If someone asks you to name two seasoning blends that often confuse you when it mainly comes to Latin cuisine, our subject leaders will be at the top of your list. Thus, here’s all you need to learn about adobo seasoning vs Sazon seasoning.
Adobo seasoning and Sazon seasoning may appear the same since they tend to share the same root. But in fact, authentic Sazon seasoning contains additional ingredients like annatto seeds and coriander, which we don’t usually savor in adobo seasoning. Consequently, they differ in flavor and, sometimes, in color.
So, refer to the table below for further clarification on how these two blends differ from each other.
Adobo Seasoning vs Sazon Seasoning- The Comparison Table
| Adobo Seasoning | Sazon Seasoning | |
|---|---|---|
| Main ingredients | – Turmeric – Garlic powder – Black pepper/ white pepper – Onion powder – Dried oregano – Ground cumin It might also include: – Paprika – Chili powder – Dried lemon/lime peel – Salt – Monosodium glutamate (MSG) – Sunflower oil – Anti-caking agents (tricalcium – – phosphate/ silicon dioxide) | – Annatto seeds (achiote) – Ground coriander seeds – Garlic powder – Onion powder – Black pepper – Ground cumin It might also include: – Salt – Paprika – Ground turmeric (instead of annatto/achiote) – Monosodium glutamate (MSG) – Anti-caking agents – Other color additives and preservatives |
| Base Flavor | Savory and spicy | Savory and spicy |
| Flavor profile | Less intense than Sazon seasoning with an earthy, smokey, savory, and salty note. It can be spicy if paprika and chili powder are used. | Spicier and a bit more intense than adobo seasoning with tangy, earthy, smokey, and salty undertones. |
| Color | Usually lighter in color than Sazon seasoning | Generally has a darker hue than adobo seasoning |
| Texture | Dry and powdery mixture | Dry and powdery mixture |
| Mode of usage in cooking | As a cooking ingredient | As a cooking ingredient |
| Usages in cooking | – Mostly used to season meat and vegetables. – Can be incorporated into ground meat mixtures to make sausages, meatballs, burger patties, etc. – To be sprinkled over warm and crisp fries and chips. – As an ingredient when making corn, yuca, and meat fritters. – To make signature kidney bean dishes. | – Widely used with Latin American or Mexican dishes. – Gives a vibrant color and taste to bean dishes. – It can be incorporated into rice dishes. – It offers a great punch of flavor – when sprinkled onto egg dishes like Ranchero Mexican eggs. – Can be used as a steak seasoning and to season other types of meat like chicken, pork, lamb, etc. – Can be mixed into soups and stews. |
| Origin | Caribbean/ Latin America/ Spanish | Mexican/ Latin American/ Spanish |
| Mode of production | Store-bought options are available, while homemade recipes also exist. | Store-bought options are available, while homemade recipes also exist. |
| Availability | – Typically comes in jars and containers. – Can be purchased from supermarkets, grocery stores and is widely available on online shopping sites. | – Comes in jars, bottles, and packets. – Readily available on online shopping sites and be bought from leading supermarkets or grocery stores. |
| Storage | – Best stored in a tight-fitting glass container/jar/spice shaker. – Can be kept with other dry herbs and spices inside the spice cabinet/rack with no direct sunlight, zero humidity, and moisture. | – Best stored in a tight-fitting glass container/jar/spice shaker. – Can be kept with other dry herbs and spices inside the spice cabinet/rack with no direct sunlight, zero humidity, and moisture. |
Elaboration Of The Difference Between Adobo Seasoning And Sazon Seasoning
As we presented from the table above, it is clear that the main difference between these two seasoning blends comes down to their ingredients. Although they apparently share the same root and are close relatives, Sazon seasoning is a bit more sophisticated in flavor.
Consequently, Sazon seasoning holds a deeper color with a more sweet and peppery taste than adobo seasoning. And it is used with more regional foods, while adobo seasoning is considered an all-purpose seasoning that becomes a perfect flavor enhancer even for a wide variety of dishes.
Summing Up
The key difference between adobo seasoning and Sazon seasoning is their content. Sazon seasoning contains additional ingredients like annatto (achiote) and ground coriander seeds, whereas we don’t usually see these ingredients in adobo seasoning.
