A staple ingredient in latino recipes is sazon, in partitcular from a certain brand (starting with a G).
However, if you’re looking for an healthier, non-MSG, no-food dye alternative, my Homemade Sazon Seasoning is for you! It packs all the color and flavor of that G brand, but without the added chemicals.
Store-bought Sazon vs. Homemade Sazon
Growing up, my family lived by using that orange packet of sazon. It gives food that iconic orange-red color, and admittedly tastes amazing. But, once society became more aware of reading labels and using more natural ingredients, the choice of using a less processed sazon became popular.
Personally, I still use both versions because I enjoy some balance.
So what’s the biggest difference? Homemade sazon seasoning doesn’t have food dye additives, GMO, or non-clumping agents.
Best of all, it can be used interchangeably in recipes that call for store-bought sazon, without sacrificing the flavor.
Ingredients
Recreating the iconic color and flavor of store-bought sazon starts with these important ingredients. The star ingredient is achiote powder, which derives from the annatto seed.
- Coriander
- Cumin
- Achiote powder
- Oregano
- Granulated garlic
- Onion powder
- Black pepper
- Salt
Swapping Sazon in Recipes
You are probably wondering “How much homemade sazon is equal to one sazon packet?“
Of course I had to test it out and do a little comparison. After opening 1 packet of sazon and emptying the amount into some measuring spoons, I found that 1 sazon packet is equal to roughly 2 teaspoons of seasoning.
So when swapping store-bought sazon with a homemade version, remember this easy recipe conversion
1 PACKET = 2 TEASPOONS
More Puerto Rican Seasonings & Condiments
If sazon is the ying to Puerto Rican cuisine, then my homemade achiote oil is the yang.
Perfect for marinades, coloring your rice dishes or making pasteles, my achiote oil is a flavorful yet simplistic hybrid to your traditional cooking oil and pre-packaged sazon.
For added sabor, I like to infuse my achiote oil with a few aromatics. Trust me, I makes all the difference. Try out my recipe, here.
Homemade Sazon Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon ground coriander
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon achiote powder or ground annatto seed
- 1 tablespoon ground or dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon granulated garlic
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Add all spices into a bowl and whisk carefully. Make sure all spices are well incorporated with no lumps.
- Place sazon seasoning blend into an air-tight container and store in the pantry.
Patricia Young says
Great content! Keep up the good work!
James Rab says
Just what I was looking for. My doctor suggested making my own sazon for health reasons and I was hesitant but this sounds flavorful and easy to make. Graciass
Gio says
Perfect recipe and measurements! Used it during Thanksgiving and everything came out so flavorful.
Gerald says
Suzy T. says
Very flavorful. Thank you for adding the conversion from teaspoons to 1 sazon packet. I was worried I would have a hard time adapting other recipes that call for sazon packets but you made it easy.
Wilmar says
Its like you’re the princess of PR cooking! You have a recipe for everything I need. This sazon is amazing. I used it to season my pernil and it was so flavorfull.
Lisa Figueroa says
THANK U NENA!!!! I MADE YOUR SAZON, I LOVE IT MORE THAN THE GOYA VERSION. URS IS LESS SALTY & MORE FLAVORFUL.
Ron Lopez says
Nicely done. Thank you Nata!
Keith H. says
Beware – you will never want to use Goya Sazon ever again. Amazing job Nata. Your Sazon recipe is delicious and packs all the flavor you need without the extra stuff like food dyes 💯🙌👍
Mario Blosseville says
Anthony F says
Cant believe how easy and flavorful this was! Homemade is the way to go. I wont ever be going back to the package version 💯💯💯💯💯💯
Walter says
Very good recipe. If anyone is skeptical if homemade sazon can replace the Goya version, trust me it does.
Mack says
Matthew says
I tried your sazon and immediately compared it to another brand – WOW! What a difference. I’m never turning back.