10 Homemade Spice Mixes [Free Recipe Cards & Shopping List] (2024)

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The first homemade spice mix I made was taco seasoning, and and I’m so glad I decided to give it a try! Not only did my homemade taco seasoning result in some really delicious tacos, but the mix couldn’t have been easier to throw together. After that positive experience, I started collecting recipes for other homemade spice mixes as I came across them, and today I want to pass them along to you!

You’ll find the recipes for 10 different homemade spice mixes in this post. These spice mixes are just as convenient as their store-bought counterparts, but without any unnecessary fillers or mystery ingredients. (And in my humble opinion, the homemade mixes taste better too!)

Related: 10 Surprising Ingredients You Can Make To Save A Trip To The Store

In addition to the recipes, I’ve also got a few FREE printables that will help you make all 10 spice mixes at once, including:

  • Spice mix recipe cards
  • Ingredient shopping list
  • Jar labels

You’ll find the download boxes for those files near the bottom of the post. But for now, let’s start by taking a look at those 10 tasty spice mix recipes! :-)

10 Flavorful Homemade Spice Mixes (And How To Make Them)

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1. Taco Seasoning

Ingredients:

  • 2 Tbsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 Tbsp ground cumin
  • 2 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp pepper

To Use:

Use approximately 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning mix for each pound of ground meat (or to taste). Add a little water if you like a more “saucy” taco mix.

Related:

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2. Ranch Seasoning

Ingredients:

  • 2 Tbsp dried parsley
  • 1 tsp dried dill
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp dried basil
  • 1/2 tsp pepper

To Use:

To make ranch dressing, whisk together 1/3 cup of mayonnaise, 1/4 cup of milk, and 1 tablespoon of the ranch mix. (Use more or less of each ingredient to get the flavor and consistency you want.) Season with salt, to taste.

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3. Onion Soup Mix

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup dried minced onion
  • 1/3 cup beef bouillon granules
  • 1/4 cup onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp sugar
  • 1/4 tsp celery seed

To Use:

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To make onion dip, stir 4 tablespoons of onion soup mix into 16 oz of sour cream. This seasoning mix also tastes great on potatoes! Simply quarter some red potatoes, season them well with the onion soup mix, and bake until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

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4. Chili Seasoning

Ingredients:

  • 4 Tbsp chili powder
  • 4 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 4 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper

To Use:

Add 2 tablespoons of chili seasoning to one pot of chili. If you don’t have a favorite chili recipe, try browning 1 onion and 1 lb. ground beef. Then add 2 cans of beans, 2 cans of diced tomatoes, and the 2 tablespoons of chili seasoning. Simmer for at least 10 minutes, and serve warm.

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5. Sloppy Joe Mix

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 4 Tbsp minced onion
  • 4 Tbsp paprika
  • 4 tsp ground cumin
  • 4 tsp garlic powder
  • 4 tsp salt
  • 4 tsp pepper

To Use:

To make Sloppy Joes, start by browning 1 lb. of ground beef. Stir in a can of tomato sauce, 1/2 can of water, 1 tablespoon of mustard, and 2.5 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. Add 1/2 cup of the Sloppy Joe spice mix and simmer 10 minutes. Serve warm on hamburger buns.

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6. Brown Gravy Mix

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1/2 cup beef bouillon granules
  • 3 Tbsp onion powder
  • 3 Tbsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp pepper
  • 1 Tbsp dried parsley

To Use:

To make brown gravy, whisk 3 tablespoons of the gravy mix into 1 cup of cold water. Place on your stovetop over medium heat until thickened, and serve.

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7. Country Gravy Mix

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp garlic salt
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp dried sage
  • 1/4 tsp dried rosemary
  • 1 Tbsp chicken bouillon granules
  • 1/2 tsp salt

To Use:

To make country gravy, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons of the country gravy mix to the pan, and whisk constantly until the mixture forms a ball (about 1 minute). Add 2 cups of milk and bring to a boil, whisking constantly. Reduce heat and simmer for 3-4 minutes, or until thickened.

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8. Soup Or Sauce (S.O.S.) Mix

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups powdered non-fat dry milk
  • 3/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup chicken bouillon granules
  • 2 Tbsp minced onion
  • 1/2 tsp dried basil
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp dried marjoram
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme

To Use:

Combine 1/3 cup of the S.O.S. Mix with 1 1/4 cups of water. Whisk thoroughly. Heat on your stovetop over medium heat until thickened. (For more information on S.O.S. Mix and how to use it in place of Cream of Something soups in your recipes, check out the original post below.)

