11 Easy DIY Seasoning Blends You Can Make at Home

Have you ever tried making dinner just to find yourself missing a key seasoning ingredient? I sure have — and it’s so annoying. But before paying an arm and a leg to have taco seasoning delivered (because delivery fees are like highway robbery nowadays), you may already have the pantry ingredients you need to make your own seasoning blends. Plus, this way you get to adjust the flavor intensity to your liking.

From Cajun and Italian to Everything but the Bagel seasoning, here are 11 DIY seasoning blends you can whip up at home to help you save time and money. 

Taco Seasoning

Whip up your own version of this must-have seasoning blend that can be used to season your taco filling, as a dry rub for meats, or even as a sprinkle on popcorn for a spicy twist. To recreate this recipe from The Gracious Wife at home, combine all the below ingredients, and store in an airtight container for up to a year: 

• 4 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 tablespoons cumin
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon oregano (optional)
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Italian Seasoning

Bring the flavors of the Mediterranean into your kitchen with this fragrant blend. Sprinkle it on everything with an Italian flair such as pasta, salads, pizzas, and roasted vegetables. For this recipe from The Mediterranean Dish, combine:

• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme
• 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
• 1 tablespoon dried marjoram
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 2 tablespoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)

Cajun Seasoning

This Cajun seasoning mix from Gimme Some Oven is all about highlighting the bold and spicy flavors of Southern cuisine — and it’s a must-have for dishes like gumbo, jambalaya, seafood étouffée, and even grilled chicken. If you prefer things on the milder side, reduce the amount of cayenne. Combine: 

• 3 tablespoons paprika or smoked paprika
• 2 tablespoons fine kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon ground white pepper
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon cayenne
• 1/2 tablespoon dried thyme

Pro tip: Sprinkle some of this seasoning on fried eggs to elevate breakfast. You won’t regret it. 

Herbs de Provence

Imagine cooking up a feast in the lavender fields of southern France with this Herbs de Provence seasoning blend from AllRecipes that adds a delightful floral undertone to dishes like lamb roasts, pasta, and as a seasoning for fries and roasted vegetables. Combine:

• 2 tablespoons dried rosemary
• 1 tablespoon fennel seed
• 2 tablespoons dried savory
• 2 tablespoons dried thyme
• 2 tablespoons dried basil
• 2 tablespoons dried marjoram
• 2 tablespoons dried lavender flowers
• 2 tablespoons dried Italian parsley
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried tarragon
• 1 teaspoon bay powder

Related: Spice Up Easy, Frugal Meals With These Redditor-Approved Seasoning Blends

Greek Seasoning

The flavors of the Aegean are in your hands with this flavorful mix that is best used to marinate lamb and fish, season grilled veggies, or to mix into homemade tzatziki as a base for salad dressings and dips. To recreate this Greek seasoning recipe from Sweet Peas and Saffron, combine:

• 3 tablespoons oregano
• 2 tablespoons basil
• 1 tablespoon dill
• 2 tablespoons onion powder
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• ½ tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon black pepper

Related: 12 Must-have Seasoning Mixes From Trader Joe’s, According to Super Fans

Ranch Seasoning

Who said ranch has to come in a bottle? You can make your own ranch blend like this one from Sweet Peas and Saffron to add a flavorful touch to salads, dips, or even as a seasoning for meats. Combine: 

• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 1 tablespoon dried dill
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Pro tip: Incorporate mayonnaise and sour cream and you’ve got yourself homemade ranch dressing.

Related: I Tasted Trader Joe’s New Buttermilk Ranch Dressing — Here’s How It Compares to Hidden Valley Ranch

Curry Powder

Don’t let the name fool you — there’s actually no singular “curry powder” used in traditional Indian cuisine, and classic dishes like tandoori and tikka masala call for a lot more ingredients than one might expect. But for a simpler version like this one from the Minimalist Baker that you can use as a base for curry dishes, soups, and stews, combine: 

• 2 tablespoons ground coriander
• 2 tablespoons ground cumin
• 1 1/2 tablespoon ground turmeric
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper or ground chilies

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Pumpkin Pie Spice

This fragrant blend of spices is fall in a nutshell. Sprinkle some in your coffee, oatmeal, ice cream, or even on roasted veggies for a sweet and comforting touch. And yes — it’s the secret to making pumpkin spice latte. It’s also easy to make and doesn’t require a lot of ingredients. Combine: 

• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice or cloves

Related: 15 Spices and Spice Blends That Will Make Almost Any Meal Better

Everything but the Bagel Seasoning

This popular blend brings the flavor of the everything bagel with zero baking required. Whether you’re sprinkling it over avocado toast, fried eggs, or using it to jazz up hummus and grilled veggies, this Everything but the Bagel seasoning blend from Two Peas and Their Pod adds a delightful crunch and boost of flavor to many dishes. Combine:

• 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
• 1 tablespoon white sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon dried minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon dried minced onion
• 2 teaspoons flaked sea salt or coarse salt

Chinese Five-Spice

Experience the flavors of authentic Chinese cuisine by incorporating this powerful spice mix from Feasting at Home to roasted meats, stir-fries, and braised vegetables. It’s the quickest route to adding that “secret ingredient” everyone will be asking about. Combine:

• 6 whole star anise pods
• 1 1/2 teaspoons whole cloves (or 1 1/4 teaspoon ground)
• 1 cinnamon stick (3 inches long) or two tablespoons ground
• 2 tablespoons fennel seeds
• 2 teaspoons Szechuan peppercorns (or 3 teaspoons regular peppercorns)

Directions:

• Toast all the spices in a skillet over low to medium heat for 2-3 minutes until fragrant, then use a spice or coffee grinder (like this highly-rated Krups one-touch grinder on Amazon) to grind into a fine powder. 
• Store in an airtight container and enjoy for up to six months. 

Jamaican Jerk Seasoning

Get a taste of the Caribbean with this zesty blend from Jo Cooks that is ideal as a marinade for grilled meats (especially chicken), or to infuse a rich and bold flavor to soups and stews. To recreate this recipe, combine: 

• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 2 teaspoons smoked or regular paprika
• 1 teaspoon allspice (ground)
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper (ground)
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ½ teaspoon cumin (ground)
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg (ground)
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon (ground)
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon thyme (dried)
• 1 tablespoon parsley (dried)

Related: 10 Cheap and Easy Chicken Recipes