This homemade umami seasoning blend combines dried mushrooms, tomato powder, nutritional yeast, herbs, and spices to add deep, savory flavor without added salt. Sprinkle it into soups, vegetables, eggs, grains, beans, sauces, and more whenever a dish tastes like it's missing something.
Think of it as a flavor-building seasoning rather than a replacement for salt. The mushroom-forward blend adds savory depth and complexity while still giving you control over whether and how much salt you add to the finished dish.
Table of Contents
Jump to:
- What Is Umami and How Does This Seasoning Build It?
- Why You'll Love This Umami Seasoning Blend
- Equipment
- Kitchen Must-Haves Reviews
- Storage
- Substitutions
- Shop Special Ingredients
- How to Use Umami Seasoning
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Explore Recipes
- Cooking Tips and Tutorials
- 📖 Recipe
- Have a Comment or Question?
What Is Umami and How Does This Seasoning Build It?
Umami is one of the five basic tastes, along with sweet, sour, salty, and bitter. Often described as savory or deeply satisfying, umami is associated with glutamate and certain other compounds naturally present in foods such as mushrooms, tomatoes, aged cheeses, seaweed, and fermented ingredients.
This homemade umami seasoning blend layers several savory ingredients to help build that depth without adding salt:
- Dried shiitake mushrooms: Provide an earthy, intensely savory mushroom flavor and are naturally rich in compounds associated with umami.
- Tomato powder: Adds concentrated tomato flavor, subtle sweetness, acidity, and another source of naturally occurring glutamate.
- Nutritional yeast: Brings a savory, nutty quality that helps round out the mushrooms and tomato.
- Herbs and spices: Add aroma and complexity so the blend tastes like a complete seasoning rather than simply mushroom powder.
Together, these ingredients create layers of flavor that can help a simple dish taste fuller and more complex. Try adding the blend when a soup, pot of beans, grain bowl, sauce, or vegetable dish tastes a little flat, but you're not quite sure what it's missing.
Because this blend contains no added salt, you can use it to build savory flavor first, then decide whether the finished dish needs salt.
Want to Dig Deeper Into the Science?
Research has explored how umami-rich substances can be used in food formulation to maintain palatability while reducing sodium. One study modeled the potential effect of incorporating umami substances into Japanese foods and estimated reductions in population-level salt intake under the scenarios studied.
Interesting Article: Modeling of Salt Intake Reduction by Incorporation of Umami Substances into Japanese Foods: A Cross-Sectional Study
Why You'll Love This Umami Seasoning Blend
- Deep, savory flavor: Shiitake mushrooms, tomato powder, and nutritional yeast work together to add layers of umami to simple everyday foods.
- No added salt: Build flavor with the seasoning first, then decide whether your finished dish needs additional salt.
- Easy to use: Sprinkle it directly onto vegetables, eggs, tofu, popcorn, or roasted potatoes, or stir it into soups, sauces, beans, and grains.
- Plant-based: Every ingredient in the blend comes from plant-based sources, making it an easy way to add savory depth to vegetarian and vegan dishes.
- Great for meal prep: Keep a jar in your spice cabinet and use it throughout the week to change up rice, lentils, vegetables, soups, and other meal-prep staples.
- Easy to customize: Adjust the herbs and spices to suit what you're cooking while keeping the mushroom, tomato, and nutritional yeast combination as the savory base.
Recommended Reads
- Bring Real Haitian Heat to Your Meal Prep: Without the Salt
- Citrus Herb: A Bright, Salt-Free Seasoning for Chicken, Fish, and Veggies
- Spicy All-Purpose Blend (Salt-Free): The Salt-Free Seasoning
- Salt‑Free Meal Prep Seasoning Bundle: All‑Purpose Spice Blends
- Caribbean Kick: A Bold, Salt-Free Jerk Seasoning
Equipment
A spice grinder works best for turning dried shiitake mushrooms into a fine powder that blends evenly with the other ingredients. Grind the mushrooms in short pulses until finely ground, allowing any mushroom dust to settle for a few seconds before opening the grinder.
You'll also need a small mixing bowl for combining the mushroom powder with the tomato powder, nutritional yeast, herbs, and spices.
For storage, transfer the finished umami seasoning blend to a clean, completely dry airtight spice jar. A 4-ounce glass spice jar works well for keeping a small batch ready in your spice cabinet.
Equipment Alternatives
No spice grinder? A high-powered blender or small food processor can work, especially when making a larger batch. You can also start with store-bought shiitake mushroom powder, which eliminates the grinding step completely.
For storage, a clean, dry repurposed spice container or small mason jar works just as well as a dedicated spice jar.
