16 Mixes To Save You 40%-60% on Spice Mixes

 I got myself in a pinch the other day.

I was making a salad, anticipating that I had bottled Italian dressing in the refrigerator, but when I went to get it….we were out!

Rather than panicking about the salad and the company we were having for dinner, and before yelling for the Big Guy to run to the store, I took to pinterest for a homemade Italian dressing recipe.

And you know what I found?

Not only are there tons of homemade Italian dressing recipes, there were many, many, more dressing and seasoning mixes!  I quickly whipped up a nice, homemade, healthy Italian dressing – and my guests were none the wiser.

That go me to thinking…..A packet of ranch or italian dressing mix at Aldi runs us $0.89.  Doesn’t seem like a lot of money at first glance, but I believe there is room for improvement!

Not to mention, I have about 30 baby food jars empty, washed, and sitting in my pantry that I have nothing to do with.  Baby RB40 refuses to be fed by someone other than herself, but it seems a waste just to throw away those glass jars.  And let’s fact it…..I’m maybe just a bit sentimental about those jars. I want her to stay a baby forever.

Anyway, I’ve been gathering recipes, experimenting with the ones I like, finding ways to lighten them up, and breaking down the cost when compared with store-bought versions.

And do you know what I’ve been finding?

Not only does making my own save 40-70% off the cost of pre made dressing and seasonings, they are more convenient, healthier, and tastier!

How’s that for a win-win?

I’m listing all of my favorite dressing and seasoning mixes here, and if you’re interested in storing them conveniently in baby food jars, Simply use a sharpie to label the tops of the jars.

Enjoy!

Salad Dressings

Ranch Dressing

• 1 cup dried buttermilk powder
• 2 tablespoons dried parsley, divided
• 2 teaspoons dried dill, divided
• 2½ teaspoons garlic powder
• 2¼ teaspoons kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 2 teaspoons dried minced onion
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Whisk 3 T of the homemade dressing mix with 1 cup of mayonaisse and 1 cup  of buttermilk until smooth.  Refridgerate at least 30 minutes before serving

A lighter take: Mix 3T of the homemade mix with 1 cup of plain, nonfat greek yogurt and ½ cup skim milk.  Mix well and let sit in the refridgerator for 30 minutes before serving

Light Caesar Dressing:

• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Combine ½ of this mix with 1 cup light mayonaisse (or greek yogurt for extra protein), ¾ cup low fat milk, 1 T dijon mustard and 2 T lemon juice until smooth and creamy.

Italian Dressing

• 1 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 Tablespoon onion powder
• 2 teaspoon oregano
• 1 Tablespoon dried parsley
• 2 teaspoons sea salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried celery flakes

Mix 2T dry mix with ¼ cup vinegar,  2 tsp. of water and ½ oil.

Spice Mixes

Allspice:

• nutmeg
• cinnamon
• cloves
• In equal parts

Cajun Seasoning

• 2 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 5 dashes cayenne pepper (or less if you don’t like it very hot)
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1/4 tsp oregano
• 3/4 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp salt

Cream of soup:

• 2 cups dry milk powder
• ¾ cup cornstarch 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon dried parsley
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Combine ⅓ cup dry mix with 1 ¼ cups water in a saucepan.  Whickuntil smooth and bring to a boil.  Book and stir for 2 minutes until thick.

Emeril’s Essence

• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tbsp sea salt
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper (if you like it spicy, use more)

Poultry Seasoning

• 2 3/4 tsp. rosemary
• 1 1/2 tsp. ground thyme
• 1 tsp. basil
• 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper

Pumpkin Pie Spice:

• 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp. ground cloves
• 2 tsp. ground ginger
• 4 tsp. ground cinnamon –

Taco Seasoning

• 2 tsp. chili powder
• 1 1/2 tsp. paprika
• 1 1/2 tsp. cumin
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 3/4 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp. sea salt dash cayenne

Pizza Topping

• 1tbsp. Garlic Powder
• 1tbsp. Onion Powder
• 2tbsp. Minced Onion
• 2tbsp. Crushed Red Pepper (spicy)
• 1tbsp. Oregano

Spaghetti Sauce

• 2tbsp. Oregano
• 1tbsp. Basil
• 1tbsp. Thyme
• 1tbsp. Parsley
• 1tbsp. Garlic Powder
• 1tbsp. Onion Powder

Greek Blend

• 1tbsp. Minced Onion
• 2tbsp. Garlic Powder
• 2tbsp. Oregano
• 1tbsp. Thyme
• 1tbsp. Rosemary
• 1/2tsp. Black Pepper
• 1tsp. Real Lemon (crystallized lemon powder)
• 1tsp. Dry and Crushed Red Bell Pepper (omit if can’t find)

Fajita Seasoning

• 1tbsp. Minced Onion
• 1tbsp. Garlic Powder
• 1tbsp. Onion Powder
• 1tbsp. Chili Powder
• 1tsp. Paprika
• 3/4 tsp. Ginger
• 1tsp. Lime Crystals (Real Lime)
• 1/2 tsp. Crushed Red Pepper (spicy)
• Double this one if needed to fill your shaker.

Adobo Blend

• 2tbsp. Garlic Powder
• 3tbsp. Onion Powder
• 1tsp. Sea Salt
• 2tsp. Cayenne Pepper (hot)
• 1tbsp. Oregano
• 1/2 tsp. Black Pepper

So whaddaya think? Wouldn’t it be nice to use up your old baby food jars, save some money, and rid your kitchen of a few more chemicals?

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