14 Accent Seasoning Substitutes To Try

If you are looking for accent seasoning substitutes, you have come to the right place. Accent seasoning is a popular ingredient in many dishes, known for its ability to enhance the flavor of food. 

However, finding accent seasoning in some regions or countries can take time and effort. Fortunately, several substitutes can be used in place of accent seasoning to achieve similar results.

The best substitutes for accent seasoning are salt, spices, onion and garlic mix, bouillon cubes, beef broth, vegetable broth, cajun seasoning, creole seasoning, and soy sauce. 

Before we dive into the substitutes, let’s understand what accent seasonings are. So, accent seasoning is a flavor enhancer with Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) as the main ingredient. Besides MSG, these seasonings also contain different peppers such as chili peppers, black peppers or cayenne peppers, thyme, basil, onion, garlic, and bay leaves. 

All ingredients used in accent seasoning are in powder form. So, it gives the herb a fine texture that will dissolve quickly in any dish. 

Now, let’s get to know 14 accent seasoning substitutes and their uses. Let’s get started!

10 Accent Seasoning Substitutes

Here are 14 accent seasoning substitutes that you can consider in your recipes: 

1. Salt

When accent seasoning is not available, salt is one of the best substitutes you can use instead. Accent seasoning, or MSG, is a tasteless ingredient. In that case, using salt is the best option. 

Salt is a natural flavor enhancer that can bring out the best in your food. It can help to balance flavors, increase sweetness, and even bring out umami flavors. It’s also easy to find. 

Also, salt can increase the aroma of certain foods by facilitating the release of their aromatic molecules into the air more readily.

You can use any salt, such as table salt, kosher salt, Celtic sea salt, Himalayan pink salt, and many other kinds of salt. 

2. Korean Bamboo Salt 

Korean bamboo salt is made by packing pink sea salt into bamboo stalks and roasting them in a furnace at a high temperature. It has a unique texture and flavor. The flavor is slightly smoky and sweet, while the texture is grainy. 

This salt provides a similar food flavor as accent seasoning. But it’s a natural food enhancer. Korean bamboo salt is the best choice if you want to avoid adding accent seasoning.

3. Kosher Salt

You can try kosher salt if you’re looking for a substitute for accent seasoning. Kosher salt is a coarse salt mostly used in Jewish cuisine, but it’s also an excellent option for seasoning other types of food.

Kosher salt has a distinct flavor and texture that can enhance the taste of your dishes. It’s less salty compared to other types of salt. You can use more of it without overpowering your food’s flavor. 

4. China Salt 

Have you ever heard of China salt? It’s an excellent substitute for accent seasoning, and it’s worth trying if you’re looking for something different to add to your dishes.

Regarding texture, China salt is a fine white powder that dissolves easily in liquids. You can sprinkle it on your dishes or mix it with your ingredients.

5. Sea Salt 

Sea salt is made by evaporating seawater. Unlike regular table salt, sea salt is unrefined and has a coarser texture. It also contains various minerals that give it a slightly different flavor than regular salt.

Just like accent seasoning, sea salt enhances the flavor of the food. It adds a salty taste without overpowering other flavors in the dishes. If you want natural food enhancers, use sea salt in the recipes.

6. Spices

When accent seasoning was not around, people used spices to enhance food flavor. Even today, many people don’t prefer to use MSG in their foods. Instead, they flavor their recipes using various herbs or spice powder. 

So, that’s what makes spices the best substitute for accent seasoning. They add nuanced flavors to dishes without the need for premade seasoning blend. If you want to use cumin in your recipes, you can also use ground cumin. For the hint of garlic, you can use minced garlic if you don’t want to go for a spice blend. 

The fresh spices add a more earthy flavor to your dish. They make the dish top-notch and make the food appetizing. 

7. Herbs

Herbs are an excellent substitute for accent seasoning if you want a healthier and more natural way to add flavor to your food. Not only do they add bursts of flavor to your recipes, but they also feature various health benefits. 

Herbs are the leaves, stems, and flowers of plants used for culinary, medicinal, and aromatherapy purposes. Some common herbs used in cooking include basil, parsley, thyme, rosemary, and oregano.

Unlike accent seasoning, herbs are lower in sodium and add health benefits to your food dishes. For example, basil is a highly antioxidant herb and has anti-inflammatory properties. Rosemary is another herb that is packed with antioxidants and improves your digestion process.  

You can add herbs to soups, stews, marinades, sauces, and baked goods.

8. Vegetable Stock

Are you tired of using artificial seasoning additives like accent seasoning? Then you can use vegetable broth as the substitute. It not only gives a more natural flavor, but it’s also healthier to use.

Vegetable broth is made by simmering vegetables in water until they release their flavors. It’s a great way to add depth and richness to soups, stews, and other dishes. It will always be a healthier alternative because it’s made from all-natural ingredients.

But how to use it? For example, if the recipe calls for a teaspoon of accent, use a teaspoon of vegetable broth instead. You may need to adjust the salt you add to your broth. 

The vegetable broth will still add delicious flavor to your dish. The pulse point is so versatile that you can experiment with different vegetable combinations to create a broth to complement your recipes. 

9. Beef Stock or Broth

The beef broth or stock flavor is rich, savory, and meaty. It has a rich umami taste from the slow-simmered beef bones and other ingredients.

