Key Ingredients in Seasoning Salt
Seasoning salt offers complex flavors with a single product. The core ingredients provide a savory, aromatic, and slightly pungent flavor to dishes.
The Essential Spice Trio
Most recipes use three primary spices to complement the salt:
- Paprika: This adds color and can provide a sweet or smoky flavor.
- Garlic Powder: This provides a rich, savory, and slightly sweet undertone.
- Onion Powder: This enhances the savory notes.
Additional Common Ingredients
Many recipes include additional elements for more depth:
- Sugar: Some brands use sugar to balance flavors.
- Black Pepper: Adds mild heat and an earthy flavor.
- Celery Seed: Provides a distinct herbaceous note.
- Turmeric: Adds flavor and color.
- Cayenne Pepper: A common addition for those who prefer a spicy kick.
- Cornstarch or Tricalcium Phosphate: These are added as anti-caking agents to keep the salt flowing freely.
Ingredient Variations by Brand
Ingredient lists vary from brand to brand.
Lawry's Seasoned Salt (Typical):
- Salt
- Sugar
- Spices (paprika, turmeric, celery seed)
- Onion
- Corn starch
- Garlic
- Tricalcium Phosphate (anti-caking agent)
- Extractive of paprika & natural flavor
Morton Season-All (Typical):
- Salt
- Spices (paprika, chili pepper, black pepper, celery seed, bay leaves)
- Onion
- Garlic
- Sugar
- Calcium silicate (anti-caking agent)
- Natural flavor
- MSG (monosodium glutamate)
Seasoning Salt Compared: Other Flavorful Options
Seasoning salt has many flavored salt cousins. Understanding the differences is important.
| Feature | Seasoned Salt | Garlic Salt | Regular Salt | Celery Salt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Flavor Profile | Complex, savory with garlic, onion, and paprika. | Garlic-flavored, salty. | Purely salty. | Herbaceous with celery. |
| Ingredients | Salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, other spices/herbs. | Salt, garlic powder, anti-caking agent. | Sodium chloride (NaCl), iodine, anti-caking agent. | Salt, ground celery seed. |
| Best Used For | All-purpose seasoning for meats, vegetables, fries, and soups. | Quick garlic flavor addition to dishes. | Basic seasoning, baking, adjusting salinity precisely. | Bloody Marys, coleslaw, pickling. |
Making Seasoning Salt at Home
Homemade blends offer control over ingredients. A basic recipe:
- 4 parts kosher or sea salt
- 1 part paprika
- 1 part garlic powder
- 1 part onion powder
- Optional: black pepper and cayenne for heat.
Add dried herbs like oregano, basil, or thyme, or a pinch of turmeric. Store in an airtight container.
Conclusion
The answer to "what does seasoning salt contain?" starts with salt and herbs and spices like paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. This blend enhances many dishes. Understanding the components helps control flavor and sodium. Experiment with different combinations to suit culinary preferences.
For more details, see the Wikipedia article on Seasoned Salt.
