A good schnitzel starts with a nice, crispy crust, but the spices are just as important. The right spice mix gives the meat a full, savory flavor without overpowering it. The nice thing is that you can very easily make schnitzel spices yourself with herbs and spices that many people already have at home.

In this blog we show which spices go well with schnitzel, how to make a balanced spice mix yourself and how best to use it.

New to making schnitzel? Read our comprehensive guide first 'How do you make a perfect schnitzel?'. Want to know afterwards how to get a crispy breading? Also check out 'Breading schnitzel: how to keep it crispy'.

Which spices do you use for schnitzel?

A classic schnitzel has a mild, spiced flavor where the meat remains central. That is why a combination of warm spices and aromatic herbs is usually chosen.

The most used spices are:

• paprika powder;
• black pepper;
• white pepper;
• garlic powder;
• onion powder;
• dried parsley.

For extra depth you can add small

At BBQ everything is about flavor, texture and timing. You pay attention to your marinade, choose the right spices and watch the doneness of your meat. But one simple step often makes the biggest difference: finishing your dish with fleur de sel.

In this blog you will discover why fleur de sel (also called pyramid salt) works so well with grilled meat and how to use it optimally on the BBQ.

New to this type of salt? First read our blog “What is fleur de sel and why is it so special?” for the basics.

Why especially for BBQ?

During grilling meat loses moisture and develops a rich, roasted flavor. That is exactly what fleur de sel complements perfectly.

1. Extra flavor without overpowering

Fleur de sel has a milder, more refined taste than regular salt. As a result it enhances the natural flavors of meat without masking them.

2. Perfect texture

The fine, crunchy crystals give a subtle bite. Especially with a juicy steak or grilled chicken this provides a nice contrast.

3. More control

BBQ spareribs really get character with a good dry rub. This dry spice mix provides a deep, spicy flavor and a nice crust while grilling. The big advantage? You don’t need a marinade and the flavors penetrate the meat immediately.

In this blog you will learn how to make a dry rub for spareribs yourself, how to use it, and how to take your BBQ to the next level.

Prefer a versatile spice mix for different dishes? Also check out our blog about barbecue spice mixes:
https://www.naturalspices.nl/blog/maak-zelf-de-beste-barbecue-kruidenmix

What is a dry rub?

A dry rub is a mixture of dry herbs and spices that you rub directly onto meat. Unlike a marinade, a dry rub contains no liquid, which means:

• the flavor is more concentrated
• you get a crispy, flavorful crust
• the meat caramelizes better on the BBQ

For spareribs, a dry rub is the way to create that typical BBQ flavor.

Make your own dry rub for spareribs (basic recipe)

With this recipe you can easily make a balanced spice mix:

Ingredients

Lamb has a naturally rich, full flavor. With the right herbs you can make the meat fresher, more herbaceous, or warmer and deeper in taste. Making your own seasoning for lamb is simple and often much tastier than standard mixes from the supermarket.

In this blog you will discover which herbs pair well with lamb, how to easily make your own herb mix and how to use it for lamb chops, rack of lamb, lamb mince or pulled lamb from the BBQ.

Which herbs go well with lamb?

Lamb pairs well with Mediterranean herbs and warm spices. Especially fresh and earthy flavors complement the character of the meat.

Popular herbs for lamb are:

• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Oregano
• Garlic
• Cumin
• Coriander
• Paprika powder
• Black pepper
• Mint
• Lemon zest

For a more Middle Eastern flavor you can also add cinnamon, sumac or ras el hanout.

Recipe: make your own herbs for lamb

This herb mix goes well with almost all types of lamb.

Ingredients

• 2 tsp dried rosemary
• 2 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp oregano
• 2 tsp paprika powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp ground

Why make your own fish seasoning?

With a homemade fish seasoning mix you can quickly add more flavor to salmon, cod, shrimp and other types of fish without ready-made packets or unnecessary amounts of salt. You also choose which herbs and spices to use and can adjust the mix to your taste.

A good homemade fish seasoning mix combines fresh herbs, mild spices and a little bit of heat. Ideal for oven-baked fish, barbecue, airfryer recipes or quick weeknight meals.

Looking for inspiration on which herbs best suit different types of fish and cooking methods? Also read our blog about seasoning and preparing fish.

Basic recipe for homemade fish seasoning

This spice mix is fresh, lightly spiced and versatile.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp dried parsley
• 1 tbsp dill
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp onion powder
• 1 tbsp lemon pepper
• 1 tsp smoked paprika powder
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp sea salt
• ½ tsp chili flakes (optional)

Preparation

Mix all the herbs well together in a bowl and store the mix in a sealed spice

When you go barbecuing or cooking with herbs, you'll quickly encounter two techniques: a marinade and a dry rub. Both add flavor, but the effect on your dish is completely different. By understanding the difference well, you can more easily choose the right approach and get more out of your ingredients.

