Copycat Morton’s Nature’s Seasoning Recipe (Better Than Store-Bought!)

Make this easy copycat Morton’s Nature’s Seasoning recipe in 5 minutes with pantry spices. A perfect all-purpose seasoning blend for meats, veggies, eggs, and more.

Why You’ll Love This Copycat Morton’s Nature’s Seasoning Recipe

If you grew up with that iconic green-capped shaker on your kitchen counter, you already know that Morton’s Nature’s Seasoning is the ultimate all-purpose blend. It’s the secret behind perfectly seasoned scrambled eggs, juicy grilled chicken, roasted potatoes that taste like Sunday dinner at Grandma’s, and just about anything else you can shake it over.

But here’s the thing: that little jar runs out fast, prices keep climbing, and sometimes you just want to know exactly what’s in your food. That’s where this copycat Morton’s Nature’s Seasoning recipe comes in.

In just 5 minutes, with spices you probably already have in your pantry, you can mix up a batch that tastes remarkably close to the original — without the anti-caking agents, mystery additives, or grocery store markup.

Here’s why this homemade version is a kitchen game-changer:

• Tastes incredibly close to the real thing — savory, slightly sweet, perfectly balanced
• Costs a fraction of the store-bought version
• No fillers or anti-caking agents — just real spices
• Customizable — adjust the salt, kick up the pepper, make it your own
• Makes a perfect homemade gift in a cute mason jar

Once you make your first batch, you’ll wonder why you ever bought the store version.

What Is Morton’s Nature’s Seasoning?

Morton’s Nature’s Seasoning has been a pantry staple since the 1970s. It’s a savory all-purpose seasoning blend that combines salt, sugar, and a handful of dried herbs and spices into a perfectly balanced shake-on flavor booster.

Unlike single-purpose blends like taco seasoning or Italian herbs, Nature’s Seasoning is designed to work on almost everything — eggs, popcorn, steak, chicken, fish, vegetables, baked potatoes, salads, soups, casseroles, and more. It’s the kind of seasoning that makes you say, “What did you put on this? It’s amazing.”

The original blend includes salt, sugar, onion, celery, garlic, paprika, pepper, and turmeric. Our copycat version captures that same warm, savory, slightly sweet flavor profile using easy-to-find pantry spices.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe is wonderfully simple. You’ll need just 8 ingredients — all common pantry spices:

• Salt: The backbone of the blend (use fine sea salt or table salt for best texture)
• Sugar: Balances the savory notes and rounds out the flavor
• Onion powder: Adds depth and that classic savory base
• Garlic powder: Essential warmth and umami
• Paprika: Gives it that signature warm color and mild sweetness
• Celery seed: The secret ingredient that makes it taste just like the original
• Black pepper: For a little bite
• Turmeric: Adds the warm golden hue and subtle earthy flavor

Ingredient Tips

• Use fresh spices. If your spices have been sitting in the cabinet for over a year, they’ve lost their punch. Fresh spices = better blend.
• Grind your celery seed. Whole celery seed works, but grinding it (in a spice grinder or with a mortar and pestle) helps the flavor distribute evenly.
• Fine salt only. Coarse salt won’t shake out of a regular spice jar evenly. Use fine sea salt or regular table salt.
• Smoked paprika twist. Want a little extra depth? Swap half the regular paprika for smoked paprika.

How to Make Copycat Morton’s Nature’s Seasoning (Step-by-Step)

This is honestly one of the easiest recipes you’ll ever make. Here’s how it goes:

Step 1: Pull out all 8 spices and a small mixing bowl. Make sure your celery seed is ground (if you’re starting with whole seeds, give them a quick whirl in a spice grinder).

Step 2: Add all the spices to the bowl. Use a whisk or fork to mix thoroughly — you want the color to look uniform with no streaks of paprika or turmeric.

Step 3: Funnel your seasoning into a clean, dry spice jar or small mason jar. A 4-ounce jar is the perfect size for this batch. Label your jar with the name and date. Store in a cool, dry place away from heat and sunlight. Sprinkle it on absolutely everything.

