Sazon is literally the Spanish word for seasoning, and it’s generally a combination of cumin, coriander, Mexican Oregano, and Annatto. Sazon Goya combines herbs and spices to add authentic flavor to Hispanic dishes. It comes in several flavors and an easy-to-use measured-out packet.
Sazon Goya products are gluten-free. Sazon Goya products contain mainly salt, spices, and MSG. However, Sazon Goya is not certified gluten-free and thus might be subject to cross-contamination during manufacturing. Additionally, Sazon Goya is highly processed. The best healthier and gluten-free alternatives to Sazon Goya include Pinch Spice Market Humboldt Sazon, Loisa Sazon Seasoning, and iSpice Latin Seasoning.
We’ll introduce you to Goya food company, break down some of the ingredients in various Sazon Goya seasoning blends, and then introduce you to other gluten-free varieties of Sazon. Finally, we’ll give you an alternative to make your own. Let’s get started!
Contents
- About Goya
- Breakdown of Ingredients
- Is Sazon Goya Healthy?
- Varieties
- Alternatives
- Pinch Spice Market Humboldt Sazon
- Loisa Sazon Seasoning
- Marshall’s Creek Spices Sazon Seasoning
- Badia Gluten-Free Sazon Seasoning
- Chef Pineiro’s Sazonador Y Mas Con Achiote, Seasoning with Annatto
- iSpice Latin Seasoning
- Burma Spice Adobo All-Purpose Seasoning
- USimply Season Latin American Spice – Yucatan
- Homemade Sazon
- Related Questions
About Goya
For 85 years, Goya has been producing Latino foods. Started by a husband-and-wife team who immigrated to New York from Spain (via Puerto Rico), it has grown into a go-to source for the Hispanic community. Based in New Jersey, Their line-up includes over 2,500 products from the Caribbean, Mexico, Spain, Central, and South America. Goya produces everything from beverages to canned goods, grains, meats, snacks, and seasonings. They team with MyPlate nutrition guidelines to illustrate how their products can be used in a healthy eating plan.
Breakdown of Ingredients
Besides herbs and spices, Sazon Goya adds some other ingredients that we’ll touch on here.
1. Annatto
Sazon Goya uses Annatto in some of its mixes and leaves it out in others. Annatto is made from the seeds to the achiote tree. It is often used in foods to add a yellow to deep orange color and a peppery taste. The seeds are ground into a powder or paste, and the color is extracted and added to foods.
Annatto has some health benefits, including fighting bacteria, preventing bone disease, and keeping your heart healthy with antioxidants. Some people have allergies or triggers to abdominal issues. While generally accepted as an excellent alternative to chemical food dyes, it should still be used with caution.
2. Monosodium Glutamate
The main ingredient in most Sazon Goya Seasonings is monosodium glutamate (MSG). This bears some mention as many people strive to avoid this additive in foods. For about 100 years, MSG has been added to foods to enhance the flavors. It can be used as a salt substitute. MSG is often found in Chinese foods and stimulates the Umami taste buds.
MSG is naturally present in some higher protein foods, but it is often added during processing. While some experienced reactions such as headache, sweating, or numbness, most do not experience any symptoms. It is generally accepted as safe, and unless you have reactions, you can consume it in small quantities.
3. Tricalcium Phosphate
Tricalcium Phosphate is the other additive used in Sazon Goya. Its purpose is to prevent the product from caking. Often, it comes from crushed bones, so that vegans might avoid this. It can also be used in supplements to add calcium to your diet. As a food additive, tricalcium phosphate is accepted a safe, but it is not without question by some health professionals.
Is Sazon Goya Healthy?
Goya seasonings have minimal to no calories, no fat, no carbohydrates, and no sugars. They do have sodium, so that may be a concern for some folks. Low-sodium versions are available that cut this way down. Zero carbs mean it is keto-friendly.
