Those who are looking for a quality substitute for poultry seasoning when they are cooking and preparing a meal will find several options that can work well for their needs. Below, you will learn more about poultry seasoning and what it contains, as well as some options for substituting the seasoning for other options if you would like an alternative.
What Is Poultry Seasoning?
Poultry seasoning is a blend of different types of spices that can go on poultry, as well as other types of food. There are many different brands of poultry seasoning on the market today, and different brands include different ingredients. Some will consist of thyme, sage, black pepper, nutmeg, and rosemary.
Others might include celery salt or cloves, for example. Different companies will have their unique blend of spices, which means that from one brand to another, there may be tastes that are somewhat different from one another. It also means that the nutritional value of the seasoning can vary slightly.
Nutritional Breakdown
Poultry Seasoning | Amount (per tbsp.) | % Recommended Daily Intake |
Calories | 14 | Variable |
Total Fat | 0.3g | 0% |
Saturated Fat | 0.1g | 0% |
Sodium | 1.2mg | 0% |
Total Carbohydrate | 2.9g | 1% |
Dietary Fiber | 0.5g | 2% |
Sugar | 0.1g | N/A |
Protein | 0.4g | 1% |
Potassium | 30mg | 1% |
What is Poultry Seasoning Used For in Cooking?
As the name suggests, the seasoning is typically used for chicken and turkey. However, it can also be used for a wide range of other purposes in the kitchen. Many use poultry seasoning for flavoring different types of meat, as well as vegetables.
It is used with veggie burgers, in soup, savory pot pies, herb sauces, and a wide range of other types of food. The seasoning is popular because it can add a lot of flavor to many types of cuisine.
Is Poultry Seasoning Vegetarian?
One of the questions that often comes up regarding this type of seasoning is whether it is something that vegetarians will be able to eat. Even though it might be called poultry seasoning, you will not have to worry if you are eating poultry seasoning, as there are no meat products used.
It is only various herbs and spices that help to complement the flavors of other types of food. It is a good option whether you are vegetarian, vegan, or you are gluten-free.
Is Poultry Seasoning Healthy?
Since the seasoning is made up of herbs and spices, you will find that there are not any true health issues associated with it in terms of the ingredients it contains. The calories are very low since it is a spice.
However, because it is a spice, it also means that there is no substantial nutritional value in the seasoning. It is used for flavor, not as a means to add calories to a dish.
Is Poultry Seasoning Organic?
While there are only herbs and spices used in poultry seasoning, it does not mean that they are all organic. To be organic, you would need to make sure that the ingredients that go into the seasoning have been grown organically, and without the use of pesticides. You can find many options on the market today that offer organic options for those who prefer them.
Who Makes Poultry Seasoning?
There are many different companies today that are making poultry seasoning. Some of the most popular brands that are offering the spice blend include McCormick, who also offers an organic option. Some of the other popular options for seasoning include The Spice Hunter, Litehouse, and Simply Organic. There are countless other brands and options available.
You may want to test out some of the different options and see which one you like best. Having a couple of bottles from different brands around the kitchen will also mean that you are not likely to run out of the seasoning very often.
Can Poultry Seasoning Go Bad?
Another one of the common questions that people have when it comes to poultry seasoning is how long it will last before it goes bad. Fortunately, you will not have to worry about your seasoning going bad like a perishable would go bad, even though it will generally have a ‘best by” date on it.
However, it will start to lose flavor after about two to three years. It will still work, but the flavors will not be as noticeable as they were before.
To make sure that you are maximizing the shelf-life of your poultry seasoning, you will want to store it properly, as you should with your other spices. Keep them out of direct sunlight and heat.
A cool, dark cupboard is all you need. Those who are keeping their spices out on the counter in full light of the sun throughout the day might want to rethink just where they are keeping their spices.
How Do You Know if the Poultry Seasoning Has Lost Potency?
If you are wondering whether it's time to replace the seasoning that you have in your kitchen, there is an easy test that you can perform. Simply take some of the seasonings in your hand and crush some of it.
Then, smell it and taste it to see whether it still has the potency you require for your dishes. If you find that the flavor is diminished and there is only a weak aroma, it's time to replace it.
Can Dogs Eat Poultry Seasoning?
If you have a dog, you might be wondering if it is possible to provide any of your table scraps to your dog if it has poultry seasoning on it. Naturally, you want to make sure that your dog is safe.
You will find that the ingredients in poultry seasoning tend to be fine for dogs, particularly since the amount that they will be eating is going to be minimal.
However, some dogs might have allergies to certain spices, so it is important to talk with your vet about whether you should offer any table scraps that have poultry seasoning on them.Is It Possible to Make Poultry Seasoning?
One of the great things about poultry seasoning is that if you don't have prepackaged poultry seasoning in your cupboard, you might still have all of the other ingredients you need to make your own.
To make it, you will only need a few ingredients including ground, dried sage, ground, dried thyme, ground dried marjoram, ground nutmeg, finely ground black pepper, and ground dried rosemary. You could add other ingredients if you would like, but this is all you need to create your poultry seasoning.
There are many recipes available online that use these ingredients, and that have other options thrown in for good measure. When you have all of these items at the house, you can quickly and easily put together your seasoning, and it will taste very similar to the options from the big brands.
Of course, you might not have those ingredients around, and you will want to use a substitute instead. There aren't too many substitutes that truly get the taste right, but the three options below do an excellent job of it.1. Herb de Provence
One option that you may want to consider if you are looking for a poultry seasoning substitute is herb de Provence, which are herbs that are grown in the Provence region of France. It can work as a decent alternative, but you will want to make sure that you always double-check all of the ingredients in the brand that you choose.
