Save time and money by making homemade seasoning blends using spices you probably already have in your pantry. It’s a fantastic way to try new flavors and add delicious flavor to your food!
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I know what you’re thinking. Why would I mix up a spice blend when I can just buy it already prepared at the store? I’ve got two answers: price and flavor. I’m a frugal momma and don’t like to spend more than I have to.
While I LOVE Penzey’s spices, they are pretty expensive. It’s great to wonder their stores to get ideas for interesting and unique spice blends, it makes much more financial sense to make them at home.
Secondly, store-bought spices and seasoning mixes can contain anti-caking ingredients, MSG, hydrogenated oil and other ingredients. By making them at home, you control the ingredients. If you’re gluten-free or dairy-free, you can substitute or omit ingredients.
How to Make Homemade Seasoning Blends
It really is as simple as combining all the spices in a bowl and whisking them together until well combined. There are some extra steps that you can take to really give your spice blends an extra pop of flavor:
Toast Whole Spices: Take your whole spices and toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat. Make sure to stir pretty regularly so that they don’t burn. Toasting helps open up the flavor of the dried spice and really intensifies the flavor.
Grind Your Own Whole Spices: Once those whole spices are nice and toasted, grind them up in a spice grinder. You can also use a mortar and pestle, but the grinder is so much easier. This will give you the freshest flavor for your seasoning or spice blends.
How to Store Spice Blends
You can absolutely re-use the plastic containers that spices come in from the grocery store. I have a handful of empty chili powder containers now just waiting to be used. I also like these glass spice containers because they are easy to fill and easy to swap out the labels for whatever they contain. It’s nice, too, to have the same size jars so they fit nicely in your spice rack.
Recipes Using Homemade Seasoning Blends
- Easy Taco Ring
- Baked Chicken Leg Quarters
- Crockpot Mississippi Roast
- Everything Bagel Cheese Ball
- Pumpkin Spice Syrup
How Long Can Spice Blends last
When stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place like your kitchen pantry, spices and spice blends can last 6 months to a year. After that point, the flavor really starts to dull.
Bonus Tip: If you do have older spices that don’t have as much flavor, wake them up by toasting in a skillet with a bit of oil. The heat and the oil help release the oils in the spices and rejuvenate their flavor.
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Homemade Seasoning Blends
Spices and seasoning blends can transform any dish from ok to WOW! With a handful of spices you probably already have in your pantry, you can save money by not having to buy expensive blends and try different flavors from around the world. From sweet to savory to all-purpose seasonings, you'll love how much flavor these spice blends can add to a dish!
Everything Bagel Seasoning
Everything Bagel Seasoning is the perfect topping for all kinds of dishes. Sprinkle it on eggs or popcorn, mix it into cream cheese, or even use it to season chicken or fish.
All-Purpose Seasoning Blend
Delicious All-Purpose Seasoning Blend that adds exceptional flavor to any dish from meats to vegetables.
Homemade Chinese Five Spice Powder
Chinese Five Spice Powder is a spice blend that is sweet, spicy, robust and vibrant. This homemade spice blend is easy and versatile to use. Made with cinnamon, fennel, cloves, star anise, and szechuan peppercorns, this Chinese Five Spice blend deserves a place in your spice cabinet.
DIY Burger Seasoning
DIY Burger Seasoning, quick and easy spice blend that is great for burgers. Keep on hand year-round for yourself or give out as gifts!
Homemade Apple Pie Spice
This apple pie spice is the perfect spice blend to always have on hand in the kitchen! Sprinkle on oatmeal or even add to cookie dough.
Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix
This well balanced Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix is great to keep on hand for spicing up all sorts of southwestern recipes. You'll never go back to those packets again!
Easy Sazón Seasoning
Homemade Sazón Seasoning is a wonderful all-purpose spice blend perfect for many Latin inspired recipes.
DIY Seasoning Salt
DIY Seasoning Salt is a simple blend of salt and spices that is great on fries, burgers, steaks, and more!
Homemade Java Rub for Grilling
This amazing 5 minute Java Rub will add rich flavor to all your grilled meats!
Homemade Garam Masala
This will be the BEST, the easiest, and the most authentic Homemade Indian Garam Masala you will ever make--in just 5 minutes.
Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe
Making your own Homemade Taco Seasoning Recipe takes just 5 minutes to mix together. Enjoy this fast and flavorful taco mix with all your favorite recipes from classic beef tacos, baked chicken breasts, or blended into your favorite soup!
Homemade Ranch Seasoning
Homemade ranch seasoning mix that you can make in just 5 minutes with ingredients that you already have in your pantry!
Homemade Poultry Seasoning
Make your own herb-based spice blend and transform bland and boring chicken or turkey into a bold and flavorful family meal.
Italian Seasoning
Easy homemade Italian seasoning made with just 6 simple ingredients!
Chipotle Seasoning
This chipotle seasoning is perfect for chicken or pork and adds the perfect kick of heat!
Homemade Fajita Seasoning
This homemade fajita seasoning is so easy to make, tastes much better than store-bought mixes and can save you a lot of money! It also allows you to control the amount of spiciness that goes into the mixture.
The BEST Homemade Chili Seasoning
After years of experimenting we think this Homemade Chili Seasoning makes the perfect pot of chili!
Homemade Chicken Spice Rub
This Smoked Chicken Rub is delicious on smoked or roasted chicken!
Cajun Seasoning Recipe
This Cajun seasoning will spice up all your dishes with Cajun flair. It also doubles as blackening seasoning.
