How to Make Recipes for Spice Blends 

A little knowledge and skill is required to make recipes for spice blends. Wonderful delicious tasting gourmet dishes are created by the skillful use and blending of spices and herbs. Without the imaginative addition of these flavorful ingredients we would be left with a bunch of bland flavorless foods. Almost every recipe becomes a little more tasty with the addition of at least one ingredient from this group.

How to Make Recipes for Spice BlendsHow to Make Recipes for Spice Blends


Herbs and spices differ only to that herbs are plants grown in temperate climates while spices are grown in tropical regions.  There are no strict rules as to which ones or how much you use; a lot of the choice is personal preference. If you are now just learning how to cook or if you have not experimented much with spices, the use of spices is one step in turning your common dishes into “gourmet”. 


Because I use spices and herbs together in so many recipes, I consider both in the same group. I store my spices with my dried herbs so both are convenient for the “grabbing”. Although I prefer fresh herbs to the dried ones, I use more dried than fresh. This is simply because it is easier for me to stock the dried ones than to always have fresh in the refrigerator. If you also like to use fresh and dried herbs, a simple rule to remember is that it takes about three times the amount of fresh herbs compared to dried herbs.


Below I am giving you some basic flavors to season foods with; try blending two or more of these together but please do not stop here. When I was a young cook, I basically cooked foods from our German heritage; noodles, dumplings, etc. (Mom and Dad would never believe all the different foods I cook today.) As a young cook, my basic cooking included basic spices; cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger for desserts; lots of onion and garlic and always sage for stuffing. (You get the picture?) 


As I became a more experienced cook, I learned to blend more spices; this meant adding what was considered “my dessert” seasoning to things like appetizers and entrées.  I started to realize what I had been missing. Now I could not do without ginger in my favorite chicken seasoning and all those great Asian foods; cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice in many of my Greek dishes. I even have delicious cookies and cakes containing rosemary. When I was young I would have left out the rosemary and really missed out. Learning how to make recipes for spice blends really expanded my cooking.


I cannot imagine giving up any of my massive number of spices and herbs that I use on a daily basis. I am telling you this so you will not be afraid to try mixing your seasonings. When you are learning how to make recipes for spice blends, nothing is set in stone. Experiment and see what you come up with!

Spice used for Spice Blend RecipesSpice used for Spice Blend Recipes

BASIC SEASONINGS FOR FOODS FOR STARTERS:

EGGS: dill, basil, garlic, parsley

FISH: basil, bay leaf, tarragon, lemon thyme, parsley, fennel, sage, savory

POULTRY: lovage or celery, marjoram, sage, thyme, rosemary

SALAD: celery seed, basil, lovage or celery, parsley, tarragon, oregano

TOMATO SAUCE: basil, oregano, garlic, bay leaf, parsley, marjoram, celery, onion

VEGETABLES: basil, parsley, savory

ITALIAN FOOD: basil, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, sage, savory, thyme, garlic

BARBEQUE FOODS: Cumin, garlic, hot pepper, oregano

FRENCH FOOD: parsley, chervil, chives, French tarragon (Small amounts of fennel, basil, oregano, sage and saffron)

BOUQUET GARNI: bay leaf, parsley, thyme

STRENGTH OF SEASONINGS

If you are just learning how to make recipes for spice blends, here I am listing the strengths of the seasoning. You can include the mild flavors with little concern to the amount but take caution with the stronger flavors.


MILDER DELICATE FLAVORS: This group combine well with other herbs and spices; burnet, chervil, chives and parsley.

MEDIUM FLAVORS: basil, celery, cumin, dill, fennel, French tarragon, garlic, marjoram, mint, oregano, savory, thyme and turmeric.

STRONG FLAVOR: Use this group with care; bay, cardamom, curry, ginger, hot pepper, mustard, black pepper, rosemary and sage.


NOTE: Store all spice mixes in an airtight container; clean dry canning jars are great. Store in a cool dark place.

HOW TO MAKE RECIPES FOR SPICE BLENDS

FALL SPICE MIX RECIPE

  • 1 Cup plus 2 tablespoons DARK brown sugar
  • 1/2 Cup chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 Tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon natural salt
  • 1 Tablespoon black pepper
  • 1 Tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 Tablespoon chipotle pepper
  • 1/2 Teaspoon ground red pepper

COMBINE AND MIX ALL INGREDIENTS: great to season fresh pork.

