Homemade All-Purpose Seasoning Blend: Elevate Every Dish with Your Custom Spice Mix
Unlock a world of flavor in your kitchen with this incredibly simple, yet remarkably potent, homemade all-purpose seasoning blend. A good all-purpose seasoning blend is truly a culinary superhero, lending the perfect amount of flavor to a vast array of savory dishes. The best part? It comes together in a snap! This essential mix of carefully selected spices and seasonings is easily prepped and stored, becoming your go-to secret ingredient for countless future recipes. Say goodbye to bland meals and hello to effortless deliciousness with a blend you control from scratch.
Why Homemade All-Purpose Seasoning is Your Kitchen Essential
This all-purpose seasoning truly lives up to its name. It’s a perfectly balanced blend of flavorful spices and herbs designed to elevate your meals with just a quick shake. Its incredible versatility means this mix pairs exceptionally well with a wide variety of dishes, from delicate seafood and succulent pork to robust beef, tender poultry, and even vibrant vegetables. Keep this homemade seasoning blend tucked safely in your spice cabinet, and you’ll find yourself reaching for it constantly, ready to dash on flavor in the blink of an eye.
So, why go through the effort of making your own seasoning blends when store-bought options are readily available? The reasons are compelling: making homemade seasoning blends like this one saves you significant money and gives you unparalleled control. We consistently keep our cabinet stocked with homemade variations of popular blends such as Cajun seasoning, taco seasoning, chili seasoning, and, of course, this indispensable all-purpose seasoning. These are the blends we reach for most often, and having them fresh and ready makes everyday cooking a breeze. Beyond the cost savings, crafting your own allows you to customize the ingredients to your exact preference, ensuring the perfect flavor profile for your family and avoiding unwanted additives often found in commercial products.
Essential Ingredients for Your Homemade All-Purpose Spice Mix
Crafting this incredible all-purpose seasoning requires a handful of common spices you likely already have in your pantry. For all exact measurements, a comprehensive list of ingredients, and detailed instructions, please refer to the printable recipe card located at the end of this post. Having the right balance of these pantry staples is key to achieving a versatile and delicious seasoning blend that enhances nearly any dish you create.
Ingredient Breakdown & Customization Tips for Your Spice Blend
SPICES – The foundation of this intensely flavorful blend lies in a carefully chosen combination of garlic powder, onion powder, dried minced garlic, dried minced onion, chili powder, paprika, mustard powder, dried parsley, and Kosher salt. Each ingredient plays a vital role in creating a robust and well-rounded flavor profile that can complement virtually any savory dish.
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: These provide a concentrated, savory base that forms the backbone of many great seasonings. They offer that essential aromatic depth without the moisture of fresh garlic or onion.
- Dried Minced Garlic & Dried Minced Onion: Adding these provides texture and a slightly more intense, fresh-like flavor compared to their powdered counterparts, giving the blend an extra layer of complexity.
- Chili Powder: Contributes a mild, earthy warmth and a beautiful reddish hue. It’s often a blend of chilies, cumin, oregano, and garlic, making it a seasoning within a seasoning.
- Paprika: Essential for color and a rich, slightly sweet or smoky flavor depending on the type. For a deeper, more complex aroma, consider using smoked paprika. Sweet paprika will offer a milder note, while hot paprika can introduce a subtle kick.
- Mustard Powder: A surprising but crucial addition, mustard powder adds a pungent, tangy depth that brightens the overall blend and helps to round out the other flavors.
- Dried Parsley: Provides a touch of herbaceous freshness and visual appeal without overpowering the other spices.
- Kosher Salt: Our choice for seasoning due to its larger crystals and cleaner taste. It’s a fundamental flavor enhancer, bringing all the other spices to life.
The true beauty of this all-purpose seasoning mix is that it serves as an excellent starting point. You have the freedom to adjust the levels of spices according to your personal taste preferences or dietary needs. Want more garlic? Go for it! Prefer less salt? Reduce it. For instance, we intentionally keep the salt content moderate in our base recipe, allowing you to add more to your dish as needed, giving you precise control over your sodium intake. If you’re looking to turn up the heat, don’t hesitate to incorporate a dash of cayenne pepper or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes. This blend is your canvas—feel free to experiment and make it your own!
Effortless Steps to Make Your Own All-Purpose Seasoning
These step-by-step photos and instructions are provided to help you visualize how incredibly easy it is to make this recipe. For a full printable version of this recipe, complete with precise measurements and detailed instructions, simply Jump to Recipe at the bottom of this page.
- Gather and Combine: Measure all your chosen spices and herbs into a medium-sized bowl. Ensure all ingredients are fresh for the best flavor outcome.
