10 Spice Blends You Can Make Yourself

by Edward Higgins | Monday, June 8th, 2015 | From: Food and Recipes

Buying spices and spice blends at the grocery store can be very costly. A small jar can run upwards of $4.00 or more. Making them yourself is easy, not to mention more economical, flavorful and perhaps healthier (you can ensure your spice blends don’t contain unnecessary additives, fillers, MSG, or artificial ingredients). So grab your measuring spoons and get started. Here’s how:

Start by finding a source where you can purchase spices in bulk and/or whole, which is a much cheaper way to purchase spices and you can control the quantity you need.

There are many spice shops online, or you can visit your local natural foods supermarket where they usually have a wide-variety of spices available in bulk. Because you’re not paying for packaging, you are saving a lot of money. You’ll notice bulk spices also are much more fragrant and flavorful than pre-packaged, which can sit on store shelves for years, losing their potency.

Any spice is going to be better whole, toasted a bit, and then ground in a small coffee or spice grinder, but using pre-ground spices in your spice blends will work just fine too.

These blends can be customized based on personal preference. The amounts of each ingredient can be adjusted to your tastes.

Combine each in a small bowl and store in a dry, air-tight jar with label:

1. Italian Seasoning
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon basil
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon marjoram
1 teaspoon rosemary
1/2 teaspoon ground fennel

2. Cajun Seasoning

1 tablespoon granulated garlic
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper

3. Garam Masala
 (for Indian cuisines)
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground cardamom
½ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

4. Taco or Fajita Seasoning

1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon granulated garlic
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper

5. Seasoned Salt

2 tablespoons salt (do not use coarse salt)
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
2 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons granulated garlic
1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon turmeric
½ teaspoon cornstarch

6. Chinese Five Spice Powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground fennel seed
1 teaspoon ground star anise
1 teaspoon ground Szechuan peppercorns
½ teaspoon ground cloves

7. Dry Rub for Ribs

Combine equal parts of each: cumin, paprika, granulated garlic, onion powder, brown sugar, Kosher salt, chili powder, black pepper; 1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper

8. Poultry Seasoning

1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
1 teaspoon ground sage
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon marjoram
1 teaspoon rosemary
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

9. Montreal Steak Seasoning
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon Kosher salt
1 tablespoon granulated garlic
1 tablespoon onion powder
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon dried dill

10. Herbes de Provence
2 teaspoons dried rosemary
2 teaspoons marjoram
2 teaspoons thyme
2 teaspoons summer savory
1 teaspoon dried sage
1 teaspoon dried tarragon
2 bay leaves, crumbled
1 teaspoon dried lemon peel
¼ teaspoon dried lavender buds, crushed

Do you have a spice blend recipe you want to share? Let us know in the comments below!

Edward Higgins is a freelance writer, artist, home chef, and avid fly fisherman who lives in Yarmouth, Maine. He studied at Skidmore College and Harvard University.