Accent Seasoning has a unique and delicious flavor. It works pretty well with Asian cuisines. This seasoning heavily relies on MSG which is the biggest reason why people many people look for Accent Seasoning substitutes. Using different ingredients as an alternative to accent seasoning doesn’t ruin your recipe, but gives an almost similar taste.
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What is Accent Seasoning?
Accent Seasoning is a type of spice mix that enhances the flavor of food. It adds salty and umami flavor to the food and highlights the flavor. It’s also known as MSG, but MSG is totally different from accent seasoning. The reason behind calling accent seasoning MSG is the high amount of MSG is used in the seasoning. The whole accent seasoning is rely on MSG. It’s the best taste modifier that can be used in accent seasoning.
Health Benefits of Accent Seasoning:
As we know Accent Seasoning is rich in MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) which is a salt. It’s good for those who are on low-sodium diets. It might be a good alternative to salt for those individuals. The flavor is not as similar to salt but it can enrich food in a similar way. The amount of sodium present in accent seasoning is 40% as compared to salt.
What can I Substitute for Accent Seasoning?
Accent seasoning combines with the taste of food to bring out the best flavor. It works well with meats, poultry, fish, potatoes, rice, vegetables, soups, salads, and casseroles. If you are cooking any of these and you don’t have accent seasoning on your kitchen shelf, you can use an Accent Seasoning substitute. These substitutes work really well without ruining your dish/recipe. Using the existing ingredient can save you time.
1. Salt:
Salt is a universal flavor enhancer. We add salt not only in savory dishes but also in sweet recipes too. It makes the food more aromatic and enhances the umami flavor in the recipe. It works well instead of accent seasoning, but you have to compromise with the sodium content which is high salt.
2. Spices:
People have been using spices in their recipes to enhance the flavor before MSG was around. Spices are natural flavor enhancers that allow us to create various combinations that work pretty well with a particular dish/recipe. You can easily replace accent seasoning with spices because accent seasoning is also a blend of spices as well as salt. To get the most flavor out of your spices, you should fry them in any cooking oil until it becomes aromatic.
3. Herbs:
Accent Seasoning contains several herbs too. It would be a great option to use herbs instead of using any MSG. Using herbs in a dish/recipe will be a good choice as an alternative for accent seasoning. You have lots of options when choosing a herb such as oregano, rosemary, cilantro, parsley, thyme, basil, etc. Fresh herbs add colors as well as flavor to dishes/recipes.
You can use herbs in place of accent seasoning, but you have to learn about what ingredient works well with specific herbs. You should also know when to use them in cooking. Fresh herbs release flavors easily and add them at the end of cooking time to preserve the color and flavor. On the other hand, a dried herb needs more time to release its flavor.
4. Beef Stock or Broth:
Beef stock or broth enhances the umami flavor in a recipe/dish similar to the Accent Seasoning. Of Course! the texture is different, still, you can use it in a variety of dishes/recipes as a flavor enhancer. For a liquid recipe, beef stock or broth works best as a good substitute for accent seasoning. If you don’t have homemade or store-bought beef stock or broth, you can use bouillon cubes instead. These cubes are packed with flavor and can add depth and richness to the food.
5. Creole Seasoning:
Creole Seasoning is a blend of herbs and spices, mostly used in creole cuisine. There is also the addition of granulated garlic, paprika, salt, and cayenne pepper which helps to enhance the spiciness in dishes like gumbo and jambalaya. This seasoning also works with meat dishes, seafood, soups, stews, and salads.
6. Soy Sauce:
Soy Sauce is a good flavor enhancer due to amino acids. Glutamate and Aspartate are the two amino acids that contribute to enhancing the flavor and improving it. Although, soy sauce has a very complex flavor. It is a salty, sweet, and somewhat bitter kind of taste. The only reason this works perfectly as a good alternative for accent seasoning is the enhancement of umami flavor in dishes/recipes. This Asian sauce works well with marinates, stir-fries, noodles, rice, and salad dressings.
