How To Make Homemade Spice Mixes

Homemade spice mixes add wonderful flavour and variety to everything from roasted vegetables, pan-fried tofu or tempeh, stir-fries, even rice pilaf. We've put together some flavour combinations that will help get you started. Additionally, scroll down for some loose rules that will hopefully inspire you to make your own unique combinations.

Salts

Use anywhere from 1 - 3 tbsp of salt in your seasoning, depending on your preference.

Black Himalayan salt (coarse), black Himalayan salt (fine), pink Himalayan salt (coarse), pink Himalayan salt (fine), sea salt (coarse), sea salt (fine)

Black Himalayan salt has a pungent flavour that adds a wonderful umami flavour to dishes. Pink Himalayan salt is otherwise known as pink salt or rock salt.

Spices

Sweet and Pungent Spices

Use these spices as a base of 1 to 2 tbsp

Celery seed powder, coriander powder, garlic flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika powder

Digestive Spices

Use these sparingly, no more than 1 tbsp in a mix

Caraway seeds, cardamom pods, cardamom powder, cumin seeds, cumin powder, fennel seeds, turmeric powder

Warming spices

Use these sparingly, no more than 1 tbsp in a mix

Black peppercorns, black pepper powder, cinnamon powder, chili flakes, chili powder, clove powder, ginger powder, mustard seeds - black, brown, white, smoked paprika powder, white pepper powder

Herbs

Use any combination of dried herbs as a base - anywhere from 2 to 6 tbsp. Citrus peels can be used more sparingly - up to 3 tbsp.

Basil, dill, lemon peel, marjoram, orange peel, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, tarragon, thyme

Nuts and Seeds

Toasted and coarsely ground nuts and seeds add so much flavour to any spice mix. You can use them as a base to build flavour.

Almonds (flaked), almonds (whole), cashews, desiccated coconut, hazelnuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, poppy seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds (black), sesame seeds (white), sunflower seeds, walnut.

What you will need

Equipment

Mixing bowls
Measuring spoons
Measuring spoons 250ml jars with airtight lids

Ingredients

Make sure all your jars are clean and dried properly before mixing spices together.
Place all ingredients in mixing bowl and mix thoroughly.

NOTE: When toasting seeds or coconut, ensure they’re fully cooled before storing. Carefully transfer mixture into jars.

Aside from being a delicious and convenient addition to your kitchen, these homemade spice mixes make perfect DIY gifts for home chefs of any level.

What else you can do

Golden Chai Spice Mix

4 tbsp coconut milk powder
1 tbsp cinnamon powder
1 tbsp cardamom pods, crushed
1 tbsp turmeric powder
1 tsp clove powder
1 tsp nutmeg powder
1 tsp black pepper powder

BBQ Mix

2 tbsp paprika powder
1 tbsp coarse pink Himalayan salt
1 tbsp cumin powder
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
½ tbsp smoked paprika
½ tbsp dried tarragon
½ tbsp dried oregano
½ tbsp dried parsley
1 tsp black pepper powder
Optional: chilli flakes

Asian Sesame Mix

2 tbsp white sesame seeds, toasted
2 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp black sesame seeds, toasted
1 tbsp orange peel, minced
1 tbsp garlic flakes, minced
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp ginger powder
½ tsp black pepper powder
½ white pepper powder

Masala Mix

3 tbsp desiccated coconut
1 tbsp ginger powder
1 tbsp coriander powder
½ tbsp mustard seeds
½ tbsp cumin powder
2 tsp turmeric powder
2 tsp fine pink Himalayan salt
1 tsp fenugreek powder
1 tsp chili flakes
½ tsp black pepper powder

TIP: For extra flavour, dry toast everything in a pan until fragrant. Cool before storing in jar.

Nutty Lemon Herb Mix

1 tbsp almonds, toasted and coarsely ground
1 tbsp pistachios, toasted and coarsely ground
1 tbsp sunflower seeds, toasted and coarsely ground
1 tbsp lemon peel, minced
1 tbsp dried parsley
2 tsp dried rosemary
2 tsp dried dill
2 tsp dried sage

Za’atar Spice Mix

3 tbsp sunflower seeds, toasted and coarsely ground
1 tbsp dried thyme
1 tbsp white sesame seeds, toasted
1 tbsp fine sea salt
1 tbsp sumac
1 tbsp cumin powder

Harissa Spice Mix

2 tbsp smoked paprika
1 ½ tbsp cumin powder
1 tbsp coriander powder
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp chili flakes
1 tbsp coarse sea salt
2 tsp caraway seeds

Italian Seasoning Mix

2 tbsp dried basil
2 tbsp dried rosemary
1 tbsp dried oregano
1 tbsp dried marjoram
1 tbsp dried thyme
1 tbsp fine sea salt
2 tsp garlic powder

NOTE: Each homemade spice mix above equals approximately 8 tablespoons. Below are loose instructions that hopefully will inspire you to create your own unique combinations.

More Information

For an in-depth look at the uses and flavour profiles of the spices we carry at Indigo Herbs, please check out our "How To Use Whole Spices vs. Powdered Spices" article.