Are you really enjoying your life if your food tastes bland? No, you’re not. And that’s where these spice blends come in. Sure, you could buy spices at the store, but do you know what’s in those spices? Most are full of ingredients you probably can’t pronounce and extra sugars. Plus, specialty spices are pricey. This way, you know exactly what you’re giving your family. Plus, they’re customizable and made with ingredients you probably have at home. Make these 10 homemade spice blends and say goodbye to boring food!
1. Cajun Seasoning
Cajun cookin’ is known for its delicious, bold flavors. Now, you can enjoy them at home, even if you live in the midwest. And it’s made with spices most people use regularly. So, you may not even have to run to the store for more ingredients. You can’t beat that! This mix contains salt, garlic powder, black and white peppers, onion powder, oregano, and thyme. It also features two more important spices that can’t be missed, cayenne pepper and smoked paprika. The smoked paprika adds richness and, well, smokiness. You gotta have it or it ain’t Cajun. Cayenne pepper adds a bit of heat that sits at the back of your mouth. It’s a slow burn that is quintessential for that Cajun feeling. Add a lot or a little depending on your spice preferences.
2. All-Purpose Seasoning
If you couldn’t guess, this stuff tastes good on everything! Maybe not ice cream, but pretty much any savory dish at the very least. That’s why it’s called “all-purpose.” Actually, I practically use this all-purpose seasoning on any dish I cook. Until recently, I hadn’t mixed it all together. I was always opening and closing four separate bottles. How silly was that!? This recipe has definitely saved me time in the kitchen. I know it will save time for you, too. Simply mix equal parts salt, black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. That’s it. You can use it on veggies, meat, eggs, homemade garlic bread, or in sauces.
3. Taco Seasoning
Taco Tuesday is my favorite day of the week, especially if it’s celebrated on Friday. But no matter when you make tacos, you know you need a good seasoning. And this homemade blend is delicious! It’s so flavorful, everyone will rave about your taco recipe. And it’s really simple, too. You need chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, cumin, and paprika. Of course, you need to add salt and pepper as well. The final ingredient is red pepper flakes. Feel free to add as much or as little as you like. I like my heat levels right in the middle.
4. Pumpkin Pie Spice
When fall comes around the need for specialty coffees and baked goods increases significantly. This is just plain fact. And most of those recipes call for some pumpkin pie spice. This mix is great for anything from pumpkin spice lattes to pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. It’s also pretty yummy on apple desserts. This spice blend features a fusion of cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger, allspice, and clove.
5. Creole Cajun Seasoning
This Creole Cajun seasoning is pretty similar to the first seasoning on this list. But while they both hail from Louisiana, they’re different. But both are absolutely divine. The main difference is that this Creole Cajun blend also contains some basil and parsley. So, this mix is even more peppery and herbaceous. It also uses plain paprika, not smoked.
6. Chinese Five Spice
You only need a little five spice to pack a powerful flavor punch! Plus, it’s very easy to make at home. This is awesome news for those who live in small towns with fewer spice options. Chinese five spice tastes wonderful on beef, chicken, and tofu! Simply gather whole star anise pods, cloves, cinnamon, fennel seeds, and Szechuan peppercorns. It’s warm, sweet, savory, and incredibly tasty.
7. Homemade Seasoned Salt
Historically, I’ve been a super fan of Lawry’s. But now, I have this delicious recipe! And like any good all-purpose-type seasoning, it’s got a bit of everything. So, it tastes good on pretty much anything, too! This mix is made with garlic, chili, and onion powder, plus salt, paprika, pepper, and dried parsley. Doesn’t that sound yummy? And the best part is that it has no added sugar or funny-named additives. So you can feel good about serving this to your family. You can put it on absolutely everything.
8. Italian Seasoning
On nights when I’m having trouble coming up with dinner ideas, pasta is often the answer. So, I know it’s always a good idea to have Italian seasoning around. I don’t know about you, but I always add seasoning to my sauces. (Yes, even store-bought sauce.) I find that it usually needs a little extra oomph. So, this mix is fantastic for that! It’s also great on meats or roasted veggies. I love it on chicken! This seasoning features a blend of dried herbs. It has oregano, basil, rosemary, parsley, thyme, garlic, and red chili flakes. Don’t worry about the red chili flakes if you don’t like spice. You can barely tell they’re in the mix, but they add a little special something. However, you can omit them if you prefer.
9. Greek Seasoning
There’s nothing quite like Greek food. It’s so fresh, so flavorful, and so incredibly delicious. That’s why this recipe for Greek seasoning is one of my favorite blends on this list. With this seasoning, I can bring a bit of Greece directly to my Midwest kitchen. And now, you can bring the flavors of the Greek isles to yours. You’ll need salt, garlic powder, and Greek oregano (though regular will do in a pinch). Plus, you’ll add some basil, parsley, dried onion, black pepper, dill, marjoram, thyme, cinnamon, and nutmeg. I love this stuff on chicken and potatoes in particular.
10. Tex-Mex Seasoning
Get a taste of the American southwest with this fabulous Tex-Mex seasoning. It’s bold, zesty, and totally scrumptious. You can use this on everything from tacos to burgers to potatoes to casseroles. And it’s totally customizable! This recipe calls for chili powder, cumin, coriander, paprika, garlic, onion, oregano, and salt. You can change the ratios to your liking. You could add some cayenne pepper or red chili flakes if you love spice! Click on a star to rate it!
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