McCormick is known for high-quality herbs and sauces, but learning about McCormick beef stew seasoning mix substitute can help you in emergencies.
Flavoring food with spices is a terrific method to make bland dishes more interesting.
The seasonings are what truly elevate the food in many cases. What exactly would chili be like without the chili seasoning?
The same holds true for beef stew, and without the right seasoning, it is not nearly as delicious as you want it to be.
McCormick makes it easier to make beef stew, but what if you have nothing in stock? So, is there a substitute for McCormick beef stew seasoning?
Can You Find a McCormick Beef Stew Seasoning Mix Substitute?
Of course, you can, and sometimes, a substitute works even better for your beef stew than that seasoning mix from McCormick.
It is true that you can trust McCormick for all sorts of condiments, seasonings, and other kitchen necessities.
And, they are even more popular now with sales going up 26% during the pandemic.
So, why would you want to try something else?
Why Should You Look for a McCormick Beef Stew Seasoning Substitute?
When you desire the flavor of homemade food, but do not have the time to make it from scratch, reach for McCormick’s Seasoning Mix.
But, if it is so good, why on earth would you be looking for a substitute? As mentioned already, McCormick seasonings are in high demand.
Because of this increased demand, their factories are running behind schedule and products are not making it to retailers in a timely manner.
Similarly, store-bought, prepared beef stew seasonings can be quite expensive – not to mention they may come packed with unnecessary additives.
Because of these reasons, it makes sense to learn about the best substitute for McCormick beef stew seasoning.
What are Some of the Best McCormick Seasoning Mix Substitutes?
Sometimes, you can add flavor to your beef stew simply by using the right blend of salt and ground black pepper.
But, if you want something out of the ordinary, you need to look for the right seasoning mix.
That is exactly when most people reach out for McCormick beef stew seasoning mix.
But, in case it is out of stock, you can try the following substitutes.
Garlic Bread Seasoning
It is a simple seasoning to whip up whenever you need garlic breadsticks.
Also, you can mix it with butter to enjoy your garlic spread, or you can use it in your beef stew.
Ingredients
- 2 tsp each of kosher salt, oregano, basil, parsley, marjoram
- 2 tbsp of garlic powder
- Half a cup of parmesan cheese (powdered)
Instructions
- Take all the ingredients in a jar.
- Mix them well.
- Use an airtight container to store the mix in the refrigerator.
Note: You can use it until the expiration date printed on the cheese.
Burger Seasoning Mix
This seasoning mix for burgers is incredible. This spice blend is not to be missed if you enjoy preparing homemade burgers.
Add it to your ground beef or sprinkle a little while making frozen burgers.
Ingredients
- Half tbsp each of ground black pepper, dried parsley, and dried basil
- 2 tbsp each of paprika and garlic powder
- 1 tsp each of chili powder and dry mustard
- 1 tbsp of onion powder
- ¼ cup of salt
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a large bowl.
- Mix nicely until well-combined.
- Transfer to an airtight container and store.
Flavored Popcorn Salt
These flavored popcorn salts are fantastic. These are great to have on hand for those times when you just want to snack, and they also make great presents.
They are perfect for beef stews and are even more special for popcorn.
You can make it in different flavors based on what you truly like. For instance:
Bacon Parmesan Salt
Ingredients
- 1 cup of salt
- ¼ cup each of grated parmesan cheese and bacon bits
Instructions
- Place everything into a food processor.
- Whir it around until everything is evenly distributed.
- Keep fresh for a couple of weeks if stored properly.
Enjoy!
Buffalo Salt
Ingredients
- A tbsp of dry ranch seasoning
- 2 tbsp of buffalo sauce
- A cup of salt
Instructions
- Get the oven up to 170 F.
- Put everything in a food processor and turn it on.
- Take parchment paper and spread salt on it.
- Be sure to flip the salt every 30 minutes to avoid burning it.
- After removing the salt, return it to the food processor and give it another quick whirl.
- It is ready when the salt dissolves and becomes less grainy. Enjoy!
Chocolate Wine Salt
Ingredients
- A cup of sea salt
- A bottle of chocolate wine
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 170F or the oven’s lowest temperature setting.
- Pour some wine into a saucepan and boil it over low heat.
- Keep boiling until it has greatly reduced and turned into syrup.
- Wait for about 45 minutes for the process to finish.
- Then pulse the wine and salt in a food processor until thoroughly blended.
- Spread it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Now, chop nicely to distribute the salt.
- Bake for two hours, turning and chopping every thirty minutes.
- Return the dried salt to your food processor and pulse it.
- The salt should split and generate a thinner and more salt-like consistency.
Taco Seasoning
You can always make taco seasoning and use it as a substitute when you cannot find McCormick beef stew seasoning.
You may notice a slight flavor change with heightened intensity with different taco seasoning recipes.
However, this alternative can be used in your crock pot or slow cooker beef stew and can also provide a novel flavor sensation.
Nonetheless, when substituting, begin with a modest quantity and modify as necessary.
Ingredients
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Oregano
- Black pepper
- Salt
- Cornstarch
Instructions
Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and use as you please.
Note: To add some stronger flavor, you can also add ingredients such as red pepper flakes, chili powder, and ground cumin.
Fajita Seasoning
Fajita seasoning is equally effective as taco seasoning!
They are remarkably similar, except fajita seasoning may contain acidifying ingredients such as tomato powder, lime juice powder, or citric acid.
Due to its numerous ingredients, this spice blend is able to replicate the flavor of beef stew seasoning more closely.
Too much fajita seasoning, however, can be overbearing due to its acidic ingredients.
Therefore, you can begin with a substantial amount and then alter the flavor with dry herbs.
Ingredients
- Black pepper
- Paprika
- Cayenne pepper
- Garlic powder
- Oregano
- Salt
- Cornstarch
- Lime juice powder
Instructions
Mix all your dry ingredients together and store them in a bowl. Use as you like!
How Do You Use McCormick Beef Stew Seasoning Mix?
Now you know various substitutes for McCormick beef stew seasoning, but what if you have the seasoning mix from McCormick and want to use it in the best way?
Here is what you can do:
Ingredients
- A package of McCormick seasoning mix
- 2 lbs of beef stew meat
- 3 tbsp of flour
- 3 cups of water
- 2 tbsp of oil
- 5 cups of fresh veggies, like carrots, potatoes, celery, onions, etc.
Instructions
Step # 1: Coat the Beef
Coat the meat in flour. Heat oil in a big deep pan or you can opt for a Dutch oven and use it on medium heat. Add beef and heat until all sides are browned.
Step # 2: Add the Seasoning
Once you have cooked the beef for a while and notice the brownish tinge, now is the time to introduce your seasoning mix.
Add some water at the same time.
Step # 3: Boil It
Boil the mixture and then cover it. Now reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 45 minutes.
Do not forget to stir occasionally.
Step # 4: Add Veggies
The last step is to add veggies to the mix. Once done, simmer it for another hour or you notice veggies and beef become tender.
You can add some more flour if you like your beef stew to be on the thicker side.
Tip: The classic ranch seasoning mix is a great substitute but it is usually less spicy so you may want to add some cayenne powder and paprika for taste.
Takeaway
Learning about the best McCormick beef stew seasoning mix substitute can save you from a lot of hassle when it runs out of stock.
No need to avoid enjoying your favorite stew just because there is no seasoning mix because there are many interesting alternatives.
You can try different recipes and make your own stew seasoning mix. And you can always play with the ingredients to get the best results.