Homemade Seasoning Mixes

Making your own seasonings is a lot better than anything a store or packet can offer. If you can use your own herbs it can also be very rewarding. Of course, you don't have to use your own herbs and not everything in these recipes comes from my herb garden. But either way, I can guarantee you won't go back to premade packets.

I want to share two of my recipes - taco seasoning and italian seasoning. And of course, if you choose to try out any of these recipes - feel free to change them as you see fit. In the end, its all 'to the taste'.

Taco Seasoning

Ingredients

4 TBSP Chili Powder

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp red pepper powder

1 tsp dried oregano

2 tsp paprika

4 tsp ground cumin

4 tsp salt (preferrably sea salt)

4 tsp black pepper

Directions

Mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight container. After browning and draining the meat, add 1/3 cup water and use 2-3 TBSP per pound of meat depending on how spicy you like your taco meat. Mix into meat and cook on low till done.

**Alternatives - if you or your family needs to tone it down a bit, the red pepper can be eliminated and the black pepper cut in half.

**What I like about this recipe is that it packs a lot more punch than packet seasoning. What Aaron likes about this recipe is that it not only tastes good but it doesn't turn the meat the same day glow orange packets do.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Italian Seasoning

Ingredients

3 TBSP dried basil

3 TBSP dried oregano

3 TBSP dried parsley

1 TBSP garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp dried rosemary (my favorite to grind in the mortar and pestle)

1 tsp marjoram

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/8 tsp red pepper powder

Directions

Mix all ingredients and store in an airtight container. Italian seasoning is great on chicken, pasta, and I love it on my homemade pizza bread. Just a little sprinkled across the top is not only pretty but delicious.

**Alternative - 1 tsp of savory can also be added to this recipe. I do not have it in my pantry, so I don't use it.

**Tip - Old plastic bullion jars are perfect for seasoning mixes. Not only can you tighten the lid down to keep them airtight but the clear plastic is perfect for writing the recipes on.