What Are the Ingredients in Lawry's Seasoned Salt?

December 4, 2025 •

2 min read

Originally created in 1938 for Lawry's The Prime Rib restaurant in Beverly Hills, Lawry's Seasoned Salt has since become a staple in countless American kitchens. This iconic seasoning, with its signature savory profile, is used to enhance the flavor of everything from roasted vegetables to grilled meats. Many home cooks are curious about the specific components that create its distinctive and beloved taste.

Quick Summary

Lawry's Seasoned Salt is made from a signature blend of salt, sugar, spices including paprika, turmeric, and celery seed, plus dehydrated onion and garlic. An anti-caking agent is also added to ensure a free-flowing consistency.

Key Points

Core Components: Lawry's Seasoned Salt primarily consists of salt, sugar, spices (paprika, turmeric, celery seed), and dehydrated onion and garlic.
Anti-Caking Agent: Tricalcium phosphate is included in the formula to ensure the seasoning flows freely and does not clump.
No Added MSG: According to the current manufacturer (McCormick), the product is made with no added MSG, artificial flavors, or artificial colors.
Color and Flavor Extracts: Natural flavorings and paprika oleoresin are added for consistent flavor and color across batches.
Homemade Alternative: A copycat recipe can be easily made at home using common pantry staples, allowing for customization of salt and spice levels.

Decoding the Lawry's Label: The Core Ingredients

Lawry's Seasoned Salt is known for its balanced and versatile flavor. The primary ingredients are listed on the product label and include salt, sugar, spices, and aromatics.

The Foundation: Salt and Sugar

Salt: The main ingredient, salt enhances the overall flavor.
Sugar: A small amount of sugar balances the saltiness and adds sweetness.

The Flavor-Making Spices

Paprika: Contributes a mild pepper flavor and reddish-orange color.
Celery Seed: Adds an earthy and slightly tangy note essential to the unique profile.
Turmeric: Provides a mild, pungent flavor and vibrant yellow color.

The Aromatic Duo: Onion and Garlic

Dehydrated Onion & Garlic: These provide a consistent, savory base in powdered form.

The Supporting Cast: Stabilizers and Flavor Enhancers

Other ingredients help maintain quality:

Corn Starch: Acts as a binder.
Tricalcium Phosphate: An anti-caking agent that prevents clumping.
Natural Flavor & Extractives of Paprika: Ensure consistent taste and color.

The Differences: Lawry's vs. Homemade Seasoned Salt

A comparison between store-bought Lawry's and a homemade version is outlined below:


Feature	Store-Bought Lawry's	Homemade Copycat
Ingredients	A proprietary blend of salt, sugar, spices, onion, garlic, and additives like anti-caking agents and natural flavor.	Simple, common pantry spices like salt, sugar, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder.
Customization	Standardized flavor profile with no room for adjustment.	Fully customizable to personal taste, allowing for adjustments in spice levels or salt content.
Sodium Control	Fixed sodium content, which can be high depending on serving size.	Complete control over the amount and type of salt used, offering a lower-sodium option.
Cost	Generally affordable, though potentially more expensive per ounce than purchasing individual spices.	Can be more cost-effective if you already have the spices on hand; requires an initial investment in separate ingredients.
Preservatives	Contains anti-caking agents and other ingredients to ensure shelf stability.	Free of additives; requires storage in an airtight container to maintain freshness.

Crafting Your Own Copycat Blend

A homemade version is easily made using common spices. You can find a recipe on {Link: McCormick website https://www.mccormick.com/products/lawrys-seasoned-salt-8-oz}.

Conclusion: The Enduring Appeal of a Simple Blend

Lawry's Seasoned Salt is popular due to its well-balanced, consistent, and versatile blend of familiar spices and aromatics. The combination of salt, sugar, paprika, onion, garlic, and other spices creates a satisfying flavor profile that enhances many dishes.

Frequently Asked Questions

The current formulation of Lawry's Seasoned Salt is made with no added MSG. The manufacturer, McCormick, states this on its product pages.

Tricalcium phosphate is an anti-caking agent added to many powdered food products, including Lawry's Seasoned Salt. Its purpose is to absorb moisture and prevent the ingredients from clumping together.

While the ingredient list does not typically contain gluten-based ingredients, it is always best to check the product packaging for the most current information and allergen warnings, as formulations can change.

Yes, many homemade 'copycat' recipes exist that mimic the flavor profile using basic pantry spices like salt, sugar, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder.

The spice blend includes paprika, celery seed, and turmeric, in addition to dehydrated onion and garlic.

Sugar is included to help balance the intense saltiness and enhance the overall flavor profile by adding a hint of sweetness.

The seasoning was originally created in 1938 for the dishes served at Lawry's The Prime Rib restaurant in Beverly Hills, CA.