Grill Mates is a popular brand of seasoning mixes made by McCormick. Their seasonings are designed to complement grilled foods like chicken, steak, pork, fish and vegetables. Some of their most popular blends include Grill Mates Montreal Steak Seasoning, Mesquite Seasoning and Chicken & Rib Seasoning. Consumers choose Grill Mates because the mixes take the guesswork out of seasoning and marinating. The blends contain salt, spices, herbs and sometimes sugar and MSG. While the exact recipes are proprietary, this article will explore the main ingredients found in common Grill Mates seasonings.
Common Ingredients
Most Grill Mates seasonings contain some basic components:
Salt
Salt is the main flavoring agent in most Grill Mates blends. It enhances flavor and acts as a preservative. The salt is typically in the form of sodium chloride, though some blends like Montreal Steak Seasoning also contain potassium chloride. The amount of salt varies between blends, but can range from 200mg to 450mg per 1 tsp serving.
Spices and Herbs
Spices like garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper and paprika are commonly used in Grill Mates. Herbs like oregano, thyme, basil and parsley also frequently appear. The spices and herbs provide signature flavors and aromas like smoky, savory and herbaceous notes. They allow the mixes to complement specific foods like beef, chicken or fish.
Sugar
Some sweeter Grill Mates like the Chicken & Rib blend contain sugar, which caramelizes and browns during grilling for enhanced char and flavor. The sugar balances out some of the saltiness and provides depth. Brown sugar or cane sugar are often used. The sugar content ranges from about 1g to 3g per serving.
MSG
Many Grill Mates choices contain monosodium glutamate, also known as MSG. MSG is a common flavor enhancer that boosts savory umami notes. Consumers have differing opinions on MSG, with some avoiding it for health concerns while others enjoy the flavor. Grill Mates Mesquite and Montreal Steak both contain MSG.
Anti-Caking Agents
Anti-caking agents like silicon dioxide or calcium silicate prevent clumping and keep the mixes free-flowing. About 1-2% of a Grill Mates blend contains an anti-caking compound.
Onion and Garlic
In addition to onion and garlic powders, some Grill Mates incorporate dried minced onion and garlic flakes. These provide flavor and aroma. Dried onion and garlic averages about 3-5% of the total mix.
Natural Flavors
Some Grill Mates list natural flavors in the ingredients. Natural flavors can come from spices, fruits, vegetables, herbs, etc. They enhance the overall flavor profile.
Dried Vegetables
For visual appeal and additional flavor, dried vegetables are included in select blends. The Mesquite and Chili Lime blends incorporate dried onion and chilies. Dried veggies make up around 3% of the mixes.
Citric Acid
Small amounts of citric acid are added to some Grill Mates as a preservative and to provide tartness. Citric acid levels are usually less than 1% of the total.
Nutritional Profile
The nutrition facts vary for different Grill Mates blends based on the specific ingredients. Here is an overview of the average nutrition facts for a 1 teaspoon serving:
Calories: 5-15 calories
Most Grill Mates contain minimal calories, averaging 5-15 calories per serving mainly from salt and sugar.
Sodium: 200-450mg
The sodium content ranges widely from about 15% to 30% of the daily value. Salt is the primary driver of sodium levels.
Sugar: 0-3g
Blends with sugar average 1-3g per serving. Those without sugar contain minimal or no sugar.
MSG: 0-300mg
MSG, when present, makes up about 10-30% of the total blend. Those without MSG contain 0mg.
Carbs: 1-3g
Total carbs are low, mainly coming from sugar and anti-caking agents. Grill Mates average 1-3g of carbs per serving.
Protein: 0-1g
Grill Mates contain minimal protein, mainly from small amounts of salt, garlic and onion. Levels range from 0-1g per serving.
| Nutrient | Per 1 tsp |
|---|---|
| Calories | 5-15 |
| Sodium | 200-450mg |
| Sugar | 0-3g |
| MSG | 0-300mg |
| Carbohydrates | 1-3g |
| Protein | 0-1g |
Ingredients by Popular Blends
Here is a more detailed look at the ingredients found in some of the most popular Grill Mates seasonings:
Montreal Steak Seasoning
- Salt
- Garlic powder
- Red pepper
- Black pepper
- Coriander
- Dried onion
- Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
- Silicon dioxide
- Parsley
- Potassium chloride
Mesquite Seasoning
- Salt
- Sugar
- Paprika
- Spices
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Corn syrup solids
- Maltodextrin
- Dried onion
- Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
- Natural hickory smoke flavor
- Silicon dioxide
- Disodium inosinate & guanylate
- Dried jalapeno
Chicken & Rib Seasoning
- Salt
- Sugar
- Spices
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Corn syrup solids
- Natural flavors
- Dried onion
- Disodium inosinate & guanylate
- Dried garlic
- Citric acid
Southwest Chipotle Seasoning
- Salt
- Sugar
- Paprika
- Spices
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Maltodextrin
- Dried onion
- Natural flavors
- Dried garlic
- Chipotle chili pepper
- Citric acid
- Silicon dioxide
Key Takeaways
- Grill Mates contain salt, spices, herbs, sugar, MSG, anti-caking agents and dried veggies.
- They provide robust seasoning for grilled meats, seafood and vegetables.
- Popular blends include Montreal Steak, Mesquite, Chicken & Rib and Southwest Chipotle.
- Salt and MSG provide dominant savory flavor in most Grill Mates.
- Sugar balances salty notes and aids browning in select blends.
- Dried onion, garlic, jalapeno and herbs offer aromatic qualities.
- Nutrition varies but Grill Mates are low calorie with 10-30% sodium per serving.
Conclusion
Grill Mates offer backyard chefs an easy way to infuse big, bold flavor into grilled foods. The exact recipes are proprietary secrets, but the main ingredients include salt, spices, sugar, MSG, herbs and dried vegetables. These components provide signature flavors and aromas like smoky, savory, sweet and spicy notes. While high in sodium, Grill Mates can transform basic proteins and veggies into craveable barbecue fare with minimal effort. Their popularity stems from the convenience and fool-proof flavor they impart using common ingredients in clever combinations.