Related: Soup Or Sauce (S.O.S.) Mix – A Great Cream Soup Substitute!

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9. Italian Dressing Mix

Ingredients:

  • 1 1⁄2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 Tbsp onion powder
  • 2 Tbsp dried oregano
  • 1 Tbsp dried parsley
  • 1 Tbsp sugar
  • 2 Tbsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1⁄4 tsp dried thyme
  • 1⁄2 tsp celery flakes

To Use:

To make Italian salad dressing, add 2 tablespoons of the Italian dressing mix to 1/4 cup of vinegar, 2 tablespoons of water, and 1/2 – 2/3 cup of olive oil.

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10. Au Jus Mix

Ingredients:

  • 4 Tbsp beef bouillon granules
  • 4 tsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp dried parsley
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 4 Tbsp cornstarch

To Use:

To prepare the au jus, mix 4 1/2 teaspoons of the au jus mix with 2 cups of water. Heat in a medium-sized saucepan for about 15 minutes, or until heated and slightly thickened.

For easy reference, I’ve included downloadable recipe cards for each of the 10 spice mix recipes listed above. Download the file using the link below, then just print the cards and cut them out!

Spice Mix Recipe Cards

Use the button below to download free printable recipe cards for each of the 10 spice mixes.

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Download Recipe Cards

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Shopping For Ingredients

These spice mixes have a lot of ingredients in common, so I recommend just making them all at the same time. It may sound daunting, but you can throw them together in less than an hour! I’ve made things even easier on you by putting together a printable shopping list of all the ingredients you’ll need.

I should mention that some of the amounts on the shopping list are exact, while others are rounded up slightly. I only rounded up if I felt it made the list easier to read and understand. Download the shopping list using the link below.

Spice Mix Shopping List

Use the button below to download a printable shopping list with all the ingredients you need to make your homemade spice mixes.

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Download Shopping List

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Storing Your Homemade Spice Mixes

We stored our homemade spice mixes in mason jars, because we have a lot of those around here! In case you were curious what size jar fit best for each mix, we put together a handy list for you:

Taco Seasoning – 4 oz jar
Ranch Seasoning – 4 oz jar
Onion Soup Mix – 12 oz jar
Chili Seasoning – 8 oz jar
Sloppy Joe Mix – pint jar
Brown Gravy Mix – quart jar
Country Gravy Mix – pint jar
Soup Or Sauce (S.O.S.) Mix – quart jar
Italian Dressing Mix – 8 oz jar
Au Jus Mix – 8 oz jar

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Our photographer Kaitlyn designed the labels you see in the photos, and we’ve made those available for you to download as well. We printed them out onto 2″ round Avery labels, which happen to fit perfectly onto regular-mouth jar lids. Download the jar labels using the link below.

Spice Mix Jar Labels

Use the button below to downloada set of printablejar labelsfor each of the 10 spice mixes. (They fit perfectly on regular mouth jar lids!)

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Download Jar Labels

Do you have any favorite homemade spice mixes?

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Jill Nystul (aka Jillee)

Jill Nystul is an accomplished writer and author who founded the blog One Good Thing by Jillee in 2011. With over 30 years of experience in homemaking, she has become a trusted resource for contemporary homemakers by offering practical solutions to everyday household challenges.
I share creative homemaking and lifestyle solutions that make your life easier and more enjoyable!

About Jillee

Jill Nystul

Jill’s 30 years of homemaking experience, make her the trusted source for practical household solutions.

About Jillee

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10 Homemade Spice Mixes [Free Recipe Cards & Shopping List] (2024)

FAQs

Is it cheaper to make your own spice mixes? ›

You can save money by mixing your own DIY spice mixes from bulk spices. For commercial kitchens that use large quantities of spice blends, blending your own seasonings from whole or ground spices is an economical option.

How to make your own spice mix? ›

Some Of Our Favorite Spice Blends
  1. 2 tbsp paprika.
  2. 1 tbsp cumin.
  3. 1 tbsp chili powder.
  4. 1 tsp garlic powder.
  5. 1 tsp onion powder.
  6. 1 tsp oregano.
  7. ½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust for desired heat)
Jan 3, 2024

What is the number 1 seasoning used across the world and in all cuisines? ›

The infographic above shows that, surprisingly, cumin is the most popular spice in the world, and coriander (or cilantro) is the most commonly used herb. In Europe and Africa, garlic is the most common among all dishes considered, and—no surprises here—oregano is common in the Mediterranean regions.

