17 Homemade Spice Mixes {with Recipes & Why You Should Use Them!}
Posted By Erin O On February 22, 2013 @ 3:00 am In Baby Steps,Do it yourself,Herbs,Homemade,In the kitchen,Real, whole food,Realfoodmadesimple,Recipes | 61 Comments
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By Erin Odom [2], Contributing Writer
Are you working to ditch processed foods and put more real food on the table? We're running a series called Real Food Made Simple: A Beginner's Guide to Eating Better [3]. Our goal is to answer the questions [4] you might have and make the transition a whole lot easier!
Even before I started cooking from scratch [5], I started making my own homemade spice mixes.
At first, it was out of pure laziness. I don't like to shop. Even before I had kids, I didn't like to run out to the grocery store [6] for an item or two on my ingredient list if I could avoid it. And, hence, I started making things at home.
The very first spice mix for me to make on my own was taco seasoning [7]. I think back then I googled a recipe, and when I realized I had all the ingredients on hand, I was elated.
The next time I was at the store, I checked the ingredient list on the back of the taco seasoning mix I normally purchased. Surely the ingredients would be the same, right?
Wrong.
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The food labels [9] on the bulk of store-bought seasoning mixes are full of fillers, preservatives and other unwanted fake flavor enhancers. These ingredients include:
- modified food starch [10] (a thickener, often derived from GMO [11] sources but not always),
- sugar,
- partially hydrogenated vegetable oils (trans fat and often made from a GMO [11] oil sources, such as cottonseed, canola or soybean [12]),
- MSG (including "hidden" MSG [13]under other names)
- hidden gluten (dangerous for those with a gluten intolerance [14] or celiac disease)
- natural flavorings (So what's the big deal here? Read this [15].)
- silicon dioxide [16](to prevent caking--not necessarily bad but an additive to know about nonetheless)
- spices (This sounds innocent...but what exactly are these anonymous "spices"?),
- and more.
After learning that store-bought spice mixes aren't always so wholesome, I committed to making my seasonings at home--for both convenience and health reasons.
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How to Make Your Own
Seriously, making your own spice mixes is probably the easiest kitchen task you will ever do.
Supplies Needed:
- single ingredient herbs and spices
- measuring spoons
- glass jars (Depending on how much you want to mix up, anything from an old baby food jar [18] to a canning jar [19] will work.)
Method:
Simply combine all the individual spices together in a jar, shake the jar and--voila!--you have your spice mixes!
I have sometimes gotten in the rut of making just what I needed per meal at the time I am cooking. This is inconvenient and tags extra time onto dinner prep. I now mix up a whole canning jar at once, label the top with the ingredients needed to fill the jar as well as with the amounts needed in recipes I make frequently.
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But what if you don't have all the single-ingredient herbs and spices?
No problem! Check out this handy list of herb and spice substitutions [21].
Homemade Spice Mixes
And now, the moment you've been waiting for: check out this full line-up of homemade spice mixes! I've also included some recipes that call for these mixes. Your family will thank you for never entering the spice mix aisle of the grocery store [6] again!
Allspice Alternative [22]
Use in:
- Cincinnati Chili [23]
- Chocolate Chili [24] (Yes, chocolate!)
Apple Pie Spice Mix [25]
Use in:
- Slow Cooker Brown Rice Pudding [26]
- 3-2-1 Custard [27] (Paleo Breakfast)
Cajun Seasoning [28]
Use in:
Chili Powder [31]
Use in:
[34]
Image by Whole New Mom [35]
Cinnamon Sugar [35]
Use to:
- sprinkle on toast or other baked goods
- sprinkle in oatmeal [36]
Curry Powder [37]
Use in:
Dry Creamed Soup Spice Mix [40]
Use in any recipe that calls for a "cream-of" soup.
[41]
Image by Stacy Makes Cents [40]
"Emeril's Essence" Seasoning Blend [42]
Use in:
- Grilled Shrimp Kabobs [43]
- Sauteed Sea Scallops [44]
Garlic Salt [45]
Use in:
- Pantry Salsa [46]
- Easiest Garlic Bread Recipe [47]
Italian Seasoning [48]
Use in:
[50]
Image by The Nourishing Home [42]
Lemon Pepper [51]
Use in:
- Crock Pot Creamy Lemon Pepper Chicken [52]
- as a seasoning on steamed or sauteed veggies--or even in a stir-fry [53]
Poultry Seasoning [54]
Use in:
- Crock Pot Stuffing [55]
- Breakfast Sausage [55]
Pumpkin Pie Spice [56]
Use in:
[59]
Image by Day2Day Joys
Ranch Dip Mix [60]
Use in:
- as a dip for Healthy Chicken Nuggets [61]
- Ranch Cheddar Chicken [62]
(Here's [63]another good ranch dip mix recipe!)
