What is seasoned salt?

Seasoned salt is a blend of salt with various spices and herbs. There's no single, universally accepted recipe, but it typically includes:

• Salt: The base ingredient, providing the salty flavor.
• Spices: Common spices include paprika (often giving it a reddish hue), black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder.
• Herbs: Dried herbs like oregano, thyme, marjoram, and celery seed are frequently added.

Key characteristics of seasoned salt:

• Convenience: It's a one-stop shop for seasoning many dishes, eliminating the need to individually measure and add multiple spices.
• Flavor Profile: The flavor is savory, with varying levels of heat and herbaceousness depending on the specific blend. Some brands lean more towards savory and earthy flavors, while others might be slightly spicier.
• Color: It ranges from light beige to deep reddish-brown, primarily determined by the amount of paprika included.
• Usage: It's used to season a wide variety of foods, including vegetables, meats, potatoes, popcorn, eggs, and more. It's often sprinkled on after cooking or used as part of a marinade or rub.
• Sodium Content: Due to its salt base, seasoned salt is relatively high in sodium. Individuals on low-sodium diets should use it sparingly or opt for low-sodium versions.

Compared to other seasonings:

Unlike a simple salt and pepper mix, seasoned salt provides a more complex and flavorful experience. It's different from poultry seasoning (which usually includes sage and often more herbs than spices) and from herb blends (which usually lack salt).

It's easy to find commercially prepared seasoned salt, but many home cooks also create their own blends, adjusting the ingredients to their taste preferences.