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The Best Seasonings to Have in Your Kitchen All the Time

It always feels good to restock your kitchen. Everything you need will be within reach while you’re making your next meal, but when was the last time you checked out your spice cabinet? Fill it with all the flavors your culinary adventures could need by adding some of the best seasonings to your grocery list.

1. Garlic Powder

Garlic is often the foundational ingredient of any recipe. It’s slightly sweet with a slightly bitter undertone that makes it notable in each bite. Make sure you have a fresh bottle in your spice cabinet for any international recipe you could want to make. It’s essential for creating the flavor profile of recipes like dry rubs for chicken or seasoned meatballs.

2. Cumin

Any time you’ve tasted a bowl of chili that’s out of this world, you were likely enjoying a bit of cumin. It’s a slightly nutty, pungent seasoning that adds aromatic depth to a recipe. If you keep it in your pantry, you’ll always have it on hand when you want to make a homemade tikka marinade or bean burritos.

3. Taco Seasoning

Whether you prefer ground beef, shredded chicken or tofu in your tacos, the seasoning is what makes your meal worth savoring. You could find a paper packet in a grocery store, but that cost quickly adds up. Prep your own jar of taco seasoning by combing eight essential ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ cup chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Salt, as preferred

Mixing these spices and saving them in a medium-sized container ensures you always have the seasoning combination you need to make classic meals complete. Use it while making taco meat, savory black bean soup or Mexican lasagna.

4. Cayenne Pepper

If you’re one of the many people who love spicy foods, a bottle of cayenne pepper powder will make your spice cabinet feel complete. It adds an earthy heat that rounds out any recipe. Unlike the tangy spice of hot sauce, cayenne pepper’s spice warms your mouth and complements every bite. Add it to traditionally spicy meals or use it to sprinkle some kick into family favorites like chicken wings or creamy homemade salad dressings.

5. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is one of those rare spices people can use in regular meals or desserts. It adds a woody, smoky flavor that’s also slightly sweet. It’s one of the best seasonings you can keep in your kitchen because it’s so useful all year round. Sprinkle it on your oatmeal, use it to make muffins, whip up some horchata or marinate chicken to get more cinnamon in your life.

6. Herbs de Provence

People sometimes assume a bottle of herbs de Provence is too fancy to become one of the seasonings they always have at home. Although the name is more French than other spices, the combination of herbs is a soothing aromatic mixture. It features seasonings like:

  • Rosemary
  • Thyme
  • Bay leaf
  • Basil
  • Parsley
  • Marjoram
  • Tarragon
  • Mint 

Use this floral and sweet spice mix to make savory roasted turkeys, grilled fish, beef stew or even scrambled eggs. You can’t go wrong with a seasoning blend designed to support the flavor profile of most recipes.

7. Ginger

Ginger is a gnarled root vegetable that takes effort to convert into a seasoning. Skip the work by stocking up on a bottle of powdered ginger. It’s a sweet, peppery herb that gives a recipe some pungent depth. You already love it if you can’t get enough of foods like carrot ginger dressing, fried rice or ginger chicken stir fry.

8. Nutmeg

You might not think about nutmeg until it’s time to indulge in your favorite fall recipes. This seasoning is best enjoyed in small quantities. Its powerful, warm and woody flavor will bring back memories of cozy beverages and bonfires without too big a serving. Use it when you’re in the mood for bechamel sauce, quiches and potato gratin when you’re not adding it to cinnamon rolls or pumpkin spice lattes.

9. Basil

Fans of Italian food likely already have a bit of basil in their spice cabinet. Keep it on hand to mix it into any recipe that could use a sweet and savory addition that has a hint of mint. It’s a foundational ingredient in recipes like pesto, pizza or even seared scallops with risotto. You might even find yourself making homemade salad dressings more often with this herb ready to go in your pantry.

10. Parsley

Anyone who adores Ranch dressing is already a huge fan of parsley. The peppery, earthy herb adds a slight bit of kick without being spicy. It’s also the perfect seasoning for creating a homey final touch to recipes like lasagna. Sprinkle the tiny green leaves over dishes such as pizza or grilled chicken to make them look picture-perfect. You can also layer parsley in recipes like meat sauce over spaghetti, seasoned spreadable butter or garlic bread.

Stock up on the Best Seasonings

Once you have the best seasonings in your kitchen, you’ll feel ready to make your favorite foods and new recipes. See which flavor profiles you can create with beloved spices like garlic powder, nutmeg or parsley. You’ll feel like a culinary pro when you’re never far from the herbs necessary to make a perfect dish.

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