How to Make Prairie Dust Seasoning: Boost Your Meals with This Magic Blend

Prairie Dust Seasoning Recipe is the perfect copycat blend if you want Longhorn Steakhouse’s seasoning on your steak, fries, and sandwiches.

It’s also a healthier option that you can enjoy guilt-free. And the best part? It won’t cost an arm and a leg like those premade blends. You just need a few pennies worth of ingredients to whip up a batch.

prairie dust in cream ramekin

Prairie Dust Seasoning Blend Recipe

A perfect seasoning mix made with everyday spices. You'll love having this as your house seasoning on everything from steak to seafood.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Serving Size 20

Equipment

  • small mixing bowl
  • small jar

Ingredients 

  • 2 tablespoons salt
  • 2 ½ teaspoons paprika
  • 2 ½ teaspoons ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions 

  • Combine Ingredients: Add salt, paprika, ground black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper to your small mixing bowl. Stir the ingredients thoroughly using a whisk or fork for an even mixing and distribution of all spices. Make sure there are no clumps and the mixture has a uniform color and texture.
  • Store for Use. Transfer the well-mixed seasoning into the small jar. Ensure the jar is dry before adding the seasoning to avoid clumping. Seal the jar tightly to preserve the freshness of the spices. Label the jar with the date to keep track of its shelf life.

Notes

For the best taste, ensure that your spices are fresh. Over time, spices lose their strength. In case your spices have been sitting in your cupboard for more than a year, think about getting new ones.
You can adjust the amount of cayenne pepper in the mix according to your taste. If you like milder seasoning, reduce the cayenne pepper by half.
To get a consistent flavor, use measuring spoons for all your spices. Make sure to level off each spoonful for precision, ensuring that each batch of seasoning tastes the same.
Instead of mixing the spices directly in a bowl, you can use a spice grinder or a small food processor to blend everything smoothly. This helps to break down any larger granules, especially salt, making the seasoning more uniform.

More Tips:

Make sure you taste a small piece of cooked potato or bread before storing your blend. This way, you can decide whether to add or reduce spices according to your taste. 

Remember to label your seasoning jar with the name and the date it was made. It helps you to keep track of the freshness and easily find it in your spice cabinet.

When making a larger batch, keep the ratios of the ingredients the same to maintain the flavor balance. You can gift larger batches to your friends or family who enjoy cooking.

mixed seasoning in white bowl

Serving Suggestions

Prairie Dust Seasoning Blend pairs well with grilled chicken breasts, roasted vegetables, baked potatoes, scrambled eggs, popcorn, or steak.

About the Ingredients

You can try these alternatives when making your Prairie Dust Seasoning Blend:

  • Salt: Use kosher or sea salt instead of table salt for a different texture.
  • Paprika: Smoked paprika is a great alternative for a smoky flavor.
  • Black Pepper: You can use pepper for a milder taste.
  • Cayenne Pepper: If you want less heat, you can use red pepper flakes instead of cayenne pepper, or skip it altogether.
plate of salt, cayenne, pepper, and other seasonings

Remember that these substitutions may affect the overall taste of your seasoning blend, so it’s best to experiment with different ingredients to find the perfect blend that suits your taste buds.

Storage Instruction

Store your seasoning in a container that seals tightly, such as a jar, to keep your seasoning fresh.

Place the container in a cool, dry place, like a cupboard or pantry, away from direct sunlight. This will help keep it fresh and prevent clumping. If you do this right, the seasoning should remain fresh for about six months, and while it may lose some of its flavor after that, it’s still safe to use.

Avoid freezing this type of seasoning, as spices don’t freeze well, and the moisture may affect the taste and texture.

close up of homemade seasoning blend

We hope you enjoy making and using your own Prairie Dust Seasoning Blend. This simple recipe is perfect for elevating everyday dishes with minimal effort.

picture of smiling female

By Katie Shaw

Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




5 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Just the right amount of spices and so favorable on everything including country fried potatoes…thank you so much!

  2. Planning to make some of this tomorrow for the steaks I’m thawing out. Don’t store your spices and herbs too close to the stove/range because the heat breaks them down .. they do better in a cool, dark place.

  3. 5 stars
    I put it in a magic bullet and ground it down fine, sprinkled it liberally on some steaks, and it tastes great. No complaints from the kids either. Thanks!