14 Homemade Spice Blends

Many store bought herb and spice blends can be expensive, and a lot of them contain additives, anti-caking agents or MSG.

Fortunately, most are very easy to make, and if you order your ingredients in bulk, you can make 14 (or more) different spice blends using under 30 herbs. You’ll be able to eat the cuisine of another country every night for two weeks, and quality spice blends can make even plain meat and vegetables exciting.

Personally, I order all the herbs necessary to make these herb and spice blends in 1 pound quantities from Mountain Rose Herbs because they offer a 10-30% discount for bulk orders over 5 pounds.  I freeze any that I’m not using right away, or keep them in a cool, dry place and they last for at least a year. I use many of the herbs in other herbal recipes like my Vinegar of the Four Thieves Health Tonic, so they don’t go to waste.

If you’ve never made your own spice blends, I’d encourage you to try it! It’s simple, saves money, and you avoid the chemical additives that are in most spice blends. All of the herbs can be bought organically from Mountain Rose Herbs in as little as  4 ounce quantities or you may be able to find organic versions for sale by the ounce at your local health food store.

If you have a dehydrator and the time, you can also make your own garlic powder, onion powder and chili powder to save money.

Taco Seasoning Recipe:

• 1/4 cup Chili Powder
• 1/4 cup Cumin Powder
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Oregano leaf (or oregano leaf powder)
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 cup himalayan salt or sea salt (optional)
• 1 teaspoon ground pepper

To make: Put all in jar and shake well or mix in a food processor until mixed. Store in an airtight jar for up to six months. Makes approximately 1 cup. To use: sprinkle on ground beef or chicken as you would any store bought taco seasoning. 3 tablespoons is the same as 1 packet of store bought taco seasoning. Great for lettuce tacos.

Homemade Curry Powder Recipe:

• 1/2 cup Paprika
• 1/4 cup cumin
• 1 tablespoon Fennel Powder
• 2 Tablespoons Fenugreek powder (optional)- gives sweetness
• 2 tablespoons Ground Mustard Powder
• 1 tablespoon ground Red Pepper Flakes (optional)- adds spiciness
• 3 tablespoons ground coriander (optional)
• 1/4 cup ground Turmeric root
• 1 tablespoon ground cardamon (optional)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cloves powder (optional) – Adds complex flavor

To make: Mix all ingredients in a bowl, jar or food processor and store in an air-tight container until ready to use. Can be used on meats, vegetables or in soups. Especially good in with chicken, shrimp or vegetables.

Homemade Italian Seasoning:

• 1/2 cup Basil leaf
• 1/2 cup Marjoram Leaf
• 1/2 cup Oregano leaf
• 1/4 cup cut and sifted Rosemary Leaf
• 1/4 cup Thyme leaf
• 2 tablespoons Garlic Powder (optional, especially if you cook with fresh garlic)

To make: Place all herbs in a jar and shake well. Great in any Italian recipes such as Eggplant Parmesan, Chicken Parmesan, Meatza, Grain Free Spaghetti, Zucchini Lasagna, etc.

Homemade Rajin’ Cajun Seasoning:

• 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 (optional- won’t be spicy without this)
• 2 Tablespoons Oregano leaf
• 1 Tablespoon Thyme leaf

To Make: Mix all ingredients in jar or food processor and store in an airtight container. Good on stir frys, eggs, casseroles, and poultry. Can add more or less Cayenne to get to your taste.

Healthy Ranch Dressing Mix Recipe:

• 1/4 cup dried Parsley leaf
• 1 Tablespoon Dill leaf
• 1 tablespoon Garlic Powder
• 1 tablespoon Onion Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Basil leaf (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

To Make: Mix all ingredients together in jar or food processor. To make into Ranch Dressing, mix 1 Tablespoon of this mix with 1/3 cup Homemade Mayonaise or Greek Yogurt and 1/4 cup Coconut Milk.

