5 Easy Homemade Spice Mixes
You can make these 5 easy homemade spice mixes quicker than running to the store. It’s all about saving money, right? I have made these spice mixes for years because I don’t want to purchase those expensive packages to make my tacos, chili, salad dressing, onion soup mix, and Sloppy Joe mix.
I’m a chip and dip person, so I love having some onion soup mix ready to make one of my favorite dips at the last minute. I typically always have some one-pound packages of ground beef in the freezer to make chili, tacos, and Sloppy Joes. I bet you can picture those simmering right now!
I feel strongly about helping others learn to cook from scratch these days. Is it just me or are some families eating out at fast food drive-throughs more? Where Mark and I live I see cars lined up about 12-20 cars deep to get fast food.
Is it cheaper? I highly doubt it even if they have coupons every night of the week. Do the families learn how to eat at the dinner table? What about manners? Are they learning the basics of please, thank you, etc.? Well, let’s hope each of us can somehow change the way people eat, one family at a time.
5 Easy Homemade Spice Mixes
1. Taco Seasoning Mix
- 4 Tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 3 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoon pepper
-
Combine all ingredients in a pint size mason jar. When ready to use sprinkle two tablespoons over one-pound ground beef and cook until meat is thoroughly cooked. Serve with taco shells, grated cheese, chopped tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and your favorite salsa. Place a dollop of sour cream on top of each taco.
2. Chili Seasoning Mix
- 8 Tablespoons chili powder
- 8 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 4 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
- 8 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons pepper
-
Combine ingredients in a pint size mason jar. Brown one pound of ground beef, add one chopped onion, 2 (14-16-ounce) cans of beans, 2 (16-ounces) cans of diced tomatoes, and 2 tablespoons of chili seasoning mix. Simmer until thoroughly cooked. Sprinkle with grated cheese, a sprig of Cilantro and a dollop of sour cream.
3. Onion Soup Mix
- 1/2 cup dried minced onion
- 2/3 cup beef bouillon granules
- 1/2 cup onion powder
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp celery seed
-
Combine ingredients in a mason pint size jar. Add four tablespoons to one cup sour cream. Stir until thoroughly mixed. Place in the refrigerator for approximately one hour. This onion soup mix can be used in recipes calling for one package of onion soup mix. One package soup mix equals four tablespoons of onion soup mix.
4. Sloppy Joe Mix
- 8 Tablespoons minced onion
- 8 Tablespoons paprika
- 8 teaspoons ground cumin
- 8 teaspoons garlic powder
- 8 teaspoons salt
- 8 teaspoons pepper
-
Combine ingredients in a pint size mason jar. When ready to make a batch of sloppy joes, brown one-pound hamburger. Add 1/2 cup of the Sloppy Joe mix, 0ne tablespoon mustard, and 3/4 cup brown sugar. Add two tablespoons white vinegar, one six-ounce can tomato paste and 1/2 cup of water. Simmer until thoroughly cooked. Serve over hamburger buns.
5. Ranch Salad Dressing
- 2 Tablespoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1/2 teaspoon sweet basil
- 2 Tablespoons parsley flakes
- 2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
-
Combine the ingredients in a pint size mason jar. When ready to make your salad dressing combine three tablespoons dressing mix with one cup of mayonnaise and one cup buttermilk. You can serve this as a salad dressing or a dip for fresh vegetables.
How Do I Store These?
I use mason jars and label them so I can see right away what is in that jar. This is a good size to purchase: 1/2 Pint Mason Jars
Final Word
If you have some pint-size jars you can make these spice mixes today. I love knowing I can make these handmade mixes whenever I want to, and I’ll know what is in each jar. Thanks for being frugal and prepping so your family can survive almost any circumstance that may come your way. May God bless this world, Linda
Hey, Linda,
In your recipe for Taco Seasoning, it says 1 garlic powder. One what of garlic powder? LOL!!! Love your recipes. Especially the Ranch Dressing since it has no MSG like the commercial stuff. I am violently allergic to MSG.
Hi Harry, oh I’m so glad you told me this about the garlic powder!!!! It’s one teaspoon of garlic powder!! You are so nice to let me know!!! It’s fixed now! Happy Friday!! Linda
Linda ~ Thanks for the recipes. I see Christmas gifts in the making!!
Hi Leanne, oh my gosh, what a great idea!!! I am going to do this for my neighbors!! Love it! Linda
About how long do you think the ranch salad dressing would be good for once prepared?
Hi Melissa. I only make enough for a week because it does not have any preservatives. I’m one of those chicks that feels “when in doubt throw it out.” I have to have a really fresh salad dressing. It’s so yummy! Linda
Thank you for homemade spice recipes. I have so many spices, yet never knew how to combine them to make the mixes you did. I use a lot of poultry seasoning…any suggestion for that, especially if I am out?
Hi Marcia, This is the recipe I have: 2 teaspoons ground sage, 1 1⁄2 teaspoon ground thyme, 1 teaspoon ground marjoram,3⁄4 teaspoon ground rosemary, 1⁄2 teaspoon nutmeg, and 1⁄2 teaspoon finely ground black pepper. Combine the ingredients in a small mason jar. Enjoy! Linda