If you love Good Shit Seasoning but hate paying store prices for a small bottle, this copycat recipe is exactly what you need. With simple pantry spices and about five minutes, you can make a big batch at home for a fraction of the cost.
It has the same bold, savory flavor you expect — and once you make it yourself, you will never go back to buying it.
What is Good Shit Seasoning?
Good Shit Seasoning is a bold all-purpose spice blend known for its savory, slightly smoky flavor with a hint of sweetness. It works on just about everything — burgers, steaks, chicken, pork, roasted vegetables, and even popcorn.
The name gets attention, but the flavor is what keeps people coming back. It is the kind of seasoning that makes simple meals taste like you actually tried.
Why make it at home?
Store-bought specialty seasonings are expensive for what you get. A small jar runs several dollars and disappears fast if your family cooks with it regularly. Making your own means:
- You control the ingredients and salt level
- You can make a large batch for less than one store-bought bottle
- No artificial fillers, anti-caking agents, or mystery additives
- You can adjust the heat, sweetness, or smokiness to your taste
Once you have the spices in your pantry, each batch costs almost nothing to make.
Ingredients
This blend uses simple spices you probably already have:
- Sea salt
- Brown sugar
- Paprika
- Granulated garlic
- Granulated onion
- Black pepper
- Ground celery seed
The combination of sweet brown sugar, smoky paprika, and savory garlic and onion is what gives this seasoning its signature flavor. Celery seed adds a subtle depth that ties everything together.
How to use Good Shit Seasoning
This blend is genuinely all-purpose. Here is where it shines:
- Burgers and smash burgers — season the meat before cooking or sprinkle on top
- Steaks and chops — rub it in generously before grilling or searing
- Chicken — use as a dry rub or season before roasting
- Roasted potatoes and fries — toss before roasting for serious flavor
- Vegetables — great on zucchini, green beans, corn, broccoli, and carrots
- Popcorn — a light sprinkle takes it to another level
- Eggs and breakfast potatoes — yes, really
- Sheet pan meals — season everything at once
How much to use
Start with about half a teaspoon per serving and adjust to taste. Because this blend contains salt, you generally do not need to add extra salt when cooking. Taste as you go and season from there.
For a dry rub on meat, use one to two teaspoons per pound and press it into the surface before cooking.
How to store homemade seasoning
Store your Good Shit Seasoning in an airtight container — a half-pint mason jar works perfectly. Keep it in a cool, dry spot away from heat and moisture.
Properly stored, it stays fresh and flavorful for up to one year. Make a big batch and keep it on the counter for everyday cooking.
Make it your own
One of the best things about making copycat seasoning blends at home is the ability to customize them. A few easy variations:
- More heat — add a quarter teaspoon of cayenne or red pepper flakes
- Smokier flavor — use smoked paprika instead of regular
- Lower sodium — reduce the salt by half and add more garlic and onion
- Sweeter blend — increase the brown sugar slightly for a BBQ-style flavor
- Herb forward — add dried thyme or oregano for an herby version
Frequently asked questions
What does Good Shit Seasoning taste like?
It has a bold, savory flavor with a slight smokiness from paprika, a hint of sweetness from brown sugar, and depth from garlic and onion. The celery seed adds a subtle background note that makes the whole blend come together.
Is Good Shit Seasoning gluten-free?
Yes, this homemade version is naturally gluten-free. All of the ingredients are pure spices with no fillers or additives. Always check individual spice labels if you have a sensitivity to cross-contamination.
Can I use this as a dry rub?
Absolutely. Press one to two teaspoons per pound into the surface of your meat and let it sit for at least 15 minutes before cooking. For deeper flavor, let it rest in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight.
How is this different from Bull Shit Seasoning?
Both are bold all-purpose seasoning blends with similar flavor profiles. Good Shit Seasoning tends to have a slightly sweeter, more balanced flavor while Bull Shit leans a bit more savory and salty. Both are great on grilled meats, vegetables, and potatoes.
Can I make a large batch?
Yes, this recipe scales easily. Double or triple the amounts and store in a quart-size mason jar. The blend stays fresh for up to one year in an airtight container kept away from heat and moisture.
Does this need to be refrigerated?
No. Dry spice blends do not need refrigeration. Store in an airtight container at room temperature, away from the stove or any heat source that could cause the spices to lose their potency faster.
What can I substitute for celery seed?
If you do not have celery seed, you can leave it out or substitute a small pinch of celery salt (reduce the regular salt slightly if you do). The blend will still taste great without it, though celery seed adds a nice depth of flavor.
More homemade seasoning blends to try
If you love making your own spice blends, here are a few others worth keeping in your pantry:
Building a pantry full of homemade seasoning blends means you always have great flavor on hand, no store run required.
Copycat Good Shit Seasoning
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 3 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 3 Tbsp paprika
- 1 Tbsp sea salt
- 1 Tbsp granulated garlic
- 1 Tbsp granulated onion
- 2 tsp coarse black pepper
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl and whisk until evenly blended. Transfer to a clean half-pint mason jar and seal tightly.
- To Use: Sprinkle on chicken, pork, burgers, vegetables, potatoes, ribs, or fries before cooking. Also makes a surprisingly good seasoning for roasted nuts and popcorn.
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