If you’ve ever stood in the spice aisle paying several dollars for a tiny packet of seasoning, this one’s for you. Homemade spice blends take about five minutes, use spices you already have in your pantry, and cost a fraction of the store-bought versions.

Even better, you control what goes in the jar. You can dial back the salt, skip the anti-caking agents and MSG, and adjust the heat to suit your family. Mix up a big batch on the weekend and you’ll have flavor ready to go for weeks of easy dinners.

Below are six of my favorite homemade seasoning recipes from Fork To Spoon. Each one is a copycat of a popular store-bought blend, and each link takes you straight to the full recipe with exact measurements.

6 Homemade Spice Blends to Keep in Your Pantry

1. Homemade Fajita Seasoning (McCormick Copycat)

Homemade Fajita Seasoning (McCormick Copycat)
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Cumin leads the way in this smoky, warm blend, rounded out by coriander, chili powder, and garlic. It’s ready in 5 minutes, and about 4 tablespoons equals one store-bought packet. Use it on chicken, steak, shrimp, or a sheet pan of peppers and onions.

Get the recipe: Homemade Fajita Seasoning Recipe

2. Homemade Chili Seasoning Mix (McCormick Copycat)

Chili No Beans

One batch matches a 1.25 oz McCormick packet, enough for 1 to 1.5 pounds of ground beef or turkey. Chili powder, cumin, and oregano give it that bold, smoky flavor. Multiply the recipe by 8 or 10 to fill a jar for chili night, tacos, and soups all season long.

Get the recipe: Homemade Chili Seasoning Mix

3. Homemade Street Corn Seasoning (McCormick Copycat)

All the smoky, tangy, chili-lime flavor of Mexican elote in a shaker jar. Chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic, and lime come together in 5 minutes. Sprinkle it on grilled corn, chicken, shrimp, roasted veggies, or stir it into dips.

Get the recipe: Homemade Street Corn Seasoning Recipe

4. Homemade Old Bay Seasoning

Ran out of Old Bay mid-recipe? This copycat starts with celery salt, paprika, and black pepper, then layers in mustard, bay leaf, and warm spices like clove and allspice. It isn’t spicy, just savory and balanced. Perfect for shrimp boils, crab cakes, fries, and roasted potatoes.

Get the recipe: Homemade Old Bay Seasoning Recipe

5. Copycat Kinder’s Garlic & Herb Seasoning

Garlicky, herby, and bright with lemon peel, plus a gentle kick from red pepper flakes. One batch fills a standard spice jar and keeps for months. Tip: pulse it 2 to 3 times in a spice grinder so no single flake dominates.

Get the recipe: Copycat Kinder’s Garlic & Herb Seasoning

6. Montreal Chicken Seasoning (Grill Mates Copycat)

Homemade Montreal chicken seasoning blend in a small bowl with herbs and spices.

Coarse black pepper, kosher salt, and granulated garlic build a flavorful crust on chicken. Paprika adds color and dried minced onion adds texture. Use coarse pepper and granulated garlic, not powder, so the blend toasts instead of turning bitter on the grill or in the air fryer.

Get the recipe: Montreal Chicken Seasoning Recipe

How to Store Homemade Spice Blends

  • Use airtight jars. Small glass spice jars or mason jars keep moisture out.
  • Keep them cool and dark. A pantry or cabinet away from the stove keeps flavors fresh longer.
  • Label and date every jar. Ground spices lose punch over time, so aim to use blends within about 6 months.
  • Break up clumps. Blends with brown sugar or paprika can clump; a quick stir or shake fixes it.

Homemade Spice Blend FAQ

Are homemade spice blends cheaper than store-bought? Yes. Buying individual spices in larger jars and mixing your own costs far less per ounce than specialty packets and bottles.

Can I make these blends low-sodium? Absolutely. Reduce or leave out the salt in any of these recipes and season to taste when you cook.

How much homemade seasoning equals one packet? It depends on the blend. For the fajita seasoning, about 4 tablespoons equals one 1.12 oz packet; the chili seasoning recipe makes one 1.25 oz packet’s worth.

Do homemade spice blends make good gifts? They do. Fill small jars, add a handwritten label, and tie on a recipe card for an easy holiday or hostess gift.

More Homemade Seasonings from Fork To Spoon

Once you’ve stocked these six, try a few more:

Start Mixing

Five minutes and a few pantry spices are all it takes to replace a shelf full of store-bought packets. Pick one blend this week, mix a jar, and see how much flavor you’ve been missing. Which one will you make first? Let me know in the comments!