FIVE SPICE POWDER RECIPE

How to make recipes for spice blends like this one for five spice powder; great seasoning for Chinese foods.

  • 2 Teaspoons roasted or black peppercorns
  • 8 Star of anise
  • 1/2 Teaspoon cloves
  • 1 Tablespoon cinnamon
  • 1 Tablespoon fennel seed

COMBINE ALL INGREDIENTS IN FOOD PROCESSOR; BLEND WELL.

BEEF SPICE MIX RECIPE

This is how to make recipes for spice blends for when cooking all types of beef; soups, stroganoff, stew and as a rub on steak.

  • 3 Teaspoons leaf marjoram
  • 2 1/2 Teaspoons whole thyme
  • 2 Teaspoons granulated garlic
  • 1 Teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 Teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 Teaspoon dry mustard

COMBINE AND MIX ALL INGREDIENTS; MAKES 10 teaspoons.

MY FAVORITE SEASONING RECIPE

Favorite Seasoning RecipeFavorite Seasoning Recipe

This is how to make recipes for spice blends like this one that I use to fry, bake or grill chicken. I also use it when cooking all kinds of beef and pork. When I make this spice blend, I mix a lot of it because I use so much.

  • 1/4 Cup rosemary, sage, oregano, ginger AND paprika
  • 1/2 Cup brown sugar AND garlic salt
  • 4 Teaspoons marjoram AND black pepper
  • 1/8 Cup turmeric
  • 3/4 Cup dried parsley
  • 2 Tablespoons thyme
  • 3 1/2 Cups sea salt

COMBINE ALL INGREDIENTS AND BLEND WELL; STORE IN CLEAN DRY CANNING JARS. 

Use 5 tablespoons of mix to 2 cups of flour when dipping chicken or meat to fry; sprinkle a little over meat when cooking without flour.

CHICKEN SPICE MIX

  • 3 Teaspoons sage
  • 3 Teaspoons thyme
  • 2 Teaspoons Hungarian paprika
  • 1 Teaspoon salt

COMBINE ALL INGREDIENTS AND MIX WELL.

SEASONED SALT RECIPE

  • 6 Tablespoons sea salt
  • 6 Tablespoons granulated garlic
  • 3 Tablespoons celery seed

COMBINE ALL INGREDIENTS AND MIX WELL.

SPICE MIX FOR COOKING PORK

This is one of the recipes for spice blends to season all pork; chops, roast or add to ground pork for sausage.

  • 1 Teaspoon ground sage
  • 1 Teaspoon dry thyme
  • 1 Teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 Teaspoon granulated garlic

COMBINE AND MIX ALL INGREDIENTS 

CAJUN SEASONING RECIPE

Cajun Seasoning RecipeCajun Seasoning Recipe
  • 1/2 Teaspoon ground bay leaf
  • 2 Teaspoons granulated onion
  • 1 Teaspoon thyme
  • 1 Teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1 Teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 Teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 Teaspoon white pepper
  • 1 Teaspoon cumin
  • 2 Teaspoons Hungarian paprika
  • 1 Teaspoon granulated garlic

COMBINE AND BLEND ALL INGREDIENTS; use on meats, fish and vegetables.

ITALIAN SEASONING RECIPE

  • 10 Tablespoons dried oregano
  • 6 Tablespoons dried basil
  • 4 Tablespoons dried thyme
  • 2 Tablespoons crushed red pepper
  • 2 Tablespoons granulated garlic

COMBINE ALL INGREDIENTS AND MIX; use in all kinds of Italian dishes; spaghetti sauce, vegetables, etc.

BEEF STEW SPICE MIX RECIPE

  • 2 Teaspoons crushed rosemary
  • 4 Teaspoons dried oregano
  • 2 Tablespoons dried thyme
  • 2 Teaspoons ground bay leaf
  • 2 Tablespoons black pepper
  • 6 Tablespoons dried parsley
  • 8 Tablespoons granulated beef bouillon 

COMBINE ALL INGREDIENTS AND MIX WELL.

SPICE MIX FOR MEATBALLS

Use 3 tablespoons to season 1 pound ground meat.

  • 4 Teaspoons fennel seeds
  • 2 Teaspoons dry mustard
  • 2 Teaspoons sea salt
  • 1 Teaspoon black pepper
  • 4 Tablespoons dried onion
  • 4 Tablespoons dried parsley
  • 4 Tablespoons Italian herb mix

COMBINE AND MIX ALL INGREDIENTS.

