If you are looking for ways to spice up your boring chicken and pork, or just want to add a new flavor profile to your seafood and vegetables, try these homemade spice blends and seasoning mixes!
Spices Mixes
The most common herbs and spices used in everyday cooking include basil, oregano, parsley, rosemary, thyme and dill.
Additionally, other spices like garlic, cinnamon, paprika, ginger, saffron, and cumin are added for interesting combinations.
Check out all these homemade seasoning blends you can make with spices and herbs that you already have in your pantry.
Stop shopping for pre-made spice blends, make your own, and save money in the process. Most store-bought blends contain anti-caking agents, MSG, and too much salt!
Control the level of salt and heat by make your own blends.
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Is salt a spice?
Salt isn’t a spice or an herb, it is a mineral. Salt doesn’t add it’s own flavor to a dish, it just enhances the flavor of the dish that it’s added to.
What the basic types of seasoning ingredients?
Aside from basic salt, pepper, oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme, and nutmeg add these spices and herbs to your pantry and start experimenting with flavor!
- Whole black peppercorns
- Vietnamese Cinnamon
- Chili Powder
- Ginger
- Cumin
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Allspice
- Bay Leaves
- Marjoram
- Dried Mustard
How do you keep spice blends from clumping?
Just like adding a few grains of rice to your salt shaker, try adding a few dried beans to your spice mixes.
The dried beans will keep the moisture away from your spice mix and keep it from clumping.
Why do my spices get hard?
When spices are exposed to light, they begin to break down. Dry spices absorb moisture in the air and when ground spices absorb moisture, they often clump and become hard.
Be sure to store them in an airtight container.
Should you refrigerate spices?
Spices should be stored in a dark, dry, and cool area in your kitchen. Choose a cabinet or pantry that can be closed if possible.
Is it better to store to spices in plastic or glass?
Glass or metal are great choices for spice storage but the best would be food grade plastic or silicone bags where you can press out any extra air before sealing. I love these jars for storing my spice mixes!
Should I throw out old spices?
Spices don’t actually go bad or spoil, but they do lose potency. They can actually add bitter or slightly “off” flavors if used past their shelf life. Here is a quick guide to shelf time.
- Ground Spices – keep no longer than 3 years
- Whole Spices – throw out after 4 years
- Leafy Herbs (dried) – throw out after 1 to 2 years
I try and go through my spice cabinet at the start of the new year and check all the expiration dates.
Because I buy most of mine in bulk and have them stored in plastic bags, I make sure I write the date on the bag when I purchase them so I don’t forget.
Is seasoning salt the same thing as table salt?
No. Table salt is just fine grains of salt. Seasoning or seasoned salt is a mixture of salt, spices, and other additives.
Spice Mix and Dry Rub Recipes
1. French Fry Seasoning
Homemade Fry Seasoning is quick and easy to make and perfect for adding some spice to plain French fries. Try it on fries made in the oven, air fryer, or deep fried!
2. Steak Seasoning
This easy all-purpose steak seasoning blend is delicious on steaks, chicken, fish, pork, and even vegetables. Make it now with simple pantry ingredients that you already have on hand!
3. Chicken Seasoning
Tired of eating boring chicken for dinner? This All Purpose Chicken Seasoning is the perfect way to add flavor and spice to your chicken dishes.
Made with spices already in your pantry, it’s perfect for adding flavor to your chicken tonight! It tastes great on veggies and seafood too!
4. BBQ Dry Rub
Homemade BBQ seasoning mix is easy to make homemade with spices in your pantry. This blend is great for seasoning burgers, steaks, ribs, and can be used as a bbq dry rub!
5. Cajun Seasoning
Homemade Cajun Seasoning is the perfect way to add some zest and zing to your meals! Easily made with common spices you have on hand in your pantry already!
6. Everything Bagel Seasoning
This Everything Bagel Seasoning is perfect for you if you love a good bagel covered in poppy seeds, sesame seeds, onion, garlic, and salt. Better than store bought and made it at home with 5 simple ingredients and in less than a New York Minute!
7. Greek Seasoning
Greek Seasoning is quick and easy to make at home and will add lots of flavor to your chicken, pork, steak, and vegetables. The best Greek spice blend is homemade, with simple spices, which means no MSG, low sodium, and gluten free!
8. Adobo Seasoning
Adobo Seasoning is the Mexican version of seasoned salt or all purpose seasoning. Make this delicious seasoning for every possible meal with just 5 ingredients that you already have in your pantry! It is delicious, stores well, and finds purpose in plenty of recipes.
