If you’re anything like me, you try to cook food that tastes good, but you’re mainly concerned with getting dinner on the table. All I really care about is that it tastes good and that my family is willing to eat it. If that sounds like you too, then you’re in luck, because today’s post is all about making more flavorful food without getting swept up in the particulars.
In my experience, the absolute easiest way to produce better tasting food is to season it properly. Under-seasoned food is bland and unexciting, and makes eating feel like more of a chore than a treat. Simply taking the time to add the right amount of seasoning to whatever you’re cooking can make a world of difference!
So today I’ll be sharing my personal favorite blend of seasonings, which I’m calling “Jillee’s House Chicken Seasoning” (though I use it for much more than just chicken!)
Related: Everything You Need To Make 10 Homemade Spice Mixes In Under An Hour
I’ll also be sharing five store-bought seasoning blends that were strongly recommended to me by my Facebook followers! Most of these blends are all-purpose seasonings that can be used to add flavor to just about anything you might want to cook.
Take a look, and you might just find your new favorite seasoning. And if you have a favorite seasoning blend that isn’t listed here, I’d love to hear about it in the comments section at the bottom of this post! :-)
6 Tried-And-True Seasoning Blends That Make Everything Taste Better
1. Jillee’s House Chicken Seasoning
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Dried parsley
I developed this blend of seasonings over years of cooking chicken breasts for my kids when they were younger. I never really felt the need to turn this into a true “blend” by pre-mixing it because sprinkling each one onto whatever I’m cooking only takes a few seconds, and these five seasonings are always within reach when I’m cooking anyway.
From its humble beginnings as my go-to chicken seasoning, it has since evolved into my go-to seasoning for everything. I put it on potatoes, vegetables, pork, and much more for an easy boost of flavor.
2. Montreal Steak Seasoning
This bold seasoning includes garlic, paprika, and coarsely ground pepper, among other ingredients. Add it to steaks, burgers, and pork to pump up the flavor. One customer review from Amazon suggests using it to season Brussels sprouts, then sautéing them and finishing them off with a dash of lemon juice. Yum!
3. Cavender’s Greek Seasoning
This seasoning blend is supposedly based on an Ancient Greek formula, and contains salt, pepper, garlic, oregano, and other spices. There are a lot of very devoted fans of this seasoning who use it liberally on salads, steamed vegetables, chicken, and more.
This blend does contain MSG, but that should only deter you if you have a sensitivity to it. (Did you know that numerous studies of MSG have debunked the myth that it causes headaches, nausea, and other symptoms in the majority of people?)
4. Mrs. Dash Original Seasoning Blend
The original Mrs. Dash blend is consistently one of the most popular all-purpose seasoning blends. It contains 14 herbs and spices including onion, black pepper, parsley, basil, orange peel, and more.
This blend is also salt-free, which makes it a great choice for those on low-sodium diets, or anyone who wants more control over how much salt they’re using!
5. Trader Joe’s “Everything But The Bagel” Sesame Seasoning Blend
This seasoning blend mimics the flavor of “everything” bagels with ingredients like dried garlic, dried onions, sesame seeds, and poppy seeds. But its usefulness isn’t limited only to breakfast foods—fans of this seasoning blend use it on toast, garlic bread, eggs, potatoes, chicken… the list goes on and on!
6. Old Bay Seasoning
Old Bay seasoning has been ubiquitous at crab and seafood boils along the east coast since its debut in 1939. The contents of this blend are a closely guarded secret, but the ingredients list on the tin mentions celery salt, red pepper, and paprika. Diehard fans of Old Bay use it on every type of seafood, as well as on popcorn, chicken, biscuits, and vegetables.
What’s your go-to seasoning blend?
Hi Jillee,
Please log in or create a free account to comment.On your “Jillee’s House Chicken Seasoning”. I really like the ingredients!Do you make a spice bottle of it? IF you do , How much of each do you add? I don’t want to over do it with one spice or another.
