Why buy spice blends when you can make them fresher, cheaper, and better at home? Homemade seasoning mixes cost just a fraction of the price of store-bought versions and contain none of the anti-caking agents or fillers often added to commercial blends. Start with fresh, high-quality spices, and store your mixes in airtight containers to keep their flavor vibrant. Inexpensive jars are easy to find at Cost Plus, Michael’s, or online—or simply recycle your old spice jars. For bulk organic spices and dried herbs, check out local resources like The Herb Room, New Leaf Markets, or Whole Foods.
Herbes de Provence
1 tablespoon dried summer savory
1 tablespoon dried rosemary
1 tablespoon dried oregano
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried lavender flowers
Mix all the spices together and store in an airtight container, up to six months. This makes just under 1/4 cup.
Homemade Taco Seasoning
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 teaspoon oregano
1-2 teaspoons crushed red pepper
Mix all the spices together and store in an airtight container, up to six months. Note: 1 packet of purchased taco seasoning is about 2 tablespoons.
Chili Seasoning Mix
1/2 cup chili powder
1/4 cup garlic powder
3 tablespoons onion powder
1/4 cup oregano leaves
2 tablespoons paprika
1/4 cup cumin
1 tablespoon thyme
Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight container. 1/4 cup of mix is equivalent to 1 package of store-bought chili seasoning.
Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice
1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon nutmeg
Mix all the spices together and store in an airtight container, up to six months.
Homemade Apple Pie Spice
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
Dash of cardamom (optional)
Mix all the spices together and store in an airtight container, up to six months.
Homemade Onion Soup Mix
4 teaspoons beef bouillon granules, ground into fine powder*
3 tablespoons dried onion flakes
2 teaspoons onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Mix spices together and store in an airtight container, up to six months. This recipe is about 1 packet of store bought onion soup.
*Place granules in a plastic bag and roll over granules with rolling pin until finely crushed.
Homemade Italian Seasoning
1/2 cup basil leaf
1/2 cup marjoram
1/2 cup oregano
1/4 cup chopped rosemary leaves*
1/4 cup thyme leaf
Place all herbs in a jar and shake well. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
*Place dry rosemary leaves in a plastic bag and roll over with a rolling pin until finely crushed.
Moroccan Rub
4 tablespoons paprika
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon black pepper, coarsely ground
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground fenugreek
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients. Store in an airtight container. Rub this spice blend onto meat or poultry 15 minutes before grilling.
Fajita Seasoning
1/4 cup chili powder
2 tablespoons sea salt
2 tablespoons paprika
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon cayenne powder
1 tablespoon cumin powder
Mix well in a bowl or jar and store in an airtight container.
Red Curry Powder
1/2 cup paprika
1/4 cup ground cumin
1 tablespoon fennel powder
2 tablespoons fenugreek powder
2 tablespoons ground mustard powder
1 tablespoon ground red pepper flakes
3 tablespoons ground coriander
1/4 cup ground turmeric
1 tablespoon ground cardamon
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
Mix all ingredients in a bowl, jar, or food processor. Store in an air-tight container until ready to use. Use with meats, shrimp, chicken, vegetables, or in soups.
Mild Curry Powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground coriander
2 teaspoons ground turmeric
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Mix all ingredients in a bowl, jar, or food processor. Store in an air-tight container until ready to use.
Sri Lankan Roasted Curry Powder
1/4 cup white rice (uncooked)
1/4 cup cumin seeds
1/4 cup coriander seeds
1 tablespoon black mustard seeds
1 tablespoon black peppercorns
1 tablespoon fenugreek seeds
1 teaspoon whole cloves
2 teaspoons ground turmeric
Toast white rice in a dry skillet over medium heat, shaking frequently, until light brown, about 5 minutes. Remove and cool. In the same skillet, toast cumin seeds, coriander seeds, black mustard seeds, black peppercorns, fenugreek seeds, and 1 teaspoon of whole cloves until lightly toasted and fragrant, about 2 to 3 minutes. Cool the spices, combine them with the rice, and grind them to a fine powder. Stir in 2 teaspoons of turmeric. Store spice blend in an airtight container.
Rajin’ Cajun Blend
1/2 cup paprika
1/3 cup Himalayan salt or sea salt
1/4 cup garlic powder
2 tablespoons black pepper
2 tablespoons onion powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons oregano leaf
1 tablespoon thyme leaf
Mix all ingredients in a jar or food processor and store in an airtight container. Good with stir-fries, eggs, casseroles, and poultry.
Creole Seasoning Blend
1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or to taste)
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons oregano
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon basil
Mix all ingredients in a jar or food processor and store in an airtight container. Good with stir-frys, eggs, casseroles, and poultry.
Caribbean Jerk Seasoning
1/4 cup onion powder
2 tablespoons sea salt
2 tablespoons thyme
2 teaspoons ground allspice
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon cayenne powder
Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight container.
Poultry Seasoning
1 tablespoon rosemary
1 tablespoon oregano
2 teaspoon sage
1 tablespoon marjoram
1 tablespoon thyme
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Grind together in a mortar and pestle, or use a spice grinder. Store in an airtight container
Commander’s Palace Creole Seafood Seasoning
1 cup salt
1 cup paprika
1/4 cup granulated or powdered garlic
1/4 cup freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons granulated or powdered onion
2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons thyme
2 tablespoons oregano
Combine all ingredients; mix thoroughly. Store in an airtight container.
Use as a rub for fish or add to flour to dredge soft-shell crabs.
Source: Chef Jamie Shannon, Commander’s Palace, New Orleans
