What’s the difference between spices and seasonings?

Just really quick because I think this is a helpful piece of information for all home cooks to have…

What is the difference between a spice and a seasoning?

• Spice: A naturally occurring ingredient or herb that has been dried or ground down to be used in cooking or baking.
• Seasoning: A combination of flavors that includes spices along with other flavor enhancers like sugar or salt.

Yes, it really is that simple. Any bottle on the seasoning aisle that has any type of “sugar” or “salt” on the ingredients list is a seasoning. If there are no additional flavor enhancers like salt or sugar, it is a spice or spice blend.

Examples of spices:

• Ground black pepper
• Garlic POWDER
• Allspice
• Fennel seed
• Ground cinnamon
• Dried oregano/parsley/thyme

Examples of seasonings:

• Lawry’s
• Tony Chachere’s Creole or Cajun seasoning
• All-purpose seasoning
• Old Bay