Although the American cowboy wouldn’t have carried all of these ingredients with him while driving cattle across the west, this recipe simulates how he seasoned his steak before cooking it on the campfire. The notable flavor combination here is red pepper and coffee.

½ cup chipotle powder
¼ cup finely ground coffee
¼ cup cumin seed powder
¼ cup ground paprika
¼ cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons fine sea salt
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons ground brown mustard
2 teaspoons coriander seed powder
1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon Mexican allspice powder

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl; stir well to mix. Scoop into an airtight container until ready to use.

This rub is incredibly good on grilled or roasted chicken. Try it on grilled vegetables and bean dishes too.

3 tablespoons garlic granules
3 tablespoons cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon coriander seed powder
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
½ teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl; stir well to mix. Scoop into an airtight container until ready to use.

This combination provides some heat with spice and a hint of citrus. Works well with beef, chicken or pork.

2 tablespoons chipotle powder
1 tablespoon African bird pepper
3 tablespoons coarsely ground black pepper
2 tablespoons oregano
1 tablespoon cilantro
1 tablespoon bay leaf (cut & sifted)
2 teaspoons yellow mustard seed powder
2 teaspoons garlic granules
1 teaspoon cumin seed powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon orange peel powder

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl; stir well to mix. Scoop into an airtight container until ready to use.

Use this savory blend on grilled chicken, potatoes, eggplant and other vegetables.

½ cup dried basil
2 tablespoons dried thyme
2 tablespoons dried oregano
2 tablespoons dried rosemary
2 tablespoons crushed fennel seeds
2 tablespoons garlic granules
1 course sea salt
1 tablespoon coarsely ground black pepper

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl; stir well to mix. Scoop into an airtight container until ready to use.

This blend highlights the complex flavors of Creole cooking, which is a fusion of French Caribbean and African American cuisines.

½ cup yellow mustard powder
¼ cup cumin seed powder
¼cup celery seed powder
3 tablespoons coarsely ground black pepper
2 tablespoons sea salt
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon garlic granules
1 tablespoon onion granules
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl; stir well to mix. Scoop into an airtight container until ready to use.

This mix is made for chicken, whether grilled by the piece or roasted whole.

2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons ground ginger
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons orange peel powder
1 tablespoon chipotle
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cloves

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl; stir well to mix. Scoop into an airtight container until ready to use.

Discover more information about Blending Herbs & Spices to make some DIY Dry Rubs
in the archived edition of our June 2015 email.
Or get more recipe ideas/inspiration from our
Pinterest Board - [ blending herbs & spices ]