Homemade seasoned salt is a kitchen staple that every home cook should have in their pantry. This simple spice blend takes just minutes to whip up and instantly enhances the flavor of countless dishes. If you’re looking for a versatile seasoning that can rival store-bought brands and add a touch of magic to your meals, this homemade seasoned salt recipe is a must-try. Inspired by classic kitchen wisdom and reminiscent of the hearty, flavorful cooking style of the Pioneer Woman, this blend will quickly become your secret weapon for delicious, home-cooked meals.
The individual spices for seasoned salt are measured and ready to be mixed in a bowl.
For years, seasoned salt has been my go-to kitchen hack for adding depth and complexity to simple dishes. It’s a flavor booster that my family reaches for time and time again. This recipe is my attempt to recreate a beloved seasoned salt from a local spice shop that sadly closed its doors. But guess what? The homemade version turned out even better than the original!
Trust me, taking a few minutes to mix this up is a game-changer. Sprinkle it on your favorite chicken tenderloins or roasted vegetables, and you’ll be hooked, just like we are.
Why This Seasoned Salt Recipe Stands Out
Why make your own seasoned salt when you can buy it at the store? Because this homemade recipe is simply superior. After experimenting with various commercial seasoned salts, I’m convinced that this version is the best for several reasons:
- Perfectly Balanced Flavor Profile: This blend achieves that ideal harmony of savory, subtly spicy, and just a hint of sweetness. No single spice overpowers the others; instead, they work together to create a truly delicious and well-rounded flavor.
- Unbelievably Versatile: From your morning eggs to your evening steak, this seasoned salt complements a vast array of savory dishes. Think chicken, potatoes, popcorn, vegetables, and so much more. The possibilities are endless!
- Naturally Appealing Color: Thanks to the turmeric and paprika in the mix, this seasoned salt adds a beautiful golden hue to your food. It’s an all-natural way to make your dishes look as good as they taste.
- Subtle Sweetness: Don’t let the tablespoon of sugar fool you – this isn’t a sweet seasoning. The touch of sugar is just enough to enhance the other flavors, adding depth and complexity without making it taste sugary.
Simple Ingredients for Homemade Flavor
If you enjoy cooking from scratch, you likely already have most, if not all, of these ingredients in your spice rack. Instead of pulling out multiple spice jars every time you cook, why not have the convenience of this pre-mixed seasoned salt ready to go?
Here’s what you’ll need to create this flavorful blend:
- Cayenne Pepper: Don’t worry, it won’t make your seasoned salt overly spicy. If you prefer a spicier kick, feel free to double or even triple the amount of cayenne. Cayenne pepper is a fantastic natural flavor enhancer that elevates everything it touches.
- Celery Seed
- Garlic Salt
- Onion Powder
- Paprika
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Turmeric: This spice is responsible for the lovely golden color of the seasoned salt and adds a warm, earthy note to the overall flavor.
- Sugar: Just a touch to balance the savory spices.
- Table Salt: While I usually use kosher salt for general cooking, table salt works best here because of its fine texture, ensuring a smooth and even blend.
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Easy Steps to Mix Your Seasoned Salt
Making homemade seasoned salt is incredibly simple and takes just minutes. Here’s how:
- Measure the Spices: In a small mixing bowl, combine the sugar, garlic salt, onion powder, paprika, rosemary, thyme, celery seed, turmeric, and cayenne pepper.
The measured spices for homemade seasoned salt are in a decorative ruffled bowl.
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Mix Well: Use a spoon or fork to thoroughly combine all the spices until they are evenly distributed.
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Add the Salt: Add the table salt to the spice mixture and stir it in completely.
Achieving a Finer Seasoned Salt Texture
This is what your seasoned salt will look like right after mixing. You might notice slightly larger pieces of rosemary and thyme throughout the blend. This texture is perfectly fine and adds a rustic, appealing look to your dishes. However, if you prefer a smoother seasoned salt, especially if you plan to use it in a shaker, you might want to reduce the size of the herbs.