Kitchen Must-Haves Reviews
Find a collection of my reviews of kitchen equipment that I have purchased or recommend. Kitchen Must-Haves - Find other tools I use here.
My Review: I love the clean, classic look of this Pyrex 3-piece glass mixing bowl set. It’s a staple in my kitchen. Pyrex is known for its durability, and these bowls definitely live up to that reputation. I use them for everything from mixing batters to storing leftovers, and their microwave-safe feature makes them super multifunctional. They’re also easy to clean and stack nicely in the cabinet. The only reason this isn’t a five-star for me is that I always have that little fear of breaking them when I’m using or storing them, even though they’re made to last.
Review: The Cuisinart Stainless Steel 6-piece magnetic measuring spoon set seamlessly blends style and functionality. Crafted from durable stainless steel with a chic black-and-silver finish, each spoon features permanent measurement markings for clear, easy reading. The magnetic handles snap together to stay organized yet separate smoothly for use. With a polished finish and six sizes ranging from ⅛ teaspoon to 1 tbsp, this set offers precise measuring and convenient storage, ideal for baking, cooking, and spice blending.
My Review: I’ve had this grinder for so long, I honestly can’t remember when I first bought it, and that says a lot. It’s been my go-to for grinding not just coffee but also spices, dried herbs, and even rice as a thickener. Despite years of use, it still runs smoothly and holds up well, making it one of the most reliable tools in my kitchen.
My Review: I’ve been using the SWOMMOLY 4 oz Glass Spice Jars and have had no problems with them so far. The clear glass jars paired with the silver lids give my spice collection a clean, elegant look, while the wide openings make them easy to fill and refill. I also like that the set comes with shaker lids and plenty of optional spice labels, so you can organize and customize the jars to fit your kitchen.
Storage
- Store in a cool, dry place, away from light and moisture.
- Use within 3-4 months for peak umami punch.
- Always use a dry spoon when measuring to preserve shelf life.
Substitutions
This umami seasoning blend is made with plant-based ingredients and contains no dairy ingredients. If you need to avoid gluten, use packaged ingredients that meet your individual dietary requirements.
Dairy-Free
- Yay! This recipe is already dairy-free.
Gluten-Free
- Bonus! This recipe is also gluten-free.
Vegetarian
- Triple Threat! This recipe is also vegetarian. Enjoy!
Convenience
- Dried shiitake mushrooms: Substitute dried porcini mushrooms for a deeper, earthier mushroom flavor. Other completely dried mushrooms can also work, although each variety will give the seasoning a slightly different flavor.
- Tomato powder: If you can't find tomato powder, grind completely dry tomato flakes into a fine powder. Avoid soft or oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes because they contain too much moisture for a shelf-stable dry seasoning blend.
- Nutritional yeast: For the dry blend, it's best to use nutritional yeast rather than replacing it with a moist ingredient. If you don't have nutritional yeast, you can leave it out and adjust the seasoning to taste when cooking.
- Ground herbs and spices: Feel free to adjust the supporting herbs and spices to complement the dish you're making while keeping the mushroom and tomato as the primary umami-building ingredients.
What About Miso?
White miso can add excellent savory flavor to soups, sauces, grains, and other dishes, but it shouldn't be mixed into this dry seasoning blend. Miso contains moisture and salt, so use it separately while cooking rather than as a direct replacement for nutritional yeast in the spice jar.
Shop Special Ingredients
Find the mushroom powder and tomato powder used to build the deep, savory umami flavor in this homemade seasoning blend.
Organic shiitake mushroom powder adds rich, savory umami flavor to everyday cooking. Stir it into soups, sauces, gravies, rice, vegetables, marinades, seasoning blends, and meat or plant-based dishes whenever you want an easy boost of mushroom flavor and depth.
Tomato powder delivers a concentrated burst of sweet, tangy flavor that instantly enhances sauces, soups, and spice blends. It’s an easy pantry staple to add depth and brightness to dishes without the mess or moisture of fresh tomatoes.
How to Use Umami Seasoning
This all-purpose umami seasoning works best as a flavor-building ingredient. Start with a small amount, taste, and add more as needed. Since the blend contains no added salt, you can season with salt separately, according to the dish's needs.
- Eggs and tofu: Sprinkle a small amount into scrambled eggs or tofu while cooking for an extra layer of savory flavor.
- Roasted and sautéed vegetables: Toss mushrooms, potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, or other vegetables with oil and the seasoning before roasting, or add it while sautéing.
- Soups and stews: Stir the blend into brothy soups, vegetable soups, beans, lentils, and stews for added savory depth.
- Rice and grains: Add a little to the cooking liquid for rice, quinoa, farro, or other grains, or stir it into the grains after cooking.