How long do homemade spice mixes last? ›

Spice blends retain most of their flavor for 2 years. Dried leafy herbs retain most of their flavor for 1-3 years. Seeds retain most of their flavor for 4 years. Fresh spices retain most of their flavor for 1 week.

What is the best substitute for mixed spice? ›

If you need a substitute for mixed spice in a recipe and don't want to make your own you can just use Pumpkin Pie Spice instead. Both are made up of similar spices. Make mixed spice in small batches so it stays fresher longer.

What is the best mixer for dry spices? ›

Plow or blade mixers provide excellent results in both speed and consistency of powder mixtures for batch processes. Due to their high-performance speed, they are among the fastest mixers with an average mixing time of 1 to 4 minutes. Another advantage is this is a no dead zone mixing equipment.

What spices mix well? ›

Herb & Spice Pairing Guide
SpiceSpice Pairing
ParsleyBasil, Garlic, Nutmeg, Oregano, Rosemary, Tarragon, Thyme
PaprikaBasil, Bay Leaves, Chili, Cumin, Garlic, Parsley, Rosemary, Turmeric ,Tarragon
RosemaryBay Leaves, Basil, Cumin, Garlic, Lavender, Oregano, Parsley,
Nutmeg, Thyme
71 more rows
Jul 12, 2021

What is the difference between spice mix and seasoning? ›

There are several critical differences between spices and seasonings. Spices are typically dried and ground plant materials. At the same time, seasonings can be either dry or wet and include various ingredients such as herbs, spices, salt, pepper, sugar, and vinegar.

What is the king of all spices? ›

Black Pepper is considered the 'king of spices' and rightfully so. Unlike its perennial companion, salt, which is easily available in any nook and corner of the world, the black pepper owes its origins to Kerala – a state in South India.

What is the oldest spice? ›

Cinnamon is an ancient spice that predates the recorded history of culinary applications of all spices. As such, it has been dubbed the “world's oldest spice”, which may be a warranted title, knowing that because it was found to be included in Egyptian embalming recipes.

What is the number one selling spice? ›

1. Black Pepper: A timeless classic, black pepper powder remains a kitchen staple, renowned for its sharp, pungent kick. From seasoning steaks to enhancing soups and salads, black pepper adds a distinctive flavor profile to a myriad of dishes, making it indispensable to chefs and home cooks alike.

What seasoning has the most flavor? ›

List of 10 Essential Spices to Bring Out the Best Flavour of Your...
  • Turmeric. Turmeric has been present in both Chinese and Indian traditional medicinal systems since ages. ...
  • Ginger. Just like turmeric, Ginger is also belonging to the Zingiberaceae family. ...
  • Garlic. ...
  • Black Pepper. ...
  • Cloves. ...
  • Cinnamon. ...
  • Cardamom. ...
  • Cumin.

What are the top 20 spices every kitchen needs? ›

Top 20 spices you need in your kitchen.
  • Bay leaves. Perfect for soups, stews, and sauces.
  • Cardamom. A warming spice that's super versatile.
  • Cayenne pepper. To add a bit of heat and smokiness to your meals.
  • Chili powder. Another way to add a bit of a kick.
  • Cinnamon. ...
  • Cumin. ...
  • Crushed red pepper. ...
  • Curry Powder.

Is it worth making your own spices? ›

Aside from the fact that homemade spices and spice rubs simply taste better than their store-bought alternatives (and at cheaper prices), you're bound to impress your friends when you tell them that that steak rub was homemade, and used garlic powder that was also homemade.

How can I save money on spices? ›

Your best bet to save money buying herbs and spices, quality and price-wise, is buying your spices in small amounts at a store like Whole Foods, Fresh Market or even a good ethnic market. Trader Joe's is also a great source for decent quality seasonings on the cheap.

Can I sell homemade spice blends? ›

FDA regulations on selling spices state that if you are blending your own spices you must have certification from the FDA and Department of Agriculture. Alternately, you can work with another company that's already certified and have them package your spices using a process called white labeling.

Is it better to grind your own spices? ›

Grinding fresh spices results in a more robust flavor in your dish. Although it takes a little more time than the pre-ground options, this flavor boost is completely worth the effort. As soon as whole spices are ground, they come into contact with light and air, which can cause them to start to degrade.

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