My husband, Andy, said something the other day about how I make a lot of my own spice mixes. A bunch of blog posts and eCookbook recipes came to mind so I started digging through my files and came up with 21 spice mixes and sauces that I make myself. These are recipes that I use over and over again and I think you’ll like them too.
Why make these spice mixes and sauces yourself?
- They’ll save you a lot of money. Most of the recipes below cost a few cents to make compared to a few dollars at the grocery store.
- They’re healthier homemade.
- You can control the amount of sugar, salt, spice, etc. (This is especially important when you’re cooking for someone with a food allergy or special diet.)
To be completely honest, I often use these recipes when I want to cook something but don’t have all of the necessary ingredients on-hand. Enjoy!
21 Spice Mixes And Sauces You Never Have To Buy Again
1.Taco Seasoning Packet
-1 tablespoon chili powder
-1 teaspoon pepper
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
-1/2 teaspoon paprika
-1/2 teaspoon ground oregano
-1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
-1/2 teaspoon onion powder
2.Chili Seasoning Packet
-1 tablespoon paprika
-1 tablespoon chili powder
-2 teaspoons ground cumin
-1.5 teaspoons ground oregano
-1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
3.Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup
-4oz diced mushrooms
-2 cups cream (you can probably substitute milk)
-1/2 cup parmesan cheese
-1 teaspoon onion powder
-1 teaspoon garlic powder
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-1/2 teaspoon pepper
-1/2 teaspoon celery seed
4.Condensed Tomato Soup
-1 teaspoon honey
-15oz can of tomato sauce
5.Canned Diced Tomatoes (15oz)
-2 medium-sized fresh tomatoes (cored, seeds and juice removed, and diced)
6.Dry Onion Soup Mix Packet
-1/4 cup dried onion flakes
-1 tablespoon beef bullion granules
-1/4 teaspoon parsley flakes
-1/4 teaspoon onion powder
-1/4 teaspoon celery seed
-1/4 teaspoon paprika
-1/4 teaspoon pepper
7.Dry Ranch Seasoning Packet
-1 T dried parsley
-1 teaspoon garlic powder
-1 teaspoon onion powder
-1 teaspoon dried onion flakes
-3/4 teaspoon dill
-1/2 teaspoon pepper
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-1 tablespoon dried buttermilk (optional if you’re using it to season chicken or Mississippi Roast instead of using it to make ranch dressing)
8.Jar of Marinara Sauce (24oz)
-28oz can of tomato sauce
-1 tablespoon olive oil
-2 cloves garlic, minced
-1 tablespoon Italian seasonings
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-1/4 teaspoon pepper
-add 2oz ground beef or ground sausage for a meat sauce (optional)
9.Dry Au Jus Packet
-4 teaspoons beef bullion granules
-1 teaspoon soy sauce
-1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
-1/4 teaspoon pepper
10.Bottled BBQ Sauce (18oz)
-2 cups ketchup (I like Simply Heinz because it doesn’t contain HFCS)
-1/2 cup light brown sugar
-4 tablespoons worcestershire sauce OR apple cider vinegar (I’ve tried both options)
-2 tablespoons chili powder
-2 teaspoons paprika
-2 teaspoons curry powder (optional)
-1 teaspoon onion powder
-1 teaspoon garlic powder
-1/2 teaspoon pepper
11.Canned Cranberry Sauce (15oz)
-12oz bag of fresh cranberries
-3/4 cup sugar
-1/4 cup water
12.Chili Sauce (12oz)
-1.5 cups Simply Heinz ketchup
-1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
13.Teriyaki Sauce (1 cup)
-1/2 cup soy sauce (I like low sodium)
-1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
-1/4 cup light brown sugar
-3 cloves garlic, minced
-1 tablespoon fresh ginger root, minced
-1 tablespoon cornstarch
-1 teaspoon onion powder
14.Fruit Jelly/Jam (12oz)
-1 pound fresh and ripe fruit (I use strawberries, blackberries, or peeled and pitted peaches)
-3/4 cup sugar
-1.5 tablespoons “no sugar needed” fruit pectin (optional- only needed if you want it to thicken like jelly)
-1 tablespoon lemon juice
15.Italian Seasoning (1 tablespoon)
-1 teaspoon dried basil
-1 teaspoon dried oregano
-1 teaspoon dried thyme
16.Jar of Alfredo Sauce (16oz)
-16oz heavy cream (2 cups or 1 pint)
-4 cloves garlic, minced
-1 cup fresh parmesan cheese, shredded
-1 teaspoon parsley
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-1/2 teaspoon pepper
17.Ground Sausage Seasoning (use with 1 pound of ground turkey, ground beef, or vegetarian meat crumbles)
-1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
-1.5 teaspoons Italian seasoning (or equal parts dried basil, oregano, and thyme)
-1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
-1 teaspoon garlic powder
-1 teaspoon onion powder
-1/2 teaspoon packed light brown sugar
-1/2 teaspoon paprika
-1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
-1/4 teaspoon salt
-1/4 teaspoon ground or whole fennel seeds
18.Italian Dressing Marinade (1/3 cup)
-3 tablespoons olive oil
-2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
-1 tablespoon Italian seasonings
19.Basil Pesto (12oz)
-3 cups basil leaves, ground
-1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted (be careful not to burn them!)
