You control the spice, the heat, and the freshness.

Plus anti-caking agents, and a questionable level of freshness.

That’s why I love making my own seasoning blends.

A jar of Cajun seasoning with a spoon in it

Simply Recipes / Sharee Hill

Hot tip: when making blends with ground hot peppers, don’t inhale deeply!

In fact, wear one of the pandemic masks you have tucked away.

It’ll prevent lots of sneezes.

Taco Seasoning in Spoon and More in a Bowl

Simply Recipes / Marta A Rivera Diaz

Take it from a gal who learned the hard way.

I’m never switching back.

This blend is so easy, too.

Hamburger Seasoning outside in a glass jar.

Mike Lang

It’s a fine started blend for DIYers.

It’s now a required tool in my burger arsenal.

Try it and the difference between seasoned and unseasoned burgers will wow you.

Bowl of Old Bay Seasoning With a a Spoon, Sitting on a White Kitchen Towel Next to Lemon Leaves and Lemon Wedges

Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Margaret Dickey / Prop Styling by Lydia Pursell

This particular seasoning is somewhere between Montreal-style and Chicago-style.

Coarse salt stands up to well-marbled cuts.

For something unexpected, mix it intomeatloaf.

Jar of Steak Seasoning Next to a Spoonful on the Counter

Simply Recipes / Jen Causey

Pumpkin Pie Spice

Pumpkin pie spice is a one-stop spice shop for all of your fall baking needs.

Besides pumpkin pie, add it to delights likepumpkin spice blondies,pumpkin cream cheese muffins, andpumpkin snickerdoodles.

Our version is contributor Karishma Pradhan’s go-to.

A jar of steak rub, open

Simply Recipes / Irvin Lin

Add it to sausage gravy or bake up our reader favorite, 1970s-stylechicken and rice casserole.

Make it and you’ll be bagel-izing your favorite dishes left and right.

This additive-free recipe gives more flavor teaspoon per teaspoon than the shakers you’d find at the store.

Homemade pumpkin pie spice blend in a jar on a wooden cutting board.

Cambrea Gordon

I made mine at the end of the growing season with herb garden excess.

This is also great on brisket or pork butt.

Jar of Garam Masala Next to a Spoon and Jar Lid

Simply Recipes / Karishma Pradhan

Jar of Jerk Seasoning With a Label Reading “Jerk Spice”, and in the Surroundings, a Kitchen Linen and a Bowl With Whole Allspice and Cinnamon Sticks

Simply Recipes / Alica Ramkirpal-Senhouse

Jar of Poultry Seasoning With a Spoonful of Seasoning Next to a Navy Blue Table Napkin

Simply Recipes / Jen Causey

Bowl of Fajita Seasoning With Some in a Spoon Resting on the Bowl, and on the Counter, a Kitchen Towel

Simply Recipes / Jen Causey

Bowl of Everything Bagel Seasoning With a Wooden Spoon and Next to a Black and White Stripped Kitchen Towel

Simply Recipes / Jen Causey

Homemade adobo seasoning in clear jar

Marisel Salazar / Simply Recipes

Italian Seasoning in a Jar Sitting on a Cutting Board

Simply Recipes / Lori Rice

Jar of Pork Chop Seasoning with Pork Chops in Background

Simply Recipes / Lori Rice

Overhead view of Dukkah spice blend in a glass container.

Simply Recipes / Prerna Singh

Memphis-Style Pork Ribs Seasoned with Dry Rub Spices

Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

Spoon Pouring Homemade Sazón Mix into a Jar with Shaker in Background

Marisel Salazar / Simply Recipes

All Purpose Spice Rub for Fish and Seafood - labeled glass jar with spice rub

Irvin Lin