Homemade sazon seasoning tastes amazing on everything from simple rice and beans to soups, stews, and even meat! It's the perfect way to add some Latin flare to your favorite recipes. Plus, you know exactly what's going into it (no MSG)!
Easy Homemade Sazon Seasoning
By now, I've replaced pretty much all store-bought seasoning blends and spice mixes with homemade versions that taste just the same! Not only is it incredibly easy to make your own seasonings, but making them at home means you know exactly what you're putting in your food.
You won't find any MSG or preservatives in this sazon seasoning. All you'll find is savory, smokey flavor (that can be added to just about anything)!
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What Is Sazon Seasoning
Sazón seasoning is a popular spice blend used in Latin American and Caribbean cuisines, particularly in countries like Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba. It's popular for its vibrant red-orange color and distinctive flavor profile!
Sazón seasoning can be used to enhance the flavor of a variety of dishes, including rice, beans, stews, soups, and meat. It is often used as a seasoning base for dishes like arroz con pollo or picadillo.
🥘 Sazon Seasoning Ingredients
If you're using your sazon seasoning to marinate meat right away, it's fine to incorporate some fresh ingredients. If you plan on storing it for future use (or you know you will have some extra you'd like to store), it's best to stick with the dried herbs and spices.
- Ground Coriander - 1 tablespoon of ground coriander or a ground coriander substitute.
- Ground Cumin - 1 tablespoon of ground cumin.
- Ground Annatto Seeds - 1 tablespoon of ground Annatto seeds (or turmeric, or a 50/50 combo of turmeric and paprika).
- Garlic Powder - 1 tablespoon of garlic powder
- Dried Oregano - 2 teaspoons of dried oregano or a dried oregano substitute.
- Onion Powder - 1 teaspoon of onion powder or an onion powder substitute.
- Salt & Pepper - 1 teaspoon each salt & pepper.
Marinade Add-Ins
- Fresh Cilantro (optional) - 1 handful of chopped fresh cilantro (to taste).
- Adobo Sauce (optional) - ½ tablespoon of adobo sauce.
- Onion (optional) - 1 finely chopped onion (omit onion powder if using).
*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*
🔪 How To Make Sazon Seasoning
To make sazon seasoning at home, all you have to do is combine the ingredients! You'll need measuring spoons, a small mixing bowl, and a spice jar or airtight container to get started.
If not directly following a recipe, it's best to use your sazon season lightly, then taste and add more as needed.
- Measure the ingredients. Measure out 1 tablespoon (5 grams) of ground coriander, 1 tablespoon (6 grams) of ground cumin, 1 tablespoon (8 grams) of ground annatto seeds, 1 tablespoon (8 grams) of garlic powder, 2 teaspoons (4 grams) of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon (2 grams) of onion powder, and 1 teaspoon (6 grams) each of salt & pepper.
- Combine. Add all of the dry ingredients to a small mixing bowl and stir to combine.
- Make additions or substitutions (optional). Add 1 handful (4 grams) of fresh cilantro to taste and/or ½ tablespoon (9 grams) of adobo sauce if you plan to marinate some beef, chicken, or pork right away. You can also use 1 onion (110 grams), finely chopped, in place of the onion powder. (If storing your seasoning for later, skip this step).
- Use or store. Use your sazon seasoning right away to season your favorite recipes, or store it in an airtight jar or container for later.
🍲 Ways To Use Sazon Seasoning
You can use your sazon seasoning to give color and flavor to marinades, soups, stews, rice, and meat, including pork, beef, chicken, and seafood! Try adding it to the meat filling for beef empanadas, or use it to elevate some juicy chicken drumsticks! Enjoy!
💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
- This recipe yields 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon sazon seasoning. I typically use 1 tablespoon (at least) per pound of meat.
- The base seasoning is the dry ingredients above. Fresh cilantro, adobo sauce, and onion can be added to or swapped for the dry ingredients if you plan on using this to season or marinate right away.
- Annatto seeds are harvested from the fruit of the achiote tree and have a lovely peppery flavor. The ground seeds give sazon seasoning its signature red color, though you can also swap it for turmeric or a 50/50 blend of turmeric and paprika.
- 2 ½ tablespoons of this seasoning is the equivalent of one small 1.41-ounce packet of Sazon seasoning you could buy at the store.
🥡 Storing
Place your seasoning in an airtight spice jar or container and keep it at room temperature. For the best flavor, keep it somewhere dark and cool and use it within 6 months.
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❓ Recipe FAQs
As a general rule of thumb, herbs and spices will not be as potent or flavorful after 4-6 months of time. That means most spice blends, sazon included, will taste best if enjoyed within 6 months. However, it is totally safe to eat for much, much longer than that.
There is salt in sazon seasoning, but the great thing about making your own is you can completely customize how much salt goes into it! You could leave out the salt altogether and salt each dish separately as you make it. Of course, if you like things salty, you can always add more. You can even swap out the salt for a low-sodium salt alternative!
Absolutely! Sazon seasoning is incredibly versatile, just give it a taste and picture how it will flavor the recipe you have in mind. It would make a great alternative to adobo seasoning or taco seasoning!
😋 🧂 🌿 More Homemade Seasoning Blends
- Chipotle Seasoning - Chipotle seasoning has a zesty kick that is perfect for spice lovers!
- All-Purpose Seasoning - Like the name suggests, this versatile seasoning blend can do it all!
- Cajun Seasoning - If you ask me, this zesty Cajun seasoning is a spice cabinet must-have!
- Poultry Seasoning - The perfect seasoning for chicken prepared in any way, shape, or form!
- Italian Seasoning - Italian seasoning is one of the most loved and commonly used seasoning blends around!
- Breakfast Sausage Seasoning - If you're interested in making your own breakfast sausage, this is the perfect place to start!
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📖 Recipe Card
Sazon Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon ground coriander
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon ground annatto seeds (or turmeric, or a 50/50 combo of turmeric and paprika)
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon each, salt & pepper
Marinade Add-Ins
- 1 handful fresh cilantro (optional, chopped, to taste)
- ½ tablespoon adobo sauce (optional)
- 1 onion (optional, finely chopped, omit onion powder if using)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Measure out 1 tablespoon ground coriander, 1 tablespoon ground cumin, 1 tablespoon ground annatto seeds, 1 tablespoon garlic powder , 2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and 1 teaspoon each, salt & pepper.
- Add all of the dry ingredients to a small mixing bowl and stir to combine.
- (Optional for marinades) Add 1 handful fresh cilantro to taste and/or ½ tablespoon adobo sauce if you plan to marinate some beef, chicken, or pork right away. You can also use 1 onion, finely chopped, in place of the onion powder. (If storing your seasoning for later, skip this step).
- Use your sazon seasoning right away to season your favorite recipes or store it in an airtight jar or container for later.
Notes
- This recipe yields 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon sazon seasoning. I typically use 1 tablespoon (at least) per pound of meat.
- The base seasoning is the dry ingredients above. Fresh cilantro, adobo sauce, and onion can be added to or swapped for the dry ingredients if you plan on using this to season or marinate right away.
- Annatto seeds are harvested from the fruit of the achiote tree and have a peppery flavor. The ground seeds give sazon seasoning its signature red color, though you can also swap it for tumeric or a 50/50 blend of tumeric and paprika.
- 2 ½ tablespoons of this seasoning is the equivalent of one small 1.41-ounce packet of Sazon seasoning could buy at the store.
- To store: Place your seasoning in an airtight spice jar or container and keep it at room temperature. For the best flavor, keep it somewhere dark and cool and use within 6 months.
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