Seasoned salt can be a wonderful thing... if you make it yourself. This Homemade Seasoned Salt recipe is easy, SUPER tasty.. and customizable!
Originally published August 7, 2020. Updated on 5/23/2021
I know I'm more known for recipes that are a bit more involved, but today I'm changing it up a bit and sharing my Homemade Seasoned Salt Recipe!
Up until maybe 5 years ago - when I was in my mid 30s! - Seasoned salt had exactly one purpose in my life - for making my adaptation of my aunt's Dill Dip Recipe
I had that one little canister of Lawry's in my spice drawer, and it could be YEARS old.. I really didn't use it often. I didn't see the point, to be honest.
I've never been a fan of premixed seasonings in general, and have always just really preferred to season things from scratch.
For instance, the "Old Bay" that people use for seafood boils?
I much prefer building the flavours from scratch, like I do in my Low Country Boil!
My Seasoned Salt Turning Point
Anyway, that all changed one year when we were at one of our "nerd camp" conventions in Chicago.
One evening, a bunch of us went out to some seafood restaurant nearby.
I don't remember the restaurant, I don't remember the meal... but I DO remember looking over their souvenir type offerings (?), and they were selling little canisters of seasoned salt.
I found it a little odd, but decided to pick one up. It was a cheap little memento from the trip, and hey... it would have to be better than the 10-year-old stuff in my cabinet, right?
It was SO much better. You could actually taste the various ingredients in it, rather than "This tastes like salt, bachelor living, and additives".
It didn't last long.
I didn't want to wait for the next October to go get some more, so I tinkered around with creating my own homemade seasoned salt recipe.
Homemade Seasoned Salt
After some messing around with ratios, I ended up with one base recipe, and 2 variations that I loved - depending on my mood, and what I'd be using it on.
The base recipe is the one I use the most often. If I'm making the dip, that's the one I'll use 85% of the time. It's what I usually reach for to sprinkle on chicken, fish, fries/tots, or whatever.
Even Air Fryer Perogies, to more closely mimic arena perogies!
The smoky one is... well, when I'm in the mood for adding a smokier flavour to my food - especially when we're making grilled veggies, or grilled meat. I don't usually tend to use this one for dip, though.
The smoky one with a kick, I'll use for all of the above, but when I want a bit more spice in things. This one is particularly great on popcorn, btw.
Smoked Serrano Powder
If you haven't discovered the joys of smoked serrano powder, maybe this will be a good excuse to pick some up. Spicier than chili powder, and much more deep, smoky, rich, and complex.
Try it in my Roasted Cauliflower Soup with Smoked Serrano Drizzle, or in basically any chili recipe, for starters. SO good.
Anyway.
Homemade Seasoned Salt Variations
For Smoky Seasoned Salt: Swap the Paprika out, replace with Smoked Paprika. Replace some or all of the salt with smoked sea salt, to your taste.
For Smoky Seasoned Salt with Kick: Make the adjustments for Smoky Seasoned salt. Leave out the Cayenne. Add 1-2 teaspoon of Smoked Serrano Powder, to your taste
A Note on Equipment
I have a mini food processor (Like this one, but an older model) that I love to use for things like this.
I find it mixes it more thoroughly than just doing it by hand, and it also makes the particles more uniform in size - so you won't have to worry about any weird settling/leveling happening.
If you don't have a spice grinder or mini food processor, you'll probably just want to give your spice jar a shake before using the seasoned salt, to make sure everything redistributes well.
More Seasoning & Condiment Recipes
Looking for some healthy recipes for tasty ways to add a little something extra to your dish? Here are a few ideas:
Basil Pesto
Berbere Seasoning
Canadian Popcorn Seasonings
Chow Chow Relish
Cilantro-Mint Chutney
Diana Sauces (Replica Recipes)
Hop Extracts
Roasted Garlic
Vanilla Extract
Homemade Mayonnaise
Furikake Seasoning
Honey Dill Dipping Sauce
Honey Garlic Cooking Sauce
Hoppy Dill Pickle Relish
How to Make Compound Butters
Mediterranean Seasoning for Wings
Montreal Steak Spice & Marinade
Olive Salad for Muffalettas
Pistachio Dukkah
Porter's Yogurt & Ice Cream Topping
Roasted Beet Ketchup
Smoky Dry Rub for Wings
Sushi Sauce Recipes
Tangerine Thyme Dry Rub
Thai Cilantro Pesto
Share the Love!
Before you chow down, be sure to take some pics of your handiwork! If you Instagram it, be sure to tag me - @CelebrationGenerationCA - or post it to My Facebook Page - so I can cheer you on!
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Well, the published nonsense, anyway!
Homemade Seasoned Salt
Equipment
- Spice Grinder, optional
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon Garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon Onion powder
- 1 tablespoon Paprika
- 1 ½ teaspoon Fine Grind Black Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Cayenne
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a spice grinder or mini food processor (optional), blitz until blended
- If making by hand, stir until well combined.
- Store in an airtight container.
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