A close up view of the finished homemade seasoned salt in a bowl, showing the color and texture of the blend.
Here are two easy ways to make your seasoned salt smoother:
- Hand Crushing: Place the rosemary and thyme in a zip-top bag. Seal the bag and use a rolling pin or mallet to gently crush the herbs into smaller pieces. Then, add them to the rest of the spices and mix.
- Spice Grinder: If you have a spice grinder, you can pulse the entire seasoned salt mixture briefly. Be careful not to over-grind it into a powder; you just want to break down the larger herb pieces.
Simple Storage Solutions
For easy access, store your homemade seasoned salt in a spice jar with a shaker lid near your stove. A mason jar in your pantry also works well. If you’re short on space, a labeled zip-top bag is a great space-saving option. This is particularly useful if you like to keep multiple homemade spice blends on hand.
Delicious Serving Suggestions
Now that your seasoned salt is ready, you’re probably eager to use it! Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy it:
- Frozen Potatoes: Sprinkle it generously over frozen French fries, tater tots, or potato wedges before baking for a flavor boost that will rival restaurant fries. It’s also fantastic on oven-roasted mini potatoes.
- Chicken: Elevate plain chicken breasts or thighs with a simple sprinkle of seasoned salt before cooking. It’s especially delicious on air fryer chicken tenderloins.
- Popcorn: Take your movie night popcorn to the next level by adding seasoned salt along with butter.
- Seasoned Pretzels: Make a quick and easy snack of seasoned pretzels for parties or movie nights.
- Party Dips: Seasoned salt is a key ingredient in many savory dips, including classic dill dip for vegetables.
Explore More Homemade Spice Blends
Some spice blends are simply better when made from scratch. Here are a couple more of my favorite homemade blends to try:
- Homemade Blackening Seasoning: Perfect for adding bold flavor to chicken, pork, fish, and steak. Get the recipe here.
- Caribbean Jerk Seasoning: Always have a batch of this vibrant seasoning ready for flavorful jerk chicken. Find the recipe here.
📖 Recipe
A close up of the spices for seasoned salt in a small bowl, recipe card image.
Homemade Seasoned Salt Recipe
5 from 2 votes
This essential homemade seasoned salt is reminiscent of Penzey’s Seasoned Salt and captures the spirit of Pioneer Woman’s home cooking. A touch of turmeric and paprika adds a beautiful color to everything you sprinkle it on. It’s perfect for seasoning frozen potatoes (fries, tater tots, or wedges) before baking, enhancing these fantastic chicken tenderloins, or making your next batch of popcorn incredibly delicious.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 0.5 cup
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Ingredients
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp garlic salt
- 1 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp rosemary
- 1/2 tsp thyme
- 1/2 tsp celery seed
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/4 cup table salt (regular table salt)
- 1 tsp cornstarch (optional, see Notes below)
Instructions
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the sugar, garlic salt, onion powder, paprika, rosemary, thyme, celery seed, turmeric, and cayenne pepper. Mix well with a fork.
- Add the table salt and cornstarch (if using). Mix them into the spices with a fork until everything is thoroughly combined.
- Store in an airtight container, such as an empty spice jar, mason jar, or plastic baggie. The blend will stay fresh for several months when stored in a cool, dark place.
Recipe Notes
How to Prevent Caking:
Adding the optional 1 tsp of cornstarch to the mix helps prevent clumping as the spices are stored. Alternatively, if you prefer to omit cornstarch, you can simply break up any clumps with a fork before using the seasoned salt.
For a Smoother Salt:
If you prefer a finer texture and want to prevent rosemary and thyme pieces from potentially clogging a spice shaker, you can take an extra step. Before mixing all the spices, place just the rosemary and thyme in a small zip-top bag. Seal the bag and crush the herbs using a cooking mallet or small kitchen hammer. Alternatively, you can briefly pulse the entire spice blend in a spice grinder if you have one.
Course: Pantry
Cuisine: American
Author: Tiffany Dahle
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