McCormick Grill Mates Marinades, Zesty Herb

McCormick Grill Mates Marinades, Zesty Herb is a small foil/paper packet of concentrated seasoning built for quick grilling and flavor boosts. You'll find it on the grocery aisle with herbs, spices and packet marinades—near other Grill Mates varieties, bottled sauces, and dry rubs targeted to backyard barbecues. It reads like a summertime convenience product: basil-forward herb notes with garlic, onion and a jalapeño bite, positioned for people who want big grill flavor without making a complex sauce from scratch. Marketing leans on McCormick’s long-standing spice heritage and the Grill Mates sub-brand, appealing to casual weekend grillers, busy parents planning easy dinners, and millennial hosts chasing bold, shareable flavors. The label emphasizes crafted herbs and “natural flavor,” but there’s no organic or clean-label certification; it presents a wholesome, savory image while also listing processed components on the ingredient panel. In plain processing context, this is a manufactured seasoning mix made by combining spice extracts, starches and flavor enhancers rather than a single whole food. Sensory expectations: a fine, dry powder (corn maltodextrin and modified starch give a slightly pasty dissolved texture when mixed), bright herby aroma with savory umami notes from hydrolyzed corn gluten and soy components, and a salty finish. Typical rituals include stirring into oil/vinegar for a quick marinade, rubbing onto meats before grilling, or mixing into ground beef for burgers. Pack size is pocketable for a single meal, meant for efficient prep and bold results at casual cookouts.