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Make Your Own Healthy Seasoning Packages

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Due to all the chemicals and additives in foods today, many people are returning to home cooking. If you are like many people, you find those little seasoning packages for things like chili or spaghetti sauce super convenient. Unfortunately, besides being very expensive (anywhere from $1.25 to $5.00!) almost all flavoring packages are full of artificial flavors, colors, chemical preservatives, excessive sodium, MSG, corn and/or soy protein (can you say GMO?) and sometimes even aspartame.

Want to save money, keep those nasty chemicals out of your life, and still enjoy the convenience of those spice packages? You can! Anything you can buy in the supermarket, you can make yourself, at home for a fraction of the cost, with fresh ingredients. You might be making larger batches, but they can be stored in glass jars, old spice jars, or even Ziploc bags. Buy your spices in bulk and save a small fortune by mixing them yourself. You can also dry fresh herbs and grind them yourself to save even more money. You will also feel really good about the healthy foods you are serving your family.

Keep reading, we have 12 recipes for the most common spice packages sold in supermarkets today. Enjoy!

1. Super Salt Substitute Mix

Just a dash of this and you will recognize the taste. If you are on a low salt diet and are tired of paying $4 for a small jar of that famous salt substitute, this is the recipe for you. Mix all of the following ingredients in a bowl then transfer to your salt shaker. Feel free to double the recipe if you like! It looks so simple, but tastes oh so good!

1 Teaspoon powdered lemon rind (you can dry lemon rinds and make this yourself by grinding them in your coffee grinder or food processor after they are completely dry)
1 Tablespoon of basil (dry your own fresh basil leaves if you like)
1 Teaspoon dill weed
1 Teaspoon oregano
2 Teaspoons garlic powder (not garlic salt!)

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2. Chef’s Seasoning Salt

Again, if you are tired of paying $4 to $5 dollars for that brown bottle of seasoning salt, you will really be happy with this inexpensive, yet super tasty substitute. This is a large recipe which you can cut in half, if you like, or simply store the extra in glass jar with a tight fitting lid so that it doesn’t get wet. If you do decide to store some, try putting a saltine cracker in the jar to help absorb moisture. Mix all of the ingredients below in a bowl and transfer to the containers of your choice.

1 Pound of salt (you can use any type of salt you wish – read our recommendations how to choose the salt)
½ Cup of paprika
1/8 Cup of garlic powder (not garlic salt!)
1 Tablespoon of black pepper
1 Tablespoon of white pepper

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3. Garlic & Herb Low Salt Seasoning Mix

Who doesn’t love the taste of garlic and herbs? They go with just about everything, don’t they? Salads, eggs, mashed potatoes, you name it. But who loves paying the $4 for a little 6 ounce container and the MSG almost all of these contain? Skip that and make your own with this super tasty recipe. You really might want to think about doubling this one because you are going to be reaching for it again and again. Mix these ingredients in a bowl, and then transfer to the container of your choice.

1 Tablespoon of onion powder (not onion salt)
1 Tablespoon of thyme
1 Tablespoon of salt (any type you like)
2 Tablespoons of marjoram
2 Tablespoons of oregano
2 Tablespoons of rosemary
2 Tablespoons of parsley flakes
2 Tablespoons of basil
1 Teaspoon of garlic powder (not garlic salt)
1 Teaspoon of black pepper

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4. Lemon Pepper Seasoning

This is a super easy way to make this popular spice blend and not have to worry about MSG or other unwanted chemicals. Dry your own fresh herbs when you can for extra savings and flavor.

4.5 Tablespoons of basil
3.75 Tablespoons of oregano
1.5 Tablespoons of celery seeds
1.5 Tablespoons of dried onion or onion powder
1.2 Teaspoons of pepper
.5 Teaspoon of garlic powder
4 Teaspoons of grated lemon rind (lemon zest)

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5. Spaghetti Sauce Seasoning

When it’s spaghetti night, be ready with this yummy seasoning mix. Make it ahead of time so there is no stress at dinner. Add about a ½ cup of this mix to 16 or 24 ounces of plain tomato sauce and you are ready to go! You can always adjust the amount to suit your family’s taste. Best of all, this contains no MSG!

2 Cups of dried minced onions
3 Tablespoons of oregano
1 Tablespoon of dried minced garlic
2 Tablespoons of dried green pepper flakes
4 Tablespoons of dried parsley
4 Teaspoons of dried basil
4 Teaspoons of salt
1 Heaping Tablespoon of Italian Seasoning Mix (see recipe 12)

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6. Oriental Stir Fry Seasoning

You can mix up and store the dried ingredients, then add the wet ingredients just before cooking to save time. Alternately, you can mix this ahead of time and store in the refrigerator. This will keep for about 30 days.