9. Jamaican Jerk Seasoning
This homemade Jamaican Jerk Seasoning is easy to make with spices you already have in your pantry and will add extra flavor to any dish you are serving up! It’s perfect for your dips too!
10. Italian Seasoning
Homemade Italian Seasoning Mix is a perfect combination of fragrant spices and herbs that will make a great addition to any recipe. Add it to sauces, pasta dishes, or as a dipping oil!
11. Southwest Seasoning
This homemade Southwest Seasoning is quick and easy to make with spices in your own pantry. It is packed with flavor and will add zip and zing to all your dishes!
12. Old Bay Seasoning
Are you prepping a delicious Low Country Boil or peel and eat shrimp and need some seafood seasonings but don’t have the right one on hand? This Old Bay Seasoning is a great substitute for the store bought version.
13. Meatloaf Seasoning
Transform your traditional meatloaf into a flavor-packed dish with this easy-to-make Homemade Meatloaf Seasoning Recipe. With just a few pantry staples and some herbs and spices, you can create a delicious blend that will take your meatloaf to the next level.
14. Taco Seasoning
Homemade Taco Seasoning is easy to make and has the perfect blend of spices. Use it to add a zesty flavor all your Mexican dishes like tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and fajitas!
15. Pizza Seasoning
This Pizza Seasoning is the perfect homemade spice blend for making pizza and so many other delicious dishes!
16. Mulling Spices
Mulling Spices are fragrant and perfect for making mulled wine and mulled apple cider to keep you warm in the cool weather months! I love it in my Wassail!
17. Shawarma Spice
Want to make your own tasty shawarma meat at home? Try this homemade shawarma seasoning mix to get you started. Vertical meat stacks not included!
18. Poultry Seasoning
Poultry Seasoning is best when homemade and it is super easy to make. The ingredients are most likely in your pantry right now and make the perfect blend to add flavor to chicken, turkey, vegetables, and soups!
19. Apple Pie Spice
Apple Pie Spice is a simple and delicious way to add aromatic, warm, Fall spices to a variety of dishes. Skip the store bought and make this essential Fall spice mix for all your holiday baking!
20. Pumpkin Pie Spice
Make your own Pumpkin Pie Spice Blends at home and forget the expensive bottles at the store. I like to make my own blend of this classic warming spice and use it in herbal teas and ice creams along with all those pies!
21. Chai Spice Mix
Cozy up with a comforting cup of warm chai tea or chai latte by making your own Chai Spice Mix at home with spices from your own pantry. Easy to make and will have your hands around a spicy mug in no time! It’s also great in a creamy chai dip!
For all the rest, check out the recipes below!
The Very Best Spice Mixes
Are you sick and tired of bland tasting food? Need a good seasoning for chicken and don't know what to add to them? Are you starting a healthier eating plan and need some ways to add flavor without all the calories? These spice mixes are just what you are looking for!
How can I season food better?
Get adventurous! In addition to the usual salt and pepper, try making some homemade spice blends and discover some new flavor profiles.
Regional Spice Mixes
Take a trip around the world while staying in the kitchen with these seasoning mixes from other regions. Explore the Caribbean, Europe, and the Middle East!
Ras El Hanout (Moroccan Spice Mix)
If you love warm and comforting flavors, then you need to dive into Moroccan cuisine and give the Moroccan spice mix, Ras el Hanout a try. This blend of spices is robust in flavor, but not too spicy. It is wonderful to use with meat and veggies alike!
Radishes with Dukkah
A snappy breakfast radish is the perfect vehicle for this Egyptian nut and spice blend.
Japanese-Style Seasoning Salt
Homemade version of shichimi togarashi, the spicy Japanese condiment.
Yemeni Spice Rub
Here's a traditional spice blend from Yemen, where it's called hawayil.
Garam Masala
Garam Masala is the Indian equivalent of French herbes de Provence or Chinese five-spice powder.
Dry Chimichurri Rub
In Argentina, this mix of herbs and spices is combined with oil and vinegar and used as a sauce for grilled meats. For best results, use dried herb leaves—not powdered or ground.
Vadouvan Indian Spice Blend
Make one big batch of this recipe—which starts with drying out caramelized onions, shallots, and garlic—and keep it in the freezer for weeks. You'll be tossing it into all kinds of dishes.
Ethiopian Spice Mix (Berbere)
Berbere is a chile and spice blend used to season many Ethiopian dishes.
Tandoori Spice Blend
This bright, earthy spice blend is an excellent partner for roasted or grilled meats.
