How to Use Different Spices
Bland chicken & rice can get boring quickly…but fresh herbs plants can be hard to look after and fresh herbs wilt before you use them. That’s why I love dried herbs! When you add spices to your meals, you can completely elevate the flavors.
Also, spices serve multiple purposes: they’re there to enhance the taste of dishes you make, but some herbs and spices also have certain health benefits.
Learning how to cook with spices is an important step in the journey to making delicious food. Adding them to soup, stews and basically anything else you’re cooking will increase the flavor and make everything so much more delicious.
As a basic guide to spices, you want to get pre-ground ones (you can ground your own spices if you have a mortar and pestle, but buying pre-ground ones is usually much easier for most people). To get used to the spicy taste, you can always add less and then slowly increase the amount, depending on your taste.
Here are ways to use different spices and spice blends!
Even though many of these seasonings are Trader Joe’s brand - all brands are very similar - get them from whatever store you have near you!
How To Use Different Spices
Basil & Oregano
Overview
You can buy these as dry seasonings OR have small plants in your home & eat them fresh! Just a word of warning - basil needs a LOT of water! I give my plant a full cup every morning.
These pair very well together! I also typically pair these with salt & pepper
What to use it in/ on
Italian dishes of all types like meats, veggie side dishes, cheeses, pasta & pasta sauce dishes
Vegetables like bell peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, mushrooms, eggplant - sprinkle basil and oregano in stir-fry’s or when you’re baking these veggies
Meats like poultry, fish, lamb, and pork - make a “dry rub” by seasoning meats with basil, oregano, salt & pepper and pressing these seasonings into the meats before cooking to make them super tasty. I also like to season meats after they come out of the oven for a little more flavor.
Soups
Make-your-own salad dressings
Make-your-own tomato sauce or canned, roasted tomatoes
Everyday Seasoning Mixes - Lemon Pepper, Everyday, and Everything Bagel
Overview
You can buy these as dry seasonings OR have small plants in your home & eat them fresh! Just a word of warning - basil needs a LOT of water! I give my plant a full cup every morning.
Also, as with all of these seasonings, these pictured are Trader Joe’s specific but Mrs. Dash brand, and pre-mixed seasonings from any grocery store are good!
What to use it in/ on - these are common spices you use every day
Seriously… you can use these on about anything!! Definite crowd pleasers. Here are a few of my go-to’s
Tuna fish - mix it with mayo
Eggs - hard boiled, fried, etc.
Frozen veggies - steamed or sautéed
Cauliflower rice - with grated parmesan cheese
Red Chili Powder/ Flakes
Overview
This is a mix of different types of dried hot peppers. Spicy!
What to use it in/ on
Chilis - make one with beans, ground turkey, and canned tomatoes
Veggies - zucchini, corn, bell peppers, eggplant, potatoes, tomatoes
Protein - fish, chicken, beef
Rice
Soups and sauces
Cinnamon
Overview
Cinnamon is a spice that comes from the inner bark of several tree species - it’s great as a spice for food and also has a great aromatic appeal! Cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg all have a Christmas sort of nostalgia to them!
What to use it in/ on
Cookies and other desserts- makes them so flavorful!
Coffee grinds - add them to the grinds before you
Baked sweet potato - did you know that you can bake a potato in the microwave?? Poke holes in it with a fork. “Bake” it for 5 minutes on each side in the microwave.
Oatmeal - make it with nuts & a banana!
Baked apples - just cut them up & put them in the microwave!
Taco Seasoning Mix
Overview
Taco seasoning mixes are typically combinations of chili powder, garlic powder, onion Powder, red pepper flakes, oregano, paprika, cumin and salt. PHEW! I’ll use a pre-mixed seasoning mix thanks :)
What to use it in/ on
TACOS :)
Nachos
Fajita vegetables - stir-fried peppers and onions. This makes a delicious side dish for many proteins!
Taco Seasoning Mix
Overview
Taco seasoning mixes are typically combinations of chili powder, garlic powder, onion Powder, red pepper flakes, oregano, paprika, cumin and salt. PHEW! I’ll use a pre-mixed seasoning mix thanks :)
What to use it in/ on
TACOS :)
Nachos
Fajita vegetables - stir-fried peppers and onions. This makes a delicious side dish for many proteins!
Garlic Powder or Garlic Salt
Overview
A step up from salt & pepper! :) So versatile - you can use it on most savory dishes.
What to use it in/ on
Veggies - mushrooms, tomatoes, zucchini, carrots, cabbage, and more!
Protein - tofu, chicken, beef, you name it! Dry rub the seasoning on the meat before you cook it - press it in!
Salt & Pepper of course!
Overview
The basics! Seriously you can use these on anythingggg 😉
What to use it in/ on
Stir-fried, steamed, or baked veggies
Starches like rices, pasta (probably just salt not pepper), quinoa
Sheet-pan veggie & protein meals like chicken and broccoli or salmon and snap peas
Dry-rubs on meats - before you cook them, press salt & pepper into the meat, or let sit for 30 minutes before cooking if you have time
How long do spices keep in the pantry?
Ground spices will keep for 1-3 years. Check the expiration dates every spring for some Spring Cleaning!
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