Homemade Lemon Pepper Seasoning:

• The zest from 4-6 organic lemons (or 1/2 cup pre-dried lemon zest)
• 6 Tablespoons ground black pepper (or whole peppercorns if you are using fresh lemon)
• 5 Tablespoons Himalayan Salt or Sea Salt

To Make: If using fresh lemon Zest, thoroughly zest the lemons and spread the fresh lemon out on a baking sheet. Put into the oven on the lowest setting and leave until completely dried. Mine took about 70 minutes, but yours make take more or less time. When completely dried, mix with the peppercorns and salt in a food processor until well mixed. If making with pre-dried lemon peel, just mix all ingredients in a food processor until blended.

Seasoned Salt Recipe:

• 1/4 cup onion powder
• 1/4 cup garlic powder
• 1/4 cup black pepper (ground)
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 3 tablespoons paprika
• 2 tablespoons dried parsley leaf (optional)
• 1 tablespoon ground red pepper flakes (optional)

To make: Mix well by shaking in a jar or in a food processor. Store in airtight container.

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 (optional)
• 1 tablespoon cumin powder

To Make: Mix well in bowl or jar and store in airtight container until use. Use about 1 teaspoon per chicken breast or steak when making fajitas. I use for making Fajitas and Fajita Salads.

French Onion Soup Mix:

• 1/2 cup onion flakes or dehydrated onion slices
• 2 tablespoons onion powder
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon celery salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
• 1 tablespoon himalayan or sea salt (optional but helps absorption of soup)

To Make: Use approximately 1/4 cup per 2 cups of beef stock to make french onion soup (add 3-4 onions that have been very thinly sliced and slowly caramelized. To use as a mix, you can add 1/2 cup soy-free and MSG free beef bouillon powder and use as you would a packet of french onion soup pix (1/4 cup=1 package). Excellent on roasts or for making french onion soup. I also use as the seasoning for the meat in Shepard/Cottage Pie.

Chili Seasoning Mix:

• 1/2 cup chili powder
• 1/4 cup garlic powder
• 3 tablespoons onion powder
• 1/4 cup oregano
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 1/4 cup cumin
• 1 tablespoon thyme

To Make: mix all ingredients and store in an airtight container. 1/4 cup of mix=1 package of store bought chili seasoning. Great for all types of chili (this one is my favorite).

Herbs de Provence:

• 1/2 cup thyme leaf
• 1/4 cup marjoram leaf
• 2 tablespoons of cut and sifted rosemary leaf
• 2 tablespoons savory
• 1 teaspoon of lavender flowers (lightly ground-optional)
• 2 teaspoons dried orange zest (optional)
• 1 teaspoon ground fennel

To Make: If you are zesting the orange yourself, remove the zest of one organic orange and dry in an oven on lowest setting or a dehydrator until completely dry. Place in a food processor with the lavender flowers and lightly pulse. Remove and mix all ingredients in a jar or bowl until mixed (do not grind up the herbs!). Excellent in soups, on chicken or on roasted vegetables.

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 (optional)

To Make: mix all ingredients together and store in airtight container. When using, it is especially good if mixed with honey and painted on the meat.

Asian 5-Spice Seasoning:

• 2 tablespoons anise powder
• 1 tablespoon ground pepper
• 1 tablespoon ground fennel
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon ground cloves
• 1 tablespoon himalayan or sea salt

To Make: Mix all ingredients and store in airtight container. Great for recipes like Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry and other Asian themed cuisine.

Pumpkin Pie Spice:

• 1/4 cup cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 2 teaspoons nutmeg
• 2 teaspoons allspice powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cloves powder (optional)

To Make: Mix all ingredients and store in airtight container. Use as you would regular pumpkin pie spice. Great in pumpkin cheesecake,  pumpkin pie, spiced pumpkin lattes or coconut flour pumpkin muffins.

 

I store all of my homemade spice blends in glass jars or glass bottles (also available at Mountain Rose Herbs) and keep them in my spice cabinet.

 

Ever made your own seasoning blends? What did you make?