12 must have spices that every kitchen should have
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There are seemingly hundreds of spices used for cooking. There are some basic spices that every kitchen needs to keep stock of. Here is a list of 12 must have spices and seasonings with ideas to help you make flavorful meals in minutes .
If you searched for ‘Must -Have spices’, or ‘essential spices for cooking’, I may not be completely wrong in assuming that you are looking for a small list of common spices to start with rather than something vast and complicated.
This list is what I consider to be the popular spices for cooking.
But the type of ‘must-have’ spices is pretty subjective as the spices that work for you may for you may not be an the most used spice in someone else’s kitchen.
If you are unsure of how to choose kitchen seasonings that suit your taste and eating habits then follow this basic spices guide to select the top 5 essential spices for your kitchen which is especially useful if you are a beginner cook.
These 12 must have spices are the most used spices and herbs and narrows the list down to the basic spices to keep in hand.
With the right amount and type of kitchen seasoning, you can transform plain food into something irresistible.
If using spices is new to you and you want to learn few tips on adding flavour with spices, then this blog will surely help.
Why Should You Cook With Spices
Seasoning is what makes food taste good.
We normally use salt and pepper to pep up our dishes.
Imagine if we broaden our scope of seasoning and bring in more exciting flavours ??!!
You may already be using the basic two seasonings, aka salt and pepper!
The more adventurous cooks have necessary spices for the kitchen which they cant do without.
Spices and herbs not only make it easier to elevate the taste of dishes, they are full of healthy nutrients and also help introduce new flavours and dishes to mealtimes.
Pre-blended seasonings and spice mixes also reduce cooking time as all you need to do is add them to your raw ingredients and voila you are done with cooking.
Seasonings also help you in branching out and experiment with cultural flavours.
How exciting do mealtimes become with a touch of spice !!
List of 12 Basic Spices To Have In Your Kitchen Pantry
If you feel overwhelmed with the many spices that you see in the shopping aisles then the good news is that you only need to stock up essential cooking spices.
I have narrowed the list to the most common and easily available seasonings, herbs and spices to start your kitchen pantry.
They are in alphabetical order, so feel free to choose any one.
The idea is to begin by adding just one spice each month of the year, (hence a 12 spice list) and work with different suitable combinations before you introduce another spice!
Slowly but SURELY these little culinary experiments will change how you cook with spices.
1. Cajun seasoning
Cajun spice is similar to a taco seasoning but uses additional spices such as cayenne pepper, garlic powder, sweet paprika, dried oregano, dried thyme, ground black pepper, onion powder.
Taste
Mildly hot and sweet
How to use Cajun Seasoning
Cajun seasoning can be used directly in the dish as a marinade for making rubs, dips or flavouring rice dishes
Compliments best with
Meat, chicken, fish, rice, legumes and almost all vegetables
Recipes to Cook with Cajun Spice
Cajun Spiced Flounder with Tomatoes
2. Cardamom
Known as the queen of spices due to its high price and aromatic properties.
Its a flower bud and is popularly used in many cuisines.
Taste
Sweet
How to use Green Cardamom
You can either use the pods whole, crushed or in powder form.
Green cardamom pods are used for curry, rice or even to flavour coffee in Arabic style.
It can be used to make both sweet and savoury dishes.
Simply add it to the dish to enhance flavour and aroma.
Compliments best with
Green cardamoms go well with almost any vegetable or meat.
This aromatic spice is great for flavouring dairy based desserts.
Recipes to Cook with cardamoms
Warli Style Traditional Indian Lamb Curry
Mango and Cardamom Chia Seed Pudding
3. Chinese 5 spice
Bring in an oriental twist to your meals by adding a bit a Chinese 5 spices to your meats and veges.
It is a popular Chinese base seasoning for many Chinese/Oriental dishes. It is made with a mix of different spices such as star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Szechuan pepper and fennel
Taste
This spice mix falls between sweet and pungent.
How to use Chinese 5 spice
Use the spice blend directly into the dish you wish to cook.
It makes a very aromatic rub and marinade for meats such as pork, duck and beef.
You can also use it as a seasoning for making fried rice, noodles, stir-fries and also broth of soup.
Compliments best with
Since it already has different blended spices, its best to combine the spice with sauces such as tomato sauce, soya sauce, and other oriental sauces.
It enhances the flavour of meats, vegetables, noodles and rice.
Recipes to Cook with Chinese 5 spice
Slow Cooker 5 Spice Pork Roast
Orange Spiced Salmon with Spaghetti Squash
4. Cloves
Cloves are the aromatic dried flower buds from the clove tree. Popularly used whole, ground cloves powder can also be used.
Taste
It has a very strong sweet and pungent taste.
How to use Cloves
Cloves can be used to make both sweet and savoury dishes.
Whole cloves are commonly used to flavour oil, sauces or to add flavour to broths and curries.
You can also use it for making barbeque sauces, soups and pickles.
