CATTLEMAN'S GRILL: Italiano Seasoning – 283g

The old world, in a shaker on the pit

Not every jar on the shelf has to be about smoke and brisket. Italiano is Cattleman's Grill's Mediterranean side — a classic blend of herbs and spices built for the kitchen as much as the grill, and it is the one that quietly gets used most on a Tuesday. Stir it through mince and you have the best Italian sausage you have made; scatter it over vegetables and they stop being a side dish.

The flavour

Garden-fresh and green at the front — the classic Mediterranean herb profile, dried but bright. The middle is savoury and aromatic rather than sharp, and the finish is clean and dry with no sugar to muddy it. It is a seasoning that layers into a sauce instead of sitting on top of one.

How to cook with it

• Work two heavy tablespoons through a kilo of pork mince, rest it overnight, then roll it into patties or coils for the grill — instant Italian sausage.
• Stir a spoonful into a slow-simmering tomato sauce early so the dried herbs have time to bloom and soften.
• Toss zucchini, capsicum and red onion in oil and a heavy pinch, then char them hard over direct heat.
• Season a whole chicken inside and out, then roast or spatchcock it over indirect coals.
• Rogue move: whisk it into olive oil with a splash of vinegar for a five-second dressing or a bread dip.

In the shaker

A dry, leafy green-flecked blend rather than a fine powder — you can see the individual herbs. It scatters evenly and blooms properly in oil or a simmering sauce, so give it a minute of heat before you judge it.

Ingredients & Dietary

Ingredients: A classic Mediterranean blend of herbs and spices. Full ingredient statement to be confirmed from the physical label.

Dietary: Cattleman's Grill state no MSG, no chemical preservatives and no anti-caking agents across the range. Gluten status not confirmed from a published statement — always check the physical label.

The Rub Smuggler's Verdict

Every pantry needs one jar that works when the smoker is cold. Dried herbs want fat and a little time — bloom this in oil or an early simmer rather than dusting it on at the end, and it tastes twice as loud. Build the plate out with Fancy Hanks Tomato Sauce and finish the charred vegetables with Falksalt Hickory Smoke Sea Salt Flakes.

Questions answered

What can I use Italiano seasoning for?
Cattleman's Grill recommend it for spaghetti sauce, pizza sauce, lasagne, salads and vegetables, and for turning plain mince into Italian sausage.

Is it spicy?
No. It is a herb-led Mediterranean blend with no chilli heat.

Does it contain MSG?
No. Cattleman's Grill state that they do not use MSG, chemical preservatives or anti-caking agents in any of their blends.