Better Than Store-Bought: DIY Seasoned Salt & Chicken Bouillon Recipes

Why Make Your Own Seasonings? The Truth About Store-Bought Brands

I know, I know. Those little plastic bottles are SO convenient, but sadly, they often contain more than just herbs and spices. Those seasonings are meant to be shelf-stable for years and prevent clumping in humid conditions. To achieve that, manufacturers add various industrial chemicals that at best offer zero nutritional value and at worst, lead to potential health risks.

By making your own DIY Seasoned Salt Recipe and Homemade Chicken Bouillon, you take back control of your kitchen and your health.

1. Say Goodbye to Anti-Caking Agents

If you’ve never made your own seasoning, you may not have ever wondered why store-bought options never clump, even in humidity. It’s often due to additives like Sodium Silicoaluminate or Silicon Dioxide. Don’t worry everyone, they’re deemed safe in small amounts (wink, wink), but are essentially sand or aluminum derivatives used to keep the product "free-flowing." That might seem handy, but it’s unnecessary. A simple shake of the jar does the exact same thing—naturally.

2. Avoiding "Hidden" MSG and Flavor Enhancers

Many traditional bouillon powders and other seasonings rely on Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) or its cousins, like Disodium Inosinate and Disodium Guanylate, to create an addictive savory flavor.

• The Homemade Seasoning Advantage: Using natural ingredients like nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and onion powder will give you a deep flavor without the "MSG headache" or synthetic aftertaste. MSG-free seasoning recipes are quick and easy - generally taking 5 minutes or less to whip up!

3. Eliminating GMO Fillers and Artificial Colors

If you look at the label of a standard yellow bouillon or seasoned salt, you’ll often find:

• Maltodextrin: A highly processed thickener usually derived from GMO corn or rice.

• Yellow 5 & Red 40: Artificial dyes used to make the seasoning (and filler sand mentioned above) look "golden" or "savory."

• Hydrogenated Oils: They come in many different forms, but all act as binders, adding unnecessary trans fats (the kind we don’t want) to "healthy" homemade soup, pastas and more.

4. Controlled Sodium Levels

Standard seasoned salt is often 90% cheap table salt and 10% flavor. When you make it at home, you can use high-quality Sea Salt or Pink Himalayan Salt, which contain trace minerals, (really good for us), and you can adjust the ratio to lower your sodium intake without losing the taste.

Is Homemade seasoning Actually Cheaper? (Of Course It Is!)

When I first started exploring a more clean way of eating, I thought I might not be able to afford it. Like others, I assumed that "clean" or "natural" products would cost more. However, when you look at the price per ounce, making your own seasonings is actually a massive budget win.

The Seasoned Salt Savings

A 8oz bottle Lawry's Seasoned Salt typically costs around $3.39 (approx. $.41 per ounce). Although not organic, Dan-O’s uses real ingredients, but is $7.49 for 3.5 ounces ($2.14 per ounce).

Although the below recipe only yields about 4 ounces and costs very similarly (if doubled to 8 ounces), it also primarily using organic ingredients, something the more common brands neglect.

• Meijer Brand Table Salt, $.79/26oz

  • This recipe cost: $0.08

• True Goodness Organic Ground Pepper, $4.79/1.98oz

  • This recipe cost: $0.85

• True Goodness Organic Paprika, $3.99/1.87oz

  • This recipe cost: $0.19

• True Goodness Organic Garlic Powder, $5.49/2.79oz

  • This recipe cost: $0.17

• True Goodness Organic Onion Powder, $3.99/2.47oz

  • This recipe cost: $0.14

• True Goodness Organic Cayenne Pepper, $4.49/1.62oz

  • This recipe cost: $0.20

• Total Cost: $1.62

Homemade vs. Store Bought Cost Comparison for Seasoning Salt

Homemade Seasoned Salt Recipe

Looking for a healthy substitute to Lawry’s Seasoned Salt? Mix together the following:

• 1/4 C Salt

• 4 tsp pepper

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1/2 tsp onion powder

• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

That’s it! Store in a glass jar or Mason jar for up to a year. I use this in Chex Mix, sprinkled on a variety of meats, over potatoes, etc.

