How To Make Your Own Spice Blends
And the Best Way to Store Them
Learning How to Make Your Own Spice Blends will give you the jump on creating fresh meals that are just as flavorful as restaurant meals.
Why Learn How To Make Your Own Homemade Spice Blends?
Making your own spice blends is SUPER SIMPLE plus there are several really great reasons to DIY instead of buy them.
You control the amount of salt and what kind of salt goes into them.
You control what doesn’t go into them; many premade spice blends have MSG or other additives to keep the spices from sticking together.
They are MUCH cheaper. The average spice blend at grocery stores is at least $4 for a 2 oz (or less) jar. Premium spice blends at specialty stores start at $8 for a jar or $4 for a one-time-use envelope.
Where To Buy Ingredients For Spice Blends
The only ingredients for seasoning blends are dried spices and herbs plus a good salt. The key to using dried spices and herbs is to keep them fresh by only buying what you will use in 6 months. Since I learned how to make seasoning blends, I have sought out local stores that sell spices and herbs in bulk.
There is usually a healthfood store in most towns and they typically stock bulk jars or bins with spices. Sprouts, Winco and WholeFoods are more widespread and they have them, too. The HEB/Central Market family of stores in Texas have bulk areas as well. The first google I would search, though, is “health food stores” if you don’t have any of these stores nearby. Organic spices and herbs are best if you can find them. If you can’t just buy regular.
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What Kind Of Salt Should You Use For Spice Blends?
Salt is the other ingredient and it is very important since salt usually makes up at least one quarter of the total volume. Sea salt, such as Celtic Sea Salt or Real Salt is the best salt to use because it’s less processed.
Keep in mind, however, that both the size of the grain and the type of salt will affect the saltiness. If you use kosher salt, for instance, it will change that factor since it is bigger grains than fine sea salt. With these spice blends, fine sea salt works best since it mixes with the spices better.
Start with the recipes below then taste a little off the palm of your hand. If you don’t detect salt right away, add a little more. If it is too salty, add 1/2 tsp more of each spice in the blend to balance it out. The next time you make the seasoning blend, add less salt than the recipe states if you are using the same type of salt.
How To Store Spices
I use 4 oz jars for individual spices and 8 oz jars for blends. Since I have them in a drawer, I use waterproof round labels that fit in the center of the small jar lids. If you are using cabinet space instead, you can use labels that go on the side of the jars. If you feel like you may frequently change the spices around, use labels you can write on and erase instead of printing them. The 8 oz jars linked above come with chalk friendly labels.
How To Make Homemade Spice Blends
This is the best part. You simply mix together the ingredients in a jar so that they are thoroughly combined then you can either sprinkle with your fingers, spoon them out or buy shaker lids that fit your jar.
They’re a Gift
They make awesome gifts so once you get this down, start thinking about who is going to be lucky enough to get a beautiful box of spices. Make them extra special by layering the ingredients in the jars like sand art and give them directions to shake well before using.
Spice Blends Included
These are the blends I use the most see PDF for exact “recipes” if you can call them that. It’s basically like making sand art and is a fun activity for kids or even a gift idea.
Magic Salt
Steak Seasoning
Mexican Spice Blend (used in Taco Wedge Salad)
Blackened Seasoning
Enchilada Spice Blend
Ranch Dressing Spice Blend (used in Chicken Bacon Ranch Burgers)
Everything But The Bagel Seasoning
Jerk Seasoning
Southwest Seasoning
Barbecue Spice Blend
Mediterranean Spice Blend
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I enjoyed reading this post. It's very helpful.