Looking for a clever and budget-friendly Christmas gift idea? Why not create your own homemade Mrs. Dash Salt-Free Seasoning Blend? It’s the perfect small gift for teachers, neighbors, and even as stocking stuffers. With just a few spices you likely already have, you can make a big batch to share. Plus, we’ve got a free gift tag download to make gifting even easier!

I’ve always wondered about her. Is she still alive? How did she come up with the idea? I’m guessing Mr. Dash’s doctor prescribed a salt-free diet. And that’s about as far as my curiosity for Mrs. Dash ever took me, that is until Diane from Calif., showed up in my inbox a couple of years ago. Her message nudged me to get learn more about Mrs. Dash—a whole lot more!

Dear Mary: I was preparing to order more Mrs. Dash salt-free seasoning mix, but balked at paying $9.99 for a 2.5-ounce jar. Do you have a make-it-yourself alternative? Thank you so much. I look forward to your newsletter every day. Diane D.

Well, yes, I do have that—but I couldn’t help digging in to learn all about the Mrs. Dash brand origination and history. Turns out Mrs. Dash and her culinary skills are not at all what I’d imagined.

Actually, It’s Mrs. B.

Back in the 1980s, while a marketing executive at Alberto-Culver, Carol Bermick was frustrated with the products available to flavor the meals she prepared for her family. She invented a salt-free blend of her own to fill the need for a convenient way to flavor food without using salt. It was so well received by the execs at Alberto-Culver, she went on to develop the entire product line. Before settling on the name Mrs. Dash, the company considered “Mrs. Pinch.”

Carol moved up the ranks, eventually serving as Executive Chairman of the company until Alberto-Culver was acquired by Unilever in 2011. In early 2020, the product was rebranded as Dash, dropping the “Mrs.” from its name.

Clone of Mrs. Dash

With all of that out of the way, I moved quickly to my semi-vast, priceless library to come up with the winning copycat recipe for the Mrs. Dash Original Salt-Free Seasoning Blend. Meet Todd Wilbur, of Copycat Recipes fame.

The guy is amazing—part sleuth, part scientist, the rest comedian. I’m a fan, not only for Todd’s entertainment value but because every copycat recipe of his that I have ever tried has come out spot on. And Mrs. Dash is no exception. Todd’s copycat version is a dead-ringer for the real deal. And that means for Diane D., you, and me—no more paying $4.04 per ounce for Mrs. Dash.

With this copycat recipe and a collection of spices, you’ll be all set to clone Mrs. Dash Original Salt-Free Seasoning Blend for just pennies!

Top Secret Recipes Step-by-Step by Todd Wilbur

While this is my favorite of Todd’s books (there are many), it does not include the Mrs. Dash copycat recipe, which you will see below.

A Small Investment for Big Flavor

Let’s be real: this recipe calls for a lot of spices. But don’t let that scare you off! You probably already have some of them in your spice rack—and if not, no worries. Yes, a few might seem a bit pricier than just grabbing a bottle of Mrs. Dash, but here’s the thing: once you’ve made this small investment, you’re set for months, if not longer. And for the best deals, check out local dollar stores, Aldi, or Trader Joe’s.

The beauty of this recipe is that it uses just a small amount of each ingredient. You’ll be using only 1 to 1 ½ teaspoons of most spices to make an entire batch of this homemade blend (about 6.42 oz.), compared to Mrs. Dash’s 2.5 oz. That means your new spice collection will last for a long time, making it a wise investment.

Total cost for all ingredients: ~$17.60
Cost per batch: Since the recipe uses such small amounts of each ingredient, you’ll be paying about $0.50-$1.00 per batch, depending on where you shop and what you already have on hand. This batch yields roughly 2/3 cup, or about 50 servings (½ tsp each).
Cost per serving: Approximately $0.01-$0.02 per serving!

Though your first purchase may seem like a bit more of an investment, the long-term savings are well worth it. Plus, you’ll be able to make many more batches at a fraction of the cost of buying premade seasoning.

Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Homemade Mrs. Dash

Making your own Mrs. Dash seasoning blend is not only super easy, but it’s also a fun DIY project that’ll have your kitchen smelling amazing in no time. The best part? You might already have most of these spices on hand. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:

¼ cup dried minced onion flakes (crushed)
4 tsp dried vegetable flakes (crushed)
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp dried orange peel
2 tsp coarse ground black pepper
1 tsp dried parsley
½ tsp dried basil
½ tsp dried marjoram
½ tsp dried oregano
½ tsp dried savory
½ tsp dried thyme
½ tsp ground cayenne pepper
½ tsp ground cumin
½ tsp ground coriander
½ tsp dried mustard
¼ tsp celery seed
¼ tsp Kool-Aid unsweetened lemonade drink mix (yes, you read that right—it’s the secret ingredient!)
1 pinch crushed dried rosemary

These spices come together to create the savory, zesty Mrs. Dash flavor without any added salt.

Step-By-Step Guide to Making Homemade Mrs. Dash Seasoning

Making your own Mrs. Dash seasoning blend is a breeze! Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a batch ready to spice up your meals in no time.

Gather Your Ingredients

Take a look in your spice rack and make sure you have everything you need. Most of these ingredients are easy to find at your local store or discount shops (hello, Aldi!). If you’re missing something, no problem—you can always order it online or grab it next time you’re out.

Measure and Mix

Now that you’ve got your spices ready, it’s time to measure and mix. Add all of the ingredients to a small bowl. If you have a mortar and pestle, give the onion flakes and vegetable flakes a good crush so they’re about the size of rice grains (you can also use the back of a spoon). Stir everything together, crushing the leafy herbs as you go to create a finer blend.

Store It

Once your spices are well-mixed, transfer the blend into a sealed airtight container or shaker bottle. Store it in a cool, dry place, and your seasoning will stay fresh for months.

Use and Enjoy

Now comes the fun part—using your homemade Mrs. Dash! Sprinkle it on vegetables, grilled chicken, pasta, salads—pretty much anything that could use a little flavor boost. The best part? You can season as lightly or as generously as you like, without a single grain of salt.

Looking for a Clever, Budget-Friendly DIY Christmas Gift Idea?

If you’re looking for a thoughtful gift that’s both useful and easy on the wallet, homemade Mrs. Dash seasoning blend checks all the boxes. Not only does it make for a fantastic DIY gift, but it’s also a practical present that recipients will actually use. Plus, it’s salt-free, making it suitable for those on special diets or anyone looking to add flavor without the sodium. Pair it with the free gift tag we’ve created, and you’ve got a personalized, budget-friendly Christmas gift anyone will appreciate!

Once you’ve prepared a big batch of your homemade seasoning, package it in a cute 4-ounce glass jar. It’s the perfect size to gift, and it looks lovely when paired with a decorative ribbon or twine. To make your DIY gift extra special, we’re offering a free download of these printable round labels, perfectly sized for your jars. Simply print them at home, stick them on your jars, and voilà – a personalized gift that feels both homemade and professional.

Download the Mrs. Dash labels here →

Accguan 4oz Small Glass Jars with lids...

Cotton Twine, 328 Feet Red & White - Craft...

Avery® Round Printable Labels, 2.5" Diameter...

christmas gifts diy homemade mrs dash diy seasoning recipe 2024 guide everyday cheapskate budget shop by price

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5 from 3 votes

Copycat Mrs. Dash Salt-Free Seasoning Blend

Get ready for a flavor-packed seasoning blend that’s as close to the real thing as it gets—without the salt and at a fraction of the price! The ingredients might seem numerous, but once you make this one-time investment, you’ll have a batch that lasts for ages. Plus, since you only need a pinch of each ingredient, you'll be set to add a burst of flavor to countless dishes for months to come. Once you try it, you'll never want to go back to store-bought.

Prep Time10

Total Time10

Course: seasoning mix

Cuisine: American

Servings: (½ teaspoon per serving)

Calories: 1kcal

Author: Todd Wilbur

Ingredients

¼ cup dried minced onion flakes crushed, see Notes
4 tsp dried vegetable flakes crushed, see Notes
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp dried orange peel
2 tsp coarse ground black pepper
1 tsp dried parsley
½ tsp dried basil
½ tsp dried marjoram
½ tsp dried oregano
½ tsp dried savory
½ tsp dried thyme
½ tsp ground cayenne pepper
½ tsp ground cumin
½ tsp ground coriander
½ tsp dried mustard
¼ tsp celery seed
¼ tsp unsweetened Kool-Aid lemonade drink mix
Pinch of crushed dried rosemary

Instructions

Mix it up: Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. As you stir, crush the leafy herbs and spices to make them finer for a more even blend.
Store it: Transfer your seasoning to a sealed shaker bottle or airtight container for storage.

