A well-seasoned plate of food is among everyone’s tasty fantasies. Thus, let us share with you about adobo seasoning vs all-purpose seasoning- two blends that’ll help you to come up with delicious meals.
Adobo seasoning usually has a standard recipe, while the ingredients used in all-purpose seasoning vary depending on the person or the brand. However, both feature some common spices and herbs, and their usage in cooking is also quite similar.
So, read further to learn more about these two seasoning blends.
Adobo Seasoning vs All Purpose Seasoning
| Adobo Seasoning | All-purpose Seasoning | |
|---|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Main ingredients: – Garlic powder – Onion powder – Black pepper/ white pepper – Turmeric – Ground cumin – Dried oregano Some recipes might also include: – Paprika – Salt – Dried lemon/lime peel – Anti-caking agents (tricalcium phosphate/ silicon dioxide) – Chili powder – Monosodium glutamate (MSG) – Sunflower oil | Most varieties include: – Granulated garlic/ garlic powder – Granulated onion/ onion powder – Black pepper – Paprika Other ingredients include: – Cayenne pepper – Ground coriander seeds – Dry mustard – Ground cumin – Ground celery seeds – Dried herbs (oregano, basil, thyme, tarragon, sage, parsley, cilantro) – Citric acid – Salt – Sugar – Lemon peel |
| Base Flavor | Savory and spicy | Savory and spicy |
| Flavor Profile | Earthy, warm, savory, slightly spicy, and smokey with salty hints. | The flavor profile of all-purpose seasoning may vary depending on the ingredients used. But, it is often savory, spicy, and earthy, with a robust umami and peppery undertones. |
| Texture | Powder-like, dry mixture | Powder-like, dry mixture |
| Mode of usage in cooking | As a cooking ingredient | As a cooking ingredient |
| Color | It generally has a yellowish tone since turmeric is used. But the color might change if chili powder or paprika are added. | The color could vary depending on the ingredients used. |
| Usages in cooking | – Mainly related to Hispanic cooking. – Primarily used as a seasoning for any type of meat and most vegetables. – Used as an ingredient in many kinds of savory fritters. – In making Mexican/ Latino-inspired kidney bean dishes. – To be incorporated into ground meat mixtures when making sausages, meatballs, burger patties, etc. – It can be sprinkled over hot and crispy potato chips and fries to improve the flavor. | – As a dry rub or base for marinades and wet rubs. – To be applied to grilled meat and seafood. – It can be used to sprinkle over roasted vegetables. – In flavoring sauces and dips. – Can be added to salads and salad dressings. – To enhance the flavor of noodles, rice, and pasta dishes. |
| Origin | Latin American/ Caribbean/ Spanish cuisines | American/ British cuisines |
| Mode of production | Both commercially made and domestic options exist. | Both commercially made and domestic options exist. |
| Availability | – Readily available in different packaging and quantities under many brand names. – You can buy them from leading online shopping sites, grocery stores, and supermarkets. | – Readily available in different packaging and quantities under many brand names. – You can buy them from leading online shopping sites, grocery stores, and supermarkets. |
| Storage | – For longer shelf life, it is best to store it in a tight-fitting glass container/ spice shaker/bottle. – Can be kept with other dry spice blends/seasonings inside the spice cupboard/rack in a dark place with zero humidity and moisture. | – For longer shelf life, it is best to store it in a tight-fitting glass container/ spice shaker/bottle. – Can be kept with other dry spice blends/seasonings inside the spice cupboard/rack in a dark place with zero humidity and moisture. |
More Insights To Adobo Seasoning And All-purpose Seasoning…
As you see, adobo seasoning and all-purpose seasoning have very subtle differences that we hardly notice. In fact, adobo seasoning itself is an all-purpose seasoning used widely in the Hispanic cooking culture.
However, adobo seasoning typically contains turmeric, which we do not see much in an all-purpose seasoning recipe. But, both include onion, garlic, and black pepper, making them a universal combination and a common factor for all varieties of all-purpose seasoning blends.
Moreover, most all-purpose seasoning recipes contain paprika, while adobo seasoning can even be made without this ingredient. Nonetheless, apart from these few differences, their uses are pretty comparable. And both can be used to flavor a wide range of dishes, including meat, seafood, and vegetables.