For several hours, it simmers beef bones, meat, vegetables, and aromatic herbs in water. This slow-cooking method extracts all the delectable flavors and nutrients from the ingredients, resulting in a hearty and flavorful liquid that can be used as a base for soups, stews, gravies, and sauces.

Here are some tips for you to use beef broth in your recipes. Add it to your recipe in place of water, or use it to deglaze the pan after sautéing meat or vegetables. You can make a quick pan sauce by adding butter, herbs, and a splash of wine or vinegar.

10. Creole Seasoning

Creole seasoning is a fantastic addition to any dish. While it’s not the same as Accent seasoning, it brings its unique flavor profile.

The creole seasoning is made with spices like paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and thyme. These spices combine to create a bold, savory flavor often associated with Southern cuisine.

Moreover, it is usually a bit spicier than Accent seasoning. The cayenne pepper brings the heat, but the other spices balance it. 

11. Soy Sauce

When using soy sauce as a substitute for accent seasoning, it’s important to remember that it has a robust and distinct flavor. It has an umami flavor and slight bitterness. So, ensure the amount of soy sauce you use in your recipes. 

Also, the color of soy sauce is dark black, so your dishes will also reflect the same color. Therefore, soy sauce is not used in all dishes but a few like Chinese words. 

Soy sauce is a flavorful condiment from fermented soybeans, wheat, salt, and water. You can use soy sauce in stir-fries, marinades, and dipping sauces. 

12. Bouillon Cubes

Bouillon cubes can be used as a substitute for accent seasoning. It adds a savory umami flavor to dishes. These bouillon cubes are made from dehydrated vegetables and meat; sometimes, MSG is also added to make these bouillon cubes. However, the MSG can be skipped if you still need one.

These cubes are made by combining dehydrated vegetables and meat. It is made with raw ingredients that are chopped, grounded, or pureed into a paste. 

This paste is then dried through evaporation or freeze-drying, removing moisture and concentrating the flavors. You can use bouillon cubes as a base for soups, stews, or sauces. 

13. Garlic And Onion Mix

Mixing garlic and onions will make it a suitable replacement for the accent seasoning. There are equal parts of garlic and onion with a pinch of salt added. Then it is roasted in the pan and used in the cooking mix.

When it comes to cooking, we sometimes need all the ingredients we need on hand. It can be helpful to know about possible substitutes for certain seasonings or flavors in those situations.

Garlic and onion are very flavorful and can add savory flavor. You can make the mix easily at home as onion, and garlic are mostly available in your kitchen pantry. 

Garlic and onion mix has different flavors than accent seasoning. Garlic has a strong, pungent flavor, while the onion powder has a milder, sweeter taste. Together, they create a delicious blend that will elevate your dish when they are added. 

14. Cajun Seasoning

Cajun seasoning may be one of many options that come to mind. But it’s a good accent seasoning alternative. While accent seasoning is more of a flavor enhancement, cajun seasoning is a spice blend to add savory notes to your dishes.

Cajun seasoning is a blend of spices mainly used in Cajun and Creole cuisine. It originated in Louisiana, USA. The ingredients present in cajun seasoning are paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and various other herbs and spices.

This seasoning has more earthy flavors that add depth of flavors to the dishes. So, you can easily replace accent seasoning with cajun seasoning. 

Short Recap Of Accent Seasoning Substitutes

Here is a quick recap of the accent seasoning substitutes. 

Best Accent Seasoning Substitutes In Terms Of Flavor and Texture –

• Salt 
• Spices
• Beef Broth 

Best Accent Seasoning Substitutes That Are Easily Available –

• Salt
• Spices
• Creole Seasoning 
• Cajun Seasoning 

Accent Seasoning Substitutes Should Be Least Considered –

• Soy Sauce 
• Vegetable Broth

How To Use Accent Seasoning Substitute In A Recipe

10 Accent Seasoning Substitutes To Try

If you are looking for accent seasoning substitutes, you have come to the right place. Accent seasoning is a popular ingredient in many dishes, known for its ability to enhance the flavor of food.

5 from 3 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!

Ingredients

  

• Salt
• Korean Bamboo Salt
• Kosher Salt
• China Salt
• Sea Salt
• Spices
• Herbs
• Vegetable Broth
• Beef Stock or Broth
• Creole Seasoning
• Soy Sauce
• Bouillon Cubes
• Garlic And Onion Mix
• Cajun Seasoning

Instructions

 

• Go through the substitutes and see which one seems fit for the recipe.
• Collect your ingredients and use your preferred substitute.
• Use the substitute in the required amount and make the dish according to the recipe.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Conclusion

We have just listed ten accent seasoning substitutes that you can use in your recipes. These substitutes are perfect for those who want extra flavors in their dishes. Of all these options, I find salt, spices, and bouillon cubes the best substitutes for accent seasoning.

For those unfamiliar with accent seasoning, it’s a popular seasoning mix commonly used in American cuisine. MSG is the main ingredient of this seasoning, known as a flavor enhancer for the dish. 

Some people may avoid accent seasoning due to its high sodium content and MSG, an artificial flavor enhancer. In that case, the list of substitutes will help you better.

You can still achieve that delicious umami and savory flavor using these accent seasoning substitutes without compromising your dietary preferences.

This list has provided you with some valuable suggestions. Stay tuned for more substitute recommendations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)