Have a well-stocked spice cabinet, not necessarily a big budget for food. The right spices and seasonings are what will make bland, dried beans sing and make cheaper cuts of chicken taste decadent.
I have many acquaintances that shudder at the very thought of seasoning packets and paying the markup for them. Some of them have the following spice blends memorized and make them regularly at home.
All of them call for common, easy-to-find spices, not prepackaged spice mixes with lots of mystery ingredients. Mix up a batch, since they’re pennies to make, and keep them on hand.
They’ll keep for months if stored in an airtight container. Making them during your Sunday prep saves heaps of time and energy during the week.
Store-bought seasoning mixes are convenient, but it’s so easy to make your own at home. From fajita to pumpkin spice to curry powder, we’ve got recipes for all of them.
1. All-Purpose House Seasoning
2 tbsp garlic powder
2 tbsp onion powder
2 tbsp paprika
2 tbsp kosher salt
2 tbsp black pepper
Mix well. Store in an airtight container.
This is good for just about anything including eggs, potatoes, roasted vegetables, ground beef, etc.
2. Old-Fashioned Poultry Seasoning
1 tbsp each of dried sage, thyme and marjoram
2 tsp dried rosemary
1 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
Mix well. Store in an airtight container.
Use anywhere you would call for commercial poultry seasoning including recipes for chicken and turkey and in gravies and stuffings.
3. Homemade Chili Powder
2 tbsp paprika
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp black pepper
Stir well. Store in an airtight container.
Great in chili or as the basis for taco meat.
4. DIY Taco Seasoning
2 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
Stir well. Store in an airtight container.
Use 2 tbsp per pound of meat. Makes about the same as 4 packets of taco seasoning.
5. Old Bay-Style Seasoning
2 tbsp celery salt
1 tbsp paprika
1 tsp dry mustard powder
1 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
a pinch each of ground cinnamon, ground allspice, ground cloves, ground mace
Use it anytime you’d use Old Bay, especially on shrimp, crab, and fried potatoes.
6. Homemade Italian Seasoning
2 tbsp basil
2 tbsp oregano
1 tbsp thyme
1 tbsp rosemary
1 tbsp marjoram
1 tsp parsley
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
Use on focaccia before baking, in meatballs, pasta sauce, pretty much anywhere you’d use the store-bought spice blend.
7. Old-Fashioned Onion Soup Mix
1 cup dried minced onion
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp parsley flakes
2 tsp beef bouillon powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp black pepper
Use to make classic onion soup from scratch, or anywhere else you’d reach for a Lipton onion soup mix packet, where 3 Tbsp of the seasoning equals a packet. Also great in dips, casseroles, on a slow cooker roast, etc.
8. Homemade Ranch Seasoning
3 tbsp dried parsley
1 tbsp dried dill
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp black pepper
Mix with sour cream for a simple and addictive dip. Also use to coat chicken, potatoes, etc. before roasting.
9. Classic Dry BBQ Rub
3 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp paprika
1 tbsp kosher salt
1 tbsp black pepper
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp mustard powder
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
A basic rub that’s great on ribs and pork shoulder, although I’ve used it on chicken thighs, too.
10. Homemade Cajun Seasoning
2 tbsp paprika
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp oregano
1 tbsp thyme
1 tbsp black pepper
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp salt
1 tsp white pepper
Great on chicken, seafood, vegetables, eggs, pretty much anything. Use it on Cajun chicken and rice.
Not super spicy.
11. Apple Pie Spice
4 tbsp cinnamon
2 tsp nutmeg
1 1/2 tsp allspice
1/8 tsp cloves
Great anywhere you’d reach for “cinnamon and spices.” Use it in apple pie, apple sauce, oatmeal, etc.
12. Pumpkin Pie Spice
3 tbsp cinnamon
2 tsp ground ginger
2 tsp nutmeg
1 1/2 tsp allspice
1 1/2 tsp ground cloves
Use on pumpkin pie, of course, but also pumpkin bread, muffins, latte, etc.
13. Homemade Lemon Pepper Seasoning
2 tbsp lemon zest powder or very finely ground dried lemon peel
2 tbsp black pepper
1 tbsp salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
Store in an airtight container. Great on fish and lighter dishes of chicken.
