How to Make Sodium-Free and MSG-Free Vegeta Seasoning

By
Barbara Rolek
Barbara Rolek
Barbara Rolek is a former chef who became a cooking school instructor and award-winning food writer.
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Updated on 02/12/22
Homemade Vegeta Seasoning Mix
© Barbara Rolek
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 5 hrs
Total: 5 hrs 20 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
142 Calories
1g Fat
33g Carbs
4g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 142
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1g 1%
Saturated Fat 0g 1%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 51mg 2%
Total Carbohydrate 33g 12%
Dietary Fiber 5g 19%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 4g
Vitamin C 117mg 585%
Calcium 70mg 5%
Iron 2mg 11%
Potassium 843mg 18%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This recipe is for a homemade sodium-free and MSG-free version of Vegeta Gourmet Seasoning, that ubiquitous Eastern European vegetable-spice mix created by the Podravka company in Croatia. You'll find Vegeta in the ingredient list of many recipes. It's a go-to seasoning mixture used to flavor foods from soups and veggies to meats and poultry.

The problem is, it contains MSG. For those with MSG allergies, that can be a real problem. Now Podravka makes a No MSG-Added Vegeta but it still contains loads of sodium.

This version, posted in March 2010 on Nina's Recipes, is MSG-free AND sodium-free. It's very similar to the original created by Podravka. Real veggies are roasted until dehydrated and then whizzed into a powder. Store the resulting mixture in a screw-top jar in a cool, dry place.

Ingredients

  • 3 medium onions, cut into 2-inch pieces

  • 6 stalks celery, diced

  • 3 medium potatoes, peeled, diced

  • 3 large red bell peppers, seeded, diced

  • 3 large yellow bell peppers, seeded, diced

  • 3 large orange bell peppers, seeded, diced

  • 3 large green bell peppers, seeded, diced

  • 3 large carrots, peeled, diced

  • 10 cloves garlic

  • 1 bunch fresh parsley

Steps to Make It

  1. Heat the oven to 175 F.

  2. Using a food processor or grinder, process all vegetables.

  3. Place the vegetable mixture into a strainer and let it drain for 30 minutes. To speed up the process, place the vegetables in a cheesecloth, bring up the ends of the cheesecloth, and twist the edges to wring out as much moisture as possible.

  4. Spread the vegetables in a flat even layer on ungreased baking sheet(s). Bake for 4 1/2 to 5 hours. Remove from oven and let cool completely.

  5. Transfer to a food processor to crush the baked vegetable mixture into as fine a powder as you like. You can use this mix on any dish—soups, rice, potatoes, stews, meats, vegetables.

Source: Nina's Recipes, March 11, 2010

Turn Vegeta Into a Hostess Gift

This would make a neat edible gift for Christmas or any other time of year when a hostess gift is in order. Place this seasoning in a container like a clear glass bottle with a cork stopper or a screw-top. Tie a ribbon around the neck of the bottle and include a printed description of what Vegeta is and how it's used. An extra-special touch would be to attach a printed version of a recipe that calls for Vegeta. Your salt- and MSG-conscious friends will love you.