Elevate your cooking game with my Homemade House Seasoning Recipe! It uses 4 simple ingredients in just the right proportions to bring out the best flavors of your home-cooked dishes!
The classic flavor is so versatile, making it perfect for salmon, green beans, chicken, and so much more!
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Reader Comment
“Just wanted to let you know that I made your house seasoning for your vegetable soup the other night, and my husband used the seasoning on his chicken wings he made in the air fryer and LOVED the seasoning! He was scraping the bottom of the air fryer drawer. Your recipes are always winners.“
Stacey E.
Proper seasoning is essential to bringing out the best flavor in a dish, and cooks around the world know this. Adding flavor to your food can be somewhat intimidating, but here’s a trick that I’ve used for years—I make my own house seasoning.
What Is House Seasoning?
“Mama Salt,” as it’s called in my house, is a combination of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. So, while it uses staple ingredients, the key to its success is in the proportions. So whether you want to keep a container of it on the counter (like me) or need it for a specific dinner recipe, it will be the perfect seasoning for nearly any situation!
What Makes This Seasoning So Special?
- Way better than store-bought and cheaper coming in at about half the price and none of the additives of store-bought.
- Brings out the flavors of any dish thanks to the very specific ratio of ingredients.
- Fast to put together as it only takes a few minutes, which I would argue is less time than it would take to drive to the store to buy a house seasoning.
What Is In House Seasoning?
- Kosher Salt – Salt brings out the natural flavors of any other ingredient, so it’s much needed in an all-purpose spice mix. I use Kosher salt but sea salt works as well.
- Black Pepper – for a little spice.
- Garlic powder – adds that classic spice to the mix.
- Paprika – sweet or smokey can be used.
Variations and Additions
This seasoning blend is simple for a reason: to make it as versatile as possible. I highly encourage you to experiment with adding other spices to find your house seasoning flavor. Below are just a few spice ideas to try.
- Onion powder
- Dried parsley
- Dried basil
- Chili powder
- Italian seasoning blend
How To Make Homemade House Seasoning
- Measure out all the ingredients and place them in a small bowl or jar. Mix until evenly distributed.
- Store in an airtight container.
Success Tips
- Don’t be afraid of how much salt is in the mix. Salt has a very specific purpose, triggering your brain to look for more flavor. This is why when you add salt to the dishes (sweet or savory), the other flavors are more flavorful!
- Turn it into a gift by packaging this blend in a jar with a label and ribbon. It makes a great holiday gift!
Recipe Questions and Answers
This spice mix will last for a good long time, years really, but it starts to lose its flavor strength after about 9 months.
I always have mine stored in a spice jar next to the stove but any sealed container will work. A mason jar with a lid is another good option.
Yup, this recipe is easy to scale up or down. If you make a double batch, you can gift some, and you can scale down if you only need a bit for a few recipes.
Certainly! You can add some heat with cayenne or red pepper flakes or add a French flare with dried parsley.
What To Do With This Spice Mix
You can do so much with this spice mix, from meat to vegetables, salad, and pasta; it’s a workhorse of a seasoning blend. Some of my favorite ways to use it are on the steak in a Grilled Steak Salad, popcorn, or on Crispy Smashed Potatoes!
More Easy Recipes Like This
If you tried this Homemade House Seasoning Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
Ingredients
- 8 tablespoons kosher salt
- 3 tablespoon pepper
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons paprika
Instructions
- Measure out ingredients and place in a small bowl. Mix together.
- Store in covered container.
Video
Notes
- This spice mix will last for a good long time, years really, but it starts to lose its flavor strength after about 9 months.
- This recipe is easy to scale up or down. If you make a double batch, you can gift some, and you can scale down if you only need a bit for a few recipes.
Nutrition
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I’m new to cooking and really love it. I made your chicken and my husband said it was the best he has ever had! Thank you
Terra, thank you so much and tell your husband how much I appreciate his amazing comment! I am so glad you are following and cooking with me.
~Donya
If making grilled burgers my southern dad adds hickory smoked salt, garlic powder, black pepper. That’s what I grew up with and make burgers this way. The recipe here is good for everything else!
Thanks so much!
~Donya
I make this but put a little sugar, maybe a half teaspoon and it just adds so much flavor.
I really love your seasonings.
Thank you so much.
Hey there Hannelore!
Thank you so much for your sweet words, I really appreciate your support! This seasoning goes well with so many different recipes and proteins, I keep a small jar of it on my counter at all times. I’d love to hear what recipes you make with this seasoning, I really hope you enjoy!
~Donya
Any certain paprika should I use? Sweet, smoked??
Hey Phyllis.
I use regular sweet paprika.
Have a wonderful day,
~Donya
Paprika what is purchased in a grocery store Asta 120, Mexican paprika Asta 85 (little orange in color) Hungarian Asta 140 (Highest quality Bright Red in color)
What a great recipe and I love the name “mama salt” Can’t wait to make this up!!
These boys like to name everything I make. I must say, I LOVE IT! Make some up, friend and get to sprinkling.
Thanks for stopping by, Melissa.
XO,
~Donya