Try These Delicious Recipes With MSG (Yes, MSG!) From BuzzFeed Readers

You won't believe some of the delicious foods on this list.

We asked the BuzzFeed Community to tell us their favorite MSG-infused recipes, and here's what they shared. Yep, we are talking about monosodium glutamate (MSG). Spoiler alert if you didn’t already know: It's totally safe and totally delicious. Have other questions about MSG? Read this article to learn more about common sources of MSG and other helpful facts.

1. Roasted Pork Shoulder

Masterchef / Via giphy.com

"I'm a first-generation Filipino American, and I grew up with MSG as a staple in my family's pantry. For years, American culture has held a vendetta against MSG, but in reality, it has less sodium than table salt!

Almost all dishes we ate had MSG in them. One of my ultimate favorites, though, is a roasted-to-perfection pork shoulder. This mimics the ever-popular lechón (whole roasted pig). The best part is the crispy skin, and without MSG, it just isn't the same!" —ericalbridwell

2. Ceviche

Getty Images / Via giphy.com

"My mother-in-law taught me to use it in her ceviche recipe and several other Peruvian foods." —aallen1209

3. Popcorn

joyalegre / Via buzzfeed.com

"I pop some plain kernels in the microwave using my favorite popcorn bowl, and to a couple tablespoons of softened butter I add half a teaspoon of salt, a good shake of garlic salt, half a teaspoon of black pepper, half a teaspoon of red pepper flakes, a tablespoon of nooch, a pinch of MSG, and sometimes some dill. I pour the butter mix over my popcorn, and it’s perfect!" —joyalegre

4. Beef Fried Rice

Getty Images / Via gettyimages.com

"I make my family homemade beef fried rice. Takeout as often as my children want would cost a fortune so I make my own. I put the MSG especially in my fried rice along with Shaoxing wine to give it that takeout flavor.
10-oz flank steak sliced
Corn starch
1/4 minced onion
4 baby carrots minced
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/8 cup mushroom soy sauce
1/8 cup oyster sauce or thick teriyaki sauce
1 cup uncooked rice
2 eggs scrambled
1/4 cup diced bean sprouts
1 tbsp MSG
1 green onion diced
1/8 Shaoxing wine

Cook the rice to package directions the night before. Toss steak with corn starch to coat. Add 1/4 cup of soy sauce, a dash of MSG, and a tablespoon of mushroom soy sauce. Marinate 30 minutes. Heat a wok with a few tablespoons of oil. I mix olive and sesame oil. Heat oil over medium heat. Brown meat and remove. Cook eggs and remove. Sauté onion and carrots until the onion is translucent and the carrots tender. Add rice, soy sauces, MSG, and bean sprouts. Add egg and meat. Add wine and stir." —malvinadesalvo

5. Pasta Salad

Getty Images / Via gettyimages.com

"I have a “famous pasta salad” recipe that was originally my aunt’s and you CANNOT make it without MSG!! Everyone who has tried it is obsessed and it’s now my husband’s favorite summer treat! Happy to share the recipe!

Kane’s Famous Pasta Salad Recipe -

Ingredients:
1 - 12 ounce box of angel hair pasta
1 tbsp MSG
1 tbsp salt
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp olive oil
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 small red onion, diced
1 small-med jar pimentos, drained and diced
1 can peas, drained (I always use Le Sueur brand)
1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream

Directions:
Break pasta into 1-inch pieces and cook as directed. Rinse in cold water, drain. In a large bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, MSG and Lawrey’s into pasta. Cover and chill in refrigerator for at least one hour (can leave overnight).

After chilled, mix in bell pepper, onion, pimentos, peas, cheddar, mayo and sour cream. Stir together to mix thoroughly.

Enjoy, or refrigerate until serving!" —msantangelo2019

6. Mac 'n' Cheese

Getty Images / Via gettyimages.com

"I use MSG in my mac 'n' cheese to ramp up the flavor; since cheese is salty and I salt the pasta water heavily, I don’t have to add as much salt to season the cheese sauce. When making the cheese sauce, I make a béchamel, add all the seasonings (pepper, mustard powder, etc., etc.), and MSG before melting the cheese in to make sure everything is evenly incorporated." —emilym45c0e4730

7. Apple Pie

Getty Images / Via gettyimages.com

"I add it to my apple pie filling. The buttery, flaky crust has a great mouthfeel, and the MSG carries it through the rest of the pie." —me4sweetd1

8. Indian Chana Masala

Getty Images / Via gettyimages.com

"Typically I add it in my kitchen sink leftovers fried rice, or my Indian chana masala or saag paneer, or perhaps a Szechuan shrimp. It tends to be dishes with a sauce or lots of ingredients together and not typically on the run-of-the-mill ho-hum dishes." —melpy84

9. Vegan Foods

Getty Images / Via gettyimages.com

"Not entirely a recipe, but i love to add MSG to anything that’s supposed to taste like meat!!! I'm vegan so i add it to lots of things like tofu, meat alternatives, menudo broth, anything really! It 1000% adds a meat/umami flavor and amps up the believability factor." —guavasita1

As you can see, adding a touch of MSG to bring out that umami taste can really make all the difference!

Note: Submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.