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The Chicken Bouillon Comparison

High-quality, "clean" bouillon pastes or powders will cost at least $10.00 for a small jar, and good luck finding a clean version at your local grocer. Standard bouillon cubes are cheaper but are mostly salt, MSG and other chemicals.

When you make your own powder using nutritional yeast and spices:

• Homemade Cost: Approx. $0.19 per ounce.

• Store-Bought Premium: Approx. $1.20 per ounce or more.

Here are the details regarding the homemade version. I’ve listed the brands I use, most of which includes True Goodness Organic, available at Meijer. If you’ve not used this line before, it’s and affordable organic option usually costing about the same as what your non-organic brand name products will cost.

• Bob’s Red Mill Nutritional Yeast, $7.49/5oz

  • This recipe cost: $3.16

• Meijer Brand Himalayan Pink Salt, $6.50/17.6 oz (average, some are more and some are less)

  • This recipe cost: $0.19

• True Goodness Organic Onion Powder, $3.99/2.47

  • This recipe cost: $0.46

• True Goodness Organic Garlic Powder, $5.49 for 2.79 oz

  • This recipe cost: $0.21

• True Goodness Organic Dried Parsley, $3.99/.46 oz

  • This recipe cost: $0.49

• True Goodness Organic Dried Oregano, 4.39/.49 oz

  • This recipe cost: $0.95

• True Goodness Organic Dried Thyme $3.99/.78 oz

  • This recipe cost: $0.18

• True Goodness Organic Dried Basil, $3.49/.6 oz

  • This recipe cost: $0.21

• True Goodness Organic Ground Turmeric, $4.49/1.41 oz

  • This recipe cost: $0.14

Homemade vs. Store Bought Chicken Bouillon Cost Comparison

Homemade Chicken Bouillon Powder Recipe

Ready to try a bouillon cube alternative without chemicals? This easy recipe is one of several ways how to make bouillon powder with nutritional yeast. This MSG-free bouillon is an easy option to store in your cupboard to be used in SO many ways. Lately, I’ve been loving it with pasta, but soup is another obvious option.

To make, mix together the following:

• 1 C Nutritional Yeast

• 1/4 C Himalaya Pink Salt

• 2 tsp Onion Powder

• 1 tsp of Garlic Powder

• 1 tsp of dried parsley

• 1 tsp of dried oregano

• 1 tsp of dried thymes

• 1 tsp of dried basil

• 1/2 tsp of ground turmeric

Store in a glass jar or Mason jar for up to a year. In recipes, this should be a 1:1 substitute for a bouillon cube or recipes that call for bouillon powder. For broth when you’re feeling under the weather, add 1 TB to 8 oz of boiling water. Of course, it can be sprinkled over veggies, rice and popcorn as well.

Final Tips for Homemade Seasonings

Perfect DIY Housewarming Gift!

While you technically can store each of these recipes for up to a year, remember they aren’t made with preservatives. For the best flavor, try to consume within 6 months. If you don’t think you’ll use the full amount in that time, just cut the recipe in half.

For our benefit, we aren’t using synthetic “flow agents.” That means clumping can occur. If it does, gently tap your jar on the countertop to break it up, or simply give it a stir. To prevent clumping, add 5-10 grains of white rice to each jar. Acting as a natural desiccant (moisture-absorbing),

Want to try these recipes on things like fries or popcorn? Pulse the mixes in a coffee grinder for about 5 seconds. This will lend a “fine dust” texture that sticks directly to the food.

Both of these recipes can make a batch of seasonings for pennies. Do yourself a favor and add this to your “gifts” bookmark! I love whipping up a batch or two of each, adding to a Mason jar and topping off with a ribbon. Who doesn’t love DIY food gifts combined with healthy Mason Jar gifts (spoiler alert, absolutely no one).

Conclusion: Small Swaps, Big Impact

Transitioning to a cleaner pantry may not happen all at once. That’s ok! But you have to start and these two staple seasonings—Homemade Seasoned Salt and Chicken Bouillon Powder—will help you remove a significant source of hidden additives, such as MSG and dyes from your daily meals.

Get ready for food that tastes more fresh and a peace of mind knowing EXACTLY what you’re using in each of your recipes. Plus, your weekly grocery budget will thank you!

Enjoy the tastiness!