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Homemade seasoning mixes are an easy way to bring more flavor to everyday meals. A dish can include plenty of fresh ingredients and still taste a little flat; the right blend of herbs and spices can add depth without requiring a complicated recipe. Pizza, chili, and tacos are useful places to start because their flavors work well with flexible seasoning combinations.
Homemade seasoning mixes for everyday cooking
Making your own blends lets you adjust ingredients to your preferences and control how much salt or heat goes into a dish. The specific proportions can vary by recipe, so taste as you cook and add seasoning gradually. If you are following a particular blend recipe, check its ingredient list before mixing and make changes only where you are confident they will suit the dish.
Pizza seasoning
A savory herb-and-spice blend can add extra character to homemade or frozen pizza. Sprinkle it over the pizza before baking so the seasoning warms along with the toppings, or use a small amount on a cooked takeaway pizza. It can also work in spaghetti sauce or lasagna, where similar Italian-inspired flavors complement the other ingredients.
Practical tip: Start with a light sprinkle, especially if the pizza already has strongly seasoned sauce, cheese, or toppings. You can always add more after baking.
Chili seasoning
A balanced chili blend can make a pot of chili more flavorful without making it excessively hot. For a recipe that calls for a seasoning packet, begin with 2 tablespoons of homemade seasoning and add more as needed. A single packet commonly contains about 1 ounce of spices; one batch of chili may use around 3 tablespoons in total, depending on the recipe and personal taste.
The blend described here is on the milder side. Increase the spicy ingredients if you prefer more heat, and leave out flour if you do not want it in the mix. Add seasoning in stages and taste the chili as it cooks, since the flavors develop over time.
Taco seasoning
Taco seasoning can be added while browning ground meat, or mixed into beans for vegetarian tacos. The blend discussed here has a distinctive smoky note from the chili powder. As a starting point, use about 2 tablespoons for 1 pound of ground beef; adjust to taste and follow any liquid or cooking directions in your taco recipe.
This seasoning can also be used in burritos and other similar dishes. When cooking with beans or meat, stir the seasoning through evenly so the flavor is distributed throughout the filling.
Adjust salt, heat, and texture
Taste preferences differ, so customize a blend before relying on it for a whole meal. Leave out cumin if you dislike its flavor, add more garlic if you want a stronger savory note, or adjust red pepper flakes to change the heat. You can also omit salt from a homemade blend and season the food separately, giving you more control over the final result.
Salt crystals do not all measure the same by volume. Coarse sea salt can taste different from table salt in an equal spoonful, so use less when substituting until you know how salty the dish will become. A spice grinder, coffee grinder reserved for spices, or mortar and pestle can break down whole spices and help release their aroma. Grinding is optional, but freshly ground spices may taste more pronounced.
Storing and using homemade blends
Keep prepared seasoning in a clean, dry, airtight container and label it with the blend name. Store it away from heat, moisture, and direct sunlight. For best flavor, make manageable quantities and check the aroma before using a stored blend.
Homemade seasoning mixes can also make a thoughtful housewarming or food-lover gift when packed in clean, sealed jars. For another blend idea, see Emma’s Homemade Everything Bagel Seasoning.
With pizza, chili, and taco blends as a starting point, homemade seasoning mixes make it easy to tailor familiar dishes to your taste. Adjust salt and spice gradually, try the blends in related recipes, and keep notes on changes you enjoy so you can repeat them next time.
— Laura