- Beans and lentils: Use it alongside your other herbs and spices to give plant-based dishes a deeper, more rounded flavor.
- Meat and meat alternatives: Mix it into burgers, meatballs, veggie burgers, or plant-based ground mixtures to build savory flavor throughout.
- Sauces and gravies: Whisk a small amount into sauces, gravies, and creamy bases for an extra layer of umami.
- Popcorn: Toss freshly popped popcorn with a little oil or melted butter, then sprinkle with the seasoning so it has something to adhere to.
Can You Use It to Make Broth?
You can stir the seasoning into hot water to create a savory starting point for soups, grains, and sauces, but I wouldn't consider it a complete substitute for bouillon or stock. Traditional broth and bouillon contain additional seasonings, usually salt, that contribute to the finished flavor.
Use the umami blend to build the savory base, then add aromatics, herbs, salt, and other seasonings as needed for what you're making.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of common questions I have answered. If you have questions, please write them in the comment section below.
Salt and umami don't do the same job in cooking. Salt enhances our perception of flavor and affects taste in several ways, while umami contributes a distinctly savory taste. This blend lets you build savory depth first, then decide whether your finished dish needs salt.
This recipe does not contain added monosodium glutamate (MSG). However, ingredients such as shiitake mushrooms and tomatoes naturally contain glutamate, one of the compounds associated with umami taste.
You can use it to add savory depth to soups, stews, sauces, and cooking liquids, but it isn't a direct replacement for bouillon. Bouillon typically contains salt and additional seasonings. Think of this blend as a savory flavor base that you can build on.
Not in a dry seasoning blend intended for pantry storage. Fresh mushrooms contain too much moisture. Use completely dried mushrooms or prepared mushroom powder for the seasoning, and feel free to combine it with fresh mushrooms when cooking for even more mushroom flavor.
Yes. The ingredients in this homemade blend are plant-based, making it useful for adding savory depth to vegetables, tofu, beans, lentils, grains, and other plant-based dishes.
Yes. Whisk a small amount into sauces, gravies, marinades, tahini-based sauces, or creamy dressings. Start with a little, taste, and add more as needed so the mushroom flavor doesn't overwhelm the other ingredients.
Fine powders such as mushroom and tomato powder can absorb moisture from the air and begin to clump. Keep the seasoning tightly covered, always use a dry spoon, and avoid shaking the container directly over steaming food.
Explore Recipes
Explore our globally inspired Recipes to find your next favorite flavor and make weeknight cooking effortless!
- Air Fryer Salmon with Spicy Pesto Spinach Tortellini
- Gourmet Global Shrimp Recipes to Expand Your Dinner Rotation
- Summer Outdoor Meal Ideas for Backyard Entertaining
- Quick and Fresh Stir-Fry Recipes for Spring and Summer
Cooking Tips and Tutorials
If you found this tutorial helpful, you'll love my Cook's Notebook collection. From knife skills and flavor bases to time-saving tricks and essential equipment guides, this section is packed with chef-tested lessons to help you cook with confidence.
- Summer Seasonal Produce: A Guide to Fruits and Vegetables in Season
- The Best Cooking Shows on Prime Video for Curious Home Cooks
- How to Trim Chicken: The Best Way to Prep Chicken Before Cooking
- How the Maillard Reaction Makes Food Taste Better
📖 Recipe
All-Purpose Umami: A Salt-Free Spice Blend
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons dried shiitake mushroom powder
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeas
- 1 tablespoon dried tomato powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic granules
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspon ground mustard
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Equipment
- Spice Grinder optional
- 4-ounce Glass Jar with Tight Lid
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl and whisk well.
- Pulse in a spice grinder for a finer powder, if preferred.
- Transfer to a 4 oz spice jar. Use 1-2 teaspoons per dish.
Nutrition
Subscribe to Let's Get Cooking
Don't miss the next one.
Get new recipes, practical cooking tips, and deals from Chef Maika delivered to your inbox.
Chef Maika Frederic-Liebman
Chef and Educator
Professionally trained Haitian-American chef Maika Frederic is the creator of Just Maika Cooking, where she shares globally inspired recipes, cooking techniques, ingredient guides, and food safety tips designed to help home cooks become more creative and confident in the kitchen. Combining years of professional culinary experience with a passion for teaching, she makes global flavors approachable through practical, accessible instruction for cooks of every skill level.
SUBSCRIBE: 👈To my YouTube Channel to Get Notifications of New Videos.
Have a Comment or Question?
If you have a question or comment about this post, please post it below. You will definitely get a quick response. It also helps our other readers to stay informed. Thanks!
Leave a Reply