Free: 7 Simple, Delicious Nutritionally-Balanced Recipes

Homemade Spice Mixes

01 March

Making your own homemade spice mixes not only gives you total control over the flavorings you choose, but can also save you time and money. These tips will give you some ideas for your own mixes, based on cultural flavors.

Homemade spice mixes using herbs and spices bought in bulk cost a fraction of what the grocery store charges for the individual spices and mixes in little jars. You can make a large batch of your homemade spice mixes to have on hand, making cooking time easy and quick.

These mixes are just a guideline on the flavors from different cultures, but feel free to change the ratio or components of the mix to your personal tastes.

Italian Herb Mix

Most Italian herbs go together really well, so this is a mix that can be personalized. I find that all of the pre-mixed herbs in the store include rosemary, which is not my favorite, so I put together this mix.

  • 2 parts basil
  • 1 part oregano
  • 1 part chives
  • 1 part marjoram

Indian Mix

There are so many curry and Indian spice mixes, and also so many spices used in Indian cooking that you can play with almost endless combinations in making a mix. Personally, I leave out the spicy cayenne but I love the hint of cinnamon, giving a slightly sweet flavor.

  • 4 parts ground cumin
  • 4 parts ground coriander
  • 2 parts ground ginger
  • 1 part ground turmeric
  • 1 part ground black pepper

Optional:

  • 1 part cayenne pepper
  • 1 part ground mustard
  • 1 part ground fennel
  • 1 part ground cardamom
  • 1 part ground cinnamon

Chinese Five Spice Mix

This mix perfect for spicing up a stir fry.

  • 1 part ground black pepper
  • 1 part ground cinnamon
  • 1 part ground cloves
  • 1 part ground fennel
  • 1 part ground anise

Mexican Chili Mix

This is a great mix for chili, flavoring beans for tacos or any other dish you want to spice up.

  • 2 parts cayenne powder
  • 2 parts ground cumin
  • 2 parts oregano
  • 2 parts onion powder
  • 1 part ground allspice
  • 1 part garlic powder

Gingerbread Mix

Having spices mixed up and ready makes gingerbread cookies that much closer to being eaten.

  • 4 parts ground cinnamon
  • 3 parts ground ginger
  • 2 parts ground nutmeg
  • 2 parts ground allspice
  • 1 part ground cloves