We love making homemade dry rub, taco seasoning and blackened seasoning for everything from grilling to pasta dinners. It is a great way to season your meals adding just the perfect amount of heat to suit your family. 

Creole Seasoning ~ Homemade Spice Mix

Creole seasoning is a must-have for authentic Louisiana cooking and Cajun recipes. It takes less than 5 minutes to mix up a homemade blend that you can use for everything from Gumbo to Fried Shrimp. 

Ingredients Needed:

• Granulated Garlic
• Onion Powder
• Chile Powder ~ Green or Red
• Dried Oregano
• Dried Basil
• Dried Thyme
• Black Pepper
• Smoked Paprika
• Dried Chives or Parsley
• Cayenne Pepper

How to Make Creole Seasoning:

Combine all ingredients in a bowl with a whisk until well combined. Store in an airtight container in a cool dark place up to 6 months. 

What is the Difference in Creole and Cajun Seasoning:

Creole seasoning generally includes herbs along with the spicy pepper blend of Cajun seasoning. Store bought seasonings often include large amounts of salt, making your own blend is the best if you are trying to watch your salt intake or don’t prefer overly salty foods.

Recipes Using Creole Seasoning:

• Cajun Shrimp Pasta is a family favorite that comes together in about 30 minutes. Grilled shrimp with a creamy Cajun pasta is sure to please everyone at the table. 
• Creamy Cajun Sausage Pasta is another quick and easy pasta dish that the whole family will love. Creamy pasta filled with delicious smoked sausage, peppers and onions. 
• Jambalaya is classic Cajun fare that you can make so easily at home. A hearty rice dish with chicken, sausage, shrimp and crawfish.
• Gumbo is one of our all time favorite comfort foods. Our version might differ from your grandma’s classic gumbo, but it is flavorful and delicious!
• Creole Butter Potatoes are a flavorful addition to any meal and easy to make on the grill.

Make a batch of homemade Creole Seasoning to keep in your pantry to make a flavorful dinner in no time at all. It’s great to add bold flavors to just about any meal. 

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Creole Seasoning

Creole Seasoning is a great homemade spice blend to have on hand to add bold flavors to your meals. It's a simple, no-salt blend made with pantry staples. 

Course Seasonings and Herb Mixes

Cuisine Creole

Keyword Cajun spice mix, Creole herb seasoning, Gumbo seasoning, homemade Creole spices, no salt seasoning, no salt spice mix

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 cup

Calories 9kcal

Author Milisa

Ingredients

• ¼ cup smoked paprika
• 3 tablespoons granulated garlic
• 2 tablespoons onion powder
• 2 tablespoons green chile powder or red
• 2 tablespoons black pepper
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 2 teaspoons dried chives or parsley
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper - or more to taste

Instructions

• Add smoked paprika, garlic, onion, chile powder, black pepper, basil, oregano, thyme, chives and cayenne to a bowl. Whisk together until well combined.
• Store in an airtight container in a pantry cabinet up to 6 months.

Notes

Uses:

Seasoning chicken, pork, beef, fish or seafood.

Stir into pastas, rice, casseroles or soups.

Great for seasoning vegetables, especially on the grill.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 9kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Sodium: 2mg | Fiber: 1g

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As the temperatures cool off and the leaves start to change it is time to get in the kitchen and start baking. Holiday baking is my favorite and pumpkin pie spice is a must-have addition to everything from our quick pumpkin cinnamon rolls to pumpkin bread and the classic pumpkin pie. 

Pumpkin Pie Spice is made simply from a combination of warm spices including cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice and cloves. It’s what gives all of your holiday goodies that signature fall flavor that we all crave. 

Ingredients Needed for Homemade Pumpkin Spice

• Ground Cinnamon
• Ground Ginger
• Grated Nutmeg
• Ground Allspice
• Ground Cloves

You can adjust the ratios of the spices to create a milder version by using more cinnamon or more zesty by adding more ginger and cloves. It’s so simple to make it to your own tastes. 

Step by Step Instructions for Pumpkin Pie Spice

• In a small bowl, combine cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice and cloves.

• Give it a good mixing by using a whisk. Store in a lidded jar or air tight container. As with all spices, keep in a cabinet or pantry and it will stay fresh about 6 months. 

Back when we had our own barbecue sauce business, we also made spice blends and I still enjoy coming up with my own instead of paying extra for the premixed versions from the grocery store. Plus if you make it yourself, you know exactly what goes into it. 

