Summer means cookouts, picnics, and backyard gatherings. It’s the season for enjoying time with friends and family, and sharing delicious food.
Incorporating a dash of monosodium glutamate (MSG) into your favorite summer dishes will unlock maximum flavor and cause your food to be the undisputed hit of the party.
MSG is a form of glutamate, an abundant amino acid naturally found in foods like tomatoes, cheese, and mushrooms. It is responsible for the fifth basic taste, umami (also known as savory). Umami can come from glutamate-rich ingredients or MSG seasoning. In addition to providing flavor itself, the umami from MSG also enhances and balances other flavors in a dish.
If you want to impress everyone with flavors that pop, try these recipes for elevating your summer fare.
Use MSG for Umami-Rich Burgers
A great burger is the centerpiece of any cookout. To ensure every bite is packed with savory depth, season your meat with MSG along with your usual salt and pepper. MSG works synergistically with other seasonings, amplifying the beef’s natural umami flavor without adding excessive sodium. A pinch (about a 1/4 teaspoon per pound of meat) mixed into the patty blend makes all the difference.
Up the Umami of BBQ Chicken
Barbecue sauce provides great flavor, and including MSG in it adds richness to the sauce and balances out the sweeter components. Try this recipe for BBQ Chicken Thighs which shows exactly how to season the meat before grilling to achieve that perfect, juicy, and savory-sweet balance.
Boost the Flavor of Beans
Whether you’re using baked beans from a can or making them from scratch, beans offer a hearty base that is significantly improved by umami. Add a dash of MSG to taste before serving to deepen the existing savory notes in the sauce, making it richer and more complex.
Add MSG to Make Mac and Cheese Magnificent
Macaroni and cheese is a backyard barbeque staple, and the natural glutamate found in cheese is a key part of its deliciousness. Boost the flavor even more using this recipe for The Best Mac and Cheese. It includes MSG to maximize the umami from the cheese and contribute to the overall saltiness of the dish without adding much sodium.
Kick Up Your Coleslaw
A refreshing, crisp coleslaw is essential for offsetting the richness of grilled meats. MSG can improve the flavor of your dressing regardless of whether it’s vinegar-based or creamy. It helps to balance the acidity while highlighting the freshness of the cabbage. Check out Kitty’s Snappy Slaw Recipe for a perfect example of this savory-sweet synergy.
Power Potato Salad with MSG
Potato salad benefits immensely from a touch of MSG. In this Honey Mustard Potato Salad recipe, the umami from MSG works to enhance the savory flavor and balance the other ingredients, particularly the acid from the mustard and the sweetness of the honey.
Give Pasta Salad More Savory Depth
Pasta salad is the ultimate customizable potluck dish. Just like with potato salad, mixing MSG into the dressing for your Pasta Salad is an easy way to ensure every herb, vegetable, and noodle shines with savory deliciousness.
Photo of barbecue and sides by Jacob Stone on Unsplash