Sausage Seasoning [64]
Use it in:
Taco Seasoning [7]
Use in:
- Tortilla Soup [67]
- Simple Quesadillas [68]
[69]
Image by Your Thriving Family [70]
Tumeric Newari Spice [70]
Use in:
- Spicy Fried Chicken [71]
- other Nepali [72] or South Asian dishes
Need more inspiration? I'm constantly adding to my spices/sauces/dips/dressing board [73] on Pinterest. You can follow me here [74].
Two other helpful resources for all things homemade, including many condiments, sauce and more are the recipe ebooks Easy. Homemade. [75] and also Restocking the Pantry [76].
Note: Even some single-ingredient spices contain hidden fillers! Be sure to carefully read the food labels [9] and call the manufacturer if necessary. Many health food stores and co-ops sell spices in bulk. The Bulk Herb Store [77] and Mountain Rose Herbs [78] are two online stores that sell quality herbs and spices.
Do you make your own spice mixes? What are your favorite spice mixes to make?
Top Image by jo-h [79]
This post contains affiliate links.
Article printed from Keeper of the Home: http://www.keeperofthehome.org
URL to article: http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2013/02/17-homemade-spice-mixes.html
URLs in this post:
[1] Image: http://www.keeperofthehome.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/17-Homemade-Spice-Mixes--e1361066251485.jpg
[2] Erin Odom: http://www.thehumbledhomemaker.com
[3] Real Food Made Simple: A Beginner's Guide to Eating Better: http://www.keeperofthehome.org/tag/real-food-made-simple
[4] to answer the questions: http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2013/01/real-food-made-simple-a-beginners-guide-to-eating-better.html
[5] cooking from scratch: http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2012/03/10-ingredients-to-make-from-scratch.html
[6] grocery store: http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2013/01/finding-real-food-in-a-grocery-store.html
[7] taco seasoning: http://thehumbledhomemaker.com/2011/07/homemade-homemaking-taco-seasoning.html
[8] Image: http://www.keeperofthehome.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/homemadevsstorecajunseasoning1.jpg
[9] food labels: http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2013/01/how-to-read-food-labels.html
[10] modified food starch: http://www.bobsredmill.com/blog/featured-articles/modified-food-starch-demystified/
[11] GMO: http://thehumbledhomemaker.com/2011/06/say-no-to-gmos.html
[12] soybean: http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2010/06/the-soy-decoy-dont-be-deceived.html
[13] MSG : http://www.livestrong.com/article/377482-other-names-for-msg-or-monosodium-glutamate/
[14] gluten intolerance: http://thehumbledhomemaker.com/2011/09/jumping-on-gluten-free-bandwagon.html
[15] this: http://ijt.sagepub.com/content/26/1/51
[16] silicon dioxide : http://www.livestrong.com/article/520897-what-is-silicon-dioxide-in-supplements/
[17] Image: http://www.keeperofthehome.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/storebought-spices.jpg
[18] baby food jar: http://thehumbledhomemaker.com/2012/03/repurposing-baby-food-jars-first-years.html
[19] canning jar: http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2012/04/31-ways-to-use-a-mason-jar-in-your-kitchen.html
[20] Image: http://www.keeperofthehome.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/homemade-taco-seasoning1.jpg
[21] herb and spice substitutions: http://wp.me/p2B71V-10F
[22] Allspice Alternative: http://wp.me/p2B71V-10w
[23] Cincinnati Chili: http://www.stacymakescents.com/crock-pot-cincinnati-chili
[24] Chocolate Chili: http://adelightfulhome.com/chocolate-chili-yes-chocolate/
[25] Apple Pie Spice Mix: http://thegreenbacksgal.com/homemade-apple-pie-spice/
[26] Slow Cooker Brown Rice Pudding: http://thegreenbacksgal.com/brown-rice-pudding/
[27] 3-2-1 Custard: http://thegreenbacksgal.com/3-2-1-custard/
[28] Cajun Seasoning: http://www.lexienaturals.com/2013/01/homemade-cajun-seasoning.html
[29] Bacon-Wrapped Green Beans: http://www.stacymakescents.com/bacon-wrapped-green-beans
[30] Easy Oven-Roasted Potatoes: http://thehumbledhomemaker.com/2011/10/easy-oven-roasted-potatoes-and-plan-it.html
[31] Chili Powder: http://wp.me/p2B71V-10r
[32] Southwest Taco Soup: http://redandhoney.com/2012/01/southwest-taco-soup-recipe/
[33] The BEST Chili Recipe Ever: http://redandhoney.com/2012/11/your-search-for-the-perfect-chili-recipe-is-officially-over/
[34] Image: http://www.keeperofthehome.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Cinnamon-Sugar-WMark-e1352210917224.jpg