Recipes Using Pumpkin Spice

• Easy Pumpkin Bread is my absolute favorite pumpkin recipe, I actually enjoy making this all year long. It’s seriously easy and doesn’t even require a mixer!
• Pumpkin Pie Cake is one of our all time favorites for an easy fall dessert. It’s basically a dump cake with pumpkin pie filling, cake mix, butter and pecans. So simple and delicious.
• This super quick and easy dessert recipe for Pumpkin Cannoli is great for any fall gathering or celebration. Great to make ahead and fill the shells just before serving.
• Pumpkin Pie Bars are my twist on the classic Thanksgiving dessert. I use a shortbread crust and these bars are perfect for feeding a crowd.
• No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecakes are crazy-delicious and so simple to make. If you need a last minute holiday dessert, this one is just the ticket. We also love these Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes that are a great make ahead dessert.
• Take your fall cocktail game to the next level with our Pumpkin Spice Mudslide recipe!
• Of course every fall gathering requires a Pumpkin Roll and my family goes crazy for this Pumpkin Pecan Crisp. 
• This simple Pumpkin Bundt Cake with spiced cream cheese icing is always a hit and it is easy enough for any occasion.

If you are in charge of the homemade Thanksgiving desserts this year, take a few minutes to mix up your own pumpkin pie spice. It’s perfect to add to so many fall desserts.

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Pumpkin Pie Spice

Pumpkin Pie Spice is super simple to make with just a few pantry spices. Homemade pumpkin pie spice is the best to have on hand for all of your favorite fall baking recipes.

Course Seasonings and Herb Mixes

Cuisine American

Keyword homemade pumpkin pie seasoning, homemade pumpkin spice, pumpkin spice mix

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Calories 4kcal

Author Milisa

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 3 teaspoons ground ginger
• 2 teaspoons nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves

Instructions

• In a bowl, add cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice and cloves.
• Whisk together until well combined.
• Store in an airtight container in a cabinet or pantry up to 6 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 4kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g

The post Pumpkin Pie Spice appeared first on Miss in the Kitchen.

Using a blend of store bought seasonings is great but really too spicy for our tastes. So we set out to make our own.

Blackened Seasoning

After a few tries, I think we have come up with an amazing Blackened Seasoning mix with all of the classic Cajun flavors but not so spicy.

When you make your own spice blends, you can make them to suit your own tastes. It’s easy to adjust the salt and heat level of the pepper you use.  I enjoy these flavors so much more when they are not setting me on fire!

INGREDIENTS NEEDED:

• smoked paprika ~ adds smoky flavor
• brown sugar ~ not a traditional ingredient but compliments the flavor and tones down the spiciness
• garlic powder
• dried oregano
• dry mustard
• black pepper
• ground cumin
• kosher salt
• cayenne pepper * optional ~ adjust the spice level to your own tastes

How to Make Blackened Seasoning:

Mix together brown sugar, smoked paprika, oregano, garlic, black pepper, cumin, dry mustard and kosher salt. Store in an airtight container. To give it more of a spicy kick, add in cayenne pepper. 

This blackened seasoning is my new favorite spice blend. We have made several batches this week and used it or blackened fish, Blackened Chicken Tacos, Easy Onion Strings, and a fabulous dip!

One of our favorite things to do on the ranch is to go fishing in our ponds. Lately we have been catching lots of bass and we decided to try making blackened fish in a cast iron skillet.

Mix together brown sugar, smoked paprika, oregano, garlic, black pepper, cumin, dry mustard and kosher salt. Store in an airtight container. To give it more of a spicy kick, add in cayenne pepper. 

Store homemade seasonings in mason jars or air tight containers at room temperature in a cool dry place.

Use blackening spices with melted butter or olive oil for a to add so much flavor to your favorite recipes and enjoy some Cajun cuisine this week.

This homemade blackened seasoning recipe is one of my favorite homemade spice blends. We have made several batches this week and used it or blackened fish, Blackened Chicken Tacos, Easy Onion Strings, and a fabulous dip! It’s so versatile and a must-have for your spice cabinet.

When I had my barbecue sauce business, I also made spice blends in small batches and bought spices in bulk. My good friend owns Spiceology and it’s a great place to buy amazing spices and spice blends.

MORE HOMEMADE SPICE BLENDS:

We love making our own spice blends for cooking and grilling. This easy Beef Rub is great for your favorite roast beef, burgers and even steaks. Our Italian Seasoning Rub is also a great addition to your dinners on the grill! Homemade Taco Seasoning is a must-have for Tex-Mex favorites.

HOW LONG WILL SPICES LAST?

Spices will be best in the first year but can last up to 3 years. Spices don’t go bad and won’t make you sick but they will lose flavor as they age. Keep your spices in an airtight container in a cool, dry cabinet to make them last longer. 

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE IN CAJUN, CREOLE AND BLACKENED SEASONINGS?

Cajun spice tends to be more spicy, Creole seasoning includes a blend of herbs and blackened seasoning tends to fall somewhere in between.