Use cloves for pies, dairy-based desserts and also drinks.
Compliments best with
Cloves go well with almost any type of ingredient and other spices.
Few of the best combinations are red meats, nuts, sweet vegetables such as pumpkin, carrots, sweet potato, peas.
The best spice combination is cinnamon, cardamom and bay leaves.
Recipes to Cook with cloves
5. Curry powder
Perhaps the most popular Indian spice mix used to make a basic curry. There is no set recipe for a curry powder mix but primarily has turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, ginger powder, curry leaves powder and chilli powder.
The more adventurous cooks can choose to make their by following this easy homemade curry powder recipe.
Taste
Hot and pungent
How to use Curry powder
Curry powder is added directly to the dish and is best when sauteed with other ingredients in oil to remove the strong raw smell of spices.
It can be used to make curries, marinades or stir-fries.
Compliments best with
Whole spices such as cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, bay leaves
Goes with any kind of meat, vegetable, legumes, rice and rice noodles.
Recipes to Cook with curry powder
6. Flavoured Salt
When in doubt with lifting flavours instantaneously, add a dash of any flavoured salt to your dish.
There are many different kinds of flavoured salts available in the market these days such as garlic and herb salt, chilli salt, curry flavoured salt, Chinese salt etc.
How to use flavoured salt
Since it is a seasoning its best to add a dash of salt to the finished dish or while sauteeing and even directly in any broth or liquid used to boil to retain maximum flavour.
Add flavoured salt to salads, marinades for grilling or steaming, stir-fries and chips.
Compliments best with
A flavoured salt goes well with any vegetable, meat, chicken, fish or legumes, eggs.
Recipes to cook with flavoured salt
Salmon Fillet with extra sea smoked sea salt
Assorted recipes using flavoured sea salt
7. Ground Cumin
Earthy, fresh and mildly spiced ground cumin or cumin powder is one of the worlds widely used spice.
It is a popular spice that makes the base of different spice blends and can be used in any dish.
The universal and versatile taste of ground cumin makes it one of the most popular must have spices.
GOOD TO KNOW – You can freshly ground cumin into powder if you buy whole cumin seeds. They taste better and fresher. Read here to see how.
Taste
Aromatic, pungent and woody
How to use ground cumin
Add a teaspoon or two of ground cumin while frying onions, ginger, garlic or tomatoes. You can also add cumin powder to any sauce base such as BBQ sauce, chilli sauce, mayo etc. Add to stir fries,
Use it for making curries, stir fries, soups, salads, marinades, stews and even pies.
Compliments best with
Most other spices,vegetables, meat and chicken.
Recipes to Cook with ground cumin
8. Italian Mixed Herb
An Italian herb mix is a mix of dried Oregano, Basil, Marjoram, Rosemary and Thyme.
Just a sprinkle of a teaspoon or two of this mixed herb adds a rounded flavour to any pasta, fish and chicken dish.
Taste
Pungent
How to use Italian Mixed Herb
Mixed Italian Herb is very easy to use. You simply need to add a few teaspoons directly to the dishes such as tomato-based sauce, cheese-based sauce.
You can also use it to make dressings, salads, stews, marinades and rubs.
Compliments best with
Pasta, fish, and white meat.
Also combines well with dairy and tangy based sauces such as tomato sauce, lemon garlic sauce etc.
Recipes to Cook with Italian mixed herb
9. Nutmeg
Nutmeg is a seed kernel used to flavour sweet and savoury dishes, popularly used in Middle Eastern, Indian and European cuisines. It is a delicate spice with a strong flavour.
Taste
Nutmegs are sweet-scented and pungent.
How to use Nutmeg
The popular form of nutmeg is the whole seed. You can freshly grate nutmeg with the help of a grater into the dish.
It can also be used to delicately enhance the flavour of meat dishes and sweet or root vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, turnip etc.
Compliments best with
Nutmegs go well with dairy products such as cheese sauce for pasta and is added to many desserts such as apple, rhubarb or pumpkin pie, custard, rice pudding etc.
You can add nutmeg to other warm and sweet spices like cloves, cardamom, cinnamon
Recipes to Cook with Nutmeg
Moroccan Meatball and Couscous Soup
10. Rosemary
Unlike any other spice or herb, rosemary has its own distinctive flavour and taste and holds it flavour well to extreme cooking.
You only need a few sprinkles of this herb to infuse your dish with the aromatic earthy aroma.
Mildy strong , you only need few springs as adding too much may make the dish too overpowering.
Taste
Woody, fragrant and aromatic
How to use Rosemary
Rosemary is one of those spices that can be added anytime during the cooking process.
This is want makes it an easy herb to cook with. Mostly used to cook savoury items, rosemary can also be used to make desserts.
Add it to baked dishes as such baked fish, meat, or roasted veges.
Use it for rubs, infuse oils, dips, sauces, broths and stews.