What can I use instead of all purpose seasoning?
Any of these multi-purpose seasoning mixes are perfect for all cuts of meat, seafood, and veggies!
Julie's Spice Rub Recipe
Julie's spice rub recipe is the perfect balance of slightly sweet with a bit of heat. It is a deep flavor but not so overbearing that it takes over the taste of your food.
Sazón
This is a homemade version of a miracle spice mixture that's a staple in Puerto Rican kitchens.
Basic Pork Seasoning
Basic Pork Seasoning is a simple dry rub you can use for simple rubs on any pork or chicken recipe. Especially ideal for pork ribs, pork roasts and country style pork ribs. Made from simple pantry ingredients for whipping up at the last minute.
Homemade Chicken Rub
This homemade Chicken Rub recipe makes boring chicken amazing! Add this seasoning for chicken to your favorite recipes to make them taste incredible.
Season Anything Spice Mix (paleo, real food, keto, MSG-free)
Use this healthy Season Anything Spice Mix for all your grilling, cooking meats, and roasting veggies. It’s a paleo, real food, keto, MSG-free seasoning blend that’s awesome on chicken, pork, fish, steak, veggies, and more!
Homemade Mrs. Dash Seasoning
If you haven’t tried Mrs. Dash before, stop what you’re doing! Now, go whip up this seasoning mix and sprinkle it on anything you’d ordinarily flavor with salt.
Roasted Chipotle & Garlic Spice Mix
Kick your casserole up a notch or two with some of this mix. Anywhere you want a little extra flavor, that’s the place to use this.
Beef Stew Seasoning Mix Recipe
ALL NATURAL Beef Stew Seasoning Mix. It tastes so much better than the packets and you get to control the flavors and the sodium. I bet you already have all the spices in your pantry!
Spicy Seasoning Mixes
Looking for ways spice up your meals? These spice blends will bring the heat not just to your kitchen but to your plate as well! Try them on crackers, dips, and popcorns!
Spicy Nacho Doritos Seasoning
Spicy Nacho Popcorn is a gluten and dairy free snack that tastes like you are chowing down on Nacho Doritos but with a kick! And it doesn’t turn your fingers orange!
Buffalo Ranch Popcorn Seasoning
When you're craving chicken wings but you are trying to eat a little healthier and really just need a snack, check out my Buffalo Ranch Popcorn!
DIY: Home Made Taco Seasoning
An easy homemade taco seasoning blend, ready to use in anything you can dream up! Make a batch and keep it on hand for taco Tuesday!
Homemade Creole/Cajun Seasoning
This simple Cajun Seasoning recipe is a full flavor spice mix made from the herbs and spices you have on hand. The creole/cajun mix works great on vegetables, meats and in sauces for easy flavor additions.
Homemade Blackened Seasoning Blend Recipe
Homemade blackened seasoning blend recipe is a delicious mix of herbs and spices. Blackening seasoning has a great flavor followed by a spicy kick.
Baking Spices
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My Favorite Recipes
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Sheila Kanu
Sunday 12th of March 2023
I think what you have shared is just AMAZING. THANK YOU
Bill
Saturday 12th of February 2022
I'm trying to get the name of a season that my father used in his resturant over 20 years ago. It came in a yellow canister. And the powdwe was yellow also. He would add garlic power and paprika to it and would use it on fish and seafood that he broiled and for the life of me I cannot think of the name of that seasoning.
Elizabeth
Monday 7th of August 2023
@Bill, It was probably Old Bay Seafood Seafood Seasoning. Very popular in the south. Yellow can, and you still buy it today... even online.
Jennifer
Monday 14th of February 2022
I use ground mustard in that way and the Coleman brand used to come in a yellow can. Maybe that was it? Or it could be a yellow curry powder.
Jane
Tuesday 21st of December 2021
I am trying to eliminate Onion and Garlic (FODMAP) while making homemade spice mixes. Any ideas?
Jennifer
Monday 10th of January 2022
You can try adding white pepper, chives, shallots, and leeks. Horseradish is also a great addition. You can probably find dried leeks and shallots online and maybe even powdered horseradish or you can use wasab powder.
Amy Nash
Saturday 28th of December 2019
I LOVE this collection! I have already made a bunch of these to give away as neighbor gifts and everybody was so happy to have something that wasn't sweet for a change!
Erin Parker
Tuesday 24th of December 2019
OK, this is seriously GENIUS to have all of these spice mixes and blends in one place. So helpful! I've made your taco seasoning and shawarma mix again and again... and I can't wait to make more!