10 Essential Spices You Need in Your Home Kitchen

November 27, 2021
Table of Contents

10 Essential Spices You Need in Your Home Kitchen. Every home kitchen should be stocked with all the essential spices to transform meals into the flavor some dish they are meant to be. Whether it’s a bit of oregano throughout a yummy pasta sauce, some cumin in a delicious curry, or a touch of cayenne pepper kick on your buffalo wings, things are not as nice without spice.

With many spices and spice blends available, it can be hard to know what are the necessities when filling your spice rack. Many novice home cooks prefer to stick with salt and pepper to avoid ruining a dish, but it’s time to add some much-needed zest and flavour to your home-cooked dishes.

Start with these 10 Essential Spices You Need in Your Home Kitchen, and then grow your collection from there. These spices are readily available from local supermarkets, specialty stores and spice market stalls, so don’t wait, build your home spice collection today!

Table of Contents

10 Essential Spices You Need in Your Home Kitchen

Black Pepper

10 Essential Spices You Need in Your Home Kitchen Black Pepper

Black pepper doesn’t need much introduction. The versatile spice can be added to almost any dish cooking in a copper frying pan and is a home necessity, both in the kitchen and on the dining table.

Use black pepper for:

  • Meat seasoning
  • Pasta
  • Soup
  • Vegetables
  • Almost anything!

Garlic Powder

10 Essential Spices You Need in Your Home Kitchen

Garlic Powder is a must in every kitchen and can be used in many rubs, sauces and marinades. Garlic powder shouldn’t be a substitute for fresh garlic, but it is excellent to simply add garlic flavor to a dish that needs some extra taste and mix with your homemade spice blend. Oh, and to save confusion, garlic salt is just garlic powder with, you guessed it, added salt.

Use garlic powder for:

  • Rubs
  • Spice blends
  • Sauces
  • Dressings
  • Marinades

Thyme

10 Essential Spices You Need in Your Home Kitchen thyme

Thyme is mainly used to enhance flavor, especially when added to a copper saucepan or stockpot in red meat dishes and stews. It is also an excellent spice to add some tasty seasoning to vegetables, especially potatoes.

Use thyme for:

  • Soups
  • Braised Meat
  • Stocks
  • Marinades
  • Roasted Vegetables

Ground Cinnamon

10 Essential Spices You Need in Your Home Kitchen ground cinnamon

Grounded Cinnamon is essential in baking and cooking. Cinnamon spice can easily be sprinkled on toast in the morning or added to many sweet recipes. Its distinct flavor, best known as a yummy doughnut coating, can also be used in savory dishes, sauces, chili, and other top secret recipes.

Use ground cinnamon for:

  • Desserts
  • Bread
  • Drinks
  • Curries
  • Chilis

Oregano

10 Essential Spices You Need in Your Home Kitchen oregano

Oregano screams Italian cuisine. It is necessary for traditional homemade Italian tomato sauces and can be added to all pasta and lasagna dishes. However, oregano is not only used in Italian plates; it can also be a crucial spice in Greek, Mexican, and other international dishes.

Use oregano for:

  • Bread
  • Pizza
  • Pasta sauce
  • Meat
  • Vinaigrettes

Rosemary

10 Essential Spices You Need in Your Home Kitchen rosemary

Rosemary can be polarizing, but its natural pine smell and taste improve many dishes. It is used frequently in European and Mediterranean cuisines and should be a spice that is in every kitchen. Better still, grow a rosemary plant for the freshest and most organic flavor in town.

Use rosemary for:

  • Stews
  • Soups
  • Lamb dishes
  • Vegetables
  • Meat

Cayenne Pepper

10 Essential Spices You Need in Your Home Kitchen cayenne pepper

Cayenne Pepper is made from ground chilies, adds a kick to any meal, and is perfect for hot sauces and marinades. The heat of cayenne pepper is its main attraction and is a common ingredient in Mexican, Indian, Cajun and Southern types dishes. It also can be used as a sneaky kick to drinks like hot chocolate.

Use cayenne pepper for:

  • Hot sauce
  • Curries
  • Mexican
  • Marinades
  • Drinks

Cumin

10 Essential Spices You Need in Your Home Kitchen Cumin

Cumin is used in many ethnic dishes, with its Smokey taste adding plenty of flavor in just a pinch. If you wish to cook a delicious Asian, Middle Eastern, Indian, African or Latino dish at home, cumin is a must while also adding a bit of spice to grilled meats. Cumin is available both seeded and grounded; however, the latter is more versatile and commonly used.

Use cumin for:

  • Soups
  • Stews
  • Curries
  • Meat seasoning
  • Vegetables

Paprika

10 Essential Spices You Need in Your Home Kitchen Paprika

Paprika is great to add some mild yet noticeable spice to a dish and perfect to liven up seafood, vegetables and egg dishes. The warm red color matches its warm flavor, while the taste ranges from Smokey to spicy depending on the type of paprika purchased.

Use paprika for:

Nutmeg

10 Essential Spices You Need in Your Home Kitchen nutmeg

Nutmeg is that spice you will always look for once you learn how to best use it. Although you can buy it whole, grounded nutmeg is more convenient, allowing you to use it in many cooking scenarios. From desserts and baking to creamy soups and white sauces, nutmeg is a great spice to have in the home kitchen. It can also be added to ground meat and veggie recipes, and believe it or not, drinks.

Use nutmeg for:

  • Vegetable seasoning
  • Desserts
  • Baking
  • Soups
  • Hot Drinks

Fill your spice cabinet with these essential spices

It’s time to take your home cooking to another level of deliciousness by adding these essential spices to your recipes. So fill your spice cabinet with these 10 Essential Spices You Need in Your Home Kitchen and enhance flavor today!

For more information, reviews and blogs about all your necessary kitchen content and helpful cooking tips, head to kitchenairy.com or visit their Facebook and Twitter platforms today.