# Premade spice blends: Do you use them? Which ones? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [December 16, 2021, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premade-spice-blends-do-you-use-them-which-ones/956160 "2021-12-16T16:46:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2021, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premade-spice-blends-do-you-use-them-which-ones/956160/81 "2021-12-18T16:47:41Z")
When Bill Penzey, Jr. switched to a low-salt diet, he decided that everybody else had to switch too. So he reformulated a bunch of their spice blends to be salt-free and (in the opinion of many, including me) screwed them all up. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2021, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premade-spice-blends-do-you-use-them-which-ones/956160/82 "2021-12-18T16:49:10Z")
You can add salt. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2021, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premade-spice-blends-do-you-use-them-which-ones/956160/83 "2021-12-18T16:51:33Z")
I generally don’t buy blends to mess with them. I expect them to be perfect as sold. Bill isn’t my doctor - he doesn’t get to tell me to lower my salt intake. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2021, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premade-spice-blends-do-you-use-them-which-ones/956160/84 "2021-12-18T16:54:25Z")
I didn’t think he did. It’s reasonable for you not to want to buy a product you don’t like. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2021, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premade-spice-blends-do-you-use-them-which-ones/956160/85 "2021-12-18T17:00:00Z")
> [@susan](#): > > You can add salt. Right; and not only can you add salt to salt-free spice blends, but you also cannot take salt away from salted spice blends. A salt-free blend is useful to low-sodium folks as well as salt-lovers like myself, whereas a salted spice blend is only useful to folks like myself. As long as I don’t decide to make some sort of principled stand against (gasp!) adding salt to my dishes along with the spice blend, I can stay a customer, AND the low-sodium folks can become customers. It seems a very strange thing to object to. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2021, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premade-spice-blends-do-you-use-them-which-ones/956160/86 "2021-12-18T17:02:43Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Nitpick: Penzey’s, not Penney’s. Probably a typo. Yep, stoopid spellcheck ‘fixed’ it for me. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2021, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premade-spice-blends-do-you-use-them-which-ones/956160/87 "2021-12-18T18:05:40Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > It seems a very strange thing to object to. If they had just introduced salt-free versions and kept the original blends around I wouldn’t have said a word. But they didn’t. And since the ENTIRE FREAKING WORLD is about **me** , I objected to this change. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2021, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premade-spice-blends-do-you-use-them-which-ones/956160/88 "2021-12-18T18:19:06Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Ethiopian berbere spice – very, very hot Where do you get your berbere? I would love a good recommendation. As I mentioned earlier in this thread, I don’t think the Penzeys is very good; it just tastes hot but not complex. When I lived in Egypt I used to source it from actual Ethiopians, and damn the stuff I got from them was amazing. ([This recipe](https://www.daringgourmet.com/berbere-ethiopian-spice-blend/) sounds like it might produce a good result, maybe I’ll try it sometime.) ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2021, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premade-spice-blends-do-you-use-them-which-ones/956160/89 "2021-12-18T18:36:57Z")
I’m lucky enough to be in an area (DC/Northern Virginia) with tons of Ethiopian immigrants, which means lots of Ethiopian restaurants and markets. Usually the one I get is unmarked/unlabeled at one of these markets, which means (I assume) someone makes it at home nearby. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2021, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premade-spice-blends-do-you-use-them-which-ones/956160/90 "2021-12-18T18:38:16Z")
If Zatarain’s took the salt out of their Creole seasoning, I would be very annoyed and switch to another brand – a big part of the reason I use it is convenience (and that it’s pre-measured); if I had to add salt back that would defeat both purposes. So I get why @silenus is annoyed – I would be too. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2021, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premade-spice-blends-do-you-use-them-which-ones/956160/91 "2021-12-18T18:44:12Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Usually the one I get is unmarked/unlabeled at one of these markets, which means (I assume) someone makes it at home nearby. I burn with jealousy. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2021, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premade-spice-blends-do-you-use-them-which-ones/956160/92 "2021-12-20T12:43:26Z")
> [@Paintcharge](#): > > Can’t find the **sumac** comment now, but I’ve made [musakhan](https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/musakhan) 5 or 6 times. I use boneless breasts and drizzle with tahini at the end Sounds great, will be trying this. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premade-spice-blends-do-you-use-them-which-ones/956160/93 "2021-12-21T20:16:47Z")
