You don’t need special equipment.
Grab a clean, completely dry jar with a tight-fitting lid and your favorite dried herbs and spices.
Step 1: Choose Your Base
Start with the flavors you use most often.
Garlic powder and onion powder make an excellent foundation because they work with so many foods.
Step 2: Add Herbs
Dried parsley, oregano, thyme, rosemary, or basil can bring a wonderful herbal quality to the blend.
Don’t feel like you need all of them.
Two or three complementary herbs are plenty.
Step 3: Add a Little Color and Warmth
Paprika is a fantastic addition.
It gives food beautiful color while adding a mild, warm flavor.
For more heat, you could use a small amount of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper.
Step 4: Add Black Pepper
Freshly ground black pepper adds a little bite and helps round everything out.
Step 5: Decide About Salt
This is entirely your choice.
If you want an all-purpose seasoning that can be sprinkled directly onto food, adding salt can be convenient.
If you prefer greater control over sodium, leave it out.
Step 6: Mix Everything Together
Place the ingredients in your jar, close the lid tightly, and shake.
That’s it!
Your homemade kitchen seasoning is ready.
Ingredients You Can Experiment With
This is where things get fun.
There isn’t one “correct” rustic seasoning blend.
You can make yours completely personal.
For a Cozy Herb Blend
Try:
Parsley
Thyme
Rosemary
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Black pepper
This combination is lovely with roasted potatoes, chicken, carrots, and soups.
For a Smoky Blend
Try adding:
Smoked paprika
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Black pepper
A little oregano
This is especially delicious on roasted vegetables, grilled chicken, beans, and potatoes.
For a Spicy Blend
Add:
Paprika
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Black pepper
Chili powder
Cayenne pepper
Start conservatively with the hot spices.
You can always add more later!
Where Can You Use Homemade Seasoning?
This is where your little jar really earns its place in the kitchen.
Roasted Vegetables
Toss vegetables with olive oil and your seasoning blend before roasting.
Potatoes, carrots, zucchini, cauliflower, broccoli, and sweet potatoes all work beautifully.
Chicken
Season chicken before roasting, grilling, pan-frying, or baking.
The herbs and spices create a flavorful exterior while keeping the seasoning simple.
Eggs
Sprinkle a little over scrambled eggs, omelets, fried eggs, or breakfast potatoes.
Sometimes breakfast just needs that tiny extra something.
Soups and Stews
Add a little seasoning while the soup cooks.
Taste before adding more, especially if your blend already contains salt.
Rice and Grains
A pinch can transform plain rice, couscous, quinoa, or other grains into a much more flavorful side dish.
Beans
Seasoned beans are incredibly versatile.
Use them in soups, bowls, tacos, salads, or alongside roasted vegetables.
Popcorn
Yes, popcorn!
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