Monterey seasoning is a blend of herbs and spices that is commonly used to season meat, seafood, vegetables, and more. It typically contains ingredients like garlic, onion, paprika, oregano, thyme, basil, parsley, and pepper. The exact blend can vary between brands, but the key flavors tend to be savory, aromatic, and slightly spicy.
What are the origins of Monterey seasoning?
Monterey seasoning originated in Monterey, California. It was created and popularized by Paul Prudhomme, a well-known American chef. In 1979, Prudhomme opened his restaurant K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen in Louisiana, where he started serving his signature blackened redfish seasoned with his homemade blend of spices. This Cajun-inspired seasoning mix became known as Monterey seasoning and it quickly grew in popularity across the country.
The seasoning was named after Monterey to pay homage to where Prudhomme first experimented with the mix of herbs and spices while working as a chef in Monterey. Although it has its roots in Cajun and Creole cuisine, Monterey seasoning has evolved over the years into a versatile all-purpose seasoning blend inspired by the herbs and flavors of the California coast.
What are the most common ingredients and flavors?
While there are many variations, most Monterey seasoning blends contain some combination of the following core ingredients:
- Paprika – Provides a mild chili pepper flavor and reddish-orange color.
- Oregano – Earthy, aromatic herb flavor.
- Thyme – Woodsy, minty flavor.
- Basil – Sweet, peppery flavor with hints of mint and licorice.
- Parsley – Fresh, grassy flavor.
- Garlic powder – Savory, pungent garlic taste.
- Onion powder – Mild sweetness and onion flavor.
- Black pepper – Spicy heat and punch.
- Cayenne pepper – Bright, hot chili flavor.
- Salt – Enhances overall flavors.
The blend of these herbs, spices, and seasonings gives Monterey seasoning its signature savory, aromatic, and slightly spicy taste profile. It has notes of garlic, onion, chili pepper heat, and earthy herbs. The paprika provides a nice reddish hue while the diversity of herbs and spices gives it a complex, robust flavor.
What types of dishes is Monterey seasoning used for?
Monterey seasoning is a very versatile all-purpose seasoning that can be used to flavor many different types of dishes, including:
- Meat – Season pork chops, chicken, steak, lamb, etc. Monterey seasoning is great on grilled, roasted, pan-seared, or baked meat.
- Seafood – Excellent for seasoning shrimp, fish fillets, scallops, clams, mussels, etc. before baking, sautéing, or grilling.
- Vegetables – Toss with veggies like zucchini, squash, potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, etc. prior to roasting.
- Pasta – Sprinkle over pasta salads or stir into hot pasta with olive oil.
- Rice – Mix with rice for added flavor.
- Dips – Add to hummus, bean dips, baba ghanoush, etc.
- Soups & Stews – Add to chowders, chili, marinara sauce, etc.
- Casseroles – Incorporate into recipes like lasagna, enchiladas, etc.
It can be used as a dry rub or seasoning blend in many dishes. The complexity of the blend allows it to enhance a wide range of savory foods from meat to vegetables to grains. A little bit goes a long way in adding lots of flavor.
What are some recipe ideas with Monterey seasoning?
Here are just a few recipe ideas that showcase how versatile and delicious Monterey seasoning can be:
Monterey Chicken
Coat chicken breasts with olive oil then generously season with Monterey seasoning. Bake at 400°F until cooked through and browned. Serve with rice pilaf and vegetables.
Monterey Grilled Vegetables
Toss squash, zucchini, eggplant, peppers, etc. with olive oil and Monterey seasoning. Grill over medium-high heat until tender and lightly charred. Serve as a side or over pasta.
Monterey Chili
Sauté ground beef with onions and garlic. Add Monterey seasoning, canned tomatoes, beans, stock, and other desired chili ingredients. Simmer until thickened. Garnish with cheddar cheese, sour cream, etc.
Monterey Spiced Nuts
Toss pecans, walnuts, almonds, etc. with olive oil, honey, and generous amounts of Monterey seasoning. Bake at 350°F, stirring often, until toasted and glazed with seasoning.
Monterey Shrimp
Season peeled shrimp with Monterey seasoning, olive oil, salt, and pepper. skewer and grill over high heat just until opaque. Serve with rice and grilled pineapple.
Where can you buy Monterey seasoning?
There are many brands of Monterey seasoning that can be found at most grocery stores, specialty food shops, and online retailers including:
| Brand | Where to Buy |
|---|---|
| Spice Islands | Grocery stores like Safeway, Kroger, etc. |
| McCormick | Grocery stores like Walmart, Target, etc. |
| Weber | Walmart, Home Depot, Ace Hardware |
| Paul Prudhomme | Walmart, specialty retailers |
| Badia | Publix, Winn-Dixie, Fiesta Mart |
| Simply Organic | Amazon, Vitacost, Thrive Market |
| Tony Chachere’s | Walmart, grocery stores in the South |
Some chefs also make their own unique blends from scratch. But most brands offer convenient pre-mixed seasonings so you can easily add Monterey spice to your cooking.
What’s the difference between Monterey seasoning and other seasoning blends?
Monterey seasoning has some similarities to other popular herb and spice blends but also some distinct differences:
- It has a more robust, hotter flavor compared to Italian seasoning due to additions like paprika and cayenne pepper.
- The herb and spice balance is different than taco seasoning which relies more heavily on cumin, chili powder, and red pepper flakes.
- Monterey seasoning uses onions and garlic while jerk seasoning gets more heat from Scotch bonnet peppers.
- It includes basil and thyme which are not typical ingredients in Cajun seasoning blends.
- The flavor profile is tomatoes, onions, and smoky while barbecue seasoning is more sweet and tangy.
So while Monterey seasoning shares some notes with other blends, the exact balance of spices and heat level makes it stand out. It has a uniquely savory, versatile flavor with origins in California cuisine.
Conclusion
Monterey seasoning is an incredibly useful blend of herbs, spices, garlic, and peppers that can enhance the flavor of many dishes. Originally created in California, it now graces tables across America thanks to its savory, aromatic, and slightly spicy taste. This versatile seasoning can be used to enhance everything from grilled meats to pasta dishes to dips. With a complex blend of ingredients like paprika, oregano, and cayenne pepper, a little Monterey seasoning goes a long way in adding fabulous flavor to all kinds of foods.