We all do it. You’re looking for something to give our food that little something extra. So, you start looking in the spice aisle. There is just so much to choose from that it can be pretty overwhelming. Then you see it…there towards the bottom…in that fancy packaging with bright colors, some chef’s face, or some words so fancy that you just know that it has to be good. Then, you look at the price and cringe just a little before reaching for it anyway.
Sound familiar? If so, I’m here to offer up a quick, easy alternative to those seasoning blends that will give your food that extra something special using stuff that you probably already have in your spice cabinet.
Easy Seasoning Blend
This seasoning blend is very flexible. If you just need a little, use a teaspoon as your “part”. If you need a lot, use more. I can easily make it through a week using a tablespoon as my “part”. If it has too much of any one thing for you, cut back on that one thing. The blend also works well as a base for other blends. If you are going Italian, add one part dried Italian herbs. If you are doing barbecue, add one part brown sugar and a half part cayenne.
Ingredients
1 part kosher salt
1 part black pepper
1 part garlic powder
1 part onion powder
1 part sweet paprika
Directions
Combine ingredients and stir well. Store in a small mason jar or zip top bag.
I hope you enjoy this simple, cheap, and tasty tip. Let us know what else you add to this base to up the flavor ante in your home.
This looks great and easy to make. You can always use a good go to general seasoning blend and it saves space in the spice cabinet!
I’m definitely going to give this mix recipe to the hubby. (he cooks more than I do…don’t tell anyone!) but he’s always looking for things that are ok for the high holidays – he’ll appreciate the kosher salt for sure. Thank you for sharing – great tip!!
I found the perfect seasoning mix for taco seasoning earlier this year and have not bought a “taco seasoning packet” from the store since.
Making your own definitely helps save some $$.
I also found that buying the seasonings from the bulk section of the grocery store and filling up my bottles at home saves money too!
I’ll have to try it, thanks for sharing.
This sounds really good! I purchased a spice blend from Hoss’s once after we had their yummy burgers then laughed when I got home and read the ingredients: Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic, Onion. Ha! I just make my own now.
I am always trying to figure out ingredients in things. It’s almost no fun to eat out anymore because I know that I can make those dinners for much much less at home.
Thank you for the recipe! This is almost exactly the spice blend I usually use–it’s a blend from Alton Brown on Food Network that’s equal parts salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder, except I cut the amount of pepper in half because it’s too spicy for my little brothers otherwise.