EASY RECIPES TO TRY WITH HOMEMADE BLACKENED SEASONING:

• Blackened Pork Chops are a quick and easy dinner on the grill and so flavorful. 
• Boudin is a classic Cajun sausage that can be stuffed into casings or rolled into balls that are deep fried or smoked. 
• Andouille Sausage is made from pork, blackened seasoning, garlic and jalapenos, then smoked to perfection. 
• Cajun Smoked Turkey is a great for holiday dinners or for feeding a crowd. 
• Smoked Turkey Sandwich is made from our Cajun Smoked Turkey and blackened mayo! It’s epic!

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Blackened Seasoning

Blackened Seasoning mix is a pantry staple that is so easy to make at home! A basic blend of spices to make flavorful and delicious dinners. Make this easy cajun spice blend as hot or as mild as you prefer.

Course Seasonings and Herb Mixes

Cuisine American

Keyword Cajun spice blend, Creole seasonings, homemade blackened spice blend

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 /2 cup

Calories 4kcal

Author Milisa

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon garlic
• 1 tablespoon oregano
• 1 tablespoon dry mustard
• 1 tablespoon coarse ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper * optional

Instructions

• Mix smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic, oregano, dry mustard, black pepper, cumin and salt together.
• Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

Notes

Blackened Seasoning will keep fresh up to 1 year. Stir before using.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 4kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Sodium: 27mg

The post Blackened Seasoning appeared first on Miss in the Kitchen.

Nothing warms you up like a big bowl of chili on a cold night and it’s so simple to make your own chili seasoning at home, make it as spicy or mild as you prefer.

Homemade Chili Seasoning ~ Made with Pantry Ingredients

We love to make a vat of chili for dinner and have plenty of leftovers for lunch the next day to serve over Chili Cheese Fries, tater tots or Barbecue Frito Chili Pie Burgers. It is always filling and gets everyone to the dinner table.

Ingredients Needed

• Chili Powder ~ a blend of ground chilis, it can be spicy, depending on the brand. The New Mexico Chili Powder from Spiceology is my favorite.
• Granulated Garlic ~ or garlic powder will work, it’s a must-have for chili.
• Granulated Onion ~ or onion powder. I find the granulated is a little easier to cook with and doesn’t clump as much as the powder.
• Sugar ~ granulated sugar just adds a bit of balance to the spice of the chili powder.
• Smoked Paprika ~ one of my go-to spices for everything, it adds a delicious smoky depth of flavor.
• Ground Cumin ~ adds that signature taste in chili and Tex-Mex recipes that we all love.
• Kosher Salt ~ adjust for your own taste and if you are watching your sodium intake, just use less.
• Black Pepper ~ use fresh ground or restaurant blend.
• Dry Mustard ~ not a typical ingredient for chili seasoning but it really adds balance to the blend.

How to Make Chili Seasoning

• Blend all of the ingredients together in a bowl with a whisk until well blended and no clumps remain.

Recipe Variations:

For chili on the spicy side, add in cayenne pepper to taste. We like ours mild.

Coca powder and cinnamon are also popular additions to add new and different flavors to chili.

How Much Chili Seasoning to Use:

• Use 2 tablespoons of chili seasoning for each pound of meat. This recipe will make enough for about 3 pounds of meat. Works with ground beef, or any cut of beef, chicken, pork or venison.

How to Store:

• Store in an airtight container in a pantry or cabinet. Will stay fresh up to 6 months.

Some of our Favorite Chili Recipes:

Classic Chili is made ground beef, pinto beans, onions, garlic and spices. We love to top it off with loads of cheese and sour cream.

Crock Pot Chili is so simple to make with ground beef or venison. This version is more soup-like than thick and is always a family favorite.

Smoked Pork Chili is made with leftover pulled pork, pinto beans, onions, bell peppers and loads of garlic. A fantastic meal that will have everyone coming back for more.

White Chicken Chili is healthy and flavorful. Loaded with chicken breasts, quinoa and white beans. One of my favorites for a cold winter day.

Smoked Chicken and Black Bean Chili is loaded with garlic, onions, bell peppers along with smoked chicken and hearty black beans. The amount of flavor in this chili is insanely delicious.

Of course chili seasoning has many uses beyond chili, use it as a rub for grilling chicken or burgers. Sprinkle it over mac and cheese or popcorn for extra flavor.

It’s likely that you have everything you need in your pantry to make this homemade chili seasoning. It’s easy to mix up and a great blend to have in your pantry.

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Chili Seasoning

Chili Seasoning is the best blend of savory spices to make a hearty pot of chili.

Course Soups

Cuisine American

Keyword chili spices, homemade chili seasoning

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 3 /4 cup

Calories 18kcal

Author Milisa

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 tablespoons granulated garlic
• 2 tablespoons granulated onion
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard

Instructions

• Mix all of the spices together in a bowl with a whisk until well combined and no clumps remain.
• Store in an air tight container in the pantry up to 6 months.

