a homemade substitute. So if you ever run out of Creole, don’t worry. As you now know about many recipes are perfect as Creole substitutes. The substitutes are as versatile as the Creole itself. They can go well with nearly any type of food, whether a snack or a dish. So for every cuisine that is known for its spiciness, like Indian, Mexican, etc., Creole is the perfect go-to flavor enhancer. Not only that but Creole can also be added to make bland foods even more delicious and desirable to eat. So, whenever you think about making something, don’t forget to use these Creole seasoning substitutes. This will give you an unforgettable feeling for your taste buds.
