This post may include affiliate links. Thank you for your support.

Golden, bold, and bursting with warm Latin flavor, this homemade sazon seasoning is your shortcut to big flavor with zero stress. One sprinkle delivers rich color along with savory, earthy, and warming taste. Five minutes, one jar, this spice recipe—and you’ll never go back to store-bought again.

“I love making my own spice blends – knowing exactly what’s in them, i.e., no weird stuff! This one is very versatile, love it on meats, rice and potatoes!”

– MAXINE
Overhead photo of sazon spice in a large mixing bowl.

Update: This recipe was originally published in February 2019. I made updates to the article below to include more information about this sazón recipe.

Hi, friends! If you’ve been looking for a bold spice blend that will turn the simplest of rice recipes, beans dishes, plates of veggies, and all the meats into ridiculously flavorful and beautifully vibrant culinary masterpieces without breaking a sweat, meet your new favorite pantry MVP:

Table of Contents

About this sazón seasoning

Think of this sazón recipe as your all-purpose “make it taste like it came from a restaurant” spice mix.

With a fragrant blend of ground coriander, cumin, garlic, onion, oregano, annatto (or turmeric and paprika), this seasoning mix gives food a gorgeous reddish-orange hue and delivers savory, slightly smoky, gently garlicky flavor that enhances everything it touches.

It’s incredible on rice and beans, chicken thighs, pulled pork, seafood, roasted sweet potatoes, taco bowls, and salmon grain bowls.

And, this fragrant Latin-inspired blend is naturally MSG-free, and made from simple pantry staples—no preservatives, fillers, or mystery ingredients. Quick to mix, super-simple to customize, and bursting with cozy flavors, this sazon spice recipe is all about delivering maximum flavor with zero effort and no additives.

Why you’ll love this recipe

TL;DR? Get the gist on this sazon seasoning recipe below:

  • Balanced, Bold Flavor. Coriander brings citrusy warmth, cumin lends earthy depth; onion, garlic, and oregano provide a savory backbone, and annatto (or turmeric and paprika) provides mild warmth and that signature golden color.
  • Gorgeous Color, No Dies or Heat. Achiote/annatto or turmeric gives this spice blend its signature reddish-orange hue—so it looks bold without any artificial dies or spicy heat.
  • Beautiful Texture. This blend of finely ground spices clings beautifully to meat and veggies; and disperses easily into beans, rice and stews, ensuring every bite is well seasoned. 
  • Made from Pantry Staples in 5 Minutes. Every ingredient is easy to find at the grocery store and shelf stable. (Don’t worry, there’s a very simple swap if you cant find annatto.)
  • Customizable and Additive-Free. Many store‑bought seasoning packets like Sazon Goya contain MSG, anti‑caking agents, and dyes like Yellow 5 and Red 40. But when you make it homemade, you can control the salt AND skip the additives.
  • All-Purpose Flavor Magic. Works beautifully in summer on grilled proteins and veggies, in the winter to flavor cozy soups and stew, and in plenty of rice dishes in between.

In the market for more flavorful homemade seasoning mixes? Check out these reader favorites next: BBQ Spices, Burger Spices, Cajun Mix Spice, Everything But Bagel Spices, Ranch Spices, and Old Bay Spices.

Overhead photo of sazon seasoning ingredients neatly arranged in a large bowl - before being mixed together.

Ingredients for homemade sazon seasoning

Here’s what you’ll need to make this homemade sazon seasoning, along with what each ingredient brings to the spice mix:

  • Ground Coriander. Adds citrusy and lightly floral notes that brightens the blend.
  • Ground Cumin. Lends warmth, an earthy depth of flavor, and that unmistakable Latin aroma.
  • Annatto (Achiote) Powder. Gives sazón that signature reddish‑orange color and a mildly earthy, slightly peppery flavor. Swap: A combination of sweet paprika and turmeric is a perfectly good substitute.  
  • Garlic Powder. Provides savory depth and mellow garlic flavor. 
  • Dried Oregano. Lends a hint of herbaceous warmth. Swap: Use Mexican oregano for a slightly stronger flavor.
  • Onion Powder. Brings gentle sweetness.
  • Kosher Salt. Pulls all the flavors together and rounds out the spice blend.
  • Ground Black Pepper. Adds a gentle heat and complexity.

