Learn how to make four homemade spice blends that add big flavor to your cooking—onion soup mix, taco seasoning mix, Italian dressing mix, and Greek seasoning. Make once, cook easier for months. These homemade blends live in my spice cabinet and pull their weight.
I don’t keep brownie mix or cream-of-anything soup in the house, but I do have a serious thing for homemade spice blends in bulk. These are my flavor workhorses—nothing fancy, just faithful–just like my Bosch mixer. They are easy to mix, hard to mess up, and full of flavor. I make them a few times a year and use them constantly.
They live in old Parmesan cheese shakers in my cabinet. My kids know exactly which jars to grab. I mix once, label it, and boom—easy flavor until they run out. My out-of-state daughter even asked me to fly some to her when I went for a visit. I double and triple bagged them but my clothes still smelled spicy.
Onion Soup Mix (Bulk)
A homemade version of that iconic little packet—just made to last. I use this in:
- Meatloaf muffins
- Slow cooker pot roast
- Seasoned rice or roasted potatoes
- onion dip
It’s oniony without being too much, and the dehydrated onions melt right in—perfect even for the onion-wary folks in my family.
👉 Get the Onion Soup Mix recipe »
Italian Dressing Seasoning (Bulk)
Forget the store bottle or packet. This dry mix is great for:
- Pasta salad dressing
- Plain green salad with vinegar and oil
- Greek Yogurt Chicken
- Tossing in a crockpot with roast, pepperoncinis, and butter
- Roasted potatoes (along with the onion soup mix)
It’s tangy, herby, and a go-to in my kitchen.
👉 Get the Italian Dressing Seasoning recipe »
Greek Seasoning (Bulk)
Bright, earthy, and Mediterranean. I love using it in:
- Rice or orzo with lemon juice and feta
- Chicken (grilled, baked, or Instant Pot or my Greek chicken recipe)
- Roasted vegetables with olive oil
Mix up a jar and sprinkle liberally.
👉 Get the Greek Seasoning recipe »
Taco Seasoning (Bulk)
We go through this one FAST. Use it in:
- Taco meat (1–2 Tbsp per pound)
- Grandma rice (add some beans & lime)
- Cheater enchiladas or King Ranch casserole
- Stirred into bean dip for game day
Make a big jar—it won’t last long.
👉 Get the Taco Seasoning recipe »
Why Bulk Is Better
This all started back in my couponing days when we were a one-income family and every dollar mattered. I learned to buy big spice containers, mix up my own blends, and avoid those pricey little packets that were laden with all kinds of unpronounceable ingredients. MSG and I are not friends! And I am pretty sure the Italian blend had sugar in it, so I removed that too.
Now? I make a batch a few times a year and always have flavor ready to go. These bulk blends are fresher, cheaper, and so easy to customize. Low salt? More heat? Extra garlic? No problem.
Give It, Use It, Love It
I’ve even gifted these blends—paired with a crockpot or Instant Pot—for bridal showers. Not everyone will use them, but just having the option to cook something flavorful and easy? That’s a great start.
Whether you’re freezer cooking, fridge-foraging, or just plain tired, these jars will save your dinner more times than you can count. These aren’t fancy. They’re functional. They’re real-life seasoning staples, made for the way I (and now you) actually cook.
Real food. Real kitchens. Real love.–The Food Civilian