Pollo asado seasoning is a spice blend used to flavor chicken, beef, pork and other meats for grilling or broiling. It typically contains a combination of salt, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, oregano, paprika, chili powder and black pepper. The mix of spices gives pollo asado its signature savory-spicy flavor profile.
Pollo asado seasoning originated in Latin American cuisine and is especially popular in Mexican and Tex-Mex cooking. It can be used as a dry rub on meats before cooking or as part of a marinade. Many grocery stores carry pre-made pollo asado seasoning mixes from brands like McCormick, Badia and Goya. However, it’s also easy to make homemade pollo asado seasoning with common pantry spices.
Main Ingredients in Pollo Asado Seasoning
The core ingredients in most pollo asado seasoning blends are:
Salt – Salt enhances flavor and acts as a preservative. Table salt, sea salt, kosher salt or garlic salt are commonly used.
Garlic powder – Dehydrated, ground garlic provides a punch of garlicky flavor. Use garlic powder, not fresh garlic cloves which can burn.
Onion powder – Like garlic powder, onion powder provides concentrated onion flavor without the moisture of fresh onions.
Ground cumin – Cumin adds earthiness, warmth and a subtle nutty flavor to pollo asado.
Dried oregano – Oregano has a woodsy, slightly bitter taste that pairs well with cumin. Mexican oregano is preferable but Mediterranean oregano works too.
Smoked paprika – Smoked paprika contributes a rich, roasted flavor along with a hint of heat. Sweet paprika can be used instead.
Chili powder – Chili powder mixes ground chiles with other spices like cumin, oregano and garlic. It adds moderate heat.
Black pepper – Freshly ground pepper contributes a little spicy kick.
Beyond these core ingredients, pollo asado seasoning can also contain coriander, cinnamon, cloves or crushed red pepper flakes for extra flavor and heat. The exact blend depends on the desired taste profile.
How to Make Homemade Pollo Asado Seasoning
It’s easy to put together your own homemade batch of pollo asado seasoning. Here is a simple recipe:
Ingredients:
– 2 tablespoons salt
– 3 tablespoons garlic powder
– 3 tablespoons onion powder
– 2 tablespoons ground cumin
– 1 tablespoon dried oregano
– 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
– 1 tablespoon chili powder
– 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions:
1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and stir to blend thoroughly.
2. Transfer to an airtight container like a jar or spice bottle for storage.
3. Label with the contents and date.
Store homemade pollo asado seasoning in a cool, dry place away from heat and light. It will keep for 3-6 months. Shake or stir before each use to redistribute any settled spice particles.
Adjust the amounts of each ingredient to suit your taste preferences. Add more chili powder for extra heat or increase the cumin and oregano for more earthy flavor. Consider adding a dash of cinnamon or coriander as well. Customize it to create your own signature pollo asado blend.
How to Use Pollo Asado Seasoning
Pollo asado seasoning can be utilized in several ways:
As a Dry Rub: Coat chicken, beef, pork chops, fish fillets or shrimp with pollo asado seasoning just before grilling or broiling. The spice mix forms a flavorful crust when cooked over high heat. Pat it on just before cooking so the coating doesn’t get moist and fall off.
In a Marinade: Combine pollo asado seasoning with olive oil, lime juice, garlic, cilantro and a touch of water in a large zip-top bag. Add chicken pieces or steak and marinate in the refrigerator for 1-4 hours, flipping occasionally. The acidic marinade tenderizes and infuses flavor.
For Fajitas: Sprinkle pollo asado liberally over skirt steak, chicken or shrimp. Saute with sliced peppers and onions and stuff into warm tortillas. It offers that classic fajita seasoning taste.
For Chili: Add a couple tablespoons of pollo asado seasoning to the pot when making beef, turkey or vegetarian chili. It boosts the spice and complexity.
On Vegetables: Toss carrots, zucchini, mushrooms, cauliflower or other veggies with olive oil and pollo asado before roasting for a Tex-Mex twist. It works great on roasted potatoes too.
These are just a few ideas for ways to incorporate versatile pollo asado seasoning into Mexican and American-style meals. Feel free to get creative and experiment with your own pollo asado spice blends and recipes.
Common Brands of Pollo Asado Seasoning
While homemade pollo asado seasoning is easy and customizable, there are also many pre-made options at grocery stores. Some popular national brands include:
McCormick Pollo Asado Seasoning – A mildly spicy blend with garlic, onion and Mexican oregano.
Badia Pollo Asado Seasoning – Features smoked paprika and a touch of lemon powder. Hotter than the McCormick blend.
Goya Sazon Asado Sin Pimienta – Aclassic all-purpose Latin seasoning without pepper. Intense garlic-onion flavor.
Tones Pollo Asado Seasoning – Includes tomato powder for extra depth. Low sodium variety available.
Mrs. Dash Southwest Chipotle Seasoning – A pollo asado-style blend with smoky chipotle pepper and lime juice.
Lawry’s Pollo Asado Seasoning – Lawry’s signature blend with Southwestern flavors like cumin and chili.
Adobo Pollo Asado Seasoning – A highly rated brand with robust garlic, onion and oregano taste.
Fiesta Brand Pollo Asado Seasoning – Budget-friendly option focused on savory garlic and onion.
Try out a few to find your favorites, or mix and match them with homemade pollo asado seasoning too. Store-bought blends provide inspiration for creating your own signature spice mixes.
Pollo Asado Seasoning vs. Fajita Seasoning
Pollo asado seasoning and fajita seasoning have some overlap in ingredients and flavor profile. But there are a few key differences:
Chili powder – Pollo asado contains more chili powder for a spicier kick. Fajita seasoning tends to use less.
Cumin – Pollo asado features cumin prominently, while it’s downplayed or omitted in fajita seasoning.
Lime – Fajita blends incorporate lime juice powder for tangy flavor. Pollo asado doesn’t have lime.
Salt – Fajita seasoning contains little to no added salt. Pollo asado seasoning relies on salt as the main flavor enhancer.
Peppers – Onion and garlic dominate in pollo asado. Fajita seasoning highlights bell and chili peppers.
Cilantro – Cilantro flavor is found more in fajita blends. It’s not a core pollo asado ingredient.
So in summary, pollo asado has stronger salt, garlic, cumin and chili flavors compared to fajita seasoning’s lime, pepper and cilantro notes. Both work well though to make classic Tex-Mex dishes.
Conclusion
Pollo asado seasoning is the quintessential spice blend for Mexican grilled chicken and other Latin American-inspired cuisine. While store-bought mixes like McCormick and Badia offer convenience, you can easily whip up a customized homemade blend with basic pantry spices. Garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, oregano, paprika, chili powder and black pepper are the core components that deliver big, bold pollo asado flavor. Apply the mix generously as a dry rub or marinade for chicken, beef, pork and veggies on the grill. A little pollo asado seasoning goes a long way in infusing Southwestern and Mexican zest into all kinds of dishes.
