Homemade Rice Seasoning
Take your boring steamed rice up a notch with this flavor-packed homemade rice seasoning mix.
It comes together in under 5 minutes with a few pantry staples, and can be stored for months. Just like my homemade chaat masala, this can instantly elevate the flavors of pretty much anything you sprinkle it on- it's THAT versatile.

The last couple of years, I have been experimenting with making my own spice mixes from scratch, and after a LOT of trial and error, I have perfected a range of seasonings that my family is obsessed with.
My vegan ranch seasoning mix received a lot of love from my friends who were sensitive to dairy, and my homemade lemon pepper seasoning was an absolute star for sprinkling over grilled chicken and French fries. Then, a few days later, I tried Furikake- a stunning Japanese rice seasoning which became my personal favorite. So of course, I had to try making another simpler, versatile rice seasoning mix too.
Quick Look
- 🔪Prep time: 2 minutes.
- ⏲️Cook time: 0 minutes.
- 👪 Servings: 8.
- 📋Main ingredients: Garlic granules, onion powder, mixed herbs, paprika, salt & pepper.
- ♨️Cooking method: Combine all ingredients 🡢 mix well and store.
- ⭐Difficulty: Very easy.
- 🥣Serving ideas: Add a spoonful of the seasoning into the pot while cooking your rice or sprinkle it on the top right before you serve.
Jump to:
What's So Great About the Recipe?
- It's really easy and effortless. Just like my Japanese sesame salt, you'll just need 5 minutes of kitchen time to make this.
- No preservatives or additives here, and since you're making it from scratch, you can adjust the mix-ins to your liking.
Recipe Ingredients

Onion + garlic: I used onion powder and garlic granules to build that savory base.
Paprika: Just a bit, for that color and heat.
Herbs: I used a mix of dried oregano, thyme and parsley.
Salt & pepper: The basics, for flavor. You can also use an infused salt like celery salt or citrus salt if you want to.
See recipe card for quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
- Don't have the individual dried herbs that the recipe calls for? You can use packaged or homemade mixed herb seasoning too.
- Want a stronger kick of heat? Swap the paprika for cayenne or jalapeno flakes.
How to Make Homemade Rice Seasoning

Step 1: Combine all the ingredients in a shallow bowl.

Step 2: Mix well and transfer to an airtight container.
💭Top Tip
Since this is a mix of spices and herbs, make sure you use the best quality, freshest ingredients. It makes all the difference in the end result!

Tips & Tricks to Nail the Recipe
- I really like the slightly chunky texture from the garlic granules. You can use garlic powder if you don't prefer that.
- Sometimes, I also use my mixed herb salt or garlic parsley salt to amp up the flavors of the rice seasoning.
- Make sure the bowl and the container where you're storing the homemade rice seasoning is completely dry. Even a bit of moisture can cause the seasoning to spoil.
- Air Fryer dehydrated bell peppers can also be a wonderful addition to the seasoning mix. I add it in sometimes whenever I make a batch.
- For even more flavor, you can use whole peppercorns, slightly dry roast them to make them aromatic, crush them and then add them into the seasoning mix.
How to Use Homemade Rice Seasoning
Homemade rice seasoning- just like my vegetable bouillon cubes- is one of those simple pantry staples that instantly upgrades everyday meals. The easiest way to use it is by stirring it directly into freshly cooked rice while it’s still warm. A light sprinkle along with a bit of butter (try my jalapeno butter), ghee, or oil helps the flavors melt into the grains evenly.
And of course, you can also use it as a classic seasoning for your vegetables or protein. Sometimes, I like to sprinkle it over my oven roasted vegetables, classic French fries or even popcorn. It's just like my jalapeno salt- versatile and effortlessly delicious!

Troubleshooting and FAQs
You can store the leftover rice seasoning for up to 3 months in a clean, airtight container at room temperature. Make sure you keep it in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight.
More Seasonings to Try
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
If you tried this homemade rice seasoning or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

Homemade Rice Seasoning
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic granules
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a shallow bowl.
- Mix well and transfer to an airtight container.
Notes
- Since this is a mix of spices and herbs, make sure you use the best quality, freshest ingredients. It makes all the difference in the end result!
- I really like the slightly chunky texture from the garlic granules. You can use garlic powder if you don't prefer that.
- Make sure the bowl and the container where you're storing the homemade rice seasoning is completely dry. Even a bit of moisture can cause the seasoning to spoil.
- For even more flavor, you can use whole peppercorns, slightly dry roast them to make them aromatic, crush them and then add them into the seasoning mix.
- Air Fryer dehydrated bell peppers can also be a wonderful addition to the seasoning mix. I add it in sometimes whenever I make a batch.









