G’day mates! If you’ve ever had the pleasure of eating hot chips (that’s fries for you non-Aussies) in Australia, you’ve probably experienced the flavor explosion that is chicken salt As an Aussie food enthusiast, I’ve always been fascinated by this fluorescent yellow magic dust that seems to make everything taste better. But what exactly is this seasoning that Australians are so obsessed with, and which brands do they actually use? Let’s dive into the salty, savory world of Australia’s favorite condiment!
The Origins of Chicken Salt: A True Blue Aussie Invention
Before we talk about brands, let’s chat about where this stuff came from. Turns out, chicken salt has a pretty interesting backstory that was almost lost to time.
The real chicken salt origin story was uncovered by cook and TV host Adam Liaw while chasing down a childhood memory, The rumor was that his schoolmate’s dad invented the stuff – and he was right!
Peter Brinkworth, a salt-of-the-earth bloke who ran a chicken shop in 1970s Gawler, South Australia, originally developed the seasoning to flavor the cooked chickens he sold. He soon realized it tasted bloody good on everything else too!
Brinkworth’s original chicken salt recipe contained
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Celery salt
- Paprika
- Chicken bouillon
- Monosodium glutamate
- Curry powder (Keen’s brand preferred)
He would mix it up in 20-litre plastic bins and “as you did your chickens you’d just sprinkle it on.” The locals went nuts for it. Brinkworth had lines of people out the shop to the kerb, waiting well into the night.
Then in 1977, the Mitani family bought the business – and the chicken salt recipe that came with it. And that’s where our story of commercial chicken salt begins!
What Chicken Salt Brands Do Australians Actually Use?
1. Mitani: The OG Chicken Salt
Mitani is the big daddy of chicken salt in Australia, and for good reason – they’ve been making the stuff since 1979 after buying Brinkworth’s original recipe. The Mitani family, Japanese immigrants who set up shop in Adelaide, took that original recipe and turned it into a national sensation.
Today, Mitani chicken salt is available in supermarkets nationwide and is considered by many to be the benchmark against which all other chicken salts are measured. It’s estimated that over 15,000 tons of chicken salt are consumed in Australia each year, and Mitani accounts for a large chunk of that!
Unlike the original recipe, modern Mitani chicken salt doesn’t actually contain any chicken. It’s a vegetarian seasoning blend that delivers that moreish umami flavor Aussies love.
2. Saxa Chicken Salt
Saxa was one of the first big companies to manufacture chicken salt commercially. Their product has a strong chicken bouillon flavor and is widely available in supermarkets. Many fish and chip shops across Australia use Saxa chicken salt to dust their hot chips.
3. Red Rock Deli
Red Rock Deli offers a slightly more premium take on chicken salt, with a coarser texture and lower-sodium options. Their chicken salt has become increasingly popular in recent years.
4. Maovich
This South Australian company offers chicken salt with larger flakes and visible herbs, giving it a more artisanal feel compared to the fine powders of Mitani and Saxa.
5. Oriental Merchant
Using higher quality sea salt and natural chicken powder, Oriental Merchant’s chicken salt has a subtler flavor profile that some Aussies prefer.
6. Outback Spirit
This brand features Australian bush spices like lemon myrtle and pepperberry to give a unique twist on traditional chicken salt.
7. Condimaniac Australian-Style Chicken Salt
According to some sources, Condimaniac Australian-Style Chicken Salt is also popular. It’s marketed as “the famous Australian Chicken Salt used Down Under to flavour their chips in the fish and chip shops.”
What Actually IS Chicken Salt?
First thing’s first – despite the name, most chicken salt these days doesn’t actually contain any chicken! It’s a seasoning made for chicken, not from chicken.
Modern chicken salt is typically a blend of:
- Salt (sodium chloride is the main ingredient)
- Flavor enhancers (like MSG)
- Onion and garlic powders
- Paprika
- Herbs (like parsley, rosemary, thyme)
- Anti-caking agents
The exact ratio of ingredients gives each brand its distinctive flavor and texture. Overall, it delivers a solid punch of saltiness layered with sav
Gocsy’s Australia: What’s Actually in Chicken Salt?
FAQ
What is chicken salt used for in Australia?
From barbecue to seafood, chicken salt can enhance the flavor of just about anything. Here are some of the most popular uses for chicken salt in Australia: If you order hot chips or french fries from a takeout shop or restaurant in Australia, they will usually come with chicken salt on them.
What is chicken salt used for?
Chicken Salt is Australia’s favourite seasoning and can be used on anything from fish and chips, to popcorn, to, yes, chicken. Originally created by the owner of a chicken shop in South Australia in the 1960s, Chicken Salt is ubiquitous across the country and freely available in supermarkets.
What can you eat with chicken salt in Australia?
Here are some of the most popular uses for chicken salt in Australia: If you order hot chips or french fries from a takeout shop or restaurant in Australia, they will usually come with chicken salt on them. Burgers and sandwiches – A sprinkle of chicken salt in burger patties or on sandwiches adds a boost of flavor.
Is chicken salt a good seasoning?
Packed with mouth-watering umami and rich flavors, chicken salt is the seasoning you need in your life and on your snacks. It’s from Australia, which makes sense since, as a country they seem to know what they’re doing when it comes to powerfully savory, explosively flavorful condiments (we’re looking at you, Vegemite).
Is chicken salt a good seasoning for rotisserie chicken?
Surprisingly, despite its popularity as a seasoning for hot chips, chicken salt wasn’t designed for that purpose but – as the name suggests – as a seasoning for rotisserie chickens. The spice slowly left South Australia and made its way around the country. The original recipe is held as a close secret of the Mitani family.
Who invented chicken salt?
European immigrants Loui and Trianka Mitani started a business developing salts and spices for restaurants in Adelaide in the 1970s. Surprisingly, despite its popularity as a seasoning for hot chips, chicken salt wasn’t designed for that purpose but – as the name suggests – as a seasoning for rotisserie chickens.
What is in chicken salt in Australia?
But the real deal (and really good) chicken salt doesn’t contain “chicken flavoring,” it contains actual roasted, braised, dried, and yes, salted, chicken.May 16, 2019
What is chicken seasoning in Australia?
Chicken salt is an immensely popular seasoning in its native Australia, where the Mitani family introduced the product in 1979. Its ingredient list might surprise you: Mitani’s chicken salt does not contain actual chicken—rather it’s a garlicky seasoning originally intended for rotisserie chickens.
Does KFC use chicken salt in Australia?
Discover the unique world of chicken salt seasoning at Australian KFC locations, where chips are triple-seasoned with this popular flavor. Learn about the differences between ‘white salt’ and ‘chicken salt’ in this savory video.
Do other countries use chicken salt?
Although chicken salt is the default go-to fluorescent chip seasoning for most Australians, it is largely unknown to the world outside Australia. Canadians have their poutine, Belgians have their mayo. Australians have their chicken salt.