Sazon is a type of seasoning salt sold in small packets that is most often used to flavor dishes in Hispanic cooking. Sazon typically contains a mixture of spices, including garlic powder, dried cilantro, paprika, cumin, achiote, saffron, coriander and peppers. The seasoning salt is used to enhance existing flavors in a dish rather than add new flavors. Because of this, it goes in just about anything. Sazon can also be used as a rub to flavor meats and vegetables. One thing to keep in mind is that some types of sazon contain MSG (monosodium glutamate), so if you are trying to avoid it, you should read the label of the seasoning packet carefully.
Sprinkle sazon into Hispanic dishes that contain onions and peppers, such as rice and beans, fajitas and meat fillings for tacos, burritos and enchiladas. The sazon, which usually has a subtle garlicky flavor, will enhance the flavor of the vegetables without adding spice. Add the sazon a pinch at a time to make sure the food doesn't get too salty.
Add sazon to soups or stews to give them a more Hispanic flavor. This works nicely in dishes that are bean-based. Make sure to measure the sazon when adding it to liquid-based dishes, as the salty flavor will become more intense as the food cooks. Limit it to about 1/8 to 1/4 tsp. of sazon per cup of liquid in the pot.
Pour some sazon into your hand and use it as a rub on chicken, beef, fish and pork before cooking it. Make sure to massage the sazon into the meat, then let it rest and reach room temperature before cooking it. The meat can then be roasted, baked, grilled, sauteed or stir-fried.
Keep sazon on the table to use as an alternative to everyday salt and seasoning blends. Sazon pairs particularly well with steamed green vegetables, such as broccoli and green beans, and with starchy foods such as baked potatoes and french fries.
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