Baked Potato Seasoning is an easy way to turn a simple potato into something flavorful, satisfying, and a little more exciting. This recipe gives you three homemade seasoning blends in one: a bold Elote Seasoning with smoky heat and cheesy flavor, a savory Herb Seasoning with thyme, rosemary, parsley, and parmesan, and a Traditional Seasoning made with garlic, onion, parsley, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Sprinkle any of these blends over hot baked potatoes, roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes, vegetables, or even chicken for a quick boost of flavor.
Homemade seasoning blends are simple to prepare, easy to customize, and a great way to use the spices already in your pantry. If you enjoy making your own spice mixes, this baked potato seasoning recipe is a practical place to start because each blend takes only a few minutes to stir together.
Baked Potato Seasoning
A plain baked potato is a classic side dish, but the right seasoning can make it feel completely new. Butter, sour cream, cheese, and chives are always delicious, but sometimes it is nice to change the flavor profile without adding a lot of extra work. These baked potato seasoning blends are made with dried spices and shelf-stable ingredients, so they are convenient to keep on hand for quick meals.
This recipe includes three different options, each with its own personality. The Elote Seasoning is inspired by the flavors often used with Mexican street corn. It combines chipotle powder, chili powder, cumin, coriander, sugar, salt, and grated parmesan cheese for a smoky, lightly spicy, slightly sweet blend. It is especially good on baked potatoes with butter, but it also works well on roasted vegetables.
The Herb Seasoning is earthy, savory, and simple. Dried thyme and rosemary bring a warm herbal flavor, while parsley adds freshness and parmesan gives the blend a salty, cheesy finish. This one pairs beautifully with buttered baked potatoes, roasted potatoes, or sautéed vegetables.
The Traditional Seasoning is a reliable pantry-style blend made with garlic powder, onion powder, dried parsley, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. The smoked paprika gives it a deeper flavor than a basic garlic-and-onion mix, making it a good all-purpose seasoning for potatoes, vegetables, and simple weeknight dishes.
Each seasoning blend can be used exactly as written, or you can adjust the amounts to match your taste. Add more chili powder for extra heat, reduce the salt if you prefer a lighter seasoning, or increase the herbs if you want a stronger savory flavor.
How To Make Baked Potato Seasoning
All three seasoning blends are made the same way, and the process takes only about five minutes.
- Measure the ingredients for the seasoning blend you want to make and place them in a small bowl.
- Stir thoroughly until the spices are evenly combined and there are no large clumps.
- Transfer the seasoning to a clean jar or airtight container. Sprinkle it over baked potatoes, roasted potatoes, vegetables, or your favorite savory dishes.
Tips and Variations
- Use grated parmesan cheese from a shelf-stable container rather than freshly grated parmesan. Fresh cheese contains more moisture and will not store as well in a seasoning blend.
- Adjust the spice level in the Elote Seasoning by using more or less chili powder. Start with the smaller amount if you are sensitive to heat.
- For a smoother seasoning, crush the dried rosemary slightly before mixing it into the Herb Seasoning.
- These blends are not limited to baked potatoes. Try them on roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, chicken, broccoli, cauliflower, or sautéed vegetables.
- Make a larger batch if you use these seasonings often. Store them properly, and they will be ready whenever you need a quick flavor boost.
- Always use dry measuring spoons when scooping from the jar to help keep the seasoning fresh.
Storage
Storage: Store the Elote Seasoning and Herb Seasoning in jars or airtight containers in the refrigerator because both contain parmesan cheese. The Traditional Seasoning does not contain cheese, so it can be stored at room temperature in a pantry, cabinet, or spice drawer. All three blends will stay fresh for up to 6 months when stored properly.
Potato Recipes To Try These Seasoning Blends Out On:
- Roasted Potatoes and Broccoli
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Sausage and Potatoes Skillet
- Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Baked Potato Seasoning
Three easy homemade baked potato seasoning blends: Elote, Traditional, and Herb. Use them to add smoky, savory, cheesy, or herby flavor to potatoes and more.
What You’ll Need
Elote Seasoning:
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chipotle powder
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ to 2 teaspoon chili powder, or to taste
- ½ teaspoon salt
Traditional Seasoning:
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons onion powder
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Herb Seasoning:
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons dried parsley
- 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon salt
How to Make It
For the Elote Seasoning
- Add the parmesan cheese, chipotle powder, sugar, cumin, coriander, chili powder, and salt to a small bowl. Stir until evenly combined.
For the Traditional Seasoning
- Add the garlic powder, onion powder, dried parsley, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper to a small bowl or container. Stir well to combine.
For the Herb Seasoning
- Combine the parmesan cheese, dried parsley, dried rosemary, dried thyme, and salt in a small bowl. Mix until the herbs and cheese are evenly distributed.
- Transfer each seasoning blend to a separate airtight container or jar. Sprinkle over baked potatoes while they are hot for the best flavor.
- Store the Elote and Herb Seasonings in the refrigerator. Store the Traditional Seasoning at room temperature. Use within about 6 months.
Suggested Equipment
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Mixing Bowls
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Airtight Containers or Jars
Notes
- The calories listed are an approximation based on the ingredients in the recipe card and a serving size of 2 teaspoons. Actual calories will vary.
- For best freshness, keep the seasoning blends dry and store them in tightly sealed containers.
Nutrition
Calories: 28 kcal
Carbohydrates: 5 g
Protein: 1 g
Fat: 1 g
Cholesterol: 2 mg
Sodium: 335 mg
Fiber: 1 g
Sugar: 1 g