Recipe variations

  • Classic Puerto Rican-Style. Omit the onion powder and black pepper to keep it traditional of Puerto Rico.
  • Low-Sodium Version: Reduce salt by half for heart-conscious cooking.
  • Salt-Free Sazon: Omit the salt, but be sure to season your dishes individually to taste.
  • Spicy Sazon: Add a pinch of cayenne for a gentle kick.
  • Smoky Spice Mix: Use smoked paprika and a touch of chipotle powder for a smokier sazon seasoning recipe.
  • Herb-Forward Blend: Increase the oregano slightly and addin a little dried thyme for a more herbal profile.
Overhead action photo of a spoon stirring together sazón spices in a large bowl.

Professional check tips for perfect results every time

  • Grind Whole Spices, If Possible. Use whole coriander, cumin, and annatto seeds and grind them yourself for a noticeably bolder, fresher flavor.
  • And, Start with Fresh Spices. The fresher your ground spices, the more vibrant your homemade sazón will taste. Old spices make for a flat, bland spice blend.
  • Use Salt to Taste. Decide whether you want this to function like a “complete seasoning” and include the kosher salt in this sazon seasoning recipe. Or, leave the salt out if you like to season dishes individually.
  • Adjust to Taste. Before storing, taste the seasoning mix, and adjust it to your liking. A pinch of this, a dash of that, or a small tweak in salt are sometimes all you need to make the flavors sing.
  • Mix Enough for Future You. You’ll want to use about 1 tablespoon of sazon spice at a time, so this recipe for a 1/3‑cup batch is a sweet spot for occasional use without losing freshness.
  • Store Properly. Be sure to keep the blend in a cook, dark place. Light and heat dull spices very quickly.
  • Use the Right Amount. As a general rule of thumb, you’ll want to use use about 1 to 1½ tablespoons of this sazon recipe per pound of meat, or 2 to 3 teaspoons for a cup of rice or a can of beans.

FAQs: frequently asked questions

Below you’ll find the most common questions and answers about making this recipe. If you have a question you’d like answered, please drop it in the comments section below!

What is sazon seasoning?

Sazón is a Latin American spice blend—especially common in Puerto Rican and Dominican cooking, but also used in Mexican and Spanish cuisine—typically made with coriander, cumin, garlic, oregano, and ground annatto for color and mild warmth.

Since Sazon, pronounced sa-son, means ‘seasoning’ in Spanish, it is easy to see where the name for this multi-purpose blend comes from.

What does it taste like?

It has a distinctively savory taste with warming, earthy, slightly smoky, and aromatic notes. While it’s a warm reddish-golden color, the blend is not spicy in flavor at all.

Is it spicy?

No, it’s not spicy or hot in flavor at all. Despite the bold color, sazon seasoning mixes are mild and more about savory warmth. However, you can definitely add a little heat by adding pinch of cayenne pepper to sazon seasoning recipes.

Is this the same as Sazon Goya seasoning?

While this homemade sazon recipe is molded after the flavor profile found in a packet of Sazon Goya, this blend skips the artificial colors, preservatives, and unappealing MSG commonly found in the commercial packets. No weird, unnatural ingredients here —just savory, warming, and inviting flavor.

What can I use instead of annatto or achiote?

I get my ground annatto online (Amazon), but if you can’t find it or don’t want to bother using it, that’s okay. You can use an even mix of turmeric and paprika to approximate both the color and the gentle warmth that annatto brings to sazon.

How much sazon spice should I use in recipes?

Depending on how much flavor you want to add, you should use about 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of Sazon seasoning mix per pound of chicken or meat. And about 2-3 teaspoons of spice mix per cup of rice and per 15-ounce can of beans. However, keep in mind this will depend upon your preferences and tastebuds. If you love bold food, lean on the heavy handed side. But if you prefer things milder, err on the side of caution.

How much sazon spice mix is in a packet?

There’s approximately 1 and ½ teaspoons of in one of those store-bought packets of sazón.

What is sazon seasoning used for?

This latin spice blend is commonly used to season rice, beans, soups, veggies, chicken, pork, and seafood. Basically, it’s great on most things. But, scroll down for a list of delicious serving suggestions.

Close-up overhead photo of a teaspoon measure scooping homemade sazon seasoning from a large container.

Using this sazon spice recipe

Since sazón seasoning is a multi-purpose seasoning, you can use it in a myriad of ways. It’s quick and simple way to add a powerful and vibrant punch of flavor to Spanish and Mexican dishes.

