Poultry seasoning is a popular blend of herbs and spices used to add flavor to dishes. Unfortunately, it isn’t always easy to find poultry seasoning in stores, or you may be out of it when you need it most!
Fortunately, there are several tasty substitutes available that can provide similar flavors without the hassle.
Here are 11 ideal substitutes for poultry seasoning that will give your dishes a delicious kick.
What is Poultry Seasoning? What is poultry seasoning made of?
Poultry seasoning is a mix of herbs and spices popular in dishes such as stuffing and chicken. It typically contains some combination of sage, thyme, marjoram, savory, rosemary, nutmeg, and black pepper.
Of these herbs and spices, sage is the most dominant flavor that makes poultry seasoning so recognizable in certain recipes.
The combination often serves as a flavorful addition to dishes such as quiches and roasted vegetables.
Poultry seasoning also mixes very well with butter to create a delicious rub or sauce for meats or poultry — hence the name!
Overall, poultry seasoning is an essential ingredient found in many traditional foods throughout Europe and North America.
What is Poultry Seasoning used for?
Poultry Seasoning is a classic blend of spices primarily used to season poultry dishes such as roast chicken and turkey.
The ingredients usually include thyme, sage, marjoram, rosemary, and black pepper, giving the dish a savory flavor with subtle hints of earthy herb notes.
It’s also great for bringing out the flavor in fried chicken or sprinkled on vegetables before cooking them.
While Poultry Seasoning typically starts with these five classic spices, different cooks often add other flavors like garlic powder and onion powder to enhance the seasoning mix.
Whether you have an inventive recipe that requires something extra special or is just looking for a traditional poultry seasoning blend, Poultry Seasoning can be your go-to seasoning for all kinds of delicious recipes.
What does poultry seasoning do?
Poultry seasoning is an aromatic mixture of spices that often includes ingredients such as thyme, sage, and marjoram.
It is best used on poultry dishes to enhance their flavor, as the herbs and spices come together to create a delicious blend of exotic tastes and aromas.
This seasoning blend can also be added to stuffing recipes or sprinkled on vegetables for an extra layer of flavor.
While poultry seasoning can be found in many stores, it can just as easily be made at home with common herbs and spices like oregano and rosemary for an extra special touch.
Using this spice blend for all types of poultry dishes will undoubtedly take them to the next level!
Best Substitutes for poultry seasoning
1. Herb Blends
Suppose you’re looking to replicate the herbal notes of poultry seasoning. In that case, there are several herb blends that can provide your dish a similar flavor profile.
A blend of thyme, sage, and rosemary is perhaps the most widely-used alternative to poultry seasoning.
However, if you want to add more depth of flavor and complexity, try adding oregano and marjoram as well.
Another option is an all-purpose Italian herb blend made with basil, oregano, marjoram, thyme, rosemary, savory, and sometimes garlic powder or red pepper flakes.
2. Spice Blends
For a more robust flavor profile similar to that of poultry seasoning, you can consider combining some common kitchen spices in place of the herb blend above.
Ground nutmeg combined with ground cloves can create an interesting flavor dimension reminiscent of poultry seasoning.
Another option is to combine ground ginger with ground mace or allspice.
If you don’t have any of these spices on hand but still want to add some warmth to your dish, paprika is a great substitute.
3. Salt & Pepper Mixes
If you’re looking for something simple yet flavorful enough to replace poultry seasoning in your dish without overwhelming it with complex flavors.
Try combining salt and pepper with one other spice, such as garlic powder or onion powder (or both).
This combination will provide enough flavor enhancement while still allowing other flavors in your dish to shine through without being overpowered by herbs or spices like nutmeg or ginger.
4. Sage & Thyme
Sage and thyme are classic flavors often found in poultry seasoning mixes. They work great on their own as a replacement for poultry seasoning.
Or you can add other ingredients like marjoram, rosemary, and oregano for extra flavor.
Just make sure not to go overboard with the sage — too much can overpower the rest of the dish’s flavors!
5. Italian Seasoning Mix
Italian seasoning is a popular blend of seasonings that usually contains oregano, basil, rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, and sometimes other spices such as fennel seed or red pepper flakes.
This flavorful combination makes a great substitute for poultry seasoning when used sparingly – too much of this mix can quickly overpower a dish!
6. Herbes De Provence
It is an aromatic mixture of herbs traditionally grown in southern France that includes lavender buds (which give this blend its signature aroma).
It also includes rosemary, thyme, tarragon, savory, and marjoram, which all contribute to its distinct flavor profile – perfect for replacing poultry seasoning in many dishes!
5. Old Bay Seasoning Mix: Old Bay Seasoning has been around since 1939 and still remains one of America’s favorite seafood seasonings today!
This blend usually contains celery salt, mustard powder, bay leaves, parsley flakes, and other spices that combine together perfectly to create a unique taste.
Unlike any other herb mixture out there – making it an excellent choice as a poultry seasoning replacement!
7. Curry Powder Blend
Curry powder blends usually consist of turmeric (the main ingredient), cumin seeds, coriander seeds, ginger root powder, and various other herbs, which combine together to create an earthy yet spicy flavor profile.
It works wonderfully on chicken or turkey dishes!
Simply replace the amount called for in your recipe with curry powder instead – be sure to adjust according to taste, though…curry powder packs quite a punch!
8. All-Purpose Herbal Seasoning
All-purpose herbal seasoning can be made up of different herbs, including oregano, thyme, sage, rosemary, basil, and marjoram.
It provides an aromatic blend that works well as a poultry seasoning substitute for adding extra flavor to your dishes without overpowering them.
9. Dried Onion Flakes
If you don’t have any poultry seasoning or herbs on hand, dried onion flakes are another great method to add flavor to your dishes.
The onion flakes will give your food a mild onion flavor and can be used as part of a dry rub or sprinkled directly onto cooked chicken or turkey before serving.
10. Garlic Powder
Garlic powder is one of the best substitutes for poultry seasoning because it adds depth of flavor and warmth to any dish.
It’s especially good when combined with other herbs, such as oregano or basil, for the added complexity of flavor.
11. Paprika
Paprika is a great option if you’re looking for something with more color than just dried herbs alone.
It has a mild smoky flavor that goes well with chicken and turkey dishes, as well as potatoes or other root vegetables like carrots and parsnips.
Paprika also gives off an amazing aroma that will fill your kitchen!
How can you Make Poultry seasoning at home?
Making poultry seasoning at home is an easy and cost-effective alternative to buying pre-made seasonings at the store.
All you need to make a fresh blend are some common spices that can be found in most pantries, such as paprika, rubbed sage, thyme, onion powder, garlic powder, and ground pepper.
Making your own seasoning blend can also ensure you get the right flavor combination depending on the recipe or dish you’re making.
Simply combine equal parts of each spice and store it in an airtight container out of direct sunlight to keep it fresh.
Homemade poultry seasoning offers a savory and zesty burst of flavor that can be used to season anything from chicken and pork dishes to soups and stews.
Conclusion on Substitute for poultry seasoning
As you can see from this overview, there are many different options for substituting poultry seasoning in your cooking, depending on what flavors you’re looking for.
Whether it’s an herb blend featuring thyme and sage or a simple combination of salt and pepper with garlic powder or onion powder.
You can be sure that whichever one you choose will give your dish just the right amount of flavor enhancement it needs!
Experimenting with different combinations is part of the fun when it comes to creating delicious dishes – so don’t be scared to get creative! Good luck!
FAQs related to Substitute for poultry seasoning
Q1. What is chicken seasoning the same as poultry seasoning?
Chicken seasoning, also known as poultry seasoning, is a blend of spices typically used in savory dishes. The ingredients in it can vary but generally contain ground pepper, sage, thyme, and marjoram.
Dried bay leaves are also occasionally included with poultry seasoning blends. This combined mix of herbs and spices adds a flavorful depth to any dish featuring chicken or other types of poultry that it is added to.
Typically when making dishes like soups and sauces, poultry seasoning is added during the cooking process, while roasts and other meats are usually rubbed with the mixture prior to being cooked.
Poultry seasoning has been an essential kitchen staple for centuries and continues to be preferred by home cooks today!
Q2. Can I use Italian seasoning instead of poultry seasoning?
Cooking with seasonings can take even ordinary dishes to the next level. If you don’t have poultry seasoning at home, never fear! Italian seasoning is a great alternative for bringing out the flavors in chicken and turkey dishes.
The blend of herbs in Italian seasoning is slightly different from conventional poultry seasonings. But you’ll find the combination gives your recipes a subtle yet delicious kick.
Try substituting Italian seasoning in your favorite poultry recipe and see how it works for you!
Q3. Can I use old bay instead of poultry seasoning?
If you are searching for an alternative to poultry seasoning, Old Bay is a great option. Old Bay is an iconic spice blend originating from Maryland with aromatics like paprika, mustard, and celery salt that can provide the same depth of flavor some people love in poultry seasoning.
Additionally, its distinct herbal notes of bay leaf and oregano make it an excellent choice for adding punch to all types of dishes.
Whether you’re baking or sautéing, consider branching out and trying Old Bay instead of your usual poultry seasoning — it just might become your new favorite secret weapon in the kitchen!
