Homemade Elote Seasoning: Gluten Free

This homemade elote seasoning is epic! It’s an easy way to add vibrancy to any dish and it’s also incredibly easy. You only need a few pantry staple ingredients and less than 5 minutes to make this flavorful elote spice blend right at home.

I love the Trader Joe’s Everything but the Elote seasoning, however the closest store is almost an hour and a half away from me. Trips to Trader Joe’s are few and far between, which is why I set out to make my own homemade elote seasoning!

This super easy spice blend only needs a handful of ingredients that you probably already have on hand, and it also comes together in under five minutes because I’m all about simplicity.

I love to use this elote seasoning on everything from roasted veggies to flakey fish, and sometimes I even like to make it into a compound butter for an extra special grilled cheese! There’s so many ways to use this vibrant spice blend, so be sure to save it to your Pinterest boards so you always have it.

WHAT IS ELOTE SEASONING?

Elote (pronounced Eh-loh-te) seasoning is a spicy, smoky spice blend that originates from the Mexican culture. It’s an easy recipe, made with pantry staple ingredients that adds a smoky depth of flavor to any dish it’s added to.

It typically has a smoky, slightly spicy flavor that ends on a sweet note. Homemade elote seasoning is a great blend to boost the flavor of your favorite meat or veggie dish!

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE

• Ready in under 5 minutes
• Made with pantry staple ingredients
• Adds a bold, vibrant flavor to any dish
• Great to use on chicken or roasted veggies
• Vegan and gluten free

INGREDIENTS FOR HOMEMADE ELOTE SEASONING

• Monk fruit: I used monk fruit because I didn’t want the added sugar
• Nutritional yeast: This replaces the parmesan and keeps the recipe vegan and shelf stable
• Chili powder
• Paprika: Make sure you use a gluten free paprika brand like Simply Organic
• Dried cilantro
• Cumin
• Salt

SUBSTITUTIONS:

• Monk fruit: Use cane sugar or coconut sugar

• Nutritional yeast: Substitute with parmesan cheese* (see note)

• Paprika: This can be substituted with chipotle powder instead

• Dried cilantro: You can use dried parsley instead

• Add 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper for added spice!

HOW TO MAKE ELOTE SEASONING AT HOME

1. Add all ingredients to a mortar and pestle or food processor
2. Mix until everything is well combined
3. Use right away, or store in an airtight container

EXPERT TIPS

• Make sure your spices are not expired for best flavor
• Check that your paprika is gluten free
• Grind in a mortar and pestle or food processor to break down the nutritional yeast
• Store in a cool, dry place
• *If using parmesan cheese, this will only stay good for 2-3 days. I recommend leaving it out, and adding 1/2 teaspoon of parmesan for every 2 teaspoons of elote seasoning as you use it in a recipe

WAYS TO USE HOMEMADE ELOTE SEASONING

• Avocado toast
• Scrambled eggs
• Air fryer chicken thighs
• Roasted corn
• Crispy cauliflower bites
• Shrimp tacos

FAQs

Is this elote seasoning blend spicy?

It has a little bit of spice to it, but because of the monk fruit, it’s fairly mild. You could make it spicier by adding some cayenne pepper though, if you’d like.

How should I store this?

You can keep any extra in an airtight container like a Mason jar. It also stores best in a cool, dry place like a pantry or closed cabinet.

How long does it keep?

This homemade elote spice mix will last for up to 6 months if stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

Is elote seasoning not gluten free?

While Trader Joe’s Everything but the Elote seasoning doesn’t have gluten listed in the ingredients, it is not certified gluten free. Also, some other brands may contain paprika, which may contain gluten due to being processed in the same factory as gluten containing products.

Did you make my homemade elote seasoning mix? If so, I would greatly appreciate you leaving a comment and star rating down below. Additionally, you can follow me on Instagram and tag me if you made this or any other of my easy recipes.

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