Nutmeg Free Cajun Herb Oil
This bold, aromatic finishing oil brings serious Southern heat to your table with nothing more than a handful of pantry spices, fresh herbs, and good olive oil. Smoked paprika, cayenne, and a duo of dried and fresh thyme layer up a deep, complex warmth that feels far more impressive than the short ingredient list suggests. Gently warming the oil with the dried spices coaxes out every bit of their flavor before the bright finishing touches — fresh parsley, chives, lemon zest, and a squeeze of juice — get stirred in off the heat. That two-stage approach is what separates this from a simple infused oil; you get both smoky depth and a fresh, herby lift in every drop. Many store-bought Cajun-style condiments and spice blends sneak in nutmeg as a background note, so making your own from scratch puts you fully in control of what goes into the bottle. Strain it into a glass jar, let it rest for half an hour, and you have a gorgeous drizzle that works over grilled proteins, roasted vegetables, crusty bread, or anywhere you want a punchy, herb-forward kick.
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!