How to Cook with No Added Sugar Seasoning Blends
Many store-bought rubs and seasoning mixes contain sugar, sometimes as the first ingredient. Sugar helps with browning, but it also burns easily on a hot grill and isn't what every cook wants. Savu Birra makes more than 30 seasoning blends with no added sugar, covering steak, chicken, seafood, tacos, chili, vegetables and bread. This guide explains what "no added sugar" means, which blends to use for which foods, how to get great browning and flavor without sugar, and gives recipes for a full week of meals.
Shop no added sugar seasonings
Every blend in this collection is made without added sugar. A good place to start is the Mexican Seasoning Variety Pack, with Carne Asada, Enchilada, Taco and Chili Powder seasonings, all with no added sugar.
Shop No Added Sugar Blends Shop the Mexican Seasoning 4-Pack
What "no added sugar" means
"No added sugar" describes the blend's formula: no sugar, brown sugar, honey or similar sweeteners are added. It doesn't mean the finished dish is sugar-free, since sauces, marinades, tortillas, vegetables and sides carry their own sugars. It also doesn't mean salt-free or mild. Many no-added-sugar blends contain sea salt, and some contain hot chiles. Always check the current ingredient list on the product page, and follow your own dietary or medical guidance.
No added sugar blends by food
| Cooking | Blends with no added sugar |
|---|---|
| Steak and beef | Classic Steak, Ancho Steak, Rustic Steak Rub, Old West Steak Rub, Prime Rib Rub, Beef Pot Roast |
| Burgers | Three Pepper Hamburger |
| Lamb and game | Lamb Meat Rub, Mike's Venison Seasoning |
| Chicken | Cajun Chicken, Garlic and Herb |
| Fish and seafood | Seafood Rub, BBQ Shrimp Rub, Cajun Seafood, Fish Taco, Seafood Boil Mix |
| Tacos and Mexican | Taco, Carne Asada, Enchilada |
| Chili | Chili Powder, Hot Chili Powder, Texas Red Chili Powder, Chile Pepper Blend |
| Cajun | Louisiana Cajun |
| Vegetables and salads | Roasted Veggie (no salt or sugar), Potato Salad |
| Pizza and bread | Italian Pizza, Garlic Bread, Bread Dipping Mix |
| Chile salts | Jalapeño, Red Chile, Habanero sea salts |
Two variety packs are made entirely of no-added-sugar blends: the Mexican Seasoning Variety Pack and the Chili Seasoning Variety Pack.
How to get great browning without sugar
- Dry the surface. Pat meat and vegetables dry. Moisture stops browning.
- Use enough heat. A hot pan, grill or 425°F oven browns protein and vegetables on their own.
- Use a little oil. Oil helps spices toast and stick, and conducts heat evenly.
- Don't crowd. Leave space between pieces so they sear instead of steam.
- Lean on paprika and chiles. Smoked paprika and dried chiles give color and a deep, roasted flavor with no sweetener.
- Finish with acid. A squeeze of lime or lemon brightens savory food the way a touch of sweetness might.
A bonus: sugar-free rubs don't scorch as quickly over high heat, so they're well suited to hot searing and grilling.
A week of no-added-sugar dinners
Monday: Classic steak and roasted vegetables
Season a 1-pound steak with about 1 teaspoon Classic Steak Seasoning per side. Sear in a hot cast-iron pan to your preferred doneness (USDA minimum 145°F with a 3-minute rest). Meanwhile, toss 1 pound broccoli or cauliflower with 1 tablespoon oil and 2 teaspoons Roasted Veggie Seasoning and roast at 425°F for 20 to 25 minutes. Roasted Veggie has no salt, so add salt to taste.
Tuesday: Beef or bean tacos
Brown 1 pound ground beef, drain, then add 2 tablespoons Taco Seasoning and 1/3 cup water and simmer until thick. Cook the beef to 160°F. For a meatless version, simmer 2 cups black beans with 1/2 cup water and 2 teaspoons seasoning for 10 minutes.
Wednesday: Cajun chicken thighs
Toss 2 pounds boneless thighs with 1 tablespoon oil and 1 tablespoon Cajun Chicken Seasoning. Roast at 425°F until at least 165°F. Serve with rice and a green salad.
Thursday: Seafood rub salmon
Brush 4 salmon fillets with oil and season with 2 teaspoons Seafood Rub. Bake at 400°F for 10 to 14 minutes, until it flakes and reaches 145°F.
Friday: Homemade pizza night
Stir 1 to 2 teaspoons Italian Pizza Seasoning into 1 cup of plain tomato sauce. For the side, mix 1 tablespoon Bread Dipping Seasoning Mix with 1/4 cup olive oil.
Saturday: Texas red chili
Brown 2 pounds cubed chuck, add 3 tablespoons Texas Red Chili Powder, 1 can crushed tomatoes and 2 cups beef broth, and simmer 2 1/2 to 3 hours until tender. Taste for salt at the end.
Sunday: Pot roast
Rub a 3 to 4 pound chuck roast with 1 tablespoon Beef Pot Roast Seasoning, sear, then slow-cook on low 8 to 10 hours with potatoes, carrots, onion and 1 cup broth.
Check the rest of the plate
Sweet barbecue sauce, ketchup, bottled dressings, glazes and some marinades can add more sugar than any rub. If you're watching sugar, swap a sweet sauce for salsa, chimichurri, a squeeze of citrus or a yogurt sauce, and read the labels on packaged ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
Are no added sugar blends also salt-free?
Not necessarily. Most contain sea salt. Roasted Veggie Seasoning has neither salt nor sugar.
Are they keto or diabetic friendly?
We can't make dietary or medical claims. The blends have no added sugar, but please review the full ingredient list and talk to your healthcare provider about your needs.
Will meat still brown without sugar in the rub?
Yes. Browning comes mainly from the meat's own proteins reacting with high heat. A dry surface and a hot pan matter more than sugar.
Which pork rubs have sugar?
Our sweet pork rubs, such as Brown Sugar, Honey BBQ and Hot and Sweet, contain sugar or honey by design. For sugar-free pork, try Garlic and Herb or Louisiana Cajun.
Find your next cooking idea
Explore more Recipes & Cooking Guides, organized by food, flavor, and pantry choice.
Explore more from Savu Birra
Browse the full no added sugar seasoning collection. Related reading: How to Choose Seasoning Blends for Everyday Cooking and Mexican and Southwest Seasonings for Tacos, Enchiladas and Chili.
