Best All Purpose Seasoning

Name: Best All Purpose Seasonings
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 Tablespoons paprika (plain, not smoked paprika); 2 Tablespoons garlic powder; 2 Tablespoons onion powder; 2 Tablespoons salt (4 Tablespoons if using Kosher salt); 2 Tablespoons ground black pepper (or 4 teaspoons peppercorns)

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This All Purpose Seasoning recipe is the most deliciously simple you’ll ever make. It’s perfect for bringing out the natural flavor in the dishes you cook every day.

homemade all purpose seasoning in a mason jar and image of ingredients measured into a bowl

All Purpose Seasonings, and even your favorite spice blend, can vary widely in flavor. Though there is no “standard ingredient list”, that’s what I wanted. A consistent, flavorful seasoning that would bring out the best flavor in whatever I was making. My own house seasoning, essentially.

I wanted my All Purpose Seasoning to enhance your favorite dishes without overpowering their intended flavor profile. It had to make the other seasonings in a dish shine. That’s what this simple seasoning salt blend does.

This Best All Purpose Seasoning is my go-to spice blend for everyday cooking needs. Its 5-ingredient formula is quick and easy to mix together and it’s the secret to savory, restaurant-quality flavor in your home-cooked dishes. I use it in, and on, so many recipes.

In This Post:

How to Use All Purpose Seasoning

Ground Beef and Cabbage over Mashed Potatoes in a white stoneware bowl sitting on a concrete counter

Perfect Pan Seared Pork Chops on a white serving platter

My house seasoning makes delish burgers and it takes home fries to a whole new level. Roast chicken will burst with umami deliciousness. Try it on roasted vegetables, oven roasted potatoes, pork chops and chicken breasts.

I use All Purpose Seasoning in almost all my savory dishes. It’s the perfect flavor enhancer in Ground Beef and Cabbage, Pan Seared Pork Chops and Creamy Spinach Artichoke Chicken.

This delicious all purpose seasoning salt is what takes Slow Cooker Chicken Breasts next level. And, you’ll love it in my World’s Best Sloppy Joes or perfect, juicy Baked Chicken Breasts.

Best Sloppy Joes Recipe - sloppy joe sitting on a white plate with dill pickle chips

Sprinkle into salad dressings and steak marinades, or add savory goodness to soups, casseroles and gravies. There are a multitude of ways to love this simple and flavorful seasoning blend.

The all purpose seasoning blend is basic enough that it won’t overpower other seasonings you may add to a dish. Italian dishes will still taste Italian. Mexican recipes will still have their Mexican flair.

Using this All Purpose Seasoning Blend, instead of just plain salt and pepper, will enhance and add dimension to the flavors of the dishes you make.

Try house seasoning in Lentils and Rice Casserole, delicious Loaded Baked Potato Salad and in my Easy Chili Recipe.

loaded baked potato salad in a gray rectangular pottery bowl

Where to Find the Simple Ingredients

This all purpose blend recipe has only 5 ingredients, easily found in the spice aisle at your local stores. But, because this is a spice blend I use every day, I like to have the dried vegetable powders, dried herbs and spices on hand in bulk.

So, I usually buy bulk *onion powder and *garlic powder online. I go through it too fast for the little jars to make sense for me. I make many more seasoning blends than just all purpose seasonings. Garlic and onion powder are essential to nearly all the savory ones.

bowl with herbs and spices to make best all purpose seasoning blend. Bowl includes garlic powder, onion powder, parika, salt and pepper.

The Ingredients

Sweet Paprika (not smoked paprika)
Onion Powder _{[affiliate link]}
Garlic Powder _{[affiliate link]}
Salt – I use table salt. See FAQs to substitute kosher salt for table salt.
Ground Black Pepper – Plain old ground, black pepper. I usually by a 1 lb jar and it’s actually labeled “Table Grind”.

Tablespoon of onion powder tipped and spilling onto a wooden table

Onion Powder Power

Don’t omit the onion powder. It’s the source of deep savory flavor in this all purpose seasoning blend. One Tablespoon of onion powder is equal to about 1/2 cup of diced onion (1 whole medium onion).

In combination with the garlic powder, that onion-y goodness is what will make your recipes a cut above.

That means that in this all purpose seasoning blend the savory, umami deliciousness that is so cravable and comforting in our favorite home dishes comes from the super-concentrated flavor in just a small amount of onion powder. It’s important.

Choosing the Right Paprika

3 bottles of paprika. one sweet, one smoked and one hot.

I use mild (often referred to as sweet) red paprika in this recipe. Just the standard, inexpensive jar that’s probably already in your pantry. I often buy the store brand jar.

Paprika is made from dried peppers. The pepper types can include sweet, chili, cayenne, poblano, aleppo and others. The type of peppers used determines the intensity of the heat in your paprika. So choose a one that fits the flavor profile you’re creating.

Paprika adds gorgeous color to many dishes that would otherwise be drab and boring, especially roasted chicken or pork. It’s flavor is released when paprika is heated.

You can even purchase smoked paprika, which I absolutely love. Just not for an all purpose seasoning recipe. In everyday cooking, not all dishes that need seasoned will benefit from smokiness.

FAQs About All Purpose Seasonings Blend

Why add salt to a seasoning blend?

The perfect all purpose spice blend would be nothing without salt. Whatever everyday salt you typically use is going to be great.

Salt is nature’s flavor enhancer. While it’s definitely possible to get carried away and use too much, used appropriately, salt is really a necessary component of flavor. The goal is not saltiness. It’s too bring out, enhance and intensify the flavors of what you’re cooking.

How Can I Substitute Kosher Salt for Table Salt?

Kosher salt crystals are larger and more coarse. When used in equal measure, kosher salt is not as salty as table salt. The ratio is 1 part table salt equals 2 parts kosher salt. If subbing kosher for table salt, double the amount you use. If subbing table salt for kosher, halve the amount being used.

homemade all purpose seasoning in a mason jar sitting on a marble countertop

What’s the best way to store all purpose seasoning mix?

Like all your herbs and spices, as well as store-bought seasonings, store a homemade seasoning blend in an airtight container like small bowls or jars with tight covers. Containers should be stored in a dry, dark cupboard, spice cabinet or pantry that doesn’t get overly warm. Never leave herbs and spices out exposed to direct sunlight.

How long do seasoning blends, herbs and spices last?

Properly stored your herbs and spices and homemade seasonings should last at least one year. After a year, their flavor potency will begin to diminish.

Here’s the simple recipe for my Best Homemade All Purpose Seasoning Mix. Now, you have your own house seasoning, too. I bet it will become one of your favorite kitchen staples. Enjoy!

The Recipe

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