[35] Whole New Mom: http://wholenewmom.com/recipes/cinnamon-sugar-made-four-ways-and-healthier/
[36] oatmeal: http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2012/11/fancy-flavored-oatmeal-made-4-ways-better-than-a-coffee-shop.html
[37] Curry Powder: http://wholenewmom.com/recipes/curry-recipes-how-to-make-curry-curry-powder/
[38] Curried Butternut Squash Soup: http://redandhoney.com/2012/02/curried-butternut-squash-soup-recipe/
[39] Pan-Seared Curried Cod: http://intentionalbygrace.com/2012/06/04/20-minute-meal-pan-seared-curried-cod/
[40] Dry Creamed Soup Spice Mix: http://www.stacymakescents.com/homemade-cream-of-soup-mix
[41] Image: http://www.keeperofthehome.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Cream-Of-Soup-Mix.jpg
[42] "Emeril's Essence" Seasoning Blend: http://thenourishinghome.com/2012/03/homemade-emerils-essence-seasoning-blend/
[43] Grilled Shrimp Kabobs: http://thenourishinghome.com/2012/04/grilled-shrimp-kabobs-gf/
[44] Sauteed Sea Scallops: http://thenourishinghome.com/2012/04/sauteed-sea-scallops-gf/
[45] Garlic Salt: http://thehumbledhomemaker.com/2012/04/amazingly-easy-homemade-garlic-salt.html
[46] Pantry Salsa: http://www.stacymakescents.com/pantry-salsa
[47] Easiest Garlic Bread Recipe: http://www.mountainmamacooks.com/2012/01/easiest-garlic-bread-recipe/
[48] Italian Seasoning: http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/more-healthy-salad-dressing-recipes-italian-and-thousand-island
[49] Italian Cream Cheese Chicken Casserole: http://www.naturallyknockedup.com/italian-cream-cheese-chicken-casserole/
[50] Image: http://www.keeperofthehome.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/emeril-essence-1024x689.jpg
[51] Lemon Pepper: http://www.simplyscratch.com/2010/11/homemade-lemon-pepper-seasoning.html
[52] Crock Pot Creamy Lemon Pepper Chicken : http://www.stacymakescents.com/crock-pot-easy-creamy-lemon-pepper-chicken
[53] stir-fry : http://thehumbledhomemaker.com/2011/09/plan-it-dont-panic-meal-plan-for-919.html
[54] Poultry Seasoning: http://wp.me/p2B71V-10u
[55] Crock Pot Stuffing: http://thisfoodthing.com/2007/09/01/sage-breakfast-sausage/
[56] Pumpkin Pie Spice: http://www.thehumbledhomemaker.com/2011/10/homemade-homemaking-pumpkin-pie-spice.html
[57] Pumpkin-Chocolate Chip Breakfast Bars: http://thehumbledhomemaker.com/2012/11/pumpkin-chocolate-chip-breakfast-bars-gluten-dairy-and-egg-free.html
[58] Pumpkin Spice Doughnut Holes: http://wp.me/p2B71V-3h
[59] Image: http://www.keeperofthehome.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Pumpkin-1.png
[60] Ranch Dip Mix : http://www.keeperofthehome.org http://www.day2dayjoys.com/2012/07/ranch.html?m=1
[61] Healthy Chicken Nuggets: http://thenourishinghome.com/2012/03/healthy-chicken-nuggets-gf-option/
[62] Ranch Cheddar Chicken: http://www.bunsinmyoven.com/2012/07/26/ranch-cheddar-chicken/
[63] Here's : http://www.keeperofthehome.org http://thenourishinghome.com/2012/04/healthy-valley-ranch-dressing-gf/
[64] Sausage Seasoning: http://wholeintentions.com/2011/10/homemade-sausage-seasoning/
[65] Sausage Potato Casserole: http://wholeintentions.com/2009/03/sausage-potato-casserole-only-four/
[66] Biscuits and Sausage Gravy: http://wholeintentions.com/2012/03/gluten-free-biscuits-sausage-gravy/
[67] Tortilla Soup: http://thehumbledhomemaker.com/2012/03/easiest-chicken-tortilla-soup-ever.html
[68] Simple Quesadillas: http://thehumbledhomemaker.com/2012/08/simple-quesadillas.html
[69] Image: http://www.keeperofthehome.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/NewariSalt.jpg
[70] Your Thriving Family : http://www.yourthrivingfamily.com/2013/02/turmeric-newari-spice.html
[71] Fried Chicken: http://thehumbledhomemaker.com/2012/10/rice-flour-fried-chicken.html
[72] Nepali: http://www.nepalhomepage.com/society/recipes/recipes.html
[73] spices/sauces/dips/dressing board: http://pinterest.com/humbledhomemakr/sauces-dips-dressings/
[74] here: http://pinterest.com/humbledhomemakr
[75] Easy. Homemade.: https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?ii=1136551&c=ib&aff=57593&cl=69376
[76] Restocking the Pantry: http://www.nourishingjoy.com/restocking-the-pantry/?ap_id=KeeperHome
[77] Bulk Herb Store: http://www.keeperofthehome.org http://www.bulkherbstore.com/#a_aid=keeperofthehome
[78] Mountain Rose Herbs: http://www.keeperofthehome.org/3dd
[79] jo-h: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jo-h/
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