14. Old-Fashioned Pickling Spice
2 tablespoons of mustard seed
1 tablespoon coriander seed
1 tablespoon dill seed
1 tablespoon of whole allspice
1 tablespoon of peppercorns
1 teaspoon of cloves
1 teaspoon of ginger
1 cinnamon stick, small and broken into pieces
2 bay leaves, broken into pieces
Combine ingredients. Store in airtight container. Use 1-2 tablespoons of pickling spice per quart of brine. Great for making pickled cucumbers or pickled green beans, but also tasty when pickling eggs.
15. Homemade Fajita Seasoning
2 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp paprika
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tsp ground oregano
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
Mix all ingredients. Use on chicken for chicken fajitas. It’s also delicious on roasted peppers and onions. Store in airtight container.
16. Classic Steak Seasoning
2 tablespoons of kosher salt
1 tablespoon of coarse black pepper
1 tablespoon of garlic powder
1 tablespoon of onion powder
1 teaspoon of paprika
1 teaspoon of ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon of mustard powder
Combine ingredients and store in airtight container. Rub or press seasoning onto steaks, then let sit for about half an hour before cooking. Can also be used on burgers.
17. Old-Fashioned Curry Powder
2 tbsp coriander, ground
1 tbsp ground turmeric
1 tbsp ground cumin
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp mustard powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1/4 tsp cayenne
Mix well and store in an airtight container. This is a mild curry spice blend that’s perfect for adding to rice, curries, etc.
18. Homemade Sloppy Joe Seasoning
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp mustard powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
Combine ingredients. Store in airtight container. This amount seasons a pound of ground beef. Also add tomato paste and a dash of Worcestershire sauce.
19. Old-Fashioned Celery Salt
3 tbsp celery seed
2 tbsp kosher salt
Mix well. Store in airtight container.
Celery seed should be finely ground before combining with salt. Store in an airtight container.
Try it on potato salad, deviled eggs or use it to salt the rim of a glass when making bloody marys.
20. Homemade Gingerbread Spice
2 tbsp ground cinnamon
1 tbsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp ground allspice
1 tsp ground nutmeg
Shake well to combine. Use in gingerbread cookies, gingerbread quick breads or in your next batch of homemade granola.
21. Homemade Southwest Seasoning
2 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 tbsp paprika
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
Shake well to combine. This seasoning has a bit less bite than taco seasoning and is a bit more smokey.
Use on chicken, roasted veggies, black beans, etc.
22. Old-Fashioned Popcorn Seasoning
2 tbsp nutritional yeast
1 tbsp parmesan cheese grated, or 1 tbsp of cheese powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Shake well to combine and sprinkle on buttered popcorn immediately after popping. Seasoning sticks best to fresh, hot, buttered popcorn.
For an easier version just mix together some salt, garlic powder and paprika.
23. Homemade Meatloaf Seasoning
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp dried parsley flakes
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried sage
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp mustard powder
Shake to combine. Add seasoning mix to two pounds of ground beef and continue adding egg, breadcrumbs, etc.
You can also use this spice blend in your homemade burgers.
24. Homemade Mulling Spice
2 cinnamon sticks, broken into smaller pieces
1 tbsp whole cloves
1 tbsp allspice berries
1 tbsp whole cardamom pods
1 tsp dried orange peel
1 tsp dried lemon peel
1 whole nutmeg, cracked
Combine and store in small jar. When ready to simmer apple cider add a few tablespoons of spices wrapped in cheesecloth and simmer for 20 minutes.
Remove spices before drinking.
25. Homemade All-Purpose Meat Rub
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp paprika
1 tbsp kosher salt
1 tbsp black pepper
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tsp mustard powder
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
You can make all of these rubs in less than ten minutes and they’ll keep for months if you store them in airtight jars in your spice cabinet. There’s one rub I think is fantastic on anything, including chicken, pork, beef, etc.
The difference between a meal that’s cheap and boring versus one that’s enjoyable comes down to seasoning. Start with a “house seasoning” and make a few international rubs based on the foods you like to cook.