I personally taste-tested a variety of Spike seasoning substitutes to find the best one for every cooking occasion. Whether you’re on the hunt for the closest flavor match, in need of a last-minute pantry substitute, or want a swap that fits your diet, I’ve got the answers.
The best substitute for Spike seasoning is to make your own blend. But if you’re all about convenience, try Mrs. Dash seasoning or other pre-made seasoning blends from brands like Lawry’s or Vegeta. Vegetable bouillon or adobo seasoning are not exact flavor matches but will work in a pinch.
The Experiment
I whipped up a batch of French fries to test different Spike seasoning substitutes.
Spike seasoning is a multi-purpose seasoning that contains salt and a whopping 39 different herbs and spices. It has a savory, zesty flavor and a prominent umami twist. The great thing about this seasoning blend is you can use it with anything. You can sprinkle it on snacks like fries, onion rings, and chips, or use it to season dishes like soups, stews, and proteins.
Here are the substitutes I tested and my verdicts:
| Substitutes | Notes | Verdict |
| Homemade Spike Seasoning | Customizable and easy to make. | 10/10 |
| Mrs. Dash Seasoning | Salt-free and MSG-free. | 9/10 |
| Other Seasoning Blends | Typically MSG-free. | 8/10 |
| Vegetable Bouillon | Can be used in cubes or pulsed into a fine powder. | 8/10 |
| Adobo Seasoning | Has similar zesty notes, but bolder. | 7/10 |
| Italian Seasoning | Herbaceous, lacks savory, umami kick | 7/10 |
Homemade Spike Seasoning
When in doubt, make it yourself! Spike seasoning’s ingredient list is not a secret, and most of the herbs and spices are easily sourced (although there are a lot of them!). If there’s any you can’t find or don’t want to buy a whole bottle of, it’s okay to leave a few out.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup salt
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons dry mustard
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon celery flakes
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon tarragon
- 1 teaspoon basil
- 1 teaspoon dill
- 1 teaspoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon marjoram
- 1 teaspoon crushed rosemary
Method
- Crush any spices you need in a spice grinder or with a mortar and pestle.
- Combine all the spices in a bowl and stir well to combine.
- Place the spice mix in an airtight container and store in a cool place away from direct sunlight. Shake well before use.
The best thing about making your own Spike seasoning is that you can tailor the blend to your liking. If you want it less salty, reduce the salt. Or if you really hate one of the herbs, leave it out. Want it spicy? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
How to Substitute: Replace Spike seasoning in a 1:1 ratio with the homemade version.
Mrs. Dash Seasoning
Mrs. Dash seasoning is a popular seasoning blend that you can use in place of Spike seasoning. They have some of the same ingredients like thyme, orange peel, and celery seed. But Mrs Dash is salt-free, which makes it a suitable option for those on a low-sodium diet (although you can also get salt-free spike seasoning).
Mrs Dash also doesn’t contain any umami-forward ingredients like Spike seasoning, which means it has less depth and isn’t as savory. Mrs Dash is lighter and more herbaceous. If the umami aspect is crucial for your dish, add some nutritional yeast, MSG, or soy sauce to the seasoning.
How to Substitute: Replace Spike seasoning in a 1:1 ratio with Mrs. Dash seasoning.
Other Seasoning Blends
Mrs. Dash isn’t the only seasoning blend you can use to replace Spike seasoning. Brands like Lawry’s Seasoned Salt, Morton Season All, and Vegeta All Purpose seasoning differ in flavor from Spike seasoning, but they’re all a mix of salt, herbs, and spices that can bring complexity to your dishes.
Most of these blends have no umami-rich ingredients, so again you might want to add some MSG or nutritional yeast to get the same savory flavor as Spike. Mushroom powder is another umami powerhouse you could use.
Psst… remember to check the ingredients or taste your seasoning blend before using it. Some (like Morton) are spicy, so you don’t want to add too much!
How to Substitute: Replace Spike seasoning in a 1:1 ratio with your choice of seasoning blend.
Vegetable Bouillon
Vegetable bouillon cubes are mostly used to make instant broth but here’s a life hack: you can also use it for seasoning if it’s all you have on hand.
Vegetable bouillon isn’t an exact flavor match for Spike seasoning, but it has a concentrated savory flavor and often has added MSG that gives it a punchy umami twist. I threw a couple of cubes into my food processor and blitzed them into a powder so I could sprinkle it on my French fries.
If your dish is liquid, you can just toss in ¼ of a vegetable bouillon cube into the sauce and let it dissolve. You can also use chicken bouillon, but I wouldn’t recommend using beef bouillon instead of Spike seasoning.
How to Substitute: Replace 1 tsp of Spike seasoning with ¼ Vegetable bouillon cube, grated.
Adobo Seasoning
This Hispanic staple is a surprising substitute for Spike seasoning that you can use in a pinch.
It’s a simpler blend than Spike seasoning, with more of a garlic-forward flavor and earthy undertones. But both seasonings are lively and zesty. Adobo seasoning is more potent, so I recommend starting with less than the recipe calls for an then adjusting to taste.
It’s typically used as a spice rub and base for marinades but no one’s stopping you from sprinkling it over your soups and stews or even snacks!
How to Substitute: Replace 1 tsp of Spike seasoning with ¾ Adobo seasoning.
Italian Seasoning
Most of the herbs in Italian seasoning are also present in Spike, so you’re essentially halfway there when you have this blend on hand. You just need to make a few adjustments.
What I like to do is add a dash of garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and MSG powder. These are simple additions that give your herbaceous mix a savory, umami twist similar to Spike seasoning. You can also add other ingredients like dill, cumin, and celery seeds.
Psst… you can also use Herbes de Provence and make the same changes as mentioned above.
How to Substitute: Replace Spike seasoning in a 1:1 ratio with revamped Italian seasoning.
Other Substitute Options
The list above are my top choices for Spike seasoning substitutes, but here are a couple more you can use if you have them.
- Creole seasoning: This Louisiana spice blend shares some ingredients with Spike seasoning, giving it a familiar flavor. But it’s spicier and lacks the umaminess.
- Old Bay seasoning: This blend is more savory and warm than Spike seasoning, but it’s a solid option with seafood dishes.
BEST Spike Seasoning Substitutes
Ingredients
- ⅛ to ¼ cup salt
- 2 ½ tsp paprika
- 1 ½ tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp dry mustard
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp dill
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp tarragon
- 1 tsp basil
- 1 tbsp dried onions
- 1 tsp curry powder
- 1 tsp celery flakes
- 1 tsp marjoram
- 1 tsp crushed rosemary
- 1 tsp bell pepper flakes
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a food processor or spice grinder. Pulse until you get a fine powder. Transfer the mixture into an airtight container and store in a cool, dry place.
