Make it Yourself: Seasoning Mixes

Recently, I shared our chili recipe with the secret ingredient (at least in my book!): taco seasoning mix! Maybe its the addition of paprika & onion powder that does the trick for my chili! Making it yourself prevents the additions of MSG and other additives that are very often included in these types of mixes. These are my favorite seasoning mixes and are frugal and natural alternatives!

Taco-Seasoning Mix

This works splendidly for seasoning up refried beans and fajitas or any Mexican dish!

6 tsp chili powder
4 ½ tsp cumin
5 tsp paprika
3 tsp onion powder
2 ½ tsp garlic powder
1/8 – ¼ tsp cayenne pepper

Mix all the ingredients, and store in an air-tight container. The homemade mix is twice as strong as the store-bought one, so add only half as much.

Seasoned Salt

If you want to add a little extra flavor and zest to practically any dish, dash a little seasoning salt on it!

8 Tbls salt (we use realsalt)
3 Tbls pepper
2 Tbs paprika
½ Tbls onion powder
½ Tbls garlic powder

Mix together in a bowl and store in an airtight container (an empty spice shaker works great).

Rice Seasoning Mix

This is a yummy seasoning mix that we used frequently growing up!

1 cup sliced almonds, coarsely chopped
½ cup chicken bouillon granules
½ cup dried parsley flakes
1 Tbls dried minced onion
1 tsp seasoned salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp lemon-pepper seasoning (or 1 tsp pepper, and then add a a bit of grated lemon peel to the batch of rice when cooking)

Additional ingredients:

1 cup uncooked long grain brown rice

2 cups water

Combine the first nine ingredients. Store in airtight container for up to 6 months. Yield: 10 batches. To prepare rice: Combine 3 tablespoons seasoning mix, rice and water in a rice cooker or over the stove. Yield: 4-6 servings per batch.

Enjoy and may it spice up your life! ;)

For more tips on using herbs & spices in your cooking, check out this post.

It’s Kitchen Tip Tuesdays!

About Lindsay

Lindsay Edmonds is first a lover of Jesus, wife, mother of four, homemaker, and writer. She loves inspiring women around the world toward simple, natural, and intentional living for the glory of God.

24 Responses to Make it Yourself: Seasoning Mixes

  1. Alicia July 8, 2011 at 2:01 pm #

    Do you by chance have a recipe for a beef stew seasoning mix? Thanks!

  2. Tatjana April 11, 2011 at 3:42 pm #

    Thank you! for these great recipies, i’m going to try them all :)

  3. Christy October 16, 2010 at 11:53 am #

    How much taco seasoning mix = one packet? Thanks!

    • Lindsay October 17, 2010 at 6:16 am #

      Not really sure. You would have to measure it out. I believe one packet of taco seasoning mix is 1.25 oz, which is approximately 2 1/2 Tablespoons. That can help you determine how to convert a recipe.

  4. Jodie October 17, 2009 at 7:34 pm #

    Do you have a good source for bouillon that does not contain MSG for your rice seasoning mix? I have not found one that I am totally confident in!

    • Lindsay October 23, 2009 at 6:23 am #

      I have purchased one in the past from Costco that says “no msg”. Bouillon is definitely a hard one to come by. I don’t usually make the seasoning mix with it any more. I just mix the spices and add it while cooking the rice in fresh chicken stock for the water.

  5. Connie October 9, 2009 at 11:55 am #

    I like Stephanie’s Salt Seasonings, it is all natural and all purpose with no anti-caking agents, fillers, sugar or MSG. It has a great taste unlike any other seasoned salt. Here is the website:
    http://www.stephanieseasonings.com
    Try it, you will like it.

  6. Kate May 15, 2009 at 4:15 pm #

    Thanks! I tried the link, and I get a pop-up box to subscribe. No biggie, But when i did that, I get re-directed to another part of the website. So, I do a search for MSG, and I do get back to that page, but the pop-up box reappears.

