Make Your Own Seasoning Jars

Experiment with a few exotic flavors for variety.

A collection of spices can get out of control for even the most organized cooks. Small bottles and bags are hard to stack and store, take up precious shelf space, and make it difficult to keep track of what you have and when you bought it. Don't fumble through dozens of little bottles for a few favorite spices every time you cook. Pre-blended seasoning jars can help you clear a lot of clutter from your cabinet and make it convenient to just grab and sprinkle one all-purpose blend that contains all the flavors you want in a perfect balance. Specialty seasoning blends can put a serious dent in the grocery budget, so make your own seasoning jars and custom-design your flavors to suit your tastes.

Instructions

1. Run your mason jars, lids and bands through a dishwasher cycle, or wash them with warm, soapy water and allow them to air dry.

2. Place one lid for each jar on a piece of scrap wood. Use a nail and hammer to punch a dozen holes in the lid.

3. Mix your spice blend in a large bowl to create your seasoning blends, such as a barbecue spice rub, taco seasoning, pumpkin pie spice or an Asian stir-fry mix.

4. Scoop your seasoning into a dry mason jar. Place the hole-punched lid over the jar mouth. Place another solid lid on top of that, and screw on the band to hold them down.

5. Design an attractive label for your spice jar. Write the type of spice blend it is and mark the date you made it. Peel and stick labels onto the front of the jar.

6. Store the seasoning jars in a cool, dark, dry place. Shake the jar before using it to aerate the contents and redistribute ingredients that may have settled in clumps.

7. Remove the band and the two covers when you want to take a pinch or a spoonful of spices. Alternately, remove the band and the solid cover, then replace the band with the hole-punched cover in place. Tilt and shake the jar to sprinkle the seasonings on the food, and replace the solid lid before putting the jar back in storage.

8. Re-use bottles, bands and lids once empty. Wash thoroughly before refilling them, and replace labels as needed.

Tags: seasoning jars, your seasoning, seasoning blends, spice blend, your spice