Homemade Spice Mixes

CURRY SPICE MIX

Curry powder is a British-invented blend meant to evoke Indian flavors. It’s known for its golden color and warm aroma, featuring turmeric for earthiness and coriander and cumin for depth. This versatile mix is great in soups, stews, and curries, lending a fragrant heat to vegetables or meats. Common ingredients include:

• 2 Tbsp ground coriander
• 2 Tbsp ground cumin
• 1½ Tbsp ground turmeric
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp dry mustard
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground cardamom
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper (or chili powder)

PIZZA SPICE MIX

Pizza seasoning brings together classic Italian herbs that give pizza its signature flavor. Dried oregano and basil are the stars, often blended with pungent garlic, onion, and a hint of peppery heat. Sprinkle this mix over pizza sauce or dough for an instant upgrade, or use it to season pasta, breads, or roasted veggies. A typical blend contains:

• 4 Tbsp dried oregano
• 2 Tbsp dried basil
• 1 Tbsp dried onion flakes
• 1 Tbsp garlic powder
• 1 Tbsp dried thyme
• 1 Tbsp fennel seeds (crushed)​food.com
• 1 Tbsp paprika
• 1 Tbsp ground black pepper
• 1 tsp dried lemon zest (optional)

CAJUN SPICE MIX

Cajun seasoning hails from Louisiana and packs a zesty, spicy kick. It’s a rustic blend featuring lots of paprika, cayenne, garlic, and oregano, traditionally used to punch up dishes like jambalaya, blackened fish, and gumbo. The mix balances earthy herbs and bold heat, making it great for seasoning meats, seafood, or even fries. A common recipe includes:

• 2 tsp salt
• 2½ tsp paprika
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1¼ tsp dried oregano
• 1¼ tsp dried thyme
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

BBQ SPICE RUB

BBQ dry rub is a sweet-and-smoky blend perfect for grilling and smoking. A good rub combines sugar for caramelization, salt for balance, and spices like paprika, chili, and garlic for that savory barbecue flavor. Rub it onto ribs, chicken, or steak to form a delicious crust when cooked. A popular all-purpose BBQ rub might contain:

• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup paprika
• 1 Tbsp chili powder
• 1 Tbsp garlic powder
• 1 Tbsp onion powder
• 1 Tbsp salt
• 1 Tbsp ground black pepper
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

ITALIAN HERB MIX

Italian seasoning is an all-purpose herb mix for Italian cuisine. It typically blends together basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme and more, creating a fragrant medley that’s easily sprinkled into sauces, dressings, and marinades. This convenient mix brings instant Tuscan flavor to pizzas, pastas, roasted vegetables, or soups. A classic herb blend contains:

• 2 Tbsp dried oregano
• 1 Tbsp dried basil
• 1 Tbsp dried rosemary
• 1 Tbsp dried thyme
• 1 Tbsp dried marjoram
• 1 Tbsp dried parsley
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 tsp garlic powder (optional)

CHILI SEASONING MIX

Chili seasoning is the key to a hearty chili con carne, blending ground chiles with savory spices for depth and warmth. It usually starts with chili powder (ground dried peppers) and cumin to build smoky heat, plus garlic and onion for savoriness. Use 2–3 tablespoons of this mix per pot of chili (with beans, tomatoes, etc.) to get that classic chili flavor. A homemade mix often includes:

• 1 Tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp salt
• ¼ tsp ground black pepper

Each of these spice blends can be made in bulk and stored in an airtight jar for months. With simple pantry ingredients and real recipes from culinary experts, you can enjoy vibrant, custom flavors without the additives of store-bought mixes. Happy cooking!