  • Season Proteins. Use this sazon recipe to season pork, beef or steak and sprinkle of chicken thighs or other cuts of chicken before grilling or roasting.
  • Sprinkle over Rice and Beans. Stir into rice dishes, like arroz con gandules, yellow rice, Puerto Rican rice and beans, or even Cuban beans for a golden pot of goodness.
  • Season Soups, Stews, and Braises. Add the spice blend to soups, like black bean soup, stews like pollo guisado, or slow-cooked meats, like this ropa vieja recipe, for a delicious depth of flavor.
  • Mix into Marinades. Add extra color and inviting aroma by adding a little latin spice to your favorite marinade recipes.
  • Toss with Veggies. Sprinkle homemade sazon seasoning over sweet potatoes or your favorite root veggies and roast in the oven for a sweet-savory, caramelized veggie side dish.

Unique serving ideas

Storing leftover

  • Room Temperature Storage: Store this sazon spice recipe in an airtight container or spice jar in a cool, dry place away from moisture for up to 6 months.
  • Freezing Instructions: While you can freeze spice blends, it’s not necessary and can dull flavors.
  • Reheating: Not applicable—simply give the storage jar a shake to redistribute any settles spices before measuring. Then, add the homemade sazon directly to your recipes as needed.
Overhead photo of a spoon lifting latin seasoning mix from a spice container.

If you love the classic Sazon Goya seasoning, you’ve got to give this homemade blend a try. Made in mere minutes with pantry staples and zero additives, this homemade sazón seasoning recipe delivers bold inviting flavor, gorgeous color, and delicious Latin vibes to everything it touches. Whether you’re seasoning rice and beans, chicken, beef, or veggies, this sazon spice recipe will bring warmth, comfort, and a little confidence to your cooking.

I hope you give it a try! But, don’t forget to come back and share how you used it—leave a comment below or tag me on social media. I truly love cheering you on in the kitchen. Until next time, cheers, friends!

Cheyanne

Craving MORE? Follow all the deliciousness on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram!

More homemade seasoning mixes!

Are you looking for more international seasoning blends? Try these reader favorites:

Overhead photo of homemade sazon seasoning in a large white bowl with a teaspoon measures next to the bowl.

Homemade Sazon Seasoning Mix

5 from 4 votes
Author: Cheyanne Holzworth
Total Time: 5 minutes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Golden, bold, and bursting with warm Latin flavor, this homemade sazon seasoning is your shortcut to big flavor with zero stress. One sprinkle delivers rich color along with savory, earthy, and warming taste. Five minutes, one jar, this recipe—and you'll never go back to store-bought again.

Equipment

  • 1 Small mixing bowl

Ingredients 

Instructions

  • Combine Sazon Ingredients: Add all the ingredients to a small bowl and mix well to combine. Taste and adjust to suit your preferences.
  • Use or Store Sazon Seasoning: Transfer to an airtight container and store in a cool, dry place away from sunlight.
    Overhead photo of homemade sazon seasoning in a large white bowl with a teaspoon measures next to the bowl.

Notes

  1. Conversion: 1 ½ teaspoons of this homemade Sazon seasoning equals 1 packet of Sazon Goya seasoning.
  2. Start Smart: Make sure the ground spices you are using are fresh and haven’t expired. If they have been in your cabinet for years, they need to be tossed. Using expires spices in this blend will result in a mix that’s bland, dull, and lackluster in flavor. 
  3. Need to Scale the Recipe? Hover your mouse over the number of servings in the recipe card. You’ll see a sliding scale pop up, you can use that to scale the recipe up or down as needed.
  4. Got questions? I’ve got answers! If you ever run into an issue, have a question, or need any clarification – please feel free to drop them in the comments section. I’m happy to help when I can! (Please check the FAQs section in the article first.)
  5. Yield: approximately 6 tablespoons or a heaping 1/3 cup
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and the nutrition facts are an estimate based upon 6 servings (about 1 tablespoon per serving). Exact information will depend upon the brands of ingredients and precise measurements used.

Nutrition

Calories: 17kcal    Carbohydrates: 3g    Protein: 1g    Fat: 0.4g    Saturated Fat: 0.1g    Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g    Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g    Sodium: 779mg    Potassium: 92mg    Fiber: 1g    Sugar: 0.2g    Vitamin A: 44IU    Vitamin C: 2mg    Calcium: 30mg    Iron: 2mg
Course: Condiment
Cuisine: Latin

Did you make this recipe?

Mention @nospoonnecessary on Instagram and tag it #nospoonnecessary!

©No Spoon Necessary.  All images and content are under copyright protection. Please do not use any images without prior permission. If you want to publish this recipe please do not list instructions, instead link directly back to this post.