16 Best Homemade Seasoning and Marinade Recipes

If you're a fan of cooking and exploring new flavors, you may have already tried different seasoning and marinade recipes. While store-bought seasoning blends and sauces are convenient, they often contain preservatives and additives that may not be the healthiest option. Fortunately, making your own seasoning blends and marinades at home is easier than you might think, and it allows you to tailor the flavors and ingredients to your liking.

In this post, we've compiled a list of homemade seasoning and marinade recipes that will add a burst of flavor to your dishes. These recipes include some classic favorites like taco seasoning, Italian seasoning, and fajita seasoning, which are versatile and can be used in a wide variety of dishes. We've also included some more unique blends like Cajun seasoning, which is perfect for spicing up seafood and poultry dishes, and curry powder and garam masala, which are essential for creating delicious Indian-inspired dishes.

Collage of seasonign and marinade in different bowls.

Jump to:

Taco Seasoning
Italian Seasoning
Cajun Seasoning
Creole Seasoning
Fajita Seasoning
Chili Seasoning
Chicken Seasoning (Dry Rub)
Blackened Seasoning
Curry Powder
Garam Masala
Chinese Five Spice Powder
Homemade Teriyaki Sauce
Salmon Marinade
Chicken Fajita Marinade
Sweet and Sour Sauce
ChimiChurri Sauce

In addition to seasoning blends, we've also included some homemade sauce recipes that can be used as marinades or served as condiments. Homemade teriyaki sauce is a crowd-pleaser that is perfect for marinating chicken, salmon or beef, and sweet and sour sauce is a classic dipping sauce that pairs well with appetizers like egg rolls and spring rolls. Finally, we've included chimichurri sauce, a tangy and herbaceous sauce that originated in South America and is often used as a marinade or sauce for grilled meats.

We're always on the lookout for new and delicious recipes to share with our readers, and we'll be including some chicken, steak, and salmon marinade recipes in the future. These marinades will be perfect for adding flavor and tenderness to your favorite cuts of meat or seafood. Stay tuned for our upcoming post where we'll share these tasty marinade recipes with you.

Overall, making your own seasoning blends and marinades is a great way to add depth and complexity to your dishes while avoiding unhealthy additives. We hope this list inspires you to try out some new flavors and experiment with creating your own unique seasoning blends and sauces.

You could also find different collections of recipes below and more at recipe collections.

Taco Seasoning

Taco Seasoning is a classic Mexican spice mix known for its warm and spicy flavor profile. The mix is typically made using chili powder, paprika, black pepper, cumin powder, onion powder, garlic powder, and oregano. This homemade Taco Seasoning is often utilized to add flavor to taco fillings, taco soup, and taco rice. Its versatility extends to various proteins like chicken, shrimp, beef, salmon, and more, as well as roasted or baked meats and vegetables. The best part? this DIY Taco Seasoning remains fresh for up to six months at room temperature when made in bulk.

Italian Seasoning

Italian Seasoning is a sweet, savory, earthy, and aromatic herb blend, a popular kitchen basic used in Italian recipes. It is usually made with dried oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme, sage, and marjoram. This homemade spice mix is one of the best seasonings that can be used in a wide range of dishes like pasta, pasta sauce like marinara, alfredo, and bechamel sauce. It is also used in pizza, soups, and chicken dishes like fried chicken, chicken parmesan, seafood, and roasted and baked vegetables.

Cajun Seasoning

Cajun Seasoning is a spicy, zesty, and flavorful blend that hails from Louisiana. It is typically made with ingredients such as paprika, black pepper, onion, garlic, cayenne, and dried herbs like oregano and thyme. This homemade Cajun spice mix is easy to make and the best way to add flavor to a variety of dishes, including chicken, seafood like salmon and shrimp, and soups, as well as roasted and baked foods. The options are endless!

Creole Seasoning

Creole Seasoning is a bold, spicy, and lively spice blend. It's typically created using basic seasoning powders like paprika, cayenne, onion powder, garlic powder, and dried herbs. This homemade Creole seasoning is among the best spice mixes, brimming with fresh and aromatic flavors that can enhance the taste of steak, chicken, seafood, soups, and more

Fajita Seasoning

Fajita Seasoning is a classic Mexican spice mix renowned for its bold and spicy flavor profile. Typically made with chili powder, paprika, cayenne, cumin powder, onion powder, garlic powder, sugar, and salt. This homemade blend is often used to make chicken, shrimp, and steak fajitas, as well as roasted or baked meats and vegetables. The best part? When made in bulk, this Homemade Fajita Seasoning remains fresh for up to six months at room temperature.

Chili Seasoning

Chili Seasoning is a simple, easy-to-make, and flavor-loaded homemade condiment. It is usually made with chili powder or paprika, onion, garlic, cumin, coriander, and black pepper powder. These spices deliver the best flavor and taste to your favorite chili recipes such as white chicken chili, beef chili, vegetable chili, turkey chili, and more. This Homemade Chili Seasoning mix is one of the best seasoning recipes that comes in handy in under 10 minutes. And the best part is it stays good for up to 3 months at room temperature.

