All Purpose Seasoning Recipe
Enhance your dishes effortlessly with this versatile all-purpose seasoning blend that’s ideal for adding flavor to meats, vegetables, and more!
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I have a confession to make … I don’t always cook with a recipe. Sometimes I like to throw caution to the wind and cook by feeling. When I do this, I’ve noticed that I frequently turn to the same four or five spices to season my food. Salt and pepper is a given, but I also like the flavor both garlic and onion provide and a pop to color from some dried parsley.
Rather than pulling out these same bottles out of my spice cabinet all the time, I decided to combine them all together in a way that brought out the flavor of each ingredient to make my own all purpose spice blend. All-purpose seasoning, sometimes referred to as AP seasoning, is simply a perfect blend of spices that can be used on a variety of dishes — everything from beef, pork chops, chicken, fish and vegetable dishes.
Why make your own homemade seasoning blends?
Creating my own seasoning mixes gives me the creative freedom to season a dish exactly how I want it. I do occasionally purchase commercial seasoning blends. However, my two biggest complaints with these products are the cost and the salt-content.
I recently prepared a recipe developed by a friend that called for a specific brand of spice blend. I initially balked at the $10 price tag for one bottle, but ultimatley decided to stick with his recommendation since it was the first time I was making the dish. Once I got home I studied the ingredients list on the side of the bottle carefully and decided I could probably make my own version for a lot cheaper.
In addition, most of the commercially prepared seasoning blends are way too salty for my taste. I grew up in a house that eschewed salt. Since I started cooking on my own, I have come to embrace the need to utlize salt in order to bring out the natural flavor of the dish. Even so, I lean towards being light handed with the salt and using complimentary spices to enhance the flavor instead. You can always add more salt, but it’s really difficult to take away salt once it has been added to a dish.
Ingredients and tools you will need
My house seasoning blend only requires five simple ingredients, many of which you may already have in your cabinet.
- 2 tablespoons table salt
- 1 tablespoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons coarse ground pepper – I like to see the little flecks of pepper in my dish. But, you can also use finely ground black pepper if you prefer.
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
- Clean jars or containers, with airtight lids – a mason jar will work. However, I prefer to store my spice mix in a container with a lid that allows me to sprinkle the seasoning right from the jar. I like these larger 14-ounce containers or these metal shakers with large holes and a plastic cap to keep air out when the spice is not being used.
How to make all purpose seasoning blend
- In a small bowl, measure out the table salt, garlic powder, onion powder, ground pepper and dried parsley.
- Stir the homemade spice blend together until everything looks evenly distribute throughout.
- Transfer the seasoning mix to an air-tight container.
Tasty variations
Think of this recipe as more of a guideline. You can add, remove or reduce the seasonings included in the recipe to suit your preferences. Start off with a small amount, such as 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of additional spices, until the flavor tastes right to you.
- For more heat, consider adding cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes or Cajun seasoning.
- For a smoky flavor, add smoked paprika, cumin or chili powder.
- For chicken, try adding dried thyme, rosemary, and paprika.
Storage instructions
Transfer the all-purpose seasoning to an airtight container of your choice. Store at room temperature in a dark place out of direct sunlight. If stored properly, the spice mix will keep for up to two years.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can omit the salt if desired.
You can. However, I feel the smaller granules in the table salt disperse throughout the seasoning more evenly than the larger granules in kosher salt. If you’re using a shaker or spice jar with small holes, the kosher salt can get stick in the holes.
You can! Just make sure whatever amount you make can be used within two years.
How to use all-purpose seasoning
- Grilling Steaks on a Pellet Grill
- Air Fryer Steak Tips
- Smothered Hamburger Steaks in the Oven
- Oven Roasted Roast Beef Dinner
- Spicy Pimento Cheese Stuffed Potato Bites
- Crispy Oven Baked French Fries
More homemade seasoning recipes
All-Purpose Seasoning
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons coarse ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
Instructions
- In a small bowl, measure out the seasoning ingredients.
- Stir the blend of spices together until everything looks evenly distribute throughout.
Have any questions? Be sure to leave them in the comments!