Top 9 Seasoning Recipes

Make your own seasoning blends quickly and easily

By
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches
Derrick Riches is a grilling and barbecue expert. He has written two cookbooks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 09/14/20

It seems like so many recipes call for some special seasoning. Many of these are readily available in the spice section of your grocery store (if you remembered to pick them up) and others are just general flavors. These recipes are the most popular seasoning recipes that you can use to fill in the gaps in all those recipes that call for something you don't have on hand. So mix up your own seasonings and get the flavor and the ingredients you want.

  • 01 of 09

    Cajun Seasoning

    Cajun seasoning

    The Spruce 

    Cajun cooking has developed a reputation for being all about heat. The truth is Cajun flavors are more savory than hot. This spice blend can be adjusted for heat by increasing (or decreasing) the amount of cayenne pepper.

  • 02 of 09

    Montreal Steak Seasoning

    A piece of grilled steak covered in seasoning
    Luca Trovato/Photodisc/Getty Images

    How Montreal became the king of spice blends is anyone's guess, but spice maker McCormick has been selling these blends for years. There are probably hundred of recipes for this seasoning, but they are all based on the same idea. Heat and flavor without all the floral herbs of many old world blends.

  • 03 of 09

    Cajun Turkey Seasoning

    Cajun turkey seasoning recipe

    The Spruce / Cara Cormack

    This is a great basic Turkey rub with enough heat to make it interesting. You can use this rub on all poultry, no matter how you prepare it.

  • 04 of 09

    Lemon Pepper

    Lemon Pepper Seasoning Recipe

    The Spruce

    Lemon pepper is a popular ingredient in many recipes. It is perfect on chicken, a burger or pasta. Problem is, if you happen to live in a place where you can't find it, or you just want to make up your own batch (because it's better than what you buy in the store). This is a great way to start making the kinds of seasonings you want, specifically formulated for your tastes.

    Continue to 5 of 9 below.
  • 05 of 09

    Mexican Seasoning

    Coban Chili Spice Rub
    Perfect for Grilled Meats. Nancy Lopez-McHugh

    Mexican seasonings can be as simple as chili powder or large collections of spices and herbs. To me is just doesn't have that Mexican flavor if it doesn't have cumin. The best way to get cumin powder is to toast cumin seeds and grind them to a fine dust. If you are not as ambitious you can use dried cumin instead.

  • 06 of 09

    Creole Seasoning

    Jambalaya
    Lauri Patterson / Getty Images

    Tradition suggests that the basis for Creole flavor is the three peppers, black, white and red. This spice blend mixes black pepper, white pepper and cayenne with herbs to make a great flavor.

  • 07 of 09

    Garam Masala

    Garam Masala - The Magic Spice

    The Spruce / Qi Ai

    There are probably hundreds of recipes for Garam Masala, the traditional seasoning blend of Northern India. This is one of the more simple recipes and is great for adding an Indian flavor to anything you want to cook. For more information read about Garam Masala

  • 08 of 09

    Seasoned Salt

    Homemade salt

    The Spruce

     This is a knockoff of the popular Lawry's Seasoned Salt. Adding this combination of salt, sugar and spices to recipes that call for seasoned salt is a great, natural way to enhance flavors. 

    Continue to 9 of 9 below.
  • 09 of 09

    Old Bay Seasoning

    Old bay seasoning mix recipe

    The Spruce / Victoria Heydt

    Old Bay seasoning is a traditional favorite of Maryland and sold world wide. This approximation of that old recipe is a perfect seasoning for fish and seafood.