11 Spice Blends You Should Make At Home (Save Money)

Written by Carl Mueller in Blends

11 Spice Blends You Should Make At Home (Save Money)

Spice blends are easy to make and can save you money while also enabling you to season them as you like rather than what the manufacturer decides.

Once you realize what goes into a typical seasoning mix that you get in a taco kit for example, you’ll be kicking yourself that you didn’t make it yourself sooner. That’s just one of the spice blends we’ll discuss below that you can make yourself.

These spice blends can save you money in the long run since you may already have some or all of the spices in your cabinet. In that case it’s just a matter of combining them as needed to make a blend that suits your taste.

Classic Italian seasoning recipe

Here are three easy homemade Italian seasoning recipes:

  1. Classic Italian Seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons dried basil
  • 2 tablespoons dried oregano
  • 2 tablespoons dried thyme
  • 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. Store in an airtight container.

Lemon Italian seasoning recipe

  • 2 tablespoons dried basil
  • 2 tablespoons dried oregano
  • 2 tablespoons dried thyme
  • 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. Store in an airtight container.

Spicy Italian seasoning recipe

  • 2 tablespoons dried basil
  • 2 tablespoons dried oregano
  • 2 tablespoons dried thyme
  • 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. Store in an airtight container.

You can use these Italian seasoning blends to season pasta sauces, soups, roasted vegetables, and meats.

Taco seasoning recipe

Why buy expensive taco seasoning kits when you easily and cheaply make the seasoning yourself?

Here’s an easy homemade taco seasoning recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions:

  1. In a small bowl, mix together all the ingredients until well combined.
  2. Store the taco seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dry place until ready to use.
  3. To use, add 2-3 tablespoons of the taco seasoning mix per pound of meat or vegetables, along with a little bit of water, and cook until done.

This homemade taco seasoning is great for making tacos, fajitas, nachos, and other Mexican-inspired dishes. It’s also a great alternative to store-bought seasoning blends, which can contain additives and preservatives.

Cajun spice mix recipe

Here’s an easy homemade cajun spice mix recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons paprika
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions:

  1. In a small bowl, mix together all the ingredients until well combined.
  2. Store the cajun spice mix in an airtight container in a cool, dry place until ready to use.
  3. To use, sprinkle the cajun spice mix on chicken, shrimp, fish, or vegetables, and cook as desired.

This homemade cajun spice mix is perfect for adding a little bit of heat and flavor to your meals. Use it to season jambalaya, gumbo, etouffee, or other Cajun-inspired dishes. Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes to your liking to control the level of spiciness.

Apple pie spice mix recipe

Here’s an easy homemade apple spice mix recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon ground allspice
  • 1 tablespoon ground ginger

Instructions:

  1. In a small bowl, mix together all the ingredients until well combined.
  2. Store the apple spice mix in an airtight container in a cool, dry place until ready to use.
  3. To use, sprinkle the apple spice mix on apple slices, oatmeal, pancakes, or other breakfast foods, or use it to make apple pie or other apple desserts.

This homemade apple spice mix is a delicious and fragrant blend of warm spices that are perfect for autumn and winter dishes. It’s also a great alternative to store-bought spice blends, which can contain additives and preservatives. Adjust the amounts of each spice to your liking to create your perfect blend.

Ranch dressing mix recipe

Here’s an easy homemade ranch dressing mix recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons dried parsley
  • 2 teaspoons dried dill weed
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried chives
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

  1. In a small bowl, mix together all the ingredients until well combined.
  2. Store the ranch dressing mix in an airtight container in a cool, dry place until ready to use.
  3. To make ranch dressing, whisk together 2 tablespoons of the ranch dressing mix with 1/2 cup of mayonnaise and 1/2 cup of buttermilk until smooth. For a thicker dressing, use less buttermilk.

This homemade ranch dressing mix is a great way to make delicious ranch dressing at home without the preservatives and additives found in store-bought mixes. Use it to make dressing for salads, as a dip for vegetables or chips, or as a topping for burgers and sandwiches. Adjust the amount of each ingredient to your liking to create your perfect blend.

Turkey rub recipe

Here’s an easy homemade turkey rub recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons paprika
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme
  • 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions:

  1. In a small bowl, mix together all the ingredients until well combined.
  2. Rub the turkey with the spice mixture, making sure to cover the entire surface of the bird.
  3. Roast the turkey as desired.

This homemade turkey rub is a great way to add flavor and aroma to your Thanksgiving or holiday turkey. The combination of herbs and spices creates a savory and slightly sweet flavor profile that complements the natural flavor of the turkey. Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to your liking to control the level of spiciness.

Allspice recipe

Allspice is a spice that comes from the dried berries of the Pimenta dioica plant. It has a warm, slightly sweet flavor and is often used in Caribbean, Middle Eastern, and Latin American cuisine. Here’s an easy recipe to make homemade allspice:

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon ground cloves

Instructions:

  1. In a small bowl, mix together all the ingredients until well combined.
  2. Store the allspice in an airtight container in a cool, dry place until ready to use.
  3. Use the allspice in recipes that call for this spice, such as jerk seasoning, pickling spice blends, and baked goods.

This homemade allspice is a great way to have this spice on hand when you need it. While it’s possible to find pre-ground allspice in many grocery stores, making it from scratch can be a more economical option if you already have the individual spices on hand.

Fajita spice recipe

Here’s an easy homemade fajita spice recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions:

  1. In a small bowl, mix together all the ingredients until well combined.
  2. Use the fajita spice mix to season chicken, steak, shrimp, or vegetables for fajitas.
  3. Cook the seasoned ingredients in a skillet over high heat until cooked through and slightly charred.

This homemade fajita spice mix is a great way to add authentic Mexican flavors to your dishes. The combination of chili powder, cumin, and paprika provides a smoky and slightly spicy flavor profile that complements the sizzling vegetables and meat in fajitas. Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to your liking to control the level of spiciness.

Pumpkin spice recipe

Here’s an easy homemade pumpkin spice recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground allspice
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves

Instructions:

  1. In a small bowl, mix together all the ingredients until well combined.
  2. Store the pumpkin spice in an airtight container in a cool, dry place until ready to use.
  3. Use the pumpkin spice mix to add delicious fall flavor to baked goods, coffee, oatmeal, and other recipes.

This homemade pumpkin spice blend is a classic combination of warm, fragrant spices that are perfect for autumn and winter recipes. It’s also a great alternative to store-bought blends, which may contain additives and preservatives. Adjust the amounts of each spice to your liking to create your perfect blend.

Recent Posts