Best All-Purpose Seasoning UK: A 2026 Buyer's Guide
Freundl Oluwole
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Last updated: 21 July 2026. Written by the Costack Spices kitchen team.
Quick answer: All-purpose seasoning is a single blend of salt, herbs and spices made to season almost any savoury dish without reaching for five separate jars. The best one for a UK home cook has a strong flavour hit and a price low enough to use every day. Costack All Purpose Seasoning meets that brief at £3.99 a jar.
What is all-purpose seasoning?
All-purpose seasoning is a pre-mixed blend built to season meat, vegetables, rice, soups and stews from one jar. A typical mix combines salt, paprika, garlic, onion, dried herbs and pepper. The job it does is speed. One shake instead of measuring out five spices.
The problem is that the jars are not equal. A lot of supermarket blends lean hard on salt and bulking agents. The food ends up salty but flat, because there is not much real spice doing the work.
What to look for in 2026
Four things separate a blend worth buying from a blend that just adds salt.
Where salt sits in the ingredients list. Ingredients are listed by weight. If salt is first and the spices are near the end, you are mostly buying salt.
Flavour strength. A good blend changes the dish with one teaspoon. A weak one needs three and still tastes thin.
Versatility. It should work on chicken, on roast vegetables, in rice and through a stew. If it only suits one dish, it is not all-purpose.
Price per use. All-purpose seasoning is a daily blend. The cost per shake matters more than the headline price.
Comparison: popular all-purpose seasonings in the UK
Blend
Typical price
Where to buy
Best for
Costack All Purpose Seasoning
£3.99
costack.uk, direct UK delivery
Daily cooking, strong flavour at a low price
Branded supermarket seasoning
Mid-range
Most UK supermarkets
Shoppers who want a familiar supermarket name
Supermarket own-brand
Low
Major supermarkets
Lowest upfront price
Specialist herb blends
Higher
Independent spice shops
Cooks chasing a specific regional flavour
Prices and formulations change. Always read the current label before you buy.
How to use all-purpose seasoning
Treat it as your first seasoning, not your only one. Season chicken thighs before they go in the oven. Toss it through potatoes or carrots before roasting. Stir a teaspoon into rice as it cooks. Add it to mince at the browning stage so the flavour cooks in rather than sitting on top.
One rule. Season in layers. A little at the start, taste near the end, adjust. That beats one heavy shake at the table every time.
Frequently asked questions
Is all-purpose seasoning the same as Complete Seasoning?
They overlap but they are not identical. All-purpose seasoning leans savoury and salt-forward for quick everyday cooking. Complete Seasoning is usually more herb-forward and is built for one-pot meals, stews and marinades. Many UK kitchens keep both.
How does Costack compare on ingredients?
Costack delivers premium spices and seasonings. Full ingredient information is on every product label and product page.
Is all-purpose seasoning gluten-free?
It depends on the brand. Costack blends are gluten-free, and full allergen information is printed on every label in line with UK food labelling law.
How much should I use?
Start with one teaspoon per portion of meat or vegetables, then taste and adjust. A strong blend needs less than a weak one.
How long does a jar last?
Stored cool, dry and out of sunlight, a sealed blend keeps its punch for 18 to 24 months. Check the best-before date on the jar.
The verdict
For everyday UK cooking, the best all-purpose seasoning is the one with real spice doing the work, premium spices and seasonings, and a price low enough that you reach for it without thinking. Costack All Purpose Seasoning is built for exactly that, and at £3.99 it costs less than a coffee.
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