I use a lot of Penzey’s Chicago Steak, Frozen Pizza, and Pie blends. Enough so that I buy the 1.5 cup bags. I haven’t managed to develop a love of their Mural or Revolution blends, so they’ve been more of a "What can I put this stuff into? thing. I’ve put a bunch of either into chicken and turkey stocks as I can’t bear throwing away fresh herbs. Chicago Steak goes on steaks (duh) and into hamburgers, I’ll turn a frozen pizza green with Frozen Pizza. Pie - amazing stuff that I dump gleefully into banana bread, muffins, cakes… After McCormick discontinued their Lemon & Herb blend, I found a very close version at the local restaurant supply. It’s my go-to for baked/roasted chicken. I tried blending my own from an online recipe claiming to be a copycat, and now have a bunch of oddball herbs to use up as the “fresh” version just wasn’t the same. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premade-spice-blends-do-you-use-them-which-ones/956160/94 "2021-12-21T20:27:43Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > ([This recipe](https://www.daringgourmet.com/berbere-ethiopian-spice-blend/) sounds like it might produce a good result, maybe I’ll try it sometime.) I’ve tried to reproduce some of the food from [The Blue Nile](http://bluenileferndale.com/), an Ethiopian restaurant that’s one of my wife’s and my favorites. I’ve been underwhelmed by store-bought berbere too, but I tried to make it myself once, I’m pretty sure with that exact recipe from that site, and it turned out very similar to the flavors from The Blue Nile! ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2021, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premade-spice-blends-do-you-use-them-which-ones/956160/95 "2021-12-21T20:37:20Z")
My brother is a professional chef. He trained in classical French cuisine at the California Culinary Academy. He once confided to my mother that he likes Mrs. Dash. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2021, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premade-spice-blends-do-you-use-them-which-ones/956160/96 "2021-12-30T11:15:16Z")
> [@Paintcharge](#): > > Can’t find the **sumac** comment now, but I’ve made [musakhan](https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/musakhan) 5 or 6 times. I use boneless breasts and drizzle with tahini at the end. Meant to say: thanks for this recommendation. Made it last week to great acclaim from the family. I used legs as per the recipe. Liberal application of lemon juice is recommended. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2022, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premade-spice-blends-do-you-use-them-which-ones/956160/97 "2022-01-06T21:07:43Z")
My wife got me a couple of spice blends for christmas, along with a new cookbook: _[Mastering Spice](https://www.laboiteny.com/products/mastering-spice?variant=30236144107625)_ by Lior Lev Sercarz, a former chef who runs a spice shop in NYC. I’ve tried a couple of the recipes in there and both were excellent; I am looking forward to trying more. I thought some folks in this thread might be interested. ---
**Author:** ![Mark\_Myers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df788c/32.png) [@Mark\_Myers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mark_Myers)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2022, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premade-spice-blends-do-you-use-them-which-ones/956160/98 "2022-03-20T07:50:44Z")
Heya solost, my all time favourites revolve mostly around the 3 blends that am going to mention below: Cajun spice blend, Indian garam masala and everything bagel. I think I can be pretty much laid back if I have these in store and I have scores of guests showing up this evening. my saviours round the clock. I blend them on my own. I get the whole spices from local [spice suppliers](https://www.helaspice.com/na) i have known for years. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2022, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premade-spice-blends-do-you-use-them-which-ones/956160/99 "2022-03-20T13:33:45Z")
I’ve only just recently discovered Penzey’s [Justice](https://www.penzeys.com/online-catalog/justice/c-24/p-3228/pd-s) spice mix blend (previously mentioned by @RealityChuck). It’s a mix of onion, chive, shallot, green onion, garlic and green peppercorns. Damn, I love that stuff on my breakfast sandwiches! I now use it in place of plain old onion powder. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2022, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premade-spice-blends-do-you-use-them-which-ones/956160/100 "2022-03-21T16:47:59Z")
I know this is not “pre-made” as in store-bought. I have started using my own mix in a grinder, usually containing a varying combo from our spice cupboard, and a re-used spice grinder from some commercial brand. I just toss in some whole peppercorns, himalayan salt crystals, cumin seeds, toasted garlic (that I toasted myself), red pepper flakes or smoked dried chilies, and a few dried greens like maybe basil, chives, and parsley. Use in various stir fry, sauté, scrambled eggs, olive oil dip with focaccia, etc. Everything has to be very dry going in the container, but it lasts several weeks before needing a refill. No, I do not carefully measure, so each batch is slightly different, and depends on what we have in stock. As they say, variety is the spice of…well, you know. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premade-spice-blends-do-you-use-them-which-ones/956160.md?page=4)