Some soy sauces contain MSG. If you are avoiding MSG, then you should purchase from a brand that doesn’t use MSG.
7. Homemade Accent Seasoning:
If you don’t have accent seasoning around, but you have all the ingredients an accent seasoning contains, you can make your own at home. You just have to mix all the ingredients with every 20 tablespoons of salt, then mix the following:
- Black pepper – 3 tbsp
- Garlic powder – 3 tbsp
- Onion powder – 3 tbsp
- Chili powder – 3 tbsp
- Cayenne pepper – 5 tbsp
- Thyme – 1 tbsp
- Dried basil – 1 tbsp
You can add more spices and herbs and make this seasoning spicier accordingly. Keep this seasoning in an air-tight container/jar in a cold, dry, and dark place.
8. Bouillon Powder:
Bouillon Powder is made from MSG, dried vegetables, meat stock, and a small portion of fat, salt, and seasoning. It’s a great way to add depth of flavor to your recipe without using any fresh ingredients/veggies. It is the most suitable substitute that can be used in a recipe. You may have the option to use vegan or non-vegetarian bouillon powder. Beef bouillon powder is made with natural flavors which are fat-free and cholesterol-free.
9. Korean Bamboo Salt:
Korean Bamboo Salt is expensive. It is an old Korean process that involves processing seawater with bamboo until the salt is obtained. Korean Bamboo salt is a light salt having a good flavor and mild sulfur aroma. This salt is so expensive so keep it in mind before using it.
10. Cajun Seasoning:
Cajun Seasoning has a strong flavor and is pretty spicy. The spiciness of Cajun seasoning may vary from brand to brand. The ingredients that are used in a seasoning may also vary with the brand. You can expect some garlicky, smoky flavor with this seasoning. General ingredients of cajun seasoning include peppers, cayenne pepper, paprika, black pepper, onion, thyme, oregano, and garlic. These ingredients give some heat along with the flavor that makes it a good replacement for accent seasoning.
11. Dairy Concentrate:
Dairy Concentrate helps to release the flavor from foods. It has the capability of masking unpleasant flavors. There is a lack of salty and spicy flavors, but dairy concentrates can work as a viable replacement for MSG.
12. Kosher Salt:
Kosher salt is a coarse salt that goes well with many recipes. Several salts work as a good replacement. Similarly, kosher salt enhances the flavor along with the saltiness of the food and works as the best substitute. You can also try Himalayan (pink) salt, black salt, or rock salt. etc.
13. Bragg’s Liquid Amino Acid:
There can be more amino acid salts that offer the same umami flavor. Bragg’s Liquid Amino Acid works best in the form of liquid. It adds a deep and complex flavor to the recipe that brings the best part of MSG. It contains several amino acids that are produced by working on soybeans and water. The sauce-like consistency of Bragg’s Liquid Amino Acid affects the flavor, texture, and appearance of the food as compared to the powdered accent seasoning.
14. Monosodium Glutamate [MSG]:
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) is a form of glutamate. It is used to enhance the flavor of any recipe/dish. The accent seasoning contains a high amount of MSG as the main ingredient. You can easily find it at grocery stores. You can use the same amount of MSG as accent seasoning.
FAQ:
What does Accent Seasoning Taste Like?
Accent Seasoning has a unique and subtle taste like umami. Umami is the fifth basic taste in addition to salty, sweet, sour, and bitter. Accent seasoning works best for savory dishes, but not sweet ones.
Is Natural Accent Seasoning Healthier than MSG?
Accent seasoning contains 60% less sodium than salt and a majority of MSG which makes it an unhealthy seasoning rather than healthier.
Now, you know the best Accent Seasoning Substitute. You can choose according to what you have in the kitchen or you can also purchase from Amazon. Please! comment down below your questions, and let us know how much informative is this article for you. 🙂