What is a marinade?

A marinade is a liquid mixture in which you let meat, fish or vegetables soak. Usually composed of:

• Acid (lemon, vinegar, yogurt)
• Fat (oil)
• Flavorings (herbs, spices, garlic)

A marinade not only adds flavor, but also helps make meat more tender and juicier. This makes it especially suitable for larger cuts of meat or longer cooking processes.

When do you use a marinade?

• For larger cuts of meat (chicken, beef, lamb)
• If you want to retain juiciness
• When you have time to let it soak in

What is a dry rub?

A dry rub is a dry spice mix that you rub directly onto your ingredients. During cooking or grilling a spiced crust (bark) forms that provides lots of flavor and texture.

Taco seasoning from a packet is convenient, but often quite salty and less pronounced in flavor. By making taco seasoning yourself, you get a mix that is fuller, spicier and better balanced.

And it takes you less than 5 minutes.

Which spices are in taco seasoning?

A good taco seasoning combines warm, earthy and mildly spicy flavors:

• Paprika powder
• Cumin
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Oregano
• Chili powder
• Black pepper

This combination provides that recognizable Tex-Mex flavor.

Recipe: make taco seasoning yourself

Ingredients

• 2 tsp paprika powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp oregano
• ½ tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp salt (optional)

Preparation

Mix all the spices in a bowl and store in a sealed jar.

How do you use taco seasoning?

Use about 1–2 tablespoons of spice mix per 500 grams of minced meat, chicken or vegetarian filling.

Brown your meat or vegetables first, then add the spices with a splash of water. Let it simmer briefly so the flavors infuse.

Italian herbs form the basis of many beloved dishes. Think pasta, pizza and casseroles – it often all starts with a good herb mix. By making an Italian herb mix yourself, you not only control the flavor, but also the quality and balance.

Moreover, you always have a fresh blend on hand, without unnecessary additives.

Which herbs are in Italian herbs?

A classic Italian herb mix consists of a combination of dried Mediterranean herbs. The most used are:

• Oregano
• Basil
• Thyme
• Rosemary
• Marjoram
• Sage (optional)

The power lies in the balance: fresh (basil), spicy (thyme) and slightly bitter (oregano).

Recipe: make your own Italian herb mix

Ingredients

• 2 tsp oregano
• 2 tsp basil
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp rosemary (finely chopped)
• 1 tsp marjoram
• ½ tsp sage (optional)

Preparation

Mix all the herbs well together and store the mix in an airtight jar in a dark place.

How do you use Italian herbs?

This mix is widely usable in the kitchen:

• In tomato sauces for pasta
• On pizza or focaccia
• In grilled vegetables

Making gyros seasoning yourself is surprisingly simple — and the result is often much tastier than ready-made mixes. You have full control over the flavor, can adjust saltiness and heat, and work with pure spices without unnecessary additives.

Whether you make gyros with chicken, pork, or a vegetarian version: a good spice mix lays the foundation for a dish that always works.

Why make gyros seasoning yourself?

Many ready-made gyros mixes contain relatively high amounts of salt or fillers. That isn't necessary for a full flavor.

By mixing yourself:

• you determine the flavor balance yourself
• you use only what you need
• you get a fresher, more powerful taste
• you can adjust it per dish (chicken, veg, airfryer)

Classic gyros spice mix (basic recipe)

Ingredients:

• 2 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1 tsp paprika powder
• ½ tsp cumin
• ½ tsp ground coriander
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp salt (optional)

How to make it:
Mix all the spices well together and store

Chicken is actually always a good idea. But especially in nice weather chicken gains an extra dimension — on the barbecue, in the kamado or just quickly in the pan or airfryer.

That's when you want the flavor to be right. And more and more people are looking for ways to season chicken themselves: less dependent on ready-made mixes, more control over flavor and ingredients.

In this article we share two popular flavor profiles that are often searched for:

• Spicy chicken seasoning mix

• Smoky BBQ chicken seasoning mix

Perfect for long summer evenings, quick weeknight meals or a good BBQ session.

Recipe 1: Spicy chicken seasoning mix

Ingredients

• 2 tsp paprika powder (sweet)

• 1 tsp cayenne pepper (or to taste)

• 1 tsp chili flakes

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp onion powder

• 1 tsp cumin

• ½ tsp black pepper

• ½ tsp salt (optional)

Method

1. Mix all the spices well together in a small bowl.

2. Taste and adjust the spiciness (more cayenne = hotter).

3. Store in an airtight jar or use immediately.

What to pair it with