Creole Seasoned Salt

I want to post this recipe before I go further. It is the recipe in Barbecue with Benefits that my wife and I use more than any other. It can be used in place of salt and pepper for almost any recipe to season meat, poultry, seafood, or vegetables – on a grill, in a smoker, or in the kitchen. It is similar to commercial Creole Seasonings used throughout the northern Gulf Coast, but most brands have too much salt for our taste.

Mixing your own seasoning has the advantage of letting you adjust it to your own taste. Make it hotter, milder, substitute low sodium salt, or whatever. Keep it on the kitchen counter for most recipes. It will be called for, as an alternative to salt and pepper in many of the future recipes on this BLOG.

1 cup salt

2 tablespoons cayenne

1 tablespoon black pepper

2 teaspoons white pepper

2 teaspoons garlic powder

2 teaspoons onion powder

2 teaspoons chili powder

Mix all ingredients thoroughly by shaking them in a tightly closed container. They can also be kneaded in a zip-top plastic bag. Pour the mixture into a salt shaker while holding your breath. The cayenne will get to you otherwise. Makes 1 1/2 cups

Allergy Warning: I was recently asked if this recipe was gluten free. I said “I assumed it is, but I will check.” I was surprised to find out how many of the ingredients contain the statement “MAY CONTAIN TRACES OF MILK, EGGS, WHEAT AND SOY,” in addition to various anticaking agents (commonly silicon dioxide “sand”). In my local big box store onion powder, garlic powder, and Creole Seasoning blends seemed to be the most common offenders. To be safe you must read the ingredients label on every item.