CHILI POWDER RECIPE

Chili Powder RecipeChili Powder Recipe
  • 1 1/2 Teaspoons garlic powder
  • 3/4 Teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 Teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 Teaspoon cumin
  • 1 Teaspoon oregano
  • 1/2 Teaspoon coriander
  • 1/2 Teaspoon cayenne pepper

COMBINE AND MIX ALL INGREDIENTS.

SPICE MIX FOR POTATOES

  • 1 Teaspoon paprika
  • 2 Tablespoons dried parsley
  • 1/2 Teaspoon onion salt
  • 1/2 Teaspoon garlic salt
  • 1/2 Teaspoon dried dill
  • 1/4 Teaspoon black pepper

COMBINE AND MIX ALL INGREDIENTS.

TACO SEASONING RECIPE 

Taco Seasoning RecipeTaco Seasoning Recipe
  • 5 Tablespoons garlic powder
  • 12 Tablespoons chili powder
  • 8 Tablespoons cumin
  • 10 Tablespoons paprika
  • 6 Tablespoons onion powder

COMBINE AND MIX ALL INGREDIENTS.

SPICY SPICE BLEND RECIPE

  • 1 Cup chili powder
  • 1 Cup garlic powder
  • 1 Cup onion powder
  • 1 Cup ground red pepper
  • 2 Cups black pepper
  • 1/2 Cup white pepper
  • 3 Cups sea salt

COMBINE ALL INGREDIENTS AND MIX THOROUGHLY. Can be used for blackening fish.

MOROCCAN SPICE MIX RECIPE

  • 1 Tablespoon cracked black pepper
  • 1 Tablespoon ground ginger
  • 1 Tablespoon ground cardamom
  • 1 Tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 Tablespoon fenugreek
  • 2 Tablespoons instant minced onion
  • 3 Tablespoons sea salt
  • 3 Tablespoons sweet red pepper flakes
  • 3/4 Cup paprika
  • 1/2 Teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 Teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 Teaspoon ground allspice

COMBINE ALL INGREDIENTS IN A HEAVY SKILLET. Cook over medium high heat stirring constantly for 3 minutes until spices darken. Cool completely. Place mixture in food processor; process 2 to 3 minutes. 

TEX MEX SEASONING RECIPE

  • 2 Tablespoons garlic powder
  • 2 Tablespoons coriander
  • 4 Teaspoons cumin
  • 4 Teaspoons ground red pepper
  • 2 Teaspoons black pepper
  • 4 Tablespoons chili powder
  • 4 Tablespoons paprika
  • 2 Tablespoons salt
  • 2 Teaspoons dried oregano

COMBINE AND MIX ALL INGREDIENTS.

ALLSPICE RECIPE

  • 1 Tablespoon nutmeg
  • 1 Tablespoon cloves
  • 1 Tablespoon cinnamon

COMBINE AND MIX ALL INGREDIENTS.

PUMPKIN SPICE RECIPE

If you are learning how to make recipes for spice blends, use this recipe in any recipes asking for pumpkin pie spice mix. Also try adding a little to your plain cookies.

  • 1 Tablespoon ground  cloves
  • 6 Tablespoons ground ginger
  • 2 Tablespoons ground nutmeg
  • 3/4 Cup cinnamon

COMBINE AND MIX ALL INGREDIENTS.

CURRY POWDER RECIPE

  • 4 Teaspoons ground coriander
  • 1 Teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 2 Teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 Teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 to 4 Teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 Teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 Teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1/2 Teaspoon ground fenugreek

COMBINE AND MIX ALL INGREDIENTS.

TANDORA MIX RECIPE

  • 1 Tablespoon garlic salt
  • 1 Tablespoon paprika
  • 2 Teaspoons cayenne pepper
  • 2 Teaspoons coriander
  • 2 Teaspoons cumin
  • 2 Teaspoons ginger
  • ½ Teaspoon cardamom
  • ½ Teaspoon cinnamon

COMBINE ALL INGREDIENTS AND BLEND.

VEGETABLE SPICE BLEND 

Learn how to make recipes for spice blends for salads and fresh vegetables.

  • 1 Tablespoon sea salt
  • 1 Teaspoon sage
  • 1 Teaspoon thyme
  • 1 Teaspoon basil
  • 1 Teaspoon garlic powder
  • 8 Tablespoons dried parsley
  • 4 Tablespoons dried chives
  • ½ Teaspoon celery seed

COMBINE AND BLEND ALL INGREDIENTS.