- Mix Thoroughly: Using a spoon or a small whisk, mix all the ingredients together until they are completely combined and evenly distributed. This ensures every pinch of your seasoning delivers a consistent burst of flavor.
- Store: Transfer your freshly mixed seasoning into an airtight container. A small jar or a sealed ziptop bag works perfectly. Store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat to maintain its potency.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Your Spice Blend
To preserve its freshness and potency, store your all-purpose seasoning blend in an airtight jar or a sealed ziptop bag. Always keep it in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight or heat sources. Properly stored, this blend will maintain its quality for up to 1 year. While it may still be safe to use past a year, its aromatic oils and overall flavor intensity will gradually diminish over time.
Absolutely! One of the biggest advantages of making your own seasoning is complete control over the ingredients. The recipe uses a moderate amount of Kosher salt, but you can easily reduce it for a low-sodium blend or increase it if you prefer a saltier profile. We recommend starting with less and adding more to your food during cooking if needed, rather than having an overly salty blend.
For the most vibrant flavor, ensure your individual spices are relatively fresh. Whole spices generally last longer than ground spices. If your ground spices have been sitting in the pantry for years, they might have lost some of their aroma and flavor. A quick sniff test can tell you a lot; if they don’t have a strong fragrance, it’s time to replace them for the best results in your homemade blend.
Unleash the Flavor: Diverse Ways to Use Your All-Purpose Seasoning
The beauty of this all-purpose seasoning lies in its name: it can truly be used on virtually anything you want to infuse with delicious savory flavor. Its balanced profile makes it incredibly versatile, transforming everyday ingredients into culinary delights. Here are just some ideas to get you started:
- Meats & Poultry: Sprinkle generously on chicken (roasted, grilled, baked, or pan-fried), beef (steaks, roasts, ground beef for tacos or burgers), pork (chops, tenderloin), or lamb before cooking. It makes for an excellent dry rub or can be mixed into marinades.
- Seafood: Lightly coat fish fillets, shrimp, or scallops before baking, grilling, or sautéing for a quick burst of flavor that complements without overpowering.
- Vegetables: This blend works wonders on vegetables! Toss it with chopped potatoes, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, or our favorite roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon before roasting or grilling. It adds depth to steamed or sautéed greens too.
- Soups, Stews & Casseroles: Incorporate it into your favorite comfort food recipes. It can be a fantastic base seasoning for stews, chilis, or enriching the flavor of your go-to casseroles.
- Eggs & Breakfast: A dash of this seasoning can elevate scrambled eggs, omelets, or even avocado toast for a savory start to your day.
- Snacks: Sprinkle it on popcorn, homemade potato wedges, or toasted nuts for a flavorful, healthier snack option.
- Dips & Dressings: Mix a teaspoon or two into plain yogurt, sour cream, cream cheese, or your homemade vinaigrette for an instant flavor boost.
Whenever you find yourself reaching for a savory seasoning, you can most likely confidently substitute it with this versatile all-purpose blend. It’s designed to be your one-stop shop for fantastic flavor!
Explore More Homemade Seasoning Recipes
Once you discover the joy and benefits of making your own spice blends, you’ll want to try them all! Here are some other fantastic homemade seasoning recipes to keep your pantry stocked with fresh, customizable flavor:
- Homemade Italian Seasoning
- Zesty French Fry Seasoning
- Flavorful Homemade Chili Seasoning
- Authentic Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix
- Creative Popcorn Seasoning Blends
- Delicious Shrimp Seasoning
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All Purpose Seasoning
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Course: Condiments
Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons garlic powder
- 1 Tablespoon onion powder
- 1 Tablespoon dried minced garlic
- 1 Tablespoon dried minced onion
- 1 Tablespoon chili powder
- 1 Tablespoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons mustard powder
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
Things You’ll Need
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Mixing bowl
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Air tight container such as a jar or sealed ziptop bag
Before You Begin
- The true beauty of this all-purpose seasoning mix is that it’s a perfect starter blend. You can easily adjust the levels of spices according to your personal taste preferences or even substitute ingredients as you see fit. For example, we use a moderate amount of salt in this mix, but you can increase or decrease that to suit your dietary needs. For a spicier kick, consider adding cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to your blend.
- To maximize freshness and flavor, store your all-purpose seasoning blend in an airtight jar or a sealed ziptop bag. Keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct light. This blend will retain its peak potency for up to 1 year. While it might still be usable after a year, its flavors and aromas may begin to diminish.
Instructions
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Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Mix thoroughly until well combined. Cover with a lid and store in a cool, dry place for up to a year.
Nutrition
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The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.