Homemade Mixes for Popular Pantry Staples

Ranch Dressing and Dip Mix

This versatile ranch dressing mix converts easily into a creamy dip or smooth salad dressing. It's delicious served with fresh veggies or drizzled over greens. —Carolyn Zimmerman, Fairbury, Illinois

Taco Seasoning Mix

Create your own zippy taco seasoning for spicing up Mexican dishes. It's handy and less expensive than buying envelopes of prepared mix from the store. —Karen Owen, Rising Sun, Indiana

Cream-Style Soup Mix

This easy soup mix is a wonderful substitute for canned cream soup in a recipe. It’s great to have on hand for those nights when you need to whip up supper in a hurry. —DeAnn Alleva, Worthington, Ohio

Herb Mix for Rice

This flavorful herb mix for rice is a great recipe to mix ahead as a side with baked chicken or pork chops. Just increase or decrease the amount for the servings needed. —Arlene Haupt, Madison, Wisconsin

Creole Seasoning Mix

I make up this creole seasoning to have on hand when a recipe calls for Creole or Cajun seasoning. —Marian Platt, Sequim, Washington

Tex-Mex Seasoning Mix

This spice mix goes together quickly and makes a great little gift to include with holiday greetings for neighbors and coworkers. They can mix it into chili and scrambled eggs, use it to season tacos and burritos, or add zip to a can of refried beans. —Tammy Rose, Danville, Arkansas

Homemade Pickling Spice

I can every year, and I love to use this homemade pickling spice for my pickles. Everyone says they are the best they have ever had. —Olivia Miller, Memphis, Tennessee

Seasoning Salt

I've been making this seasoning salt for many years. Try sprinkling it on pork chops, seafood, chicken and steak. —Bonnie Poole, Madison, Wisconsin

Herb Mix for Dipping Oil

We combine a blend of herbs to create this mouthwatering mix. Plumping the herbs in water before stirring into olive oil enhances the flavor.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Ready Gravy Mix

This dry gravy mix keeps up to six months, so any time you yearn for chicken or beef gravy, you can stir up a portion. You'll love its just-made flavor and convenience. —Edie DeSpain, Logan, Utah

Paprika Dry Rub

A friend gave me the recipe for this delicious dry rub. I love the tongue-tingling punch it gives poultry. —Jackie Kohn, Duluth, Minnesota

Spice Mix for Chili

This spice mix comes from my mother's chili recipe, which is fantastic. It'll make a great gift for the hearty eaters you know, especially if you pair it with a loaf of bread. —Vivian Huizinga, Shallow Lake, Ontario

Dixie Herb Rub

My husband loves it when I season chicken with this flavorful blend, but it's also good with beef and pork. We like to slice the leftover meat for sandwiches the next day. —Traci K Wynne, Denver, Pennsylvania

Zesty Salt Substitute

Folks on a low-sodium diet will fall for this salt substitute. I usually double the recipe because it beautifully seasons a variety of foods. —Peggy Key, Grant, Alabama

Homemade Vanilla Extract

Homemade vanilla is fun to give in decorative bottles with attractive labels. Share it with special friends who like to cook or bake. —Becky Jo Smith, Kettle Falls, Washington