Besides the MSG mentioned, there are artificial colors added, including Yellow 5 and Red 40. These added colors make the color more appealing but may be a concern to some. They can pose risks of hyperactivity in children or allergic reactions. Natural colors may be vegan or animal-based, and it is not clear which one is used.
Varieties
- Sazon with Coriander & Annatto
- Sazon with Saffron
- Sazon Natural & Complete
- Low Sodium Sazon with Coriander & Annatto
- Sazon with Cilantro & Tomato
- Sazon with Garlic & Onion
- Sazon without Annatto
Sazon Seasoning without Annatto
Ingredients:
- Monosodium Glutamate
- Salt
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Spices
- Spice Extracts
- Natural Color
- Tricalcium Phosphate
Nutrition Facts (per ¼ tsp):
- 0 Calories
- 0g Fat
- 0mg Cholesterol
- 120mg Sodium
- 0g Carbohydrates
- 0g Protein
Sazon Natural & Complete, No Salt
No salt does not mean low sodium, but the levels are reduced.
Ingredients:
- Monosodium Glutamate
- Granulated Garlic
- Coriander
- Cumin
- Celery Seeds
- Tomato
- Oregano
- Red Bell Peppers
- Granulated Onion
- Annatto
- FDIC Yellow 5
- FDIC Red 40
- Tricalcium Phosphate
Nutrition Facts (per ¼ tsp):
- 5 Calories
- 0g Fat
- 0mg Cholesterol
- 100mg Sodium
- 0g Carbohydrates
- 0g Protein
Sazon Seasoning with Coriander & Annatto
Ingredients:
- Monosodium Glutamate
- Salt
- Dehydrated Garlic
- Cumin
- Yellow 5
- Tricalcium Phosphate
- Coriander
- Annatto
- Red 40
Nutrition Facts (per ¼ tsp):
- 5 Calories
- 0g Fat
- 0mg Cholesterol
- 100mg Sodium
- 0g Carbohydrates
- 0g Protein
Sazon Seasoning with Saffron
The saffron and turmeric in this blend give a vibrant color to dishes with rice.
Ingredients:
- Monosodium Glutamate
- Salt
- Dehydrated Garlic
- Cumin
- Yellow 5
- Tricalcium Phosphate
- Annatto
- Mexican Saffron
- Turmeric
- Red 40
Nutrition Facts (per ¼ tsp):
- 0 Calories
- 0g Fat
- 0mg Cholesterol
- 150mg Sodium
- 0g Carbohydrates
- 0g Protein
Goya Sazonador Total All Purpose Seasoning
Ingredients:
- Granulated Garlic
- Granulated Onion
- Monosodium Glutamate
- Salt
- Parsley
- Oregano
- Cumin
- Ground Pepper
- Tricalcium Phosphate
Nutrition Facts (per ¼ tsp):
- 5 Calories
- 0g Fat
- 0mg Cholesterol
- 75mg Sodium
- 0g Carbohydrates
- 0g Protein
Alternatives
Pinch Spice Market Humboldt Sazon
This brand uses organic ingredients and no additives or fillers. It’s made in small batches in Chicago from ingredients bought directly from organic farmers, and it’s gluten-free.
Ingredients:
- Sea salt
- Black pepper
- White pepper
- Garlic
- Onion
- Cumin
- Coriander
- Mexican Oregano
- Annatto
Nutrition Facts:
- Specific nutrition facts are not provided on the Pinch website or the package. This is not unusual with spices/spice mixes.
Loisa Sazon Seasoning
Loisa is organic, non-GMO, with no MSG, no preservatives, no artificial colors, and no artificial flavors. It is kosher, and there are no gluten ingredients (it is not labeled gluten-free).
Ingredients:
- Sea Salt
- Achiote
- Cumin
- Coriander
- Garlic
- Oregano
- Black Pepper
Nutrition Facts:
- Specific nutrition facts are not provided on the Loisa website or the package.
Marshall’s Creek Spices Sazon Seasoning
This is not labeled gluten-free, but there are no gluten ingredients. There is no MSG, and all ingredients are advertised as natural. It is also a salt-free alternative.
