This Y’all Salt is the perfect all-purpose southern seasoning recipe! Easily mix up a batch to season chicken, pork, beef, fish, vegetables, eggs, and more!
I know, I know. Another food person sharing their house seasoning recipe. {insert eye roll} I get it. So why am I sharing mine? Well, for a few reasons.
First, it’s absolutely delicious. Like, my family is obsessed with it. Not only is it great for seasoning before cooking, but it makes a great seasoning blend right before serving, too. Jack even sprinkles it on things like ramen and mac and cheese.
It’s super versatile. This stuff is great on everything. And I mean that. Ok, it’s probably terrible on ice cream, but you get where I’m going here. More on that in a bit…
I’ll make you this promise. I’m not going back and rewriting all of my recipes to include this seasoning. That’s just cumbersome and stupid. I get it that lots of you (maybe even most of you) aren’t going to make this. But if you do, I promise you’re going to love it. Like, LOVE it! It’s such a delicious way to elevate your cooking.
For years, I’ve piddled and tweaked, tested and tasted, working to find the perfect blend of salt and spices that works on everything. And a few months back, I hit the jackpot with this blend. I use this so much, that I keep a mason jar of this perfect seasoning right by my cooktop next to the salt and pepper.
So, let’s talk about the name…
What is Y’all Salt?
If you’ve followed me for any period of time, you know that the word “y’all” is just part of my vernacular. I start just about every video I’ve ever filmed with “Hey, y’all!” and I’ve got a “Hey, y’all!” sign over my desk and a “Hey, y’all!” mat at my test kitchen door.
So when I was brainstorming names, I really wanted it to reflect me, and the word y’all just seemed obvious. So, Y’all Salt was born.
Why should I make my own all-purpose seasoning?
Making your own all-purpose seasoning is way more cost-effective than buying a pre-packaged seasoned salt. AND you have the benefit of knowing exactly what’s in this one. There are no preservatives or fillers here.
It works on everything! Seriously!
I’m serious when I say this stuff is great on everything. For months, I’ve been sharing it with folks and asking them to test it out. It’s gotten such amazing feedback. Many of them suggesting I even bottle it and sell it.
It’s great on chicken. It seasons a steak for the grill deliciously. Fish and seafood? Perfect. Pork? Works like a charm. Veggies? Casseroles? Absolutely delicious. It’s even amazing in scrambled eggs. I’ve not yet found a savory dish that isn’t elevated by this simple seasoning mix.
Should I worry about using MSG in this recipe?
Monosodium glutamate, also known as MSG, has long been a subject of controversy. However, most health experts and studies suggest that using it in moderation is safe for the vast majority of people.
It is a flavor enhancer that I use in many recipes, including my Best Ranch Dressing and Hot Dog Chili Sauce, that can add an umami kick to dishes without adding a lot of extra sodium when compared to table salt. It just amps up flavors in savory dishes like nothing else can. MSG is naturally found in foods like tomatoes and cheese.
Although some people may have a sensitivity to MSG, experiencing symptoms like headaches or flushing, scientific studies have not found a definitive link between MSG and these symptoms for most people.
So, if you don’t have a known sensitivity to it, there’s no need to worry too much. As with all things in life, moderation is key!
Can you leave it out? As I’ve said before, yes, you can omit it. But it sure does add some amazing flavor that you’ll be missing out on as a result.
What does Y’all Salt taste like?
Deliciousness. It tastes like deliciousness. 😂
In all seriousness, it’s the perfect blend of savory, umami flavors with garlic, pepper and a hint of herbs. In total honesty, I’m not a huge fan of dried thyme and sage, but this is one of those things that is greater than the sum of its parts. I happen to think this blend is perfection, even though these dried herbs aren’t high on my list.
How should I use Y’all Salt?
Y’all Salt is like the Swiss Army knife of your spice rack—it’s incredibly versatile and ready to amp-up just about any dish you can think of! Here are some delicious ways to put that all-purpose magic to work:
- Meats Galore: Whether it’s chicken, beef, pork, or seafood, a good sprinkle of all-purpose seasoning before cooking can transform your ordinary grilled, baked, or pan-fried meats into flavor-packed delights.
- Vegetable Boost: Toss it over fresh veggies before roasting or stir-frying to add depth and excitement to your greens, roots, and everything in between.
- Eggcellent Upgrade: Scrambled, fried, or omelet—whatever your egg choice, a dash of this seasoning will bring a new level of taste to your breakfast or brunch.
- Soups and Stews: Stir some into your pots to build a flavorful base that complements every other ingredient in your soup or stew creations.
- Marinades and Dressings: Mix it with oil and vinegar or mayonnaise and buttermilk to create quick and easy marinades for meats or dressings for salads.
- Popcorn Topping: Shake some over freshly popped popcorn for a snack that’s a bit more exciting than the usual butter and salt.
Remember, the beauty of this simple seasoning lies in its adaptability. Feel free to experiment with different amounts to suit your taste and discover new ways to make this blend your new favorite cooking sidekick!
Recipe Card
Y’all Salt – All-Purpose Southern Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup table salt
- 2 tablespoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoon ground thyme
- 2 tablespoon ground sage
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons MSG (monosodium glutamate)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Combine the ingredients in a small bowl or jar. Store in an airtight container. Recipes scales up easily to have more on hand. Use to season chicken, pork, beef, fish, vegetables, eggs, and more! Makes about 1 cup.
Nutrition
* If nutritional values are provided, they are an estimate and will vary depending on the brands used. The values do not include optional ingredients or when ingredients are added to taste. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, I recommend grabbing your favorite brands and plugging those ingredients into an online nutritional calculator.
Bkhuna
This is a wonderful Y’all Purpose Seasoning. Regarding the comment of MSG in Asian stores; Ajinomoto is the name of the company that makes it. Japanese folks call it “super seasoning”.
It gets a bad rap, but it adds so much flavor!
Gwendolyn Chapman
Would it be just as good without the MSG? I am VERY allergic to anything that has MSG…and it isn’t just things that say MSG. MSG has many derivatives. I get hot flashes from neck up, rapid heart beat, and then I pass out and sleep for anywhere from two to eight/ten hours depending on how much MSG I ingested.
It will still work and will be delicious, but will lack some of that umami flavor.
Vickie
Thank you for sharing your recipe for Y’all Salt, Stacey! I will definitely be adding it to my spice cabinet. By the way, y’all is our way of referring to everyone, too.
Hope you’ll enjoy it, Vickie!
Cheryl
where can i purchase monosodium glutamate?
You should be able to find in the spice section of your local grocery store. For me, the most common brands are Accent and Badia makes a version that’s just labelled “MSG.”
Julie Blaskie
Hi, Cheryl! If you live near an Asian grocery store, they sell MSG under the brand Ajinomoto.
Thanks for that tip!
Linda
Just made this and it’s awesome. What a great idea to have all the spices in one container. I put mine in empty clean spice container.
Thanks, Linda! That was fast! So happy to hear you like it!
Larry
I scaled it back to 165 and I’m going to cut the salt to a bit less than the 0.38 cup because of the amount of MSG (Accent) which I use instead of salt in a lot of cases.
Hope you’ll enjoy it, Larry! And yes, MSG is a great way to add flavor without adding tons of sodium as with salt. Salt has about 40% sodium where MSG is only about 12%.
Aileen
Stacey, I’m sold lol. I’m going to try this.
HA! Hope you enjoy it!!
Teresa
Can’t wait to whip some of this up! It has all my favorite seasonings in it.
Thanks for sharing!
Sure hope you love it as much as we do! I really do put this stuff on EVERYTHING!