How to Use Copycat Morton’s Nature’s Seasoning

The whole point of this blend is that it works on everything. Here are some of my favorite ways to use it:

Breakfast Foods

• Sprinkle on scrambled eggs, omelets, or breakfast burritos
• Season home fries and hash browns
• Add a dash to avocado toast
• Mix into breakfast sausage patties

Meats and Proteins

• Rub on chicken before grilling, roasting, or air frying
• Season pork chops, steak, or burgers
• Sprinkle on baked or pan-seared fish
• Stir into ground beef for tacos or meatloaf

Vegetables

• Toss with olive oil and roasted vegetables
• Season baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, or fries
• Sprinkle on fresh sliced tomatoes
• Add to sautéed greens or green beans

Snacks and Sides

• Shake over popcorn
• Season rice, quinoa, or pasta
• Sprinkle on cottage cheese (trust me)
• Add to homemade salad dressings

Soups and Stews

• Use as an all-purpose soup base seasoning
• Stir into chili or beef stew
• Add to bean dishes for instant depth

Tips for the Best Homemade Seasoning Blend

After making this dozens of times, here are my top tips:

• Whisk thoroughly. The number one mistake is under-mixing. If you see streaks of color, keep whisking.
• Use a funnel. Trying to pour spice mix into a narrow jar without a funnel is a recipe for kitchen counter chaos.
• Store it right. Heat, light, and moisture are the enemies of dried spices. Keep your jar in a closed cabinet, not on the windowsill.
• Don’t skip the celery seed. I know it might be the one spice you don’t have, but it’s the defining flavor. Trust me — grab some.
• Make a double batch. Once you taste this, you’ll be using it on everything. Save yourself a step and double the recipe.
• Add rice to prevent clumping. If you live in a humid climate, drop 4-5 grains of uncooked rice into the jar to absorb moisture and prevent caking.

Recipe Variations

One of the best parts of making your own seasoning is being able to tweak it to your taste. Try these variations:

• Low-Sodium Version: Reduce the salt by half and add an extra ½ teaspoon each of onion powder and garlic powder to maintain the savory punch.
• Spicy Nature’s Seasoning: Add ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for a kick.
• Smoky Version: Replace the regular paprika with smoked paprika for a BBQ-friendly twist.
• Herby Twist: Add ½ teaspoon each of dried thyme and dried parsley for a more herbaceous flavor.
• Salt-Free Version: Omit the salt entirely for a sodium-free blend that lets you control salt levels at the table.

How to Store Homemade Nature’s Seasoning

Stored properly, this blend will stay fresh for up to 6 months. Here’s how to make it last:

• Use an airtight container — a glass spice jar with a tight lid is ideal
• Store in a cool, dark place like a cabinet or pantry
• Keep away from the stove (heat degrades spices quickly)
• Make sure your jar is completely dry before filling — moisture causes clumping and shortens shelf life

You’ll know it’s time to make a new batch when the aroma fades or the color looks dull.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this really taste like Morton’s Nature’s Seasoning? Yes! It’s remarkably close to the original. The celery seed, turmeric, and balance of salt-to-sugar are what make it taste authentic.

Can I make this without celery seed? You can, but the blend won’t taste quite like the original. Celery seed is one of the defining flavors. In a pinch, you can substitute celery salt (and reduce the regular salt) or ground celery flakes.

How long does homemade seasoning last? About 6 months when stored properly in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.

Is this gluten-free? Yes — as long as all your individual spices are certified gluten-free (most are, but always check labels if you have celiac disease).

Can I make a large batch? Absolutely. This recipe doubles, triples, or quadruples beautifully. Just keep the ratios the same.

What’s a good salt-to-everything-else ratio? This recipe uses about 50% salt by volume, which matches the original. If you prefer less salt, simply reduce it and the blend will still taste great — just less aggressively seasoned.

Can I use this as a gift? Yes! Pour into a cute 4-ounce jar, tie a ribbon around the neck, and attach a handwritten label. It makes a beautiful and useful homemade gift for any food lover.

More Easy Homemade Seasoning Blends to Try

If you loved this copycat Morton’s Nature’s Seasoning recipe, you’ll want to try these other DIY blends:

• Copycat McCormick’s Smash Seasoning Recipe (Better Than Store-Bought!)
• Copycat Montreal Steak Seasoning
• Homemade Old Bay Seasoning
• Red Lobster Cajun Seasoning Recipe
• Lawry’s French Fry Seasoning Recipe

Did you make this recipe? Leave a star rating and a comment below — I love hearing how it turned out! And don’t forget to pin this recipe to your “Homemade Seasonings” board on Pinterest for later.