DIY: Make Your Own Homemade Seasoning Blends

Homemade Seasoning Blends

If you like to cook, you've probably purchased a ready-made seasoning packet or spice blend at one time or another. While they are a convenient way to add some flavor to your recipes, they can be expensive.  Not only that, you don't know what's in them, and they usually contain excess salt and/or preservatives.

Instead, purchase bulk spices and make your own seasoning blends at home.  Get family and friends involved, to make it fun, quick and easy.  Stored in an airtight container or jar, most of these seasoning blends will keep for six months or longer before losing their flavor. And, in a decorative bottle or jar they can make a fun gift for any gourmet!  (Tip:  You can get your spice jars in bulk on amazon:  25 Spice Jars)

Homemade Taco Seasoning

• 2 tablespoons flour
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried minced onion
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon ground oregano

Combine seasoning mixture with 1 lb. Drained ground beef and ¾ C. water. Bring to a boil, then reduce
heat and simmer for 15 minutes.

Homemade salad Seasoning

• 2 tablespoons Romano cheese
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sesame seeds
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon poppy seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon celery seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
• Dash cayenne pepper

This one tastes great mixed with Italian Salad dressing, then served as a pasta salad.

Homemade Cajun Seasoning

• 1 teaspoon white pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

This spice blend adds flavor to chicken, pork, and pasta.

Homemade Greek Seasoning

• 1 tablespoon salt
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 4 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 3 teaspoons onion powder
• 4 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons onion flakes
• 2 teaspoons ground pepper
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley
• 2 teaspoons dried rosemary

You can use this as a dry rub on lamb or poultry, or mix with extra-virgin olive oil and a little lemon juice for a Greek-inspired salad dressing.

Homemade Spaghetti Seasoning

• 1 1/2 teaspoon dried minced onion
• 1 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley leaves, crushed
• 1 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon dried green pepper flakes
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon dried minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon ground basil
• 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground oregano

Combine ingredients and store in an airtight container.

Homemade Salt-Free Seasoning

• 1/4 cup crushed dried minced onion flakes
• 4 teaspoons crushed dried vegetable flakes
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon dried orange peel
• 2 teaspoons coarse ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried savory
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon dried mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon celery seed
• 1/4 teaspoon unsweetened lemonade drink mix (such as Kool-Aid)

Great for those on a low-sodium diet!

Homemade Poultry Seasoning

• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon rubbed sage
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Add savory, marjoram, dill,
• allspice and ginger according to your own personal taste.

The recipe above makes about 1 tablespoon, enough for 1 chicken dish.

Homemade Chicken Seasoning

• 3 tablespoons salt
• 1 tablespoon black ground pepper
• ½ teaspoon dried parsley
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon dry oregano
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika

Homemade Curry Powder

• 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
• 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• Pinch nutmeg
• Black pepper to taste

Grind the coriander and fennel seeds with the bay leaf. Combine with additional ingredients. Makes about 2 tablespoons.

Homemade BULK Creole Spice Blend

• 1 cup paprika
• 1 cup dried basil
• 1 cup dried thyme
• 1/2 cup cayenne
• 1/2 cup file gumbo
• 1/4 cup chili powder
  

This makes a HUGE batch, but you can easily cut the amounts in half or fourths.

Homemade Hidden Valley Dressing

• 1 cup dry buttermilk or nonfat dry milk powder
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 4 tsp. dried basil crushed
• 4 tsp. dried minced onion
• 2 tsp. dry mustard
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. salt

Combine all ingredients and mix well. For dressing, combine 1/4 cup mix with 1/2 cup water. Blend into 3/4 cup mayonnaise. Shake well before serving. Makes about 1-1/2 cups dressing.

Meat Seasoning Blends for the Grill

Basic Spice Rub Mix

• 4 tablespoons paprika
• 1 ½ tablespoons cayenne
• 2 tablespoons freshly ground
• black pepper
• 3 tablespoons garlic powder
• 3 tablespoons onion powder
• 3 tablespoons salt
• 1 ½ tablespoons oregano
• 1 ½ tablespoons thyme

Homemade Barbecue Seasoning

• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup paprika
• 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
  1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

All-Purpose Meat Seasoning

• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons kosher salt
• 3 tablespoons paprika
• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons onion powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano