Or even worse- you lack inspiration completely and have no clue what to do with that meat you picked up at the store.
It’s so easy to be tempted by take-out when cooking seems like a far-off dream or just a huge challenge.
You don’t have to be a whiz in the kitchen to rustle up something tasty. With busy lifestyles, it is so vital that you find recipe ideas that work for you with minimum effort required.
What’s easier than making a delicious dish that’s full of flavor, with only one jar of seasoning needed?
All purpose seasoning is an absolute lifesaver. It is versatile enough that it works on several dishes but still only requires you to have to store a single jar. It's more than just seasoning salt or garlic powder.
Better still, there are different blends available so you can choose the one that suits your taste best.
With this trusty cooking hack, you’ll be serving up delicious recipes that will impress even the fussiest eaters.
Let’s take a look at the 7 best all-purpose seasonings that are ready for you to buy!
This Cajun seasoning is filled with soul, hailing from south Louisiana. This is the perfect seasoning for an ‘authentic’ Cajun seafood gumbo or Louisiana’s famous dirty rice.
This blend is MSG-free and works well with chicken, sausage, seafood, and barbeque dishes. There is even a recipe for ‘Royal Cajun Crawfish Bake’ included on the canister.
It is the original, tried, tested, and loved recipe from Archange Lafluer's Pig Stand Restaurant, 1950-1980.
In the true spirit of Louisiana, why not gather the family and have a crawfish boil or a barbeque? For a true taste of the south, this is the go-to best seasoning blend.
Ingredients: Salt, red pepper, black pepper, white pepper, garlic
Consistency: Fine powder
Sodium: 290mg per ¼ teaspoon
Pros
Unique, family recipe with a cajun blend of spices
Simply Organic has created this potent all-purpose seasoning blend that will be sure to complement all of your dishes.
This blend is salt-free, organic, kosher, and non-irradiated for a natural, but delish, flavor. Simply Organic prides itself on using pesticide-free ingredients that are grown without the use of irradiation or GMO’s.
Also, you can make a difference by supporting the brand as through their Simply Organic Giving Fund, they strive to provide food to those in need and support a more organic future for the food industry.
This is more of a herb-based seasoning blend but is so versatile in flavor, it’ll work on almost any dish.
It is especially good for stews, soups, and gravies, according to the brand, but also works well for potatoes, chicken, pasta, and risotto recipes. It's a good spice blend for steak, french fry seasoning, taco seasoning or homemade taco seasoning. It's a very versatile seasoning mix.
Cavender’s all-purpose Greek seasoning is a traditional, family blend of 13 spices, passed down for generations.
The recipe contains some ‘secret’ ingredients to protect the family tradition. This all-purpose seasoning blend adds a delicious flavor to meat, seafood, veggies, soups, salads, and even popcorn.
The recipe does contain MSG. so be mindful of that if it’s something you would rather avoid.
Ingredients: Salt, black pepper, corn starch, garlic, monosodium glutamate, oregano, flavor base seasoning (Hydrolyzed corn soy protein, sugar, onion powder, spice extractives), parsley, and five other spices.
The black pepper and chili flakes add a peppery kick to this seasoning without it being spicy. The nutmeg adds warmth and depth to the flavor of your dish.
As with the other all-purpose seasonings, you can use this one on pretty much any dish, but it works especially well for french fries and potatoes.
This seasoning blend does have a higher sodium content than most others so go lightly.
It is probably best to avoid this blend if you are on a strict low-sodium diet.
Ingredients: Salt, Chili Pepper, Black Pepper, Celery Seed, Nutmeg, and Coriander/Cilantro, Onion, Paprika, Maltodextrin, Garlic, Silicon Dioxide (added to make free-flowing) and Annatto (color).
It can be used for any savory dish but is perfect for seafood, fish, and skewers. Even though this all-purpose seasoning is packed with flavor, it doesn’t overpower your dish with too much spice.
There is a unique sweetness to this seasoning and it provides more of a subtle flavor to your recipes.
Another fabulous all-around option for seasoning is Lawry’s all-purpose seasoning, featuring a premium blend of onion and spices including parsley, basil, thyme, and garlic.
A delish, unique addition to this blend is the orange and lemon peel. This addition makes it the perfect zesty flavor enhancer for chicken, seafood, and fish especially.
Lawry’s all-purpose seasoning adds plenty of refreshing flavor without any salt, so it is great for those on low-sodium diets, too. You can, of course, add your salt to your recipe if you wish to.
The blend is heavily made up of black pepper so if you’re not a fan, this may not be the seasoning blend for you.
Ingredients: Onion, Turmeric, Parsley, Basil, Oregano, Thyme, Red Pepper, Garlic, Sage, Sesame seeds, Lemon Peel, Celery, Bay Leaves, Orange Peel, Black Pepper, and Paprika
Consistency: Coarse
Sodium: Salt-free
Pros:
The zesty flavor from orange and lemon peel
Salt-free
Sesame seeds and bay leaves add a real depth to the flavor
Cons:
Quite heavy on the black pepper so may not be a great choice if you’re not keen
Although Goya is prominent in Latin America, it is also a well-loved brand throughout The States.
Featuring a more classic blend of flavors, it can be added to a huge variety of dishes including pasta, meatloaf, stews, soups, and meat recipes.
It is a great addition to slow cooker recipes, too. This blend contains a fair bit of salt so be careful if your diet restricts salt intake.
It also has a lot of garlic so may not be to your tastes if you’re not overly keen on that.
Ingredients: salt, garlic, turmeric, black pepper, oregano, and tricalcium phosphate (to prevent caking)
Consistency: Fine powder
Sodium: 350mg per ¼ teaspoon
Pros:
Well-known and loved brand
Doesn’t cake thanks to tricalcium phosphate
A good all-round flavor profile
Cons:
High sodium content
Buyer’s Guide
Smooth or Coarse
This is all down to preference. You are less likely to feel the texture of finely powdered blends. If you are looking to make more stews and soups, finely powdered seasonings would be ideal.
Coarse-ground blends would be perfect as meat-rubs, in slow-cooker recipes, and for tray-bakes.
Dietary Requirements
If you are on a low-sodium diet, be careful when selecting an all-purpose seasoning. It is possible to get low-sodium or salt-free options, too.
Also, look out for allergens. If you aren’t a fan of spice, stick to a more traditional all-purpose seasoning or one that is herb-based.
They are suited to strict diets, adding mouth-watering flavor to dishes where ingredient choices are limited.
This seasoning enhances the natural flavor of meat, fish, vegetables, pulses, and plant-based meat-free alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all all-purpose seasonings the same?
Not all all-purpose seasonings are created equal. But that’s a good thing! Different blends are better suited to certain styles of cooking so you can choose the option that best suits you.
For example, if you like Mexican flavors, choose a blend with paprika. If you are a herb-lover, stick to a blend that has little to no spices.
How much seasoning do I need to use?
This depends on your taste, cooking style, and your choice of recipe. A little can go a long way as each teaspoon is packed with a blend of herbs and spices.
You don’t want to go big and then not be able to enjoy your creation.
Remember, you can always add more but you can’t take some out. The best advice is to add a little and then increase the amount to taste.
Is it hard to find all-purpose seasoning?
Not at all. There is a huge variety available online for purchase although some come in packs of multiples (ideal for gifts or to keep you well-stocked up with your new favorite ingredient).
Most supermarkets and some independent markets will also have all-purpose seasoning on offer, it just may be a limited selection, or they only stock specific brands.
What can you use all-purpose seasoning for?
You can use all-purpose seasoning for nearly all savory dishes. You can season vegetables, fish, meat, and meat alternatives.
This type of seasoning is great for skewers, wraps, and slow-cooker recipes, too. Ranging from risottos to roast chicken, to barbeque, to tray-bakes- the options are almost endless!
How long will all-purpose seasoning keep?
If kept in an air-tight container and stored in a cool, dry place, your all-purpose seasoning should keep for about 6 months.
Keep an eye out for signs of moisture (the seasoning will begin to cake).
Can I make my own all-purpose seasoning?
If you are stuck without all-purpose seasoning or don’t have enough, you can make your own.
Although this is a good way to customize your seasoning to your exact taste, this method can be costly to do regularly as you would need to buy all the individual ingredients first.
It is a good back-up plan if you’re caught in a pinch, though. As a base, start with a little black pepper, garlic, and some salt (celery salt is an even better choice if you don’t have allergies).
All of these can either be coarse or finely ground depending on your preference. From there, you can add small amounts of what you fancy.
Are all-purpose seasonings suitable for Vegans?
All of these all-purpose seasonings are suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
They are a really neat way of adding some delicious flavor to your favorite meat-free and plant-based food options.
They also work well with fish dishes and are, therefore, great for pescatarians, too. Some blends do not contain additives and preservatives. There are also MSG and gluten-free options, too.
Best All Purpose Seasoning: Our Top 7 Picks
These options are sure to be a hit. So, gather your family and friends and enjoy. Let us know your thoughts!
Cassie brings decades of experience to the Kitchen Community. She is a noted chef and avid gardener. Her new book "Healthy Eating Through the Garden" will be released shortly. When not writing or speaking about food and gardens Cassie can be found puttering around farmer's markets and greenhouses looking for the next great idea.
