Table of Contents

Introduction

Everglades Seasoning Recipe–I even start salivating at the thought of it. You might have found yourself at some point in Florida, and you likely saw this well-known green-labeled shaker all over in kitchens, dryers, and barbecue restaurants. It is a kind of hidden ingredient, which residents swear by.

Dusted on grilled chicken or roasted vegetables, and in a moment, you find you are not eating food, you are also experiencing a taste of Florida sunshine and marshlands magic, and coastal allure.

The twist here is that you need not be in Florida or even buy the store-bought one to enjoy it. The Everglades Seasoning Recipe can be made with a reasonable number of spices, and you can create it in the comfort of your own home.

And believe me, when you have tried it, you will be sprinkling it on scrambled eggs and popcorn. Now, then, to discuss what it is, why it is so good, and how to make your own batch.

What Is Everglades Seasoning?

Everglades Seasoning, in its most basic iteration, is a universal blend of spices that is balanced with the salty, savory, a touch of sweetness, and an air of herbal freshness. The official recipe is very much a secretive one but food lovers have been trying to crack the riddle.

The result? A mystery blend of salt, garlic, onion, sugar, paprika, black pepper, and a few unexpected extras that makes it a can’t-put-your-finger-on-it.

It also works well on all kinds of meat-rub it on meats, shake it over vegetables, combine it into dips, or even sprinkle it on French fries. Imagine it as Florida’s response to Cajun seasoning Old Bay: something iconic to the region, but adored way out of it.

My introduction to The Everglades Seasoning.

I first had an introduction to the Everglades Seasoning when I was on a summer road trip around Florida. This is a small roadside barbecue joint outside of Ocala. And when the smoked chicken came, I had a little shaker of Everglades Seasoning standing on the table, and it was all the provocation it needed to invite me to taste it.

I dusted the chicken off, and had a bite, and–boom. Flavor fireworks. It did not overwhelm it, it merely put all together in that savory, slightly sweet, where have you been all my life? sense.

Before leaving town, I did buy a bottle, and when I got home, I proceeded to put it on practically everything until the shaker was empty. That’s when I noticed: I had to have a DIY version that I can make at any time. And after much tinkering, tasting, and tweaking, I managed to settle on a position of spot-on Everglades Seasoning Recipe that offers the same addictive flavor.

Equipment You’ll Need

Preparation of this seasoning mixture is very easy. You’ll need:

A collection of measuring spoons (so the ratios remain in balance).
A mixing bowl (medium-sized).
Whisk or spoon (to mix all together).
Airtight spice jar or shaker (to be stored in).

And that is all you need, no fancy tools.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon sugar (balances the salt and savory)
1 tablespoon paprika (sweet paprika is the best here)
1 tablespoon black pepper (freshly ground, where possible)
2 teaspoons celery seed
2 teaspoons dried parsley
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin (gives it a light, earthy taste)
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, and a small amount of heat)
1/2 teaspoon turmeric (added to add color and warmth)

Instructions

Step 1

Measure and mix. Place all ingredients in a medium bowl.

Step 2

Whisk until combined. Ensure that the sugar and salt disintegrate among the other spices in a uniform manner.

Step 3

Taste and tweak. Fiddle a bit between your fingers and taste–do you want it saltier, add more salt; do you want it more kicky, add cayenne.

Step 4

Store. Pour the seasoning into a spice jar or shaker, or an airtight container. Keep it in a cool, dry place.

Secrets to Success

Wish your homemade Everglades Seasoning Recipe to shine? The following are my favourite little tricks:

Do not use table salt; use kosher salt. It has a more balanced taste and does not clump.
Fresh spices = better flavor. When paprika or garlic powder has been lying in the back of your pantry over the years, it will not be as punchy.
Sugar is key. Don’t miss it- it is what makes the Everglades have its little savory-sweet magic.
Adjust to your taste. The most enjoyable thing about DIY seasoning is that you can prepare it to your liking- with more or less herbs, salt, spice, whichever suits you.

The Everglades Seasoning Recipe is the right choice at all times.

I am not ashamed to tell you that I have a jar of the stuff standing on my counter most of the time. Why? It’s one of those seasonings that make everything better.

This is why it is the correct decision at all times:

It’s versatile. Meat, vegetables, eggs, popcorn–whatever.
It saves time. Rather than taking five separate spices, you merely shake this in, and you are ready to go.
It tastes like Florida. Perhaps it’s the nostalgia, but it has a sunny, coastal feel to it.
It’s a crowd-pleaser. Picky kids and adventurous foodies are all fans.
It’s homemade. No mystery ingredients, preservatives, or MSG (unless you are in need of a pinch to make it real).

Everglades Seasoning Fun Uses.

Then what shall you do with your glittering new jar of Everglades magic you have made? Oh, let me count the ways:

Grilled chicken. Before grilling, sprinkle freely.
Roasted veggies. Place carrots, potatoes, or zucchini in olive oil and seasoning and roast.
French fries. Forget ordinary salt- EVERGLades is one that turns the tables.
Popcorn. A dust on new and popped kernels = the movie snack of the day.
Scrambled eggs. Makes it deep but does not overwhelm.
Seafood. Grouper, Shrimp, or Salmon almost cry out to be flavored in this way.
Soups and stews. Add a teaspoon to add flavor.

Variations to Try

The fun of creating your own spice blends is one of them. Here are a few twists:

Spicy Everglades: Add more cayenne or red pepper flakes.
Herby Everglades: Add more parsley and oregano to make that a more herb-heavy blend.
Smoky Everglades: Use smoked paprika in place of half of the paprika.
Citrus Everglades: Add a squeezy lemon zest to add a Florida zing.

How to Store It

The Everglades Seasoning Recipe you made will last approximately 6 months when kept in an airtight container. Store it in a dry and sunny place. Pro tip: take an old spice shaker and use it to sprinkle easily.

Final Thoughts

The Everglades Seasoning Recipe is one of such blends that appear simple and amazing simultaneously, at least at the end of the day. The kind of experience that it gives makes everyday cooking that little more exciting, a little more tasting, and a lot more enjoyable.

I adore the fact that it turns a plain piece of chicken immediately into something you can no longer do without, or it makes roasted vegetables disappear off the dinner table faster than usual. It is not simply a seasoning, but a kind of sprinkle of comfort and sunshine, all in a bottle, and waiting whenever you happen to require it.

So, go ahead and mix up a batch. Your palate will not regret it.