Homemade Chai Spice
Homemade Chai spice mix is the ultimate warming blend for cool weather baking! A good rule of thumb is to use it anywhere you use cinnamon.
All Purpose Everyday Seasoning Salt Blend
Use this tasty mild pepper everyday seasoning salt blend on anything from meat to vegetables. It’s delicious on popcorn and french fries and great in stew and chili.
The Ultimate Homemade Steak Seasoning
This recipe is the best steak seasoning blend ever! Bring out the best flavors in your favorite steak cut and take your cooking to the next level with this easy recipe. Made with simple ingredients and pulled together in just minutes, this recipe can be used as a steak rub or in a marinade.
Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice
Our easy recipe to make your own pumpkin pie spice combines cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves and is a delicious and money saving way to enjoy pumpkin spice season!
DIY Garlic and Herb Seasoning Mix
This quick and versatile garlic and herb seasoning mix is great to have on hand for all your flavoring needs.
Tandoori Masala Spice Blend
This homemade Tandoori spice mix is great for seasoning chicken, salmon and more.
Gingerbread Spice Mix
Making a batch of gingerbread spice mix is perfect for holiday baking season. Use it in cookies, cakes and more.
Blackened Seasoning (Keto, Whole30, Sugar Free)
This Blackened Seasoning blend is made with just simple herbs and spices are mixed together, and absolutely no sugar. It’s Whole30, Paleo, Keto, and delicious on fish, shrimp, chicken, and more!
Jamaican Jerk Seasoning
Save money and customize your own Jamaican Jerk seasoning right at home! This is spicy, sweet, and utterly irresistible, thanks to a simple blend of cayenne, paprika, cinnamon, nutmeg, and more.
Homemade Creole Seasoning
This easy to make Creole Seasoning will spice up your recipes! Make your own, and use it in all of your Creole and Cajun recipes!
Homemade Chai Spice Mix
Homemade Chai Spice Mix is an easy chai spice mix that’s the perfect addition to quick breads, pancakes, oatmeal, topping lattes, and so much more!
Pork Roast Seasoning Dry Rub
Pork Roast seasoning is a must have if you like preparing pork loin roast or pork tenderloin roast.
Potlatch Seasoning
Potlatch Seasoning is a great all-purpose spice mix, but is especially perfect on Salmon, Shrimp, or Halibut. Not too spicy but packed with flavor!
Homemade Old Bay Seasoning
This homemade Old Bay seasoning mix is a must for every pantry! The versatile blend of celery salt, paprika, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cinnamon and more is perfect for jazzing up everything from marinades to salads. Ready in just 5 minutes.
Beef Stew Seasoning Mix
Make your very own multipurpose beef stew seasoning mix using just 8 common pantry ingredients from scratch with or without a spice grinder. It all comes together in only a matter of minutes.
Chicken Dry Rub
Chicken Dry Rub – Whether you’re grilling, roasting or air frying chicken, this dry rub adds winning flavor each and every time!
Fiesta Ranch Seasoning
Make the most incredible Fiesta Ranch Seasoning in just minutes with herbs and spices you already have on hand! This easy spice blend is perfect to make dips and dressings, or add to veggies, meats, popcorn and MORE!
Lemon Pepper Seasoning
This homemade lemon pepper seasoning is made with just three ingredients but adds the subtle essence of citrus. It’s an easy way to enhance the flavor of chicken, fish and marinades and it has a long shelf life.
Homemade Seasoning Salt Recipe
This herb seasoning salt mix is packed with flavor and amazing for meat, veggies, soups, and more!
Gluten Free Taco Seasoning Recipe
Make this gluten free taco seasoning mix with common spices and easily adjust the heat to taste.
Herby Everything Seasoning Blend
Enjoy the flavor of "Everything Bagel" seasoning with an herbacious kick. Sprinkle it on eggs, season a steak, or mix with sour cream or yogurt for an herby dip.
DIY Greek Seasoning
DIY Greek Seasoning is the perfect blend of dried herbs, a pinch of salt, and fresh lemon zest that every kitchen needs!
Paprika Chicken Spice Mix
This smoky Paprika Chicken Spice Mix recipe is a healthy seasoning rub for chicken baked in the oven, on the grill, in the slower cooker or in an Instant Pot.
Homemade Onion Soup Mix
Making onion soup mix at home means that you can control the ingredients, so no added soy or MSG. 2-3 Tablespoons of homemade is equal to one packet of store-bought onion soup mix.
Ruth's Tandoori-Style Spice Blend
This Tandoori-Style Spice Blend is a must-have spice blend for your pantry. Layers of flavors with depths not found in most other blends. This rich Tandoori-Style Spice Blend is the perfect seasoning for almost anything, including fish, beef, poultry, and vegetables.
Easy Tuscan Seasoning
With fennel, thyme, rosemary and oregano, this Tuscan seasoning mix is an interesting twist on Italian seasoning. It's fantastic used as a rub for fish or chicken, or sprinkle of veggies before roasting.
Moroccan Spice Blend
Great on chicken, this Moroccan spice blend is also fantastic cooked into rice.
Herbes de Provence Seasoning
A traditional French spice blend, Herbes de Provence is wonderful mixed with extra virgin olive oil to dip bread, used to flavor white beans and even tossed on potatoes.
House Seasoning Blend
From basic pantry spices, this house seasoning blend literally go on anything. Just 4 ingredients!
Copycat Montreal Seasoning Recipe
Orange zest is the secrect ingredient in this Montreal seasoning blend and it's perfect for grilled meats.
Other "Stuff" Rub
This nearly forgotten recipe is perfect for grilling when you want to add some flavor without too much salt or heat!
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