Name: Homemade Garlic Garlic Seasoning
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 8 tablespoons dried minced garlic; 2 tablespoons dried minced onion; 2 teaspoons sea salt; 2 teaspoons garlic powder; 1 teaspoon dried chives; 1 teaspoon dried dill; ½ teaspoon dried basil

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I used to keep a little shaker of garlic seasoning right by the stove until the price jumped and the flavor fizzled. So I did what most of us eventually do: I made my own. This homemade garlic seasoning uses pantry staples, takes about five minutes, and actually tastes like garlic (imagine that). It’s one of those small, satisfying DIY wins that saves money and makes dinner easier. Bonus: it turns into a ridiculously good garlic dip with almost no effort. Simple food, done smarter.

For years, this garlic dip was my quiet little party trick. I brought it to our annual holiday gathering, set it on the table with a bowl of chips, and watched it disappear every single time. The secret ingredient? A jar of Tastefully Simple Garlic Garlic Seasoning, the kind you grab once and then assume will always be there when you need it.

Until one year, it wasn’t.

I stood in the kitchen, recipe memorized, sour cream softening on the counter… and no seasoning. This was back before same-day delivery could bail you out before guests arrived (remember when you actually had to plan?). So I did what any determined, slightly panicked hostess would do: I went online, hunted down the ingredient list, and started experimenting.

It took a little trial and error… too salty, not garlicky enough, missing something, but eventually I nailed the ratios. And when I set that dip out, no one noticed a difference. Actually, that’s not true. They noticed it was better. The bowl was scraped clean, and more than one guest hovered with a chip, hoping for refills.

That was the moment it clicked. I didn’t just recreate a favorite. I made it future-proof. Because since then, that once-humble little jar has gotten harder to find and a lot more expensive. Paying $14.75 for 4.75 ounces of seasoning feels less like convenience and more like a dare. This homemade garlic seasoning costs less, uses ingredients you already trust, and gives you control over the flavor.

This recipe isn’t about nostalgia or copying something “just because.” It’s about keeping a good thing going in a way that makes sense now… busy days, tighter budgets. Five minutes of mixing buys you weeks of better dinners and a dip that still disappears faster than you’d expect.

MORE: Copycat Pasta Mama: Bring West Hollywood’s Favorite Dish to Your Kitchen

Pantry Ingredients You Already Have

Everything here is shelf-stable, easy to find, and forgiving if you need to improvise a little.

Dried minced garlic is the backbone. It gives you that real garlic bite without clumping or burning the way fresh garlic can. If yours has been sitting around a while and smells dusty instead of garlicky, it’s time to replace it. This blend depends on it.
Dried minced onion adds a subtle sweetness and depth that keeps this from tasting one-note. No minced onion? Onion powder works in a pinch. Just use about half as much since it’s more concentrated.
Sea salt pulls everything together. Fine-grain sea salt blends more evenly than coarse, but table salt works too. If you’re watching sodium, you can reduce it slightly or use a low-sodium salt substitute without hurting the flavor.
Garlic powder might seem redundant, but it fills in the gaps. Think of it as the background garlic flavor that makes the minced garlic shine. If you only have granulated garlic, that’s perfectly fine.
Dried chives add a mild onion note without overpowering anything. No chives? Dried green onions or even a small pinch of dried parsley will keep the balance right.
Dried dill brings a subtle brightness, especially important if you plan to make the dip. It’s what gives that “what is in this?” flavor. If dill isn’t your thing, dried parsley or a tiny pinch of tarragon can stand in.
Dried basil rounds things out with a soft herbal finish. Italian seasoning works as a substitute here. Just go light so it doesn’t take over.

The beauty of this blend is flexibility. You’re not baking a cake… you’re building flavor. If you’re missing one ingredient, don’t let that stop you. Adjust, taste, and make it yours.

How to Make Garlic Seasoning in 5 Minutes

This is the part where you don’t need to overthink anything. Grab a small bowl, measure everything in, and stir until the blend looks evenly mixed. A fork works just fine. So does a spoon you already have out.

Once mixed, transfer the seasoning to an airtight container. A small Mason jar is perfect because it seals well and lets you see when it’s time to make another batch. Give it a quick shake, label it if you’re feeling ambitious, and you’re done.