-1/4 cup parmesan cheese
-3 cloves garlic
-1/4-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, but recommended)
-1 cup extra virgin olive oil
20.Italian-Seasoned Breadcrumbs (1 cup) – this isn’t exactly a spice mix, but it’s awesome
-1 cup ground stale bread or oats (I grind them in my Magic Bullet)
-1/2 teaspoon parsley flakes
-1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
-1/2 teaspoon onion powder
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-1/4 teaspoon oregano
21. Honey Mustard Marinade (1/3 cup)
-1/4 cup honey
-2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (whole grain mustard is also delicious)
-2 teaspoons black pepper
-1/2 teaspoon salt
-1/2 teaspoon ground thyme
Here are some of my favorite ways to use these recipes:
- Taco Seasoning Packet – Crockpot Mexican Chicken Chili with Cornbread Topping
- Chili Seasoning Packet – Crockpot Turkey Black Bean Chili
- Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup – Cook with pork chops and peas in the oven or crockpot
- Condensed Tomato Soup – Crockpot Mexican Chili with Cornbread Topping
- Canned Diced Tomatoes – Mozzarella-Stuffed Turkey Pesto Meatballs
- Dry Onion Soup Mix Packet – Brown Sugar Meatloaf
- Dry Ranch Seasoning Packet- Baked Parmesan Ranch Chicken
- Jar of Marinara Sauce – Crockpot Meatball Vegetable Soup
- Dry Au Jus Packet – Crockpot Mississippi Roast (yum!)
- Bottled BBQ Sauce – Chicken, ribs, or pulled pork in the crockpot or oven
- Canned Cranberry Sauce – Crockpot Cranberry Pork Roast (also delicious with chicken)
- Chili Sauce – Crockpot Cocktail Meatballs and Crockpot Party Pork Roast
- Teriyaki Sauce – Cook in the crockpot or skillet with 2 pound of sliced beef top sirloin steak and 1 pound sugar snap peas
- Fruit Jelly/Jam – Crockpot Ginger-Peach Chicken
- Italian Seasoning – Freezer Skillet Gnocchi and Swiss Chard
- Jar of Alfredo Sauce – Cook in the crockpot with a pound of chicken breasts and 5oz baby spinach
- Ground Sausage Seasoning – Simple Sausage-Stuffed Peppers
- Italian Dressing Marinade – Use on chicken breasts in the crockpot, oven, or grill
- Basil Pesto – Blend and use in Mozzarella-Stuffed Turkey Pesto Meatballs
- Italian-Seasoned Breadcrumbs – Mini Meatballs
- Honey Mustard Marinade – Chicken or pork chops in the crockpot. Add 1/2 cup water to thin it out.
You are PERFECT! You made my cooking a lot easier!
And something else, I tried a kind of meatball stew (maybe?!) in freezer and crock pot, which I had made the meatballs at home, without cooking ahead. Actually I made them and put in a dish in freezer for about 15 minutes, just as I prepared the other things. And they keeped their shape after thawing and cooking. It was a good experience!
Oh, I’m so glad to hear that. I’m actually working on a new gluten-free, dairy-free meatball recipe that you cook in the crockpot.
I think it’s a great list for cooks just starting out, but am a little surprised that anyone who’s been cooking for a while would think home-prepared” is something new.
Thanks, this is helpful. There are times I want to make something and then discover I am out of a key ingredient. This information may save me a trip to the store when that happens.
Good, I’m so glad.
[…] Check out this list of 21 spice mixes & sauces you never need to buy again! […]
I don’t normally comment and try to promote my business, but this is exactly why I joined Wildtree! The seasonings are already mixed up for you! GF/Organic/No preservatives and ingredients I can pronounce! Having a child with food allergies, this makes my life so easy!!! Finding these products was a Game Changer!!! Check it out if you haven’t tried it!