Cookbook | Recipes | Ingredients | Equipment | Techniques | Cookbook Disambiguation Pages | Ingredients Category:Ingredients#Liquid%20Seasoning

Liquid seasonings, also called seasoning sauces, are a class of savory sauces used for umami seasoning in cooking.

Characteristics

While there are multiple varieties of liquid seasoning, they generally share a dark brown color and deep savory flavor.^[1] Maggi-branded sauce is one of the most popular and well-known brands worldwide.^[1] It is based on hydrolyzed wheat/vegetable protein and has a thin consistency with a strong, salty and savory flavor.^{[2][3][4][5][6]} Note, however, that different formulations of Maggi sauce with slightly different flavor profiles are distributed in different regions^[2][6][5]—for example, the Mexican formulation is described as particularly strong,^[3][7] French and German versions are said to be more delicate,^[7] and the Filipino variety is garlic-forward.^[3] Knorr-branded sauce is fairly similar to Maggi's, but the Knorr brand is described as slightly lighter in flavor.^[7][1] Golden Mountain seasoning sauce is also on par with these two,^[1] if a little lighter.^[7] Bragg's liquid aminos have a flavor profile somewhat like that of tamari.^[1]

Selection and storage

Use

The primary use for liquid seasoning is increasing the savoriness and depth of flavor of a dish,^[1][5][6] from beverages to soups, sauces, stir-fries, and more.^{[1][2][4][5][6]} It is especially useful for vegetarian and vegan cooking, where it adds a savory dimension often contributed by meat.^[4] Start with a small quantity^[1][2][8] and adjust as you go, remembering that flavor can concentrate as water evaporates during cooking.

Substitution

Because of the different formulations between—and even within—brands, varieties of liquid seasoning are not perfectly interchangeable with each other.^[6] If you cannot get your hands on any variety of liquid seasoning, try using soy sauce as a substitute.^[7]

Recipes

References

1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Ian (2024-09-24). "What is Liquid Seasoning? | Iankewks". Retrieved 2025-02-20.
2. 1 2 3 4 CooksInfo. "Maggi Seasoning Sauce". CooksInfo. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
3. 1 2 3 Martins, Sylvio (2021-12-23). "The Backbone of All My Favorite Mexican Dishes? It's Maggi". Bon Appétit. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
4. 1 2 3 Makalintal, Bettina (2022-09-28). "Maggi Seasoning Is Best When It's (Kind of) a Secret". Eater. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
5. 1 2 3 4 "Maggi Seasoning: What It Is & How to Use It | Cook's Illustrated". www.americastestkitchen.com. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Pantry Essentials: All About Liquid Seasonings". Serious Eats. Retrieved 2025-01-29.
7. 1 2 3 4 5 Nguyen, Andrea (2014-11-04). "Viet Cult Condiment: Maggi Seasoning Sauce Primer". Viet World Kitchen. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
8. ↑ "Ingredient Spotlight: Maggi Seasoning Sauce". Kitchn. Retrieved 2024-12-01.