The first recipe we tested was taco seasoning. It was a huge hit. Since then, we’ve perfected 10 more homemade spice blends. Use these healthy spice mixes to give flavor to all kids of different dishes and meats.
10 DIY spice mixes to try
Click on any link below to jump to the details about the specific spice blend.
Taco seasoningRanch seasoningChili seasoningJerk seasoningPoultry seasoningBBQ seasoningItalian seasoningCurry seasoningSouthwest seasoningCajun seasoning
What’s in that taco seasoning packet?
This was the first question I asked myself when I started making seasoning blends at home. These are common ingredients found in popular “packet” mixes:
MilkSugarCorn flourVegetable oilCorn syrupCorn maltodextrin (a corn syrup solid)Silicon DioxideNatural flavors
Huh? Milk? In taco seasoning? Two kinds of corn syrup and sugar? What exactly are natural flavors?
Making healthy spice blends at home
If you are trying to eat healthy and minimize your intake of ultra-processed and pre-packaged foods with unhealthy ingredients, making your own seasoning blends at home is a great way to start! Taco seasoning (or any other seasoning blend) doesn’t need added sugar, maltodextrin (whatever that is), milk or other unknown “natural flavors”. All you need for good spice blends are the spices themselves and an easy recipe to follow.
Where to find quality spices
There are plenty of places to buy spices, but we like to have them shipped right to our door from Thrive Market! Thrive carries the Simply Organic brand of spices, which are some of our favorites! If you’re not familiar with Thrive Market, check out our honest Thrive Market review. If you’re interested in trying it out for free for 30 days, just click here to sign up!
Save money and buy bulk spices
If you’re making a lot of spice blends at home, you can save some money by buying spices in bulk. You can buy bulk packages at stores or find them in the bulk bins. You can also find large containers of select spices at Costco. We like to re-use our store bought spice jars and fill them up with bulk spices. That keeps our pantry clean and tidy and saves us money. It’s a win-win!
Storing your homemade seasoning blends
Once you make these spice blends, they need to be stored in an airtight container. Stash your spices in the pantry or a spice drawer to keep them away from light. Some easy storage options:
Re-use old spice jarsSmall glass jars with a lidThese cute little Ball spice jarsA spice jar kit with labels
These blends can be stored for several months, depending on the freshness of the spices being used to make them. Since the spices will settle, be sure to give them a good mix before use.
How much of each homemade seasoning mix do I use?
The general rule of thumb is to use about 2 tbsp of seasoning mix per pound of meat. However, it’s a matter of personal preference, so start with a smaller amount and taste. You can always sprinkle on a little more seasoning later!
Taco Seasoning
This is the seasoning recipe that started it all! No matter what kind of tacos you’re making, this taco seasoning is versatile and goes with beef, chicken, turkey and even seafood. Use this versatile dish for everyday tacos and other fun dishes like:
Taco Stuffed Spaghetti SquashEasy Taco CasseroleInstant Pot Taco SoupGround Beef Taco Bowls
Ranch Seasoning
A good homemade ranch seasoning doesn’t take any exotic spices and it’s perfect for making your own homemade ranch dressing. Drizzle it on salads or use it as a dip for veggies. It’s much better than that packet from the store and easy to make! You can also use the ranch dressing or seasoning blend in recipes like these:
Creamy Bacon Ranch Chicken CasseroleBuffalo Ranch Chicken PizzaSheet Pan Roasted Sausage and VegetablesBuffalo Chicken Meatballs
Chili Seasoning
A simple chili seasoning should be a staple spice blend in your pantry. This mix will season a hearty batch of chili so you can fill your bowl and dig in! Use it for Instant Pot chili, white chicken chili or even some Keto chili.
Jerk Seasoning
You can get that classic jamaican jerk flavor at home with this unique seasoning blend. It’s primarily used for chicken but it’s also great on a pork tenderloin or slow cooked pork shoulder. Check out our popular slow cooker pulled pork recipe, you could easily substitute jerk seasoning for the blend used in that recipe to switch things up a bit.
Poultry Seasoning
Poultry seasoning is a great all around seasoning mix. Use it for seasoning a whole chicken for baking or grilling. Or, sprinkle some on those plain old chicken breasts or thighs to add a big hit of flavor. With its mix of flavorful herbs, this seasoning is perfect for pork and turkey as well. It’s also delicious on white fish like cod, tilapia or halibut.
BBQ Seasoning
We love to grill year-round, and we have a whole category of healthy grilling recipes. This BBQ seasoning is our go-to basic blend for any kind of grilling. It’s perfect for rubbing on a thick steak before you sear it on the grill! If you’re grilling, don’t forget your side dishes! Check out this potato salad with bacon, asian cucumber salad or watermelon salad for your next BBQ!
Italian Seasoning
A good Italian seasoning is something you can use year-round in a variety of recipes. Here are a handful of different recipe ideas for this seasoning:
Crockpot Lasagna SoupCreamy Bacon Mushroom Chicken SkilletHealthy Zuppa ToscanaSpaghetti Squash CarbonaraInstant Pot Italian Beef
Curry Seasoning
This seasoning adds a depth of flavor to recipes with a unique blend of spices like turmeric, coriander, cardamom and cloves. We use curry seasoning almost weekly to make these easy curry beef bowls. You could also try it out in this Thai coconut curry or curried butternut squash soup.
Southwest Seasoning
A versatile seasoning mix that can go on just about any meat, this blend is perfect for grilling, baking or searing in a pan. Use it for:
Tex Mex burgersA southwest chicken casseroleSeasoned french fries or tater tots
Cajun Seasoning
Spice things up a bit with this fun blend from down south! Use it for this easy slow cooker gumbo, a cajun shrimp salad or Instant Pot jambalaya. If this blend is too spicy (or not spicy enough), you can adjust cayenne pepper to your taste preferences.
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