Have you ever run out of an essential ingredient while you’re cooking? I know that I have done this many times. It can be particularly frustrating when you happen to be in the middle of making a dish and can’t finish it until you have the missing ingredient. #epiccookingfail Wouldn’t it be great to have a few recipes in your back pocket for times like these?

Healthy & Low-Cost

Homemade spice mixes are not only easier on your wallet than the store bought varieties, but they can also be better for you. Many seasoning packets and mixes are riddled with MSG and other additives- things that our tired bodies just don’t need. Instead of reaching for that prepackaged mix, reach for these recipes instead. Remember to feel free to make adjustments to your own tastes and dietary needs. Grab a set of new, airtight spice jars and let’s mix up a new spice blend or two for your kitchen. Today I wanted to share with you a few of my favorite spice blends that we keep in our pantry that I hope you will love as much as our family, including our very own Dad’s Secret Burger Spice Mix. Shhh….don’t tell him!

---

1) Homemade Poultry Seasoning Mix

Ingredients

• 2 tsp. ground sage
• 1 ½ tsp. ground thyme
• 1 tsp. ground marjoram
• ¾ tsp ground rosemary
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ½ tsp finely ground black pepper

Instructions

Mix well. Store in an airtight container. Use this as a substitute for store bought poultry seasoning.

---

2) Homemade Onion Soup Mix

Ingredients

• ¾ cup instant minced onion
• 4 tsp onion powder
• 1/3 cup beef-flavored bouillon powder
• ¼ tsp celery seed, crushed
• ¼ tsp sugar

Instructions

Mix all the ingredients and store in an airtight container. To use, add two tablespoons mix to one cup boiling water. Cover and simmer for fifteen minutes.

---

3) Homemade Italian Dressing Mix

Ingredients

• 1 ½ tsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 2 tbsp ground oregano
• 1 tbsp dried parsley
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp salt (adjust to your own personal preference)
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp ground basil
• ¼ tsp ground thyme
• ½ tsp dried celery flakes

Instructions

Mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight container.  To prepare the dressing: Mix two tablespoons of the mix with ¼ cup vinegar, 2 tablespoons of water, and ½ to 2/3 cup olive oil or canola oil.

---

4) Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix

Ingredients

• ½ cup dry buttermilk
• 1 tbsp dried parsley, crushed
• 1 tsp dried dill weed
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp dried onion flakes
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp ground pepper

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in your food processor and grind until it becomes a fine powder. Store in an airtight container. To prepare the dressing: Combine one tablespoon mix with one cup of mayonnaise and one cup milk.

---

5) Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice Seasoning Mix

Ingredients

• 4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

Instructions

Mix well. Store in an airtight container. Use this as a substitute for store bought pumpkin pie spice. Yield: 7 1/2 teaspoons.

---

6) All-Purpose Spice Mix (for grilling meats)

Ingredients

• 4 tsp fresh coarse ground black pepper
• 3 tsp kosher salt
• 3 tsp onion powder
• 3 tsp garlic powder
• 3 tsp ground coriander
• 3 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

Mix all ingredients together well and store in an airtight container. You can double or triple this recipe for your jar.

---

7) Dad’s Secret Burger Seasoning

Ingredients

12 tsp paprika 9 tsp black pepper 7 1/2 tsp salt 3 tsp dark brown sugar 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1 1/2 tsp onion powder 1 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

Instructions

Mix all ingredients together well and store in an airtight container.

---

Prepare Ahead to Save Time While it takes some planning ahead to create these seasonings, it will more than pay off in the end. Just think of the last time you ran out of key ingredients. You’ll be eliminating that feeling, saving money and eating healthy.