13 Copycat Spice Blends (2024)

Home Recipes Cooking Style

Updated: Feb. 07, 2024

It's time to learn how to make taco seasoning at home. And as long as you're getting your DIY on, why not make yourself even more go-to homemade spice blends?

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Photo: Shutterstock / monticello

Hey, smart spender! All those packets you’re using on Taco Tuesdays really add up. Why not make your own? You’ll save money and time (no more last-minute trips to the store). Plus, you can adjust the flavors to your family’s tastes. Grab a few empty spice jars—make sure they’re dry!—and have fun mixing. Keep these amazing homemade spice blends on hand to help you make every day delicious.

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Taste of Home

1. Pumpkin Pie Spice

Capture in pies, cookies, beverages and more.

Combine:
4 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place up to 6 months. Yield: about 2-1/2 Tbsp.

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Photo: Shutterstock / BW Folsom

2. Taco Seasoning

It’s the hero of Taco Tuesdays everywhere.

Combine:
1/4 cup chili powder
3 Tbsp. dried minced onion
1 Tbsp. garlic powder
2-1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. each dried oregano and ground cumin
1-1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tsp. ground coriander

To use, add 1/4 cup mix and 3/4 cup water to 1 lb. cooked, drained ground meat. Boil; cook and stir 2 minutes. Yield: about 1 cup

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Taste of Home

3. Salt-Free Herb Blend

A sprinkle of this Mrs. Dash copycat really perks up poultry, meat and vegetables.

Combine:
4 tsp. sesame seeds
2 tsp. each celery seed, dried marjoram, poppy seeds and coarsely ground pepper
1-1/2 tsp. dried parsley flakes
1 tsp. each onion powder anddried thyme
1/2 tsp. each garlic powder andpaprika

Store in an airtight container up to 6 months. Yield: 1/3 cup

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Taste of Home

6. Creole Seasoning

Add a little heat to classic Southern recipes like chicken, seafood, beef and veggies.

Combine:
2 Tbsp. plus 1-1/2 tsp. paprika
2 Tbsp. garlic powder
1 Tbsp. each salt,onion powder,dried oregano, dried thyme,cayenne pepper and pepper

Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 1 year. Yield: 1/2 cup

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Taste of Home

7. Cajun Seasoning

We love this on Bayou staples like pork, chicken, seafood, steaks or vegetables. Try it on these Cajun recipes to make with the Holy Trinity.

Combine:
1 carton (26 ounces) salt
2 oz. cayenne pepper
1/3 cup pepper
1/3 cup chili powder
3 Tbsp. garlic powder

Store in airtight containers. Yield: about 3-1/2 cups

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Shutterstock / Richard Griffin

8. Chinese Five Spice

Grab this to add deep warmth to Asian-inspired dishes.

Combine:
2 Tbsp. aniseed
2 Tbsp. fennel seed
2 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
2 Tbsp. whole cloves
2 Tbsp. whole peppercorns

Grind with a spice grinder or a mortar and pestle until mixture becomes a fine powder. Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months. Yield: about 1/2 cup

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Photo: Shutterstock / Elizabeth A.Cummings

4. Seasoned Salt

Delish on turkey sandwiches, meatballs, roasted potatoes, fish—you name it!

Combine:
1/3 cup salt
1-1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1-1/2 tsp. celery seed
1-1/2 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. ground mustard

Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 1 year. Yield: about 1/2 cup

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Photo: Shutterstock / timquo

5. Italian Seasoning

The go-to spice for pasta sauce, burgers, soups, salad dressings and much more. A pantry staple for sure.

Combine:
6 Tbsp. dried basil
2 Tbsp. dried oregano
1 Tbsp. dried marjoram
1 Tbsp. dried thyme

Yield: 10 Tbsp.

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Photo: Shutterstock / 12photography

9. Greek Seasoning

Make your meals taste like they’re straight from the Mediterranean.

Combine:
1-1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. each dried mint andthyme
1/2tsp. each dried minced onion, basil and marjoram
1/4 tsp. dried minced garlic

Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months. Yield: 2 Tbsp.

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Photo: Shutterstock / sama_ja

10. Curry Powder

Always be prepared for Indian or Thai Night.

Combine:
Seeds from 3 cardamom pods, ground
2 tsp. each ground coriander and cumin
1 tsp. ground turmeric
1/2 tsp. each chili powder and pepper
1/8 tsp. fennel seed

Grind until mixture becomes a powder. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 year. Yield: 2 Tbsp.

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Photo: Shutterstock / BW Folsom

11. Tex-Mex Seasoning

Keep this handy for all of your favorite Southwestern dishes.

Combine:
2 Tbsp. dried parsley flakes
4 tsp. dried minced onion
4 tsp. chili powder
3 tsp. dried minced chives
3 tsp. ground cumin

Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months. Yield: about 6 Tbsp.

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Taste of Home

12. Moroccan Spice Blend

Add a big pinch to stews, roasted veggies, chicken and other Moroccan-inspired recipes.

Combine:
2 tsp. each ground ginger, nutmeg and salt
1-1/4 tsp. ground allspice
1-1/2 tsp. each ground pepper, mace and cardamom
1 tsp. each ground cinnamon and turmeric
1/8 tsp. saffron threads or 1/2 tsp. additional turmeric

Store in an airtight container. Yield:about 1/4 cup

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Photo: Shutterstock / Elena Mirage

13. Garam Masala

Give rich warmth to dishes like classic tikka masala with this magical garam masala blend.

Combine:
4 tsp. ground cumin
1-1/2 tsp. each ground coriander,cardamom andpepper
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. each ground nutmeg anddried chili flakes

Store in an airtight container. Yield: 3-1/2 Tbsp.

Next, take a look at these other recipes using garam masala.

Originally Published: January 24, 2019