This all purpose seasoning recipe is your secret weapon to boost any savoury dish in need of an extra flourish
All-purpose seasoning
Have you ever felt that a dish just lacked something indefinable? It’s OK but it really wants something more? This all purpose seasoning mix is my remedy for any dish that just needs a bit more oomph.
See also
- Spanish seasoning is a delicious herb and spice mix that is delicious in Iberian dishes
- To give meat an instant flavour boost, try this kebab seasoning
It’s nothing complicated and it is very easy to make, but this blend of savoury spices and dried herbs really does give any meal the lift it needs. I like to make up my own seasoning blends to keep on hand for different styles of cooking but this one is the goes-with-anything version.
You can add it to rice, sprinkle it on meat before frying, blend it into butter or stir it into gravy. If you need more flavour, just reach for this jar and everything comes to life. Don’t be afraid to add it part way through or even near the end of cooking if a stew or risotto isn’t living up to expectations.
I realise that not everyone will see the need to make your own herb and spice blends, but I am a convert. It means get the blend I want, just the way I like it.
I have also come to realise that when you buy single spice and herbs, they are generally just that. Store bought blends, on the other hand, can contain all sorts of extra ingredients including unpleasant allergens. You still need to check your ingredients, but if you have allergies, I think this is the way forward.
For this blend, I like everything crushed down to a powder, as it’s better for coating things. I have briefly pulsed my all purpose seasoning in a mini chopper food processor but you can crush it with a pestle and mortar if you prefer. Either way, it is ready in minutes, lasts for ages and lifts so many dishes.
Why make all purpose seasoning
- a great emergency standby to rescue disappointing dishes
- easy to make
- never goes off
- additive free and allergy-safe
All purpose seasoning ingredients
- Sea salt – chef’s favourite, irresistible
- Garlic powder – brings out the flavour in just about anything
- Black pepper – for just a little warmth
- Cayenne pepper – again, it’s warming and savoury
- Dried herbs – oregano, thyme and parsley
- Onion powder – an instant savoury note
- Smoked paprika – smoky with just a hint of sweetness
How to make all-purpose seasoning – step by step
Before you start, read my step-by-step instructions, with photos, hints and tips so you can make this all purpose seasoning recipe perfectly every time.
Scroll down for the recipe card with quantities and more tips at the bottom of the page.
Step One – Put all the ingredients in a mini food processor or mini chopper. If you prefer, you can put them in a mortar to mix by hand.
Step Two – Briefly pulse to grind a little and mix the ingredients well, or else mix by hand.
Step Three – Transfer to an airtight jar and seal. I find it easiest to do this using a jam funnel, to avoid waste and mess.
Store in a cool dark place and use to lift any savoury dish that needs an instant flavour boost.
Serving suggestion
Add to any savoury dish in need of a flavour boost. Delicious in rice dishes, stews, on roasted vegetables, in soups or rubbed on meats before cooking.
Variations
- Substitute all or part of the salt with celery salt for extra flavour.
- If salt is a problem, reduce the quantity or leave it out. If you do this, it’s worth adding a squeeze of lemon juice to the dish when using the seasoning too, as this is also a natural flavour enhancer.
Storage
Store as you would any other jar of dry seasoning, in a cool dark cupboard. The use-by date is the shortest date on the ingredients. However, if stored correctly this all purpose seasoning will not go off. It will simply start to diminish in flavour if you keep it for years.
Hints and tips
- If your garlic/onion is very finely ground, then pop a damp cloth over the food processor when you mix.
- Shake the sealed jar before using for an even distribution of ingredients.
FAQs
This all purpose seasoning recipe is a nice, handy shortcut to extra flavour, whenever you feel that a savoury dish just needs more.
It is a mix of widely used dried herbs and powdered spices with salt and black pepper that enhances flavour and gives a tasty savoury base to the dish.
This seasoning blend is not hot, nor does it produce the flavours many of us think of as ‘spicy’ in Indian, Asian or Mexican dishes. There is nothing in here to frighten the family member who doesn’t like spice!
It depends on the recipe and how much flavour you want to add. For rice dishes, I would add a teaspoon per cup of dry rice or half a teaspoon per cup of liquid.
If you need to add flavour part way through cooking a dish that seems a little bland, go easy and add a small pinch at a time, adjusting until you are happy with the result.
No! Allspice is not a mixture of spices but the dried berry of a particular pepper tree native to Central America. The name comes from the view that it works as an all-in-one substitute for the sweet spices nutmeg, cinnamon and clove.
So while allspice is delicious, it is not recommended as a substitute for this savoury mix!
More seasoning mix recipes
- Greek seasoning – for an easy burst of Mediterranean flavour
- Peri peri seasoning – for those who like it hot and all fans of Nando’s!
- Berbere seasoning – an aromatic East African spice mix
- Explore more seasonings
All Purpose Seasoning Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp sea salt
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- ½ tbsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried parsley
Instructions
- Put all the ingredients in the food mixer. (Use a mortar and pestle if you prefer.)1 tbsp sea salt, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, 1 tbsp black pepper, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, ½ tbsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp dried parsley
- Pulse/mix briefly until well combined.
- Transfer to an airtight storage jar. Seal and store in the spice drawer/cupboard.
Notes
Storage
Store as you would any other jar of dry seasoning, in a cool dark cupboard. The use-by date is the shortest date on the ingredients. However, if stored correctly this all purpose seasoning will not go off. It will simply start to diminish in flavour if you keep it for years.Hints and tips
-
- If your garlic/onion is very finely gound, then pop a damp cloth over the food processor when you mix.
-
- Shake the sealed jar before using for an even distribution of ingredients.
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