Home Made Spice Blends & Seasoning Mixes

Store bought seasoning mixes may not be that expensive, but just check out the ingredient list...along with the herbs and spices there are way too many things in there that I cannot pronounce. It just takes a few minutes to whip up a large batch of mix and store it in a big jar so that you can have it on hand any time you have the urge to cook up a big pot of chili or spaghetti sauce, or a plate of tacos! Some of the mixes are already increased for you, others you will have to convert to the amount you want.

And you can feel great knowing EXACTLY what’s in there! 

Most of the dry mixes listed here can be used “to taste”...use as much or as little as you like, although I have given general guidelines for the amount to add.

Chili Mix

Ingredients:

1/2 cup All Purpose Flour (Unbleached preferably)
4 tsp Chili Powder 

4 tsp Crushed Dried Red Pepper )

4 tsp Sugar 

1 cup Instant Minced Onion 

2 1/2 tbs Seasoned Salt 

4 tsp Instant Minced Garlic 

4 tsp Ground Cumin 

Directions: 

Measure all ingredients into a deep bowl and stir to combine. Pour into a large jar and store in the pantry or the fridge. Use 1 1/2 tablespoons of dry mix per cup of chili - when I make a big pot I use up to 1/2 cup of mix. 

*******************************

Clone Of Lawry’s Taco Seasoning

Ingredients:

5 tbs Chili Powder 

2 tsp Garlic Powder 

2 tsp Onion Powder 

1 tsp Cayenne Pepper 

2 tsp Dried Oregano 

4 tsp Paprika 

4 tsp Cornstarch 

4 tsp Sugar 

2 1/2 tbs Ground Cumin 

2 1/2 tbs Sea Salt 

4 tsp Black Pepper 

Directions: 

Mix ingredients and store in airtight container in a dark, cool place. 

To use: Brown one pound ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain excess fat. Add 2 tablespoons seasoning mix (or more to taste) and ⅔ cup water. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

Makes filling for 8 to 10 tacos.

*******************************

Easiest Homemade Taco Seasoning

Ingredients:

1 Part Chili Powder

1 Part Ground Cumin

1 Part Garlic Powder

1 Part Onion Powder

¼ – ½ Part Crushed Red Pepper

Directions: 

Mix all the spices together and store in an airtight container. I sometimes store mine in the freezer - especially in our humid summers!

To use: Brown one pound ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain excess fat. Add 2 tablespoons (or more to taste) seasoning mix and ⅔ cup water. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

Makes filling for 8 to 10 tacos.

*******************************

Spaghetti Sauce Mix

Ingredients:

1/4 cup cornstarch or arrowroot (I have been shying away from corn lately)
1/4 cup dried minced onion
1/4 cup dried parsley flakes
3 Tbsp. of dried vegetable or sweet pepper flakes
2 Tbsp. of Italian seasoning
4 tsp. salt
4 tsp. sugar
2 tsp. dried minced garlic

Directions:

Combine and store in an airtight container in a cool and dry place 

for up to a year. Yield: 4 batches, 1 cup total.

To make sauce, brown 1pound of ground beef, drain, add 2 cups water, 1 can tomato paste, 1/4 cup dry mix and simmer for 20 minutes. 

Makes about 3 cups of sauce.

********************************

Italian Seasoning Mix

Ingredients:

2 Tbs basil
2 Tbs marjoram
2 Tbs oregano
2 Tbs rosemary
2 Tbs thyme

Directions:
Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well combined
Use immediately or store in an air tight container.

********************************

Cajun Seasoning

Ingredients:

½ cup Chili Powder

½ cup Paprika

2 Tbsp Onion Powder

2 Tbsp Coarsely Ground Black Pepper

2 Tbsp Dried Basil

2 Tbsp Dried Oregano

2 Tbsp Ground Coriander

1 ½ Tbsp Dried Thyme

¾ tsp Cayenne Pepper

½ tsp White Pepper

⅓ tsp Ground Cumin

Directions:

Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well combined
Use immediately or store in an air tight container.

********************************

Creole Seasoning (a little different spin on the Cajun Spice)

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp Onion Powder

2 Tbsp Garlic Powder

2 Tbsp Oregano

2 Tbsp Sweet Basil

1 Tbsp Thyme

1 Tbsp Black Pepper

1 Tbsp White Pepper

1 Tbsp Cayenne Pepper

1 Tbsp Celery Seed

5 Tbsp Paprika

Directions: 

Combine in food processor.

********************************

Fajita Seasoning Mix

Ingredients:

3 Tbsp. Cornstarch

2 Tbsp. Chili Powder

1 Tbsp. Salt

1 Tbsp. Paprika

1 Tbsp. Sugar

2-½ tsp Crushed Chicken Bouillon Cube

1-½ tsp Onion Powder

½ tsp Garlic Powder

½ tsp Cayenne Pepper

¼ tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

½ tsp Cumin

Directions: 

Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl. Pour into small glass or plastic container, seal tightly and store in a cool, dry place. Makes the equivalent of 3 packets of commercial or purchased Fajita Seasoning Mix.

********************************