When you shop for meat seasonings, it can be easy to buy simple products that you've used in the past. While there's nothing wrong with buying products with which you're familiar, you shouldn't be hesitant to give other products a try, too. Visit an online retailer that carries a wide selection of meat spices and seasonings, read a few product descriptions, and pick out one or more mixes that appeal to you. Blackening spice is a mix that you'll commonly find from this type of retailer, and it can add a new dimension to your cooking. Here are some things to know about this seasoning.

What's In It

The ingredients in blackening spice blends can vary from product to product, but you'll generally find a number of common ingredients. Garlic and onion powder, salt, and pepper are a fixture, just as they are in many different spice mixes. You'll also find paprika and oregano, as well as cayenne pepper. Some blackening mixes are on the spicy side, thanks to a larger amount of cayenne pepper or perhaps even one or more other hot peppers. You should always consider how spicy you like your food before you buy your spice blends and then shop accordingly.

What To Use It On

Blackening spice can add a lot of flavor to several different meats, which means that you may find yourself reaching for this spice mix more than once per week. People often use blackening spice on chicken breasts, drumsticks, and thighs, but these spices can also work well with seafood. If you enjoy shrimp and white fish, try using this spice with these protein sources. You can also use this spice mix in applications that don't involve meat. If you're making onion rings with a buttermilk dredge, for example, consider spicing up the buttermilk with a sprinkle of blackening spice.

Tips For Using It

The common way to use blackening spice is to thoroughly coat both sides of the meat with this blend. In order to prevent some of the spices from coming off when you're cooking the meat — something that can potentially occur when you're flipping the meat on your grill — it's useful to press the blackening spice into the meat with your hands. Some people brush oil onto their meat before applying the blackening spice, as this can often help the spice to adhere better.

For more information on spice blends, contact a professional near you.