We’ve been experimenting with a brand that is popping up more and more at our Walmart. Kinder. They have a lot of different blends, and they are about the same price as McCormick’s.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My go to seasoning is McCormicks Perfect Pinch Rotisserie Chicken seasoning. Another one is Herbs du Provençe, my husband loves this one.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Regarding your comment about MSG in the above post, I would add a bit of warning. While it may not cause normal headaches, it could cause migraines as it does for me. I had terrible migraines, and my doctor and I tried everything to get rid of them. Finally, I began eliminating things from my diet. When I got to MSG, I thought surely they weren’t causing my migraines because so many things we eat have it in them. But, I eliminated it, and didn’t get a migraine. I added it back in, and within a half hour had a blazing migraine. I did this several times (ouch!) to be sure. Since I eliminated MSG from my diet, I’ve not had a migraine since…and it’s been close to 20 years! Just a word of caution!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Jillee is it one teaspoon each for the chicken seasoning?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Have you ever tried Adobo Goya with Pepper? I’m Puerto Rican and adobo is what we sprinkle on just about everything!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ll have to try it!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My favorite is Colonel Ds in Cincinnati available online or Finlay Market or Jungle Jim’s. The key is FRESHNESS. When I opened my bag holding the spices when I got home, WOW! The fragrances filled my kitchen. You can buy only what you need in bulk form. My favorite blend is Herbs De Provence (rosemary, thyme, fennel, basil, lavender, marjoram).
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Spike is my favourite vegetable seasoning
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I season thick boneless pork chops liberally with the Montreal Steak Seasoning. After frying the chops in some EVOO I pull them out and then put fresh mushrooms in the pan. When mushroom are almost done I pour in about 1/2 cup of cheap white wine, cook down, add a pat or 2 of butter. Then return the chops and the juices back to the pan for about a minute and serve with veggies and maybe some mash potatoes. It’s a favorite in our house. PS: I use the boneless or bone in thick pork chops from Costco, they are a great deal when on sale.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.That sounds delicious!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I had no idea what EVOO meant, so I had to look it up. Now I’ve learned some new seasoning mixes AND a new word! LOL!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My go-to is same as yours, except I use store-bought poultry seasoning instead of parsley. Quick, easy, and lots of good flavor.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.McCormick Grillmates Roasted Garlic and Herb is delicious on chicken drumsticks!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I would add Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning to your list. It’s good on EVERYTING, except maybe ice cream! I add to pasta, chicken/tuna salad, veggies, everything meat and fish and I add it to the beer when I make beer brats for grilling!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My sister and her husband love Tony Cachere’s creole seasoning. Also where I live we sell a great local brand of Mexican seasoning called Spanish Gardens. People have been known to buy it when it town .
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Same here! My husband introduced me to Tony Chachere’s about 25 years ago. I use it in everything from eggs to chicken to gumbo – anything I want to cook with some “kick”. They also now make a spicier version. Highly recommend Tony’s! (I used to be a Cavender’s girl, but once I tried this, I never looked back!)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You are amazing!!! I look forward to your email everyday! Whats coming next i think!! Always something super!!!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Wow, thanks Victoria!! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I also make my own seasonings as we have to have it salt free and pepper fee. I use mainly fresh onions, garlic, mushrooms. Powdered turmeric, Basil, oregano, dill, chervil, parsley, marjarum (spelled wrong but sounds like) Thyme, Savory and sage and the food is really good. I use it in all my food, You can also use oat bran and mix all these spices in and use it to bread Chicken and pork chops. Great for stew as well whether beef or chicken. (spices) Never tried it on fish though. Great for any kind of ribs (spices) If you like to flour chicken and pork chops you can use the spices in the flour. For the pork chops mix in some parmesan and romano cheese with the spices. You won’t miss the salt or pepper and I have been doing this for years. Use the spices and everything in a slow cooker as well you will be in for a great taste treat.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Montreal Chicken seasoning is great too. My other favorite is simply good ol’ MSG!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It’s hard to find in stores nowadays, but can buy it on Amazon. I also found it in a local Asian market. MSG enhances all other flavors.
McCormick Mojito Lime Seasoning from Amazon is my new favorite for chicken, and lots of other things. It’s great in scrambled eggs. My favorite for veggies, especially cooked carrots, is Tone’s Rosemary Garlic Seasoning Blend, which I get at Sam’s.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.The best seasoning for me is Trader Joe’s 21 seasoning. It is so flavorful and so yummy! I use it on pretty much everything that I cook.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m with you Sarah! My spice cupboard always has 21 seasoning salute. I use it more than salt and pepper!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use Montreal steak seasoning in cooking scrambled eggs gives a delicious flavor!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Here in Louisiana we use a lot of Tony Chachere’s seasoning when we cook. We use it in place of salt although they do offer a salt free alternative as well. It’s good!!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.If you go camping with Girl Scouts and you have forgotten all seasons including the taco seasoning. We improvised and used believe it or not Trader Joe’s bell pepper and tomato soup. It brought some flavor but not taco flavor. It worked my Senior Firl Scouts are all the meat.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use Jane’s Mixed Up Salt! It’s the best seasoning hands down!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I couldn’t agree more!!!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My go to seasoning is Spike. Makes everything taste great. A blend of sea salt and other herbs and spices. It also comes in a salt free version. I use it on everything. It is easily found in health stores and most grocery stores. Makes you feel like a great chef.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Spike is the best seasoning.!!!!!! I use it to make a great salad dressing. All it is Apple cider vinegar, Spike, and olive oil. So simple and good
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My go-to for chicken and turkey is Bell’s Poultry Seasoning.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use the Montreal Steak Spice seasoning on back ribs…I boil my ribs first, then put them in a pan, cover with Cattle Boyz type of BBQ sauce and generously sprinkle the Montreal Steak Spice over them and put them back in the oven for about 15 mins…favorite in our house!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Best way to tenderize ribs it to steam them in the oven at a low temp (around 200 -225F) for a couple of hours, they are fall off the bone tender.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.May I make a request? I really, REALLY need to use as little salt as possible. However, I love flavoring even if hubby thinks I am overdoing it at times. Do you have ideas that DO NOT include salt? Mrs. Dash is a bit staple in our house but…
Thanks.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use Cavender’s Greek Seasoning all the time! They also make a no-salt version.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks, never heard of it, but I will try to find it.
Cavender’s comes in a small yellow cardboard or plastic spice container. It’s usually below the spice racks of the organized spices. HTH!
keep in mind that Cavenders greek seasoning has msg and sugar. Be sure to check your labels on all spice blends………………………
Mrs Dash is great, and they make a whole line of different flavors – all salt free! They have a steak seasoning, a southwest chipotle, lemon pepper… Cavender’s Greek Seasoning also makes a salt free version. :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Cool, all I have found is the regular and the garlic. Thanks, good to know.
I highly recommend reading the book, “The Salt Fix: Why the Experts Got It All Wrong–and How Eating More Might Save Your Life” by James DiNicolantonio
Please log in or create a free account to comment.The author of this book is a pharmacist.
Costco has a wonderful salt-free seasoning called Kirkland Organic No-Salt Seasoning. Wonderful on all meats but I especially like it on pork and chicken.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love Badia Complete Seasoning.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use Trader Joe’s Everyday Seasoning. Love it!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I mix 1 part pepper to 2 parts sea salt, always have it in small bowl with spoon right next to my cooktop.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Another topic I have a question on. What non aluminum pots and pans do you recommend? Also non stick.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Love my Analon cookware.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have this one and absolutely love it! https://amzn.to/2R1MWZK
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Love my Lagostina brand pot set.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.We in upstate New York, have a local company that makes Buck’s seasoning. It’s wonderful on a variety of foods.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Cumin and Caraway (Kummel). Delicious in a bland minestrone type soup… and lots of other things.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Or Zaatar, a Lebanese spice mix with mediteranean herbs; roasted sesame and Sumac (the kind that grows in your garden – slightly sour seeds, good for lemonade too)
Gomasio; sea salt with roasted sesame seeds.
YUMMIE!!!!
My favorite “go to” chicken spice is Chinese Five Spice. Nothing can touch it as far as I’m concerned!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My favorites are homemade Cajun and Creole spice blends that I put in pretty shaker jars and put in Christmas baskets. I love them on chicken, especially!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.When i first read the title of how to make everything you eat taste better, i have to admit the first thing that came to mind was “Get someone else to cook it”.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Lol, you just did what I was thinking, Leslie! Unfortunately, I don’t always have someone else around to do the cooking. Old Bay is a favorite in my house for seafood. Mrs Dash has also been a go to since we are trying to cut down on our sodium intake. We also find that a little dash of hot sauce livens up soups and stews. I will look out for the other seasoning blends next time I am at the market.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.That’s so funny, Leslie!!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This is a fabulous tip! ;-)
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