Recipe

Homemade Seasoned Salt

A punchy, pantry-friendly seasoned salt you can shake on basically everything: fries, eggs, chicken, veggies, and even buttered popcorn.

By Matt Campbell

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4.8

A small glass jar of homemade seasoned salt on a light kitchen counter with measuring spoons and a few spices nearby

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Seasoned salt is the kitchen equivalent of a good playlist. It makes everything feel more put together, even if you are cooking in sweatpants and the sink is judging you.

This is my go-to homemade blend when food tastes flat and I want it to wake up without starting a whole new recipe. It hits salty, savory, slightly sweet, and warm. Use sweet paprika for classic flavor, or smoked paprika if you want that extra smoky little something. Shake it on fries, eggs, roasted veggies, chicken thighs, or anything that needs a quick confidence boost.

Assorted ground spices and kosher salt portioned into metal measuring spoons on a kitchen counter, ready to be mixed

Why It Works

Balanced flavor fast: Salt plus paprika, garlic, and onion give you instant savory depth without chopping a thing.
More control than store-bought: You can dial the heat up or down, choose your salt type, and avoid mystery additives.
Plays well with almost anything: Potatoes, eggs, chicken, burgers, green beans, corn, even tomato slices. It is an all-purpose helper, not a one-trick spice.
Easy to scale: Make a small jar for testing, then double it when you realize you are putting it on everything.

Pairs Well With

Storage Tips

Room temperature: Store seasoned salt in an airtight jar in a cool, dark cabinet. It is best for about 6 to 12 months for peak flavor, depending on how fresh your spices were to begin with and how it is stored.

Keep it dry: Avoid shaking it over steaming pots. Steam equals clumps. Instead, sprinkle into your hand or a small bowl first.

Clumping fix: If it clumps, break it up with a spoon or shake the jar with a few uncooked rice grains inside to help absorb moisture.

A labeled glass spice jar filled with seasoned salt sitting on a pantry shelf next to other spices

Common Questions

What is seasoned salt made of?

At its core, seasoned salt is salt mixed with a few spices like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and a little sweetness. Many blends also include celery salt or turmeric for that classic golden color. This version goes for big flavor with simple pantry spices.

Is seasoned salt the same as Lawry's?

Not exactly. Lawry's is a specific branded seasoned salt with its own proportions and a distinctive flavor. Homemade seasoned salt is the same idea, but you control the ingredients and the salt level. If you love the vibe of Lawry's, this blend will feel familiar, just fresher.

Can I use table salt instead of kosher salt?

Yes, but use less. Table salt is finer and usually saltier by volume. Start with 3 tablespoons table salt instead of 1/4 cup kosher, then taste and adjust.

Quick note: kosher salt brands vary a lot. If you use Morton kosher (denser crystals), you may want to start a little under 1/4 cup. If you use Diamond Crystal, 1/4 cup is closer. Either way, you are in the right neighborhood. Just adjust to taste.

How do I make it less salty?

Easy fix: increase the spice portion. Add an extra tablespoon of paprika plus a teaspoon each of garlic and onion powder. You can also mix your seasoned salt 50-50 with plain salt at the table.

Any tips for low sodium?

This is a salty blend by design, but you can lighten it up. Try using half the salt, then double the paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. It will not taste exactly the same, but it will still give you that seasoned-salt vibe with less sodium.

What do I put seasoned salt on?

My top picks: fries and roasted potatoes, scrambled eggs, chicken thighs, burgers, roasted broccoli, corn on the cob, avocado toast, and buttered popcorn.

Is this gluten-free?

Yes, as written. Just check your individual spice labels if you have a serious allergy, since processing facilities can vary.

Matt Campbell

I have always had a huge passion for the culinary arts, people, working as a team, and so on. I wanted to pursue my love for cooking initially at Virginia Commonwealth University with a culinary arts degree; however, I instead decided to apply myself and acquire more practical skills. My end goal is to eventually open my own restaurant or similar establishment.

Kitchen Essentials

Measuring spoons
Measuring cup (or scale, optional)
Small bowl
Whisk or fork
Airtight spice jar or small mason jar

I did not learn seasoned salt from a fancy class. I learned it the way most of us do, by accidentally making a sad tray of potatoes and then aggressively trying to save it.

A few shakes of a seasoned salt blend turned that tray into something I would actually serve to friends. Since then, I have kept a jar in the pantry like a little flavor insurance policy. When dinner needs help and I do not feel like thinking, this is the move.