6 Spice Blends to Take You All Over the World Without Leaving Your Kitchen

What’s the difference between chicken souvlaki and fajitas de pollo? Not much—it all comes down to spices. When ancient Greeks had no access to the hot peppers common in South America, they instead covered their chicken in Mediterranean herbs, like garlic and oregano.

Understandably, cuisines have historically developed around ingredients native to the region. That’s why turmeric makes an appearance in Indian curries or tikka masala, but not in traditional French recipes like coq au vin. But once global trading took off in the Middle Ages, everything changed. Soon, wealthy Europeans could buy ginger from India, vanilla from the New World, and saffron from the Middle East. And that paved the way for more culinary innovation—like vindaloo, an Indian dish inspired by Portuguese food and the burrito, a Mexican dish developed in the American southwest.

Now, home cooks can take their recipes around the world without ever leaving the house with Thrive Market’s new spice collection! There are 15 in all, including Mexican go-tos cumin and cayenne, Italian favorites basil and garlic, and Indian standbys turmeric and pepper.

Even better, mixing up a few spice blends can instantly transport your dinner to another place. Here are six to try—each recipe makes at least six servings, and stays fresh for several weeks in a sealed container.

6 easy DIY spice blends

Mexican

• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Best in: Tacos, fajitas, any protein

Indian

• 2 tablespoons curry powder
• 2 tablespoons turmeric powder
• 2 tablespoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Best in: Curries, lentils, any protein

French

• 2 tablespoons thyme
• 2 tablespoons oregano
• 2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper

Best in: Vinaigrettes, soups, any protein

Italian

• 4 tablespoons Italian seasoning
• 2 teaspoons basil
• 2 teaspoons oregano
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons thyme
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Best in: Vinaigrettes, sauces, pasta dishes, meatballs, any protein

Greek

• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons basil
• 2 tablespoons oregano
• 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons thyme
• 2 teaspoons onion powder

Best in: Sautéed vegetables, grain-based salads, chicken, fish, and lamb

Turkish

• 2 tablespoons ground cumin
• 2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Best in: Sautéed vegetables, chicken, lamb, and beef

Shop all 15 Thrive Market spices here. Bonus: they’re just $2.95 apiece.

Photo credit: Alicia Cho