Chicken Seasoning (Dry Rub)

Chicken Seasoning is a simple and aromatic spice rub mix infused with herbaceous flavors. It's crafted from basic ingredients like paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, brown sugar, and dried herbs. This homemade chicken spice rub is an essential condiment for enhancing the taste of your chicken breast, thighs, wings, or fried chicken dishes. Whether you're baking, grilling, or frying, this seasoning can add depth and richness to your dishes.

Chicken seasoning mix or dry rub in a black bowl on a white tabletop.

Blackened Seasoning

Blackened Seasoning is a bold, spicy, and flavorful spice mix that originated from Cajun cuisine. Typically, it's made with a blend of paprika, garlic, onion, and black pepper powder, cayenne pepper, and dried herbs like oregano and thyme. This Homemade Blackened seasoning is one of the easy and best seasonings that can help create a flavorful blackened salmon, fish, or chicken using the blackening cooking technique.

Curry Powder

Curry powder is a warm, mildly spicy, and robust blend of spices that are packed with fresh aroma and flavor. It is typically made with Indian whole spices like coriander, cumin, mustard, fenugreek, and other seasonings. This homemade recipe for Curry Powder is one of the most simple and best ways to infuse the authentic flavors of Indian curries into your dishes. But it's not just curries that can benefit from the addition of Curry Powder, it's also a great way to enhance the taste of roasted and baked vegetables, side dishes, pasta, and rice for a burst of bold flavor.

Garam Masala

Garam Masala is a traditional and highly popular spice blend in Indian cuisine known for its warm and aromatic flavors. It is typically made using fresh, whole Indian spices that are roasted over low heat and then ground into a fine powder. This homemade Garam Masala recipe is one of the best seasonings for enhancing the flavor of most Indian curries, vegetables, biryani dishes such as lamb and chicken biryani, and other side dishes.

Chinese Five Spice Powder

Chinese Five Spice Powder is a bold, aromatic, and popular seasoning blend in Chinese cuisine. It's typically made using a combination of fennel seeds, cinnamon sticks, star anise, Szechuan peppercorns, and cloves. This homemade five-spice powder is easy to make and can be used to enhance the flavor of a variety of dishes, including chicken, pork, beef, salmon, roasted and baked vegetables, and stir-fried dishes.

Chinese 5-Spice Powder in a white cup with few ingredients scattered around.

Homemade Teriyaki Sauce

Teriyaki Sauce is a sweet, savory, and traditional Japanese seasoning loaded with umami flavors. It is usually made of Tamari, mirin sauce, brown sugar, honey, and basic aromatics. This Homemade Teriyaki Sauce is one of the best sauces to make Teriyaki Chicken, Teriyaki Salmon, or to flavor up chicken, seafood, or other meat dishes. You can also use the sauce in stir-fries, noodles, and soup to make some Asian-style dishes at home.

Teriyaki Sauce in a white square cup on a grey table with few ingredients around.

Salmon Marinade

Salmon Marinade is a delightful blend of sweet, savory, and zesty freshness. It's composed of simple ingredients like olive oil, paprika, lemon juice, garlic, brown sugar, and soy sauce, along with basic herbs and seasonings. This marinade stands out as one of the easiest and most flavorful condiments that can truly enhance the taste of your salmon, whether you choose to grill it, bake it, air fry it, or pan-fry it.

Chicken Fajita Marinade

Chicken Fajitas are a spicy, tender and flavor-packed Mexican dish typically made with boneless chicken breast or thighs, fajita seasoning, lemon juice, bell peppers, and onions. These Chicken Fajitas are among the best chicken dishes, perfect for serving during lunch or dinner. They create a well-rounded meal when paired with guacamole, pico de gallo, Mexican rice, tortillas, or other Mexican-inspired dishes.

Vibrant Homemade Chicken Fajitas showcased in a black bowl on a grey table. The dish bursts with the rich hues of green, yellow, and red bell peppers, complemented by fresh greens and a zesty lime slices.

Sweet and Sour Sauce

Sweet and Sour Sauce is a classic and popular sauce in Chinese cuisine, known for its unique sweet and sour flavor. It is usually made with soy sauce, vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, pineapple juice, and cornstarch. This homemade Sweet and Sour Sauce is one of the best and easy-to-make sauces that can be prepared in under 10 minutes. It is primarily used as a condiment to make sweet and sour chicken or pork, or as a dipping sauce for fried chicken dishes, egg rolls, snacks, or marinade for meats.

ChimiChurri Sauce

Chimichurri Sauce is a bright, vibrant, and flavorful oil-based condiment originating from Argentine and Uruguayan cuisine. Typically made with fresh ingredients such as parsley, oregano, shallots, garlic, olive oil, red chili, and red wine vinegar, this homemade sauce is one of the best accompaniments to grilled or roasted meats, seafood, and vegetables. It can also be used as a marinade to infuse the meat with its delicious flavors.

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