Advantages
There are similarities to traditional poultry seasoning, and it will include thyme, rosemary, and marjoram in most cases. This means that you will often get a flavor that is very close to poultry seasoning, as long as you choose an option that has the ingredients that you need. You will see that the ingredients have the potential to be a disadvantage, as well.
Disadvantages
It is important to know that the blends will also often include lavender, and this may not be something that you want in your poultry seasoning substitute. The lavender can work well for some poultry recipes, but it doesn’t provide you with the same flavor that you might be expecting from traditional poultry seasoning, which can be disappointing if you are not expecting it.
Something else you will want to remember when it comes to this substitute is that herb de Provence does not contain any sage. If that is something that you want in your seasoning, you will need to add some separately.
Nutritional Breakdown
Herb de Provence | Amount (per tbsp) | % Recommended Daily Intake |
Calories | 14.4 | Variable |
Total Fat | 0.4g | 1% |
Saturated Fat | 0.2g | 1% |
Sodium | 2.1mg | 0% |
Total Carbohydrate | 3.4g | 1% |
Dietary Fiber | 2.1g | 8% |
Sugar | 0.1g | N/A |
Protein | 0.4g | 1% |
Potassium | 56mg | 2% |
2. Italian Seasoning
Another option for substitution that you may want to consider is Italian seasoning. This is a blend of various types of herbs from Italy and other parts of Europe, and it can be used when you don’t have any poultry seasoning around the kitchen.
Advantages
It will provide many of the familiar flavors that you would expect with poultry seasoning, including thyme, rosemary, and marjoram. Many people have Italian seasoning in the cabinet, and it can certainly work when you are in a bind.
Disadvantages
There aren’t many disadvantages to using this type of seasoning with your poultry, soups, and other foods. However, as with herb de Provence, you will find that it is missing one of the ingredients that many people find important in poultry seasoning – sage.
If you don’t mind not having the flavor of sage, there is no problem. If you do want the sage, and you have some on hand, it is easy enough to add to the recipe.
Nutritional Breakdown
Italian Seasoning | Amount (per tbsp) | % Recommended Daily Intake |
Calories | 15 | Variable |
Total Fat | 0.5g | 1% |
Saturated Fat | 0.2g | 1% |
Sodium | 2.4mg | 0% |
Total Carbohydrate | 3.4g | 1% |
Dietary Fiber | 2.1g | 8% |
Sugar | 0.2g | N/A |
Protein | 0.6 | 0% |
Potassium | 84mg | 2% |
3. Za’atar
If you want to have a spice blend that has a familiar but unique taste, you will want to consider Za’atar. It is often used in Middle Eastern cuisine, and one of the common ways to use it is to mix it with olive oil and then drizzle it onto flatbread. It can also work well with other types of bread, as well as in a host of recipes for soups, meats, and much more.
Also, if you are in a pinch, you will find that it can be a substitute for poultry seasoning. Just keep in mind that some of the ingredients are going to differ, and that can alter the expected taste. It's not a perfect substitute for poultry seasoning, but it can work, and it can provide some new flavors.
Advantages
Za’atar is usually made with ground and dried thyme, as well as marjoram and oregano. It is often mixed with other items, including salt, pepper, and even sesame seeds. Some will have sumac added, as well. It provides an interesting taste that has similarities to traditional poultry seasoning.
Disadvantages
You will notice that there are other flavorings in the spice blend that are not the same as poultry seasoning, and this could be a positive or a negative based on what you want. If you are going to be using this spice for your next dish, you might want to try it first to get a better idea of what it will taste like when used.
Nutritional Breakdown
Za’atar | Amount (per tsp) | % Recommended Daily Intake |
Calories | 15 | Variable |
Total Fat | 0.9g | 1% |
Saturated Fat | 0.1g | 1% |
Sodium | 176mg | 7% |
Total Carbohydrate | 1.7g | 1% |
Dietary Fiber | 1g | 4% |
Sugar | 0.1g | N/A |
Protein | 0.6g | 0% |
Potassium | 50mg | 1% |
The Bottom Line
While having actual poultry seasoning available, whether you have made it on your own or you have bought a popular brand, you can see that there are some good substitutes that you can use, as well. If you are going to use a substitute, there are certainly some things that you will have to consider when making your choice. Of course, it will often be down to what you have in the kitchen pantry or what you can find at the store.
Always take the time to look at the ingredients and the spices that are in the substitute, so you can be sure that you are getting something that will have the flavor that you want. Remember, you can always add other spices that you have around, such as sage, if it doesn't include sage. There is a lot you can do with the random spices that you have.
Top Vegan Picks
All of the options on the list are vegan and gluten-free, so you will not have to worry. You can simply pick the option that you like the best or that you have handy.
Top Healthy Picks
Fortunately, you will find that all of the options that are on the list above are healthy. They have low calories, and because they are a spice, you aren’t eating the entire serving amount. The calories are essentially negligible and should not negatively affect anyone who is on a diet.
Top Convenient Picks
The convenience of the substitutes above will depend. Often, the most convenient options are the ones that you already have available. If you have several of the different spices used in poultry seasoning, you can mix up your batch until you can get to the store to get what you need.
If you have Italian seasoning available, you can simply use that instead. In the stores, you should not have any trouble finding actual poultry seasoning or Italian seasoning. Depending on where you live, though, it might be somewhat more difficult to find herb de Provence and Za’atar.
Top Convincing Picks
While your favorite poultry seasoning will have its unique flavor that you love, you will find that all of the picks on this list of substitutes can do a good job of replicating much of that flavor.
Because some of the products don’t have sage, though, you might find that something is missing. Still, the substitutes mentioned above can do a very good job when you are looking for something to use in a culinary emergency.
Resources
https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-poultry-seasoning-3376843