Notes

Yield: About 2/3 cup (6.42 oz) or roughly fifty ½-teaspoon servings.

For spices that are harder to find, check Amazon for vegetable flakes, dried orange peel, and savory.

If you have a mortar and pestle, it’s great for crushing the onion and vegetable flakes into rice-sized pieces. If not, simply use the back of a spoon and a sturdy bowl.

Nutrition

Question: What’s the most creative DIY gift you’ve given (or received) for Christmas? Share your ideas below.

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So tasty! says:

October 22, 2024 at 12:34 pm

Hi Mary;
Thank you for this recipe. My favorite comes from another brand that makes salt-free chicken. I can sprinkle this on everything!! I love it on corn. It’s nice and smokie flavored.

What could I add to your recipe to make it similar. The ingredients are : dehydrated vegetables (onion, roasted garlic, garlic, green bell pepper, tomato, toasted onion), spices and herbs, inactive yeast, high oleic sunflower oil, citric acid, annatto, sugars (sugar, corn, maltodextrin, ascorbic acid, natural flavor, soy lecithin.

Karla says:

September 13, 2023 at 5:42 pm

Wouldn’t little jars of homemade “Dash” make a great small Christmas gift for Sunday School teachers, neighbors, stocking stuffers for family members, etc.? As long as you have all these ingredients, why not make a big batch?

Teri says:

September 13, 2023 at 3:21 pm

These days there are thankfully many salt-free blends available (I’ve been buying one at Dollar Tree for years). Dollar Tree also has Colonna seasonings, including salt-free garlic/herb and “everything”.

George Moy says:

September 10, 2022 at 9:15 pm

Before I got interrupted I was trying to find out IF you had a recipe for Mrs Dash Crispy Coating mix they used to sell it at the store but they don’t make it anymore.Its like Shake and Bake, but with the seasoning of Mrs Dash minus the salt. I tried to find out if the company that owns Mrs Dash knows anything about this product or not.

Very Good says:

May 26, 2022 at 4:42 pm

Tastes just like the original – kind of a pain in the neck to make but it lasts a long long time (I make a double batch and seal it in extra air tight bottles.

Cally Ross says:

May 25, 2022 at 6:20 am

Fascinating!! thanks for the history, and the recipe

Lizabeth says:

May 24, 2022 at 3:55 pm

Where do you find the Schilling dried vegetable flakes? Link, please?

Mary Hunt says:
May 25, 2022 at 5:07 am

Good question, Lizabeth. You’ve sent me back into research mode. Some time while I wasn’t paying attention, the Schilling and McCormick spice companies merged. For a while, it was known as McCormick-Schilling but now seems to have dropped the Schilling brand name altogether. And since, McCormick has discontinued a boatload of products. I’m talking 1000s … take a look HERE. Dried vegetable flakes are available under different brands, and I am certain we can make a substitution there. Look for “dried vegetable flakes” or “vegetable flakes.” This Marshalls Creek Spices Vegetable Flakes would be a good choice. Just make sure you crush those flakes well as Todd suggests in the copycat recipe.
- Debbie N says:
  June 29, 2022 at 9:33 am
  
  I get bulk spices in small quantities from the health food store. They’re fresh and no need for all the leftover plastic bottles to pollute the environment

Ann L says:

May 24, 2022 at 3:03 pm

I tried another copycat recipe for Mrs Dash but it wasn’t anything like the original. I will try this one because I have everything except the Kool-Aid and I’ll find a sub for that.

Mary Hunt says:
May 25, 2022 at 4:26 am

You might sub with citric acid …

DIY Mrs. Dash Salt-Free Seasoning: A Homemade Christmas Gift Idea

Actually, It’s Mrs. B.