6 Tablespoons of cornstarch
3/4 Teaspoon of garlic powder
2 Cubes of beef bouillon or beef bone broth
3/4 Teaspoon of onion powder
1.5 Teaspoons of freshly ground ginger root
6 Tablespoons of water
6 Tablespoons of wine vinegar
¾ Cup of tamari or low salt soy sauce
¾ Cup of honey
2 2/3 Cups of pure water

Combine the first 4 ingredients in a bowl. Use a whisk or fork and beat in the vinegar, ginger, and 6 tablespoons of the water until the cornstarch is dissolved. Add the soy sauce, honey, and remaining water. Mix well. If you are storing this, use a glass container with a tight lid and stir well before using.

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7. Mexican Taco Seasoning

When it’s taco night at your house, this is a super easy way to spice things up! Mix 3 tablespoons of this seasoning mixture in ½ cup of water, then add to 1 pound of meat.

1 Cup of minced dried onion
1/3 Cup of chili powder (less if you don’t want things too spicy)
2 Tablespoons of cumin
4 Teaspoons of ground peppers (again, use less if you don’t want things to be so spicy)
1 Teaspoons of oregano
2 Teaspoons of garlic powder
2 Beef bouillon cubes or ¾ cup of beef bone broth

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8. Southern Chicken Seasoning

If your kids are always clamoring for that fast food chicken, this is one way to make both of you happy. This seasoning mix is a super imitation of that famous colonel’s blend. Place all of the ingredients below in a coffee bean grinder or spice mill until everything is mixed into a fine powder. When you are ready to cook, add ¼ cup of this mix in one cup of flour, then coat your chicken before frying.

1 Tablespoon of sage
1 Tablespoon of oregano
1 Tablespoon of rosemary
3 Tablespoons minced parsley
3 Tablespoons of packed brown sugar
1 Tablespoon paprika
2 Tablespoons of garlic salt (yes, this time, use salt)
2 Tablespoons of onion salt
2 Tablespoons of chicken bouillon powder
1 Teaspoon of powdered ginger
1 Teaspoon of marjoram
1.5 Teaspoons of thyme
1 Teaspoon pepper
1 package of Lipton Tomato cup a soup mix

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9. Chili Seasoning

This is a great way to save both time and money in the kitchen. Put your chili ingredients in the crockpot before you leave for work, and dinner will be ready when you get home. Add ½ cup of this chili seasoning to 1 pound of ground beef or 6 cups of cooked beans.

2/3 Cup of flour
3.5 Cups of dried minced onions
1.25 to 2 cups of chili powder (depending on how hot you like your chili)
3 Tablespoons of salt
2 Tablespoon of cumin
½ Cup of dried minced garlic
3 Tablespoons of oregano
Red pepper flakes to taste (optional)

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10. Barbeque Spice Seasoning

If you love the taste of barbeque, you will love the flavor of this mixture. You can put this in a pretty bottle and tie it with a ribbon or twine for a unique gift. Mix these in a bowl and then transfer to the container of your choice.

½ Cup of chili powder
¼ Cup of hickory flavored salt
3 Tablespoons of onion powder
2 Tablespoons of Cumin
1 Tablespoon of paprika
1 Tablespoon of garlic powder
1 Tablespoon of brown sugar
1 Teaspoon of cayenne pepper (optional)
.5 Teaspoon of dry mustard
.5 Teaspoon of lemon zest

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11. All Purpose Seasoning

When you just aren’t sure which spice to use, this is a great all-purpose spice that will work on everything including salads, meats, casseroles, vegetables, fish, and stews.

1/3 Cup of grated parmesan cheese
¼ Cup of sesame seeds
2 Tablespoons of paprika
2 Tablespoons of dried parsley
1 Tablespoon of poppy seeds
1 Tablespoon + 1 Teaspoon of chicken bouillon
1 Tablespoon of dried onion
1 Tablespoon of garlic powder
1 Tablespoon of celery seed
1 Tablespoon of salt
1/2 Tablespoon of black pepper

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12. Italian Seasoning Mix

Whether you are making lasagna or meatballs, you can’t go wrong with this all-purpose Italian flavored spice mix. Combined with some fancy noodles in a pretty jar, this make a great gift for those who love Italian food.