How to Make Homemade Spice Blends

Homemade spice blends cost a fraction of the cost of store-bought blends — plus they contain none of the anti-caking additives usually found in commercial blends. Use fresh spices to blend — and store your blends in airtight containers. Inexpensive spice jars can be found at Cost Plus, Michael’s, or online. Better yet, recycle your old spice jars! A good, local resource for bulk organic spices and dried herbs is New Leaf Markets or Whole Foods.

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