Ingredients:
- Garlic
- Cumin
- Coriander
- Annatto
- Paprika
Nutrition Facts:
- Specific nutrition facts are not provided on the Marshall’s Creek website or the package.
Badia Gluten-Free Sazon Seasoning
Badia produces a variety of Sazon seasonings. Most are gluten-free, some have MSG, and some have artificial colors. Some with Annatto, Saffron, Tropical, or Caliente blends.
Ingredients:
- Salt
- Dehydrated Garlic
- Onion
- Spices
- Disodium Guanylate & Inosinate
- Paprika
- Tricalcium Phosphate
Nutrition Facts (per ¼ tsp):
- 0 Calories
- 0g Fat
- 0mg Cholesterol
- 60mg Sodium
- 5g Carbohydrates
- 0g Protein
Chef Pineiro’s Sazonador Y Mas Con Achiote, Seasoning with Annatto
There are no claims of gluten-free, but there are no gluten ingredients. The ingredients are more natural, and it contains annatto for comparison to Goya.
Ingredients:
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- Spices including Annatto
- Dehydrated Onion and Garlic
- Silicon Dioxide (to prevent caking)
Nutrition Facts (per ¼ tsp):
- 0 Calories
- 0g Fat
- 0mg Cholesterol
- 290mg Sodium
- 0g Carbohydrates
- 0g Protein
iSpice Latin Seasoning
While not labeled a Sazon, this blend will still give you Latin flavors. This blend is non-GMO, certified vegan, gluten-free, with no additives, preservatives, or chemicals.
Ingredients:
- Spices
- Cumin
- Black Pepper
- Paprika
- Coriander
- Chili Pepper
- Demerara Sugar
- Sea Salt
- Orange Peel
Nutrition Facts (per ¼ tsp):
- 0 Calories
- 0g Fat
- 30mg Sodium
- 0g Carbohydrates
- 0g Protein
Burma Spice Adobo All-Purpose Seasoning
With many of the same ingredients as Sazon, an Adobo spice blend is an alternative. Burma Spice is 100% pure, non-GMO, gluten-free, and vegan. You can also buy ground annatto
Ingredients:
- Smoked sweet paprika
- Black pepper
- Onion
- Garlic
- Mexican oregano
- Cumin
- Chili Powder
- Salt
Nutrition Facts:
- Specific nutrition facts are not provided on the package.
USimply Season Latin American Spice – Yucatan
No added sugars, preservatives, or artificial flavors. Non-GMO and vegan and made with gluten-free ingredients.
Ingredients:
- Annatto
- Garlic
- Mexican Oregano
- Cinnamon
- Coriander
- Black Peppercorn
- Lemon Zest
- Allspice
- Thyme
- Cloves
- Cumin Seed
Nutrition Facts (per 4.5g):
- 5 Calories
- 0g Fat
- 0mg Cholesterol
- 0mg Sodium
- 1g Carbohydrates
- 0g Protein
Homemade Sazon
There are plenty of recipes for Sazon out there using all-natural ingredients. One combines 1 Tbsp each of kosher salt, toasted ground black peppercorns, granulated garlic, ground coriander seed, toasted and ground cumin seed, Mexican oregano, and achiote seeds. 1 ½ tsp equals a Goya packet.
Related Questions
What can I make with Sazon Goya or its substitutes?
Sazon is a popular spice blend to mix with all sorts of dishes. From rubs on steak or pork roasts to sprinkling on salads or mixed in beans, countless recipes use sazon. It imparts a peppery but citrusy flavor to dishes.
Is Sazon Goya Vegan?
No, tricalcium phosphate is made with animal bones. Also, natural flavors and artificial colors can be made from plants or animals. Many vegans avoid foods with these ingredients.
Does Sazon Goya go Bad?
Spices have a date after which they will lose potency. In that case, you may need to use more to achieve the same taste. Of course, if the spice starts to smell rancid, it’s best to get a new supply.