Notes

Use 2 tablespoons of chili seasoning per pound of meat.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 18kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 1g | Sodium: 380mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g

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Tacos are my go to meal when I’m just not sure what to cook. Brisket Tacos are my most favorite meal ever and we have Mexican food like Taco Casserole at least once a week.

You’ll love just how easy it is to mix up your own taco seasoning and you’ll never have to remember to pick up the packets from the store again.

How to Make Taco Seasoning

In a bowl mix together the following spices

• Chili Powder – American chili powder which is a blend of chilis and spices – different than cayenne pepper.
• Ground Cumin – adds the smoky depth of flavor that is a must for taco seasoning.
• Granulated Garlic – or garlic powder.
• Kosher Salt – if you are watching your salt intake, adjust to your taste or skip it all together.
• Onion Powder – blends great with the garlic and chili spices for more flavor.
• Smoked Paprika – adds a bit more intense smoky flavor. It is optional but highly recommended.
• Oregano – a great addition to your flavor profile, but I have made it without the oregano on occasion.
• Black Pepper – adds just the right amount of heat, if you like your tacos spicy, add a teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes too.

• Store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

How Much Taco Seasoning to Use

Use 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning per pound of ground beef or chicken with 1/4 cup of water.

[mv_create key=”964″ layout=”hero” thumbnail=”https://www.missinthekitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Taco-Salad-Recipe-Image-H-scaled.jpg” title=”Must Try Tex-Mex Recipes” type=”list”]

Back when I had my barbecue sauce business, I also made spice mixes and the Tex-Mex taco seasoning was a big hit. I have been making homemade taco seasoning for ages. I love knowing just exactly what I’m mixing into my tacos and it’s a great way to control the level of spice and salt.

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Homemade Taco Seasoning

Homemade Taco Seasoning is so simple to mix up and have on hand for all of your favorite Mexican dishes. Just a few simple ingredients that you probably have on hand. 

Course Seasonings and Herb Mixes

Cuisine Mexican

Keyword ground beef taco seasoning, homemade spice mix, taco mix

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 1/4 cups

Author Milisa

Ingredients

• ½ cup chili powder
• ¼ cup ground cumin
• 2 tablespoons granulated garlic
• 2 tablespoons kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon oregano
• 1 tablespoon black pepper

Instructions

• Mix all ingredients together in a bowl until well combined.
• Store in an airtight container.

Notes

Taco seasoning will keep up to 6 months stored in an air tight container.

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Rosemary Pesto

I first made this Rosemary Pesto back in 2010 and it is still one of my favorites. I decided the recipe needed a little update with some new photos.

I planted a rosemary bush last year and I thought that it had died over the winter. When we did our spring planting in the garden, it had about 2 green sprigs. With a lot of sunshine and regular watering, it has grown like crazy over the summer.

I took advantage of my abundance of rosemary and decided another batch of rosemary pesto was in order. I used roasted almonds in this batch of pesto but pecans, walnuts or pine nuts work great too.

Just toss the ingredients in the food processor and it is ready to go. So simple and the flavor combination is pure heaven.

Our garden is just going wild this year. We have tomatoes running out of our ears. I have been roasting them and running them through the food mill and then freezing them. We will be enjoying those garden tomatoes all winter long.

My mother in law has been making squash relish and lots of pickles. Having a garden is just about this best thing ever.

My basil plants and rosemary have done so well this year but I can’t keep a thyme plant alive. I have killed two of them. I usually have really good luck with thyme but not this year.

I love having fresh herbs to cook with, it really makes a huge difference.

I put it in my favorite Weck jar and topped it off with additional olive oil to keep it fresh in the refrigerator.

I have lots of delicious dishes planned with this rosemary pesto, starting with a one pan chicken and potato dinner, you will want to check back for that recipe later this week!

Put your garden fresh herbs to good use and make a batch of this Rosemary Pesto!

More Pesto Recipes to Try:

Spinach Pesto

Roasted Garlic Basil Pesto

Basil Pesto

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Rosemary Pesto

Rosemary Pesto is a fabulous way to add amazing flavor to so many dishes. Add it to everything from chicken, to potatoes or add it to soups. The possibilities are endless.

Course Condiments

Cuisine American

Keyword fresh rosemary, how to make pesto with rosemary, pesto

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 cup

Author Milisa

Ingredients

• 1 cup fresh rosemary stems removed
• 2 garlic cloves
• ¼ cup roasted almonds pecans, or walnuts
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• ½ cup olive oil plus more for storing
• ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Instructions

• Add rosemary, garlic cloves and almonds to a food processor. Add salt and pepper. Drizzle in olive oil and process about 30 seconds. Stir in parmesan.
• Pour into a storage container and cover with olive oil. Cover with plastic wrap or a lid. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, if you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a small amount at no cost to you. 

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