That’s it. Use it right away on meats, poultry, fish, roasted vegetables, or even sprinkled over salads and baked potatoes. It’s meant to live by the stove, not in a drawer… ready when dinner needs a little help.

MORE: Honey Garlic Salmon: A Quick & Flavorful Dinner in 10 Minutes

How to Store Homemade Garlic Seasoning for Fresh Flavor

Homemade seasoning only stays great if you store it well, and thankfully, this part is easy. An airtight container is non-negotiable. Air and moisture are the enemies here, so once your blend is mixed, seal it up and keep it dry.

For everyday use, a small glass spice jar with a shaker lid earns its keep. It lives happily by the stove and makes seasoning on the fly effortless. If you’re making a bigger batch, a half-pint or pint-size wide-mouth Mason jar works beautifully and is easy to scoop from when you need refills.

Stored properly, this garlic seasoning keeps its flavor for several months, longer if your spices were fresh to begin with. And yes, this is a fantastic gift.

Turn This Garlic Seasoning Into a Crowd-Pleasing Dip

If you want proof that this seasoning earns its spot in your pantry, this dip is it. Grab a bowl and stir together ¾ cup sour cream and ¼ cup mayonnaise until smooth. Sprinkle in 1 tablespoon of the garlic seasoning, give it a taste, then decide if you want more. You probably will, but start slow.

Cover the bowl and let it chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. s it sits, the dried garlic and herbs soften and bloom, and the flavor deepens in a way that surprises people every time. Stir once before serving and adjust if needed.

Serve it with chips, crackers, raw vegetables, or anything else that needs an excuse to be dipped. Just know this: once you bring it out, it will not come home with leftovers. And you’ll be asked again and again what’s in it.

homemade garlic seasoning blend pouring out of glass jar

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5 from 1 vote

Homemade Garlic Garlic Seasoning

A simple pantry seasoning that delivers bold, balanced garlic flavor. This homemade blend costs less, stores well, and works everywhere from roasted vegetables to a wildly popular garlic dip.

Prep Time5

Total Time5

Course: Seasoning, seasoning mix

Cuisine: American

Servings: tablespoons

Calories: 18kcal

Ingredients

8 tablespoons dried minced garlic
2 tablespoons dried minced onion
2 teaspoons sea salt
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried chives
1 teaspoon dried dill
½ teaspoon dried basil

Instructions

Add all ingredients to a small bowl.
Stir well until the mixture is evenly combined and free of clumps.
Transfer to an airtight container and seal tightly.
Store in a cool, dry place and use as needed.

Notes

This blend works on meats, poultry, fish, roasted vegetables, salads, baked potatoes, anything that needs a little help.

Fine-grain salt blends more evenly, but regular table salt works just fine.

For best flavor, use fresh spices (if your garlic smells faint or dusty, replace it).

Makes an excellent gift when packaged in a small jar with a simple label.

To make garlic dip: combine ¾ cup sour cream, ¼ cup mayonnaise, and 1–2 tablespoons seasoning. Chill before serving for best flavor.

Nutrition

Question: What’s the one seasoning you refuse to run out of and what do you use it on most? Share in the comments below.

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and on-topic in keeping with EC Commenting Guidelines

Jan says:

December 21, 2025 at 7:19 pm

I’ve been using your copy cat recipe for several years now – its the best. Now can you figure out how to copy Bacon Bacon?

Lindsay says:

December 19, 2025 at 2:17 am

Sounds good! What type of chips or crackers do you usually serve with this?

Mary Hunt says:
December 19, 2025 at 8:32 am

Tortilla strips, tortilla chips. Private Selection (Kroger store brand) Classic Water Crackers (super inexpensive, and often on sale for even less). Honestly, anything “dipable” like carrot sticks, celery sticks works well, too!

Homemade Garlic Seasoning That Beats Store-Bought

Pantry Ingredients You Already Have

How to Make Garlic Seasoning in 5 Minutes

How to Store Homemade Garlic Seasoning for Fresh Flavor

Turn This Garlic Seasoning Into a Crowd-Pleasing Dip