MSG Free Cajun Herb Oil
Bold, smoky, and bright with fresh herbs, this Cajun-spiced finishing oil is the kind of condiment that makes everything it touches taste intentional. Smoked paprika, cayenne, and a duo of dried and fresh thyme layer up serious depth, while lemon zest and juice cut right through the richness to keep things lively. The technique is simple but smart — gently warming the spices in olive oil coaxes out their full flavor without scorching, then fresh parsley, chives, and lemon go in off the heat so nothing delicate gets lost. Straining the solids gives you a silky, jewel-toned oil that looks as good drizzled over a plate as it tastes. For anyone watching their intake of hidden additives, this is a genuinely clean alternative to bottled seasoning blends and flavored oils, which often sneak in glutamates under ingredient names that are easy to overlook. Every component here is a whole, recognizable ingredient — nothing processed, nothing ambiguous. Use it as a dipping oil for crusty bread, a finishing drizzle over grilled proteins, or a punchy spoonful stirred into roasted vegetables.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp celery salt
- 1 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely sliced
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- 1
Combine the olive oil, smoked paprika, dried oregano, dried thyme, cayenne, black pepper, kosher salt, and celery salt in a small saucepan over low heat. Warm, stirring occasionally, until the oil is fragrant and the spices begin to sizzle gently at the edges, about 3–4 minutes. Do not let the oil smoke or the spices scorch.
- 2
Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the spiced oil cool for 5 minutes. Stir in the parsley, chives, fresh thyme leaves, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!