All Purpose Seasoning

Homemade all purpose seasoning is a versatile blend of garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, coriander, rosemary, basil, parsley, thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper that replaces multiple store-bought bottles with one jar. Unlike Goya which requires separate adobo, total, and Sazon versions to get the full flavor profile, this blend has everything in one scoop. Use it on chicken, vegetables, rice, pasta, and anything that needs more than just salt and pepper. Keeps for six months in an airtight jar.

My spice cabinet used to be a disaster. Goya adobo, Goya total, Sazon, McCormick this, McCormick that – every time I opened the door something fell out.

I finally decided to make my own all purpose seasoning that could technically replace all of them with one jar.

The Goya versions are great but you need multiple bottles to get the full herb and spice profile that this blend delivers in a single scoop. McCormick has the herbs but skips the cumin, coriander, and red pepper flakes that give this blend its warmth and depth.

It goes on Air Fryer Blooming Onion as a substitute for the shake and bake packet, on Air Fryer Chicken Wings instead of plain salt and pepper, on Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges for a savory twist, and on Air Fryer Shredded Chicken when you want more than just paprika.

Basically anywhere a recipe says “season to taste” this is what you reach for. Five minutes and one jar that does the job of four.

What Is All Purpose Seasoning?

All purpose seasoning is exactly what it sounds like – a single spice blend versatile enough to work on almost anything.

Unlike specialty seasonings built for one specific dish or protein, a good all purpose seasoning is designed to add depth and flavor anywhere you would otherwise reach for plain salt and pepper.

The difference between a good all purpose seasoning and a great one comes down to the spice list. Most commercial blends focus on either herbs or warm spices but rarely both.

This blend bridges that gap – herbs like rosemary, basil, parsley, and thyme alongside warm spices like cumin and coriander and a little heat from red pepper flakes. One jar, everything covered.

All Purpose Seasoning vs Allspice – Are They The Same Thing?

No and this is a genuinely common point of confusion worth clearing up before you grab the wrong jar.

Allspice is a single spice — the dried berry of the Pimenta dioica plant — that tastes like a combination of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. It is used in sweet baking, Jamaican jerk seasoning, and mulling spices.

All purpose seasoning is a savory spice blend made from multiple spices and herbs. It has nothing to do with allspice and the two are not interchangeable in any recipe. If a recipe calls for allspice it wants the single spice. If it calls for all purpose seasoning it wants a savory blend like this one.

How Does This Compare to Goya and McCormick?

vs Goya: The Goya line requires multiple products to get what this blend delivers in one jar. The adobo focuses on garlic and salt, the total version adds more herbs, and the sazon adds color and additional spices. This homemade blend combines the best elements of all three into a single versatile seasoning.

vs McCormick: McCormick all purpose seasoning includes oregano, parsley, and thyme but skips cumin, coriander, and red pepper flakes entirely. Those three ingredients are what give this blend its warmth, depth, and subtle heat that makes it work on a wider range of dishes than the McCormick version.

Use this as a direct substitute for any of those store-bought blends.

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See recipe card for complete information on ingredients and their quantities.

Ingredient Notes

Garlic powder – the savory anchor of the blend. It distributes evenly through the seasoning and adds a mellow, consistent garlic flavor to everything. Do not substitute fresh garlic in a dry spice blend – it introduces moisture that shortens the shelf life.

Onion powder – works alongside the garlic to build the flavor base. Together they give the blend that deeply seasoned quality that makes food taste like someone actually thought about the flavoring.

Cumin – one of the two ingredients that sets this blend apart from McCormick. Adds a warm, earthy depth that makes the seasoning work on proteins and vegetables in a way that plain herb blends cannot. Used in a small amount so it adds depth without making everything taste like taco seasoning.

Coriander – the second ingredient McCormick skips. Slightly citrusy and warm, it works alongside the cumin to add a layer of flavor that is hard to identify by name but immediately noticeable when it is missing.

Rosemary – woodsy and aromatic. Adds a savory depth that works especially well on roasted vegetables and chicken. A small amount goes a long way.

Basil – sweet and slightly floral. It rounds out the bolder spices and adds a universaly quality that makes the blend great on a variety of different dishes.

Parsley – bright and flavorful. Adds a little color and lifts the heavier spices without taking over.

Thyme – earthy and slightly floral. Works well with the rosemary and adds another layer of flavor to the overall mix.

Red pepper flakes – adds a gentle background heat that makes the blend more interesting than a plain herb and garlic mix. Neither Goya nor McCormick includes red pepper flakes in their all purpose blends which is one of the reasons this version has more depth. Don’t worry, it’s not spicy.

Salt and black pepper – balances everything and helps the seasoning penetrate food when used as a rub or toss. Adjust the salt level based on your preference or leave it out and season separately.

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How To Make All Purpose Seasoning

For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

How to Use All Purpose Seasoning

As a dry rub: Coat chicken, pork, or beef generously before cooking. Apply 30 minutes ahead of time so the spices have time to penetrate. Works especially well on chicken wings and thighs where the blend caramelizes on the skin.

On vegetables: Toss with olive oil before roasting or air frying. Sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, carrots, and tater tots are all significantly better with this blend than with plain salt and pepper.

On pasta and rice: Sprinkle directly into buttered noodles or stir into baked rice for an instant flavor upgrade. It turns a plain side dish into something that actually tastes intentional.

As a shake and bake substitute: Use in place of store-bought seasoning packets on chicken and pork before breading or baking. It works as a direct substitute in any recipe that calls for a seasoning packet.

On snacks: Sprinkle on popcorn, tater tots, or air fried vegetables for a savory flavor boost that is more interesting than plain salt.

Storage

Store your all purpose seasoning in an airtight glass jar in a cool, dark, dry place. It will keep for up to six months. Glass jars work best and keep the spices fresher longer than plastic.

Label with the date so you know when to make a fresh batch. Check the individual spice expiration dates before mixing – old garlic powder and dried herbs are the most common culprits for a flat tasting blend.

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Variations

Make it salt free – leave the salt out entirely and season your dishes separately. Useful for low sodium diets or when using the blend in slow cooker recipes where liquid reduces and concentrates the salt.

Make it spicier – double the red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne for more heat. Good for anyone who likes a little more kick in their everyday seasoning.

Make it more herby – increase the rosemary, thyme, and basil for a blend that leans more Mediterranean. Works especially well on roasted vegetables and pasta dishes.

Make it a seasoned salt – mix two tablespoons of the blend with a quarter cup of flaky sea salt for a finishing salt that works on everything from eggs to roasted potatoes.

Recipes Using This All Purpose Seasoning

Air Fryer Blooming Onion – the original recipe uses a shake and bake style seasoning packet. This all purpose seasoning is a direct homemade substitute that delivers the same savory, seasoned coating without the additives. One of the top posts on the site and a great place to try the blend first.

Air Fryer Chicken Wings – plain salt and pepper wings get a serious upgrade with this blend. The garlic, herbs, and red pepper flakes caramelize on the skin in the air fryer and give the wings a flavor that plain seasoning cannot touch.

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges – if you have been making sweet potato wedges with cinnamon and sugar your whole life this savory version will change everything. The cumin and coriander in this blend work great with the natural sweetness of the potato.

Air Fryer Shredded Chicken – a minimal spice recipe that uses salt, pepper, and paprika in the original. This all purpose seasoning replaces all three in one scoop and adds herb and spice depth that makes the chicken more versatile for whatever you are using it in.

Baked Rice – plain baked white rice gets an instant flavor upgrade with a teaspoon or two of this blend stirred in before cooking. It turns a blank canvas side dish into something worth eating on its own.

What to Make With It

Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Carrots – currently seasoned with just salt and pepper in the original recipe. This blend takes them from basic to genuinely interesting with the same amount of effort.

Creamy Chicken Noodle Casserole – a blank canvas comfort food casserole that soaks up the flavors of whatever seasoning you add. This blend works directly into the sauce layer for a more complex, layered flavor than plain salt and pepper.

Crockpot Chicken and Stuffing — a four ingredient slow cooker casserole that gets a noticeable upgrade with a teaspoon of this blend added to the mix. The herbs infuse into the stuffing as it cooks.

Cafeteria Noodles – buttered noodles are comfort food at its purest but they can handle a little more grown up flavor. A light sprinkle of this blend makes them feel more like a real side dish and less like something you made for a five year old.

Air Fryer Tater Tots – frozen tater tots air fried until crispy are great on their own but a sprinkle of this blend on top right out of the air fryer takes them from snack to something you are actually proud to serve.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Recipe Tips & Tricks

• Whisk thoroughly before storing to make sure all the spices are evenly distributed.
• Check expiration dates on every individual spice before mixing – one expired spice can flatten the whole blend.
• Store in glass rather than plastic for fresher flavor and a longer shelf life.
• Start with less than you think you need and add more after tasting since this blend is more potent than most store-bought versions.
• Make a double batch while you are at it – once you have a jar of this in the cabinet you will find yourself reaching for it constantly.

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One jar of this homemade all purpose seasoning replaces the four bottles of Goya that used to fall out of my spice cabinet every time I opened the door. Make a batch this week and see how many things you find to put it on.

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