- July 1, 2025
- Grilling
Nashville Hot Seasoning Recipe
This bold and spicy Nashville hot seasoning blend is packed with cayenne pepper, brown sugar, and smoky spices for that authentic fiery kick. Perfect for making hot chicken, seasoned fries, and potatoes, or adding heat to your favorite Southern dishes.
Why This Recipe Works
Spicy Yet Flavorful: This Nashville hot seasoning recipe isn’t just spicy — it layers the heat with hints of sweetness, smokiness, and tang. The perfect combo of salty, sweet, and spicy creates complexity that keeps you coming for more, instead of just setting your mouth on fire!
Bold & Versatile: Nashville hot seasoning is designed to punch through rich, fried foods without getting lost. It was originally used only in the Nashville hot chicken dish as a chicken seasoning, but it can be used on literally everything! It’s awesome on seafood, roasted veggies, and even popcorn. It is the flavor upgrade you didn’t know you needed!
Shareable: Something I love about making homemade spice blends is just how easy it is to share with others! Double or triple the recipe and hand jars out to your friends or family for them to give it a try.
Supplies Needed
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Medium mixing bowl
- Whisk
- An airtight spice jar or container for storage
- Funnel (optional, for transferring to smaller containers)
Ingredients
- Cayenne: Provides that signature Nashville heat!
- Brown Sugar: Adds essential sweetness to balance the heat and helps create a caramelized finish when used on chicken.
- Paprika: For a sweet, earthy flavor. If you want it smoky, replace half of the paprika with smoked paprika.
- Garlic Powder: Adds a deep savory flavor! Make sure you use garlic powder and not garlic salt, so it won’t get too salty.
- Onion Powder: Onion powder adds aroma and flavor, which complements the garlic powder well.
- Chili Powder: Chili powder adds essential depth of flavor!
- Kosher Salt: Kosher salt is a coarse salt that goes well in spice blends.
- Black Pepper: For a bit of a kick!
- Mustard Powder: This is optional, for a slightly tangy flavor.
- Ground Red Pepper Flakes: For added heat, if desired!
Tips for Using and Storing
- This Nashville hot seasoning has a medium level of heat. If you need it to be milder, reduce the cayenne by half and increase the paprika proportionally. You can always add more if you need it! For a super spicy seasoning, add the red pepper flakes as indicated in the recipe, too.
- Use your Nashville hot seasoning in marinades, dry rubs, or even as a rim on my smoked Bloody Marys.
- Brown sugar tends to clump. If your seasoning develops clumps during storage, gently break them up with a fork before using.
- This recipe scales well for larger batches. Feel free to make triple or quadruple batches for gifting or to have plenty on hand!
- If you accidentally overspice a dish with this seasoning, counteract with dairy (like yogurt, sour cream, or milk), sweetness (honey or sugar), or acidity (lemon juice or vinegar).
- Store your Nashville hot seasoning in an airtight container away from heat, light, and moisture. While it will stay potent for up to 6 months, it’s at its most vibrant in the first 2-3 months.
How To Incorporate Nashville Hot Seasoning Into Your Dishes
The most common way to use Nashville hot seasoning is to use it to make Nashville hot chicken wings! The seasoning is added to both the breading of the chicken and in the frying oil for maximum flavor. Besides making Nashville hot chicken, here are some ideas for how to use your seasoning:
- Dry Rub: Mix 2 parts Nashville hot seasoning with 1 part brown sugar for a fiery dry rub on ribs, brisket, or pork shoulder.
- BBQ Sauce: Stir 1-2 tablespoons into your favorite BBQ sauce.
- Nashville Hot Aioli: Incorporate 1-2 teaspoons into homemade or store-bought mayonnaise for a spread or dipping sauce.
- Potatoes: This Nashville hot seasoning goes amazingly with any form of potatoes, including fries or roasted potatoes!
- Popcorn: Mix with melted butter and drizzle over freshly popped popcorn for a spicy snack.
- Mac and Cheese: Stir into smoked mac and cheese for spicy Southern comfort food.
- Bloody Mary Rimmer: Mix with extra salt for a spicy glass rim.
- Compound Butter: Fold into softened butter, then chill for a heat-packed topping for steak, corn, or bread.
- Nashville Hot Pickles: Add to your pickling brine for spicy homemade pickles.
- Roasted Vegetables: Toss with olive oil and the Nashville hot seasoning before roasting.
More Recipes To Try
- Homemade Tajin Seasoning
- All-Purpose BBQ Dry Rub
- Lemon Pepper Seasoning
- Chicago Mild Sauce Recipe
- Spicy Cajun BBQ Dry Rub
Nashville Hot Seasoning Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup Cayenne
- 3 tbsp Brown Sugar
- 1.5 tbsp Paprika
- 1 tbsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tbsp Onion Powder
- 2 tsp Chili Powder
- 1.5 tsp Kosher Salt
- 1.5 tsp Black Pepper
- 1/2 tsp Mustard Powder optional
- 1/2 tsp Ground Red Pepper Flakes optional for additional heat
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, add 1/3 cup cayenne pepper, 3 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 ½ tablespoons paprika, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 2 teaspoons chili powder, 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, 1 ½ teaspoons black pepper, and (if using) ½ teaspoon mustard powder and ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes for extra heat.
- Whisk the ingredients together until fully combined, making sure there are no clumps—especially from the brown sugar—for a smooth, consistent spice blend.
- Pour the seasoning into an airtight spice jar or container and keep it in a cool, dry place. It will stay fresh for up to 6 months and is perfect to have on hand anytime you want to bring the heat!