Let’s take a minute to talk about spices and why they are such an important part of your pantry. Have you ever had a bland tasteless meal before? Having the right amount of spices will make or break you meal. It’s what makes the food enjoyable to eat. You only get so many calories in a day. . . So why waste them on plain beans and rice, unseasoned chicken. Yuck!
One thing we know about spices and seasonings is that they can be really expensive. The price per ounce can range anywhere from $1.00 to $60.00+. One way to save on spices and keep your food tasting good is bulk buying and storing in airtight containers. I use mason jars.
where can I buy spices in bulk at an affordable price?
Fortunately for us we live in the middle of amish so we do a lot of our bulk buying at their bulk shops. You can check out your local area to see if there are any bulk buying places. I’ve found that if I take in my containers, they will weight them and then fill them. It takes the guess work out of how much you’ll need to buy. If that isn’t an option for you Azure Standard has great prices. I’ve also found some good deals at Costco.
So on to my must have top 10 list
- Salt: Essential for enhancing flavor in almost any dish, it balances and brings out the natural tastes of ingredients. I use Redmonds real salt. I decided on this brand because it’s super versatile. You can use it in cooking, canning, fermenting and on the table. One salt for all your needs means spending less time and money with different salts.
- Pepper: Adds a versatile, subtle heat and depth of flavor to various dishes, from savory to sweet. Coarse pepper is my go to. Why? I don’t really know. It’s what I’ve always used. I feel like it gives you a better fresher flavor versus the super powdered pepper. I do love the powdered pepper in soups though.
- Garlic Powder: Convenient for adding a savory, garlicky flavor to dishes without the need to peel and chop fresh garlic.
- Onion Powder: Provides a mild onion flavor and is great for seasoning soups, sauces, and marinades. Great to have on hand for when you don’t have fresh onions. Or just to add a slight onion flavor to dishes.
- Paprika: Adds color and a mild, smoky or sweet flavor, depending on the variety, to a wide range of dishes. I love smoked paprika it’s adds so much depth to dishes and is such a pretty color.
- Oregano: Commonly used in Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, it imparts a robust, earthy flavor to pizzas, pasta sauces, and roasted meats. I didn’t realize how many spice blends contain oregano until I started making my own. I use it in almost everything.
- Cumin: A key spice in many global cuisines, it offers a warm, earthy, and slightly nutty flavor, perfect for curries, chili, and tacos. It’s also great added into marinades for things on the smoker.
- Thyme: Delivers a subtle, earthy and herby note, enhancing the taste of soups, stews, and roasted meats. A must for chicken noodle soup, chicken pot pie. Basically all the home style chicken dishes.
- