Gluten free diets have become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more people looking to avoid gluten for health or dietary reasons. This has led to a surge in demand for gluten free alternatives to regular food products, including things like bread, pasta, baked goods, and seasonings. For those avoiding gluten, finding a replacement for regular seasoned salt that captures the flavor without the gluten can be a challenge. The good news is that there are now several brands of gluten free seasoned salt available on the market.
What is Seasoned Salt?
Seasoned salt is a spice blend that typically contains salt, spices, herbs, and sometimes vegetables or other flavor boosters. Traditional seasoned salt often contains wheat, which provides texture and bulk. Some common ingredients in regular seasoned salt include:
- Table salt or sea salt
- Ground white or black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Dried parsley
- Ground celery seeds
- Ground mustard
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Dried minced onions
- Wheat flour or wheat starch
The wheat flour or starch acts as an anti-caking agent to prevent clumping. It also acts as a thickener to give regular seasoned salt a coarse texture.
What Makes Seasoned Salt Gluten Free?
For seasoned salt to be considered gluten free, it must not contain any wheat, barley, rye or derivatives of those grains. These grains contain the protein gluten, which causes issues for those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
Instead of using wheat as a base, gluten free seasoned salt usually relies on rice flour, potato starch or another gluten free starch as the filler and anti-caking agent. Seasonings may also be added in different proportions to enhance flavor.
Gluten Free Starches and Flours Used
Some of the common gluten free starches and flours used as bases for gluten free seasoned salt include:
- Rice flour – Finely milled flour made from rice. Provides texture and prevents clumping.
- Potato starch – Starch extracted from potatoes. Also prevents caking.
- Tapioca flour – Flour derived from cassava roots. Helps bind ingredients.
- Corn starch – Starch made from corn. Absorbs moisture and thickens.
- Arrowroot powder – Starch extracted from arrowroots. Used as a thickener.
- Cassava flour – Gluten free flour from cassava roots.
Popular Brands of Gluten Free Seasoned Salt
There are now many major brands that offer gluten free alternatives to regular seasoned salt, making it easier to find a seasoning blend to suit your needs and taste preferences. Here are some of the top gluten free seasoned salt options:
Spice Island® Gluten Free Seasoned Salt
This blend from Spice Island contains salt, spices, garlic, MSG, and rice flour. It has robust flavor and works well for general seasoning of meats, vegetables, eggs, popcorn and more. Spice Islands is a well known brand carried by most major grocery retailers.
Lawry’s® Gluten Free Seasoned Salt
Lawry’s gluten free seasoned salt delivers classic Lawry’s flavor. It contains salt, spices, rice flour, dextrose, and vegetable powder. The blend of herbs and spices provides a balanced savory taste. It’s great for meats and potatoes.
Stonemill® Gluten-Free Seasoned Salt
Part of the Stonemill line of gluten free spices and seasonings, this seasoned salt is made with salt, herbs and spices, potato starch, and rice flour. It has an all-purpose seasoning profile that works for many savory dishes. Find it on Amazon or at dollar stores like Dollar General.
Mrs. Dash® Original Blend Gluten Free Seasoned Salt
This Mrs. Dash seasoned salt is a gluten free take on their popular salt-free blend. It contains salt along with gluten free spices and herbs like onion, black pepper, parsley, garlic, coriander, and red bell pepper. The blend is versatile for cooking.
Spike Seasoned Salt Gluten Free
Spike makes a gluten free seasoned salt that includes salt, spices, vegetable powder, rice flour, and dextrose. The brand is known for its all-purpose seasoning blends. The gluten free option has savory flavor and fine texture.
Other Gluten Free Option for Seasoned Salt
In addition to dedicated gluten free seasoned salt blends, you can also make your own homemade gluten free seasoned salt quite easily. All you need is salt and your choice of dried herbs and spices. Start with a base blend of:
- 1 cup salt (fine grain sea salt or table salt work well)
- 2 tbsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp paprika
Then customize the blend by adding any other dried herbs or spices you enjoy. Oregano, basil, cumin, and celery seed are nice additions. Simply mix everything together thoroughly and store in an airtight container. You control the flavor profile and ingredients.
What About Gluten Free Seasoned Salt Substitutes?
If you don’t have access to a commercial or homemade gluten free seasoned salt blend, there are a few good substitutes you can use in cooking:
- All-purpose gluten free seasoning – Many brands like Mrs. Dash and Spike make all-purpose blends that work nicely in place of seasoned salt.
- Cajun seasoning – The garlic, paprika, oregano and pepper in Cajun spice blends complement what you expect from seasoned salt.
- Lemon pepper – For fish and poultry, gluten free lemon pepper provides great flavor.
- Chili powder and lime juice – The tangy, spicy combo makes a good substitute.
- Italian seasoning – The blend of oregano, basil, rosemary, and parsley has a flavor profile similar to seasoned salt.
These options deliver lots of flavor and are versatile. Sprinkle them on in place of seasoned salt. Start with a light hand and adjust amounts as needed.
What Can You Make with Gluten Free Seasoned Salt?
Gluten free seasoned salt is an easy way to add big flavor to all kinds of savory foods. Here are some great ways to use it:
Meats
- Rub on pork, beef, lamb or chicken before grilling, roasting or sautéing
- Sprinkle on hamburgers or meatloaf mix before shaping patties
- Add to lean ground beef or turkey for tacos or chili
- Season chops, steaks, ribs or roasts
Vegetables
- Toss with green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots before roasting
- Season corn on the cob, baked potatoes, sweet potato fries
- Sprinkle on avocado toast or eggs
- Use when sautéing zucchini, squash, mushrooms, etc.
More uses
- Add flavor to homemade crackers, bread, rolls and pizza dough
- Season popcorn or pretzels
- Use when making deviled eggs or tuna salad
- Sprinkle on eggs, omelets, hash browns
- Season rice, quinoa, pasta salad, etc.
- Add to breading for fried foods
- Use in place of salt in recipes for stews, casseroles, soups
Key Takeaways on Gluten Free Seasoned Salt
Here are some key points to remember about gluten free seasoned salt options:
- Leading brands like Spice Islands, Lawry’s and Mrs. Dash make gluten free blends.
- Rice flour, potato starch and other gluten free starches are used in place of wheat.
- Gluten free all-purpose seasoning or spice blends can substitute if needed.
- Homemade blends are easy to make with salt, herbs and spices.
- Gluten free seasoned salt adds flavor to proteins, vegetables, eggs, popcorn, and more.
- Use it any time a recipe calls for regular seasoned salt.
The availability of commercial brands and ease of homemade blends make it simple to find a gluten free seasoned salt match with the flavor profile you love. Season generously and enjoy the delicious flavor!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some common ingredients in gluten free seasoned salt?
Gluten free seasoned salt typically contains salt, gluten free starches like rice flour or potato starch, plus herbs and spices for flavor. Common seasonings include garlic, onion, black pepper, paprika, mustard powder, thyme, celery seed, parsley, and more.
Is Lawry’s seasoned salt gluten free?
Regular Lawry’s seasoned salt contains wheat flour. However, Lawry’s does make a gluten free seasoned salt that uses rice flour instead. Check the packaging to be sure it is labeled gluten free.
Can I use regular seasoned salt if I am gluten free?
No, regular seasoned salt contains wheat usually. To avoid gluten, opt for a gluten free seasoned salt or make your own blend at home with salt and gluten free herbs/spices.
What’s the best gluten free seasoned salt brand?
Some top brands include Spice Islands, Lawry’s, Mrs. Dash and Stonemill gluten free seasoned salts. Try a few to find your favorite flavor profile. Look for blends with no MSG or fillers if you want a clean ingredient list.
Is there a gluten free Lawry’s seasoned salt substitute?
If you don’t have access to the Lawry’s gluten free blend, you can substitute with another brand’s gluten free blend or mix up your own using salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and other desired seasonings to match the Lawry’s taste.