Compliments best with
Fish, chicken, any vegetable, olive oil
Recipes to cook with Rosemary
20 Minutes Mediterranean Prawns
Figs, Goats Cheese And Rosemary
11. Smoked Paprika
Also called ‘pimenton’ its an aromatic Spanish red paprika powder that adds a subtle smoky flavour to dishes it is used in.
It can range from mild to hot depending on the kind of heat you choose.
Taste
Sweet, smoky and hot
How to use Smoked Paprika
Add directly to the dish you, however like most spices do take care not to add too much to the dish as a small spoonful render strong smoky flavour to the dish.
It can be added to roast vegetables, all kinds of meat especially sausages and also eggs.
Add a pinch to dressings or sauces. Use in marinades, dips or soups.
Compliments best with
Red meat and vegetables such as potatoes, zucchini, aubergine.
It combines well with spices such as cloves, cinnamon and cumin powder.
Recipes to Cook with smoked paprika
Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Soup
Moroccan Braised Chicken, Lentils, Smoked Paprika & Tomato
12. Taco/Fajita seasoning
Taco or fajita seasoning is a popular Mexican inspired spice blend easily available in any supermarket.
You do not have to stick to making fajitas or tacos with this seasoning but use it to make different kinds of dishes.
Its a mix of garlic powder, chilli powder, red pepper flakes, cornstarch, oregano, cumin powder and salt.
Taste
Pungent and hot
How to use Taco/fajita seasoning
This versatile spice mix can be used to make curries such as chilli beef, roast vegetables, pasta sauce, marinade, dips and even soup.
Compliments best with
It goes very well with tomato sauce, yoghurt, lemon, mincemeat, couscous, legumes and many vegetables.
You do not need to add any extra spice if you are using a taco seasoning.
Recipes to Cook with Taco/fajita seasoning
Where to Buy Spices From
Now that you have the list, where do you go looking for them?
All the 12 spices listed above can be bought from any supermarket near you.
If you like to avoid walking through the long shopping aisles and standing in checkout queues then its the online world of shopping for you.
In case it has slipped your attention, there is a direct link to buy the listed spices simply by clicking on them.
Shopping For Spices For US Readers
For more exciting meal ideas and a range of spices to buy, I wholeheartedly recommend The Spice House for organic freshly packed spices.
Shopping For Spices and Ingredients For European Readers
If you live in Europe you can visit the British Corner Shop , search for your products and get everything delivered to you anywhere in the world!!
How Long Do Spices Last For
Now that you have bought the spices, make sure that you do not toss them to the back of your drawer.
But remember spices do have a USE BY date. This means that they can go stale and loose their flavour if not used within a certain time.
This guide explain how to revive old spices and keep them fresher for longer
A Guide To Cook Flavourful Meals
Cooking with spices is not complicated. All you need to know is what, when and how much to use spices.
This becomes easier if you have someone to share the many tips to flavour your meals and also guide you at every step.
An online cook along session is a fun and fully interactive way to learn about different spices, use them in different ways and make a spicy Indian dish at home from the comfort of your home.
To Conclude
Flavourful meals does not necessarily mean a lengthy ingredient list and hours of standing.
You can prepare exotic, great tasting food in minutes with this list of basic spices for cooking.
Every cook has their own favorite spices, and not all may agree with this list, so you are free to choose something out of the list.
You do not need to buy all of them, just start with few and make some easy dishes.
It could be as simple as using them for a marinade, adding a spoonful to your casserole or stir fry.
Seasoning food is one of the first step to great cooking!
Let me know if you have been using any of the above spices already or other spices that you enjoy.
Share your favourite spice or trick you use to lift the flavours of your meals. It’s always fun to learn from others.
Links To More Cooking Tips
Cooking Spices – A 5 Step guide to cook with spices
How to cook Indian food so that it tastes right each time
Top 10 Spices to make 30 – minutes meal that feeds a crowd
Thankful for every click to share:
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I’m so glad I read this post! I try so hard to make new dishes but never know what spice goes with or does what in a dish. Unfortunately, my dishes though I think they are different, end up tasting about the same half the time. I look forward to using this in my cooking as I further my blog. only 1 suggestion pics of each would be helpful, I’m a visual person and like to see what things look like to associate better.
Thanks so much Carrie. Glad you enjoyed reading the post.I will review this and add few pictures for sure.
I love using spices in my cooking and mixing them together. They can make or break a dish. Cajun seasoning is my favorite.
So true. Spices add a depth of flavour to a dish. All you need to know is using it correctly.
Wow! So many new things I want to try! I’d better get a pen and paper! Tomorrow is grocery day!
Enjoy the added flavours.
Thank you so much for sharing this. This post is now going to be added to my favourites! I do use herbs and spices in my cooking but always use the same ones! I am now feeling very inspired and looking forward to trying out your tips.
Thanks Lucy for your kind comments. Enjoy spicing Upp your dishes!