Seasoned salt is a blend of table salt, herbs, spices, and flavorings, commonly used as a substitute for salt, pepper, and herbs in cooking. It is available in different brands and is widely used to add flavor to dishes such as pork, fish, burgers, and fries. In Australia and New Zealand, it is referred to as chicken salt. Homemade flavored salts are also an alternative for those looking to reduce sodium intake. Professional chefs often create their own finishing salts to add color and flavor to a meal.
Seasoned salt refers to a blend made up of table salt along with various herbs, spices, and flavorings. Common seasonings used in the blend include garlic, onion and parsley. Paprika is regularly included and gives the salt its characteristic reddish hue. Monosodium glutamate, a commercially produced sodium salt, is sometimes added as a flavor enhancer. Seasoning salt comes in different brands and is widely available in most supermarkets and online grocery stores.
As an all-purpose seasoning, seasoned salt is often used as a substitute for adding salt, pepper, and herbs to a dish. Depending on the recipe followed, a cook can save time by using his or her favorite seasoning salt instead of keeping a variety of fresh herbs and spices on hand. Seasoning salt’s tangy flavor has made it a popular choice for adding zest to pork, fish, burgers, and fries. Complementing dishes such as chili where the additional heat is preferred, hot or spicy versions of seasoned salt are also available. Such blends typically include a combination of black, red, or cayenne pepper.
In Australia and New Zealand, seasoned salt is usually referred to as chicken salt. Although the ingredients in chicken salt are similar to seasoning salt, some brands also contain chicken extracts. The term seasoned salt is also used to mean salt mixed with just another seasoning such as onion salt, but these combinations often contain a light garnish of additional herbs for a more robust flavor. For example, garlic salt is primarily a blend of garlic and salt, but onion is often blended into the recipe for an added zest. While lemon pepper salt is often a mix of coarse black pepper with table salt and lemon flavoring, the combination has a citrus flavoring suitable for flavoring vegetables or using in a marinade.
Due to the addition of other ingredients, a serving of seasoned salt generally includes less sodium than regular salt, but is still likely to be a significant source of sodium. Individuals with high blood pressure or those looking to reduce the amount of sodium they consume may choose to purchase low sodium salt as an alternative. Homemade flavored salts are another alternative to consider as they allow a cook to use less salt than commercially produced seasoned salts and add other flavorings. For homemade seasoned salt, regular table salt can be tossed into a blender along with your favorite herbs and spices. Sea salt or kosher salt can be used instead for a more gourmet experience.
To add a pop of color and flavor, seasoned salt is often sprinkled on a dish before serving. In fact, professional chefs often create their own finishing salts to sprinkle on a dish and platter to add vibrant color to a meal. Cookbooks and a number of website portals offer gourmet recipes for creating seasoned salts and provide tips on experimenting with this edible salt when cooking.
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