    Did you get the same box? Normally my pc software blocks pop-ups but for some reason it isn’t blocking this one.

    • Lindsay May 16, 2009 at 6:08 am #

      That is the one thing I hate about Dr. Mercola site. You have to subscribe to his email list in order to view the posts. But the emails he sends are helpful health information for the most part. I just signed up with my junk email for the sake of reading some of his articles.

  7. Kate May 8, 2009 at 5:32 am #

    You can use a 1/2c for the 8 tbsp (for the seasoned salt). since it equals 1/2 c. Saves time, and you don’t have to count out 8 tbsp!

    I plan on using the recipe for seasoned salt, I just ran out of it.

    Question for you, the ingredients on the back of the spices, do not list MSG (or even wrote out the MSG) how can I be sure it’s not a “hidden” ingredient? I switch from McCormick, and the .99 spices. neither seem to list MSG.

    • Lindsay May 11, 2009 at 1:56 pm #

      MSG goes by many other names as well. “Natural flavoring” is one. Glutamate, yeast extract, gelatin, etc. They sneak it in with those other titles. You can see a full list of the other names here.

  8. Emily June 3, 2008 at 7:39 pm #

    Hi Lindsay!
    I remembered that you had posted this awhile back and used your taco seasoning mix recipe tonight. It worked perfect, thank you!

  9. Lora (kneadnprayer) May 26, 2008 at 6:44 pm #

    Where do you find lemon pepper seasoning that is MSG free ? Please share your brand preference (so I can look for it)Thanks ! These sound yummy !~Lora

    • Lindsay May 28, 2008 at 8:01 am #

      Actually, I updated it above as to what works easier for me, by using pepper and then adding a bit of lemon peel to the batch when cooking (or more often I skip the lemon altogether). I have not purchased lemon/pepper seasoning, but I believe Costco has an MSG-free version, or Oregon Spice & Frontiers are brands of herbs that I have used alot in the past and they both sell it. You can purchase through Azure Standard or Frontiers is carried at Fred Meyers.

  10. Susan May 22, 2008 at 12:44 pm #

    I also make my own taco seasoning. It’s really much cheaper than buying it and I can customize the taste to what my family likes. Thanks for sharing your mix recipes, I’m going to have to give the one for rice a try!

  11. Sweetpeas May 13, 2008 at 7:34 pm #

    In the rice recipe you list both parsley flakes and dried parsley, what’s the difference? (I think all I’ve ever used is parsley flakes)

    • Lindsay May 13, 2008 at 9:47 pm #

      I updated it above. Sorry for the confusion.

  12. Tia May 13, 2008 at 3:58 pm #

    Now is that real salt iodized, or the non iodized?

    • Lindsay May 13, 2008 at 8:51 pm #

      You can find more info about real salt here. I have tried to correspond with you in the past in regards to a few of the issues you have commented about, but I need you to supply a correct email address. Thank you.

  13. Michele May 13, 2008 at 9:20 am #

    These recipes sound great! If I’m not using Azure’s Mexican seasoning, I do toss my own taco seasoning together, but I’ve never seen a recipe for Seasoned Salt. Thanks!

    I gave you the “E for Excellent Blog Award!” Stop by by blog to see: http://www.frugalgranola.blogspot.com

    Blessings,
    Michele :)

  14. BarbaraLee Malikowski May 13, 2008 at 8:11 am #

    Do have any for rice? I buy a box of gentric rice a roni but would like to make my own.

    • Lindsay May 13, 2008 at 10:46 am #

      I just added our family favorite above. I should have included it originally.

  15. Michelle May 13, 2008 at 6:23 am #

    Good tips! Great minds think alike, I posted about this very subject today on Tammy’s too! LOL =)

  16. donna May 13, 2008 at 3:35 am #

    WOW I’d brought a package of taco seasoning last night and said to myself I’m going to ask if you have a recipe for this so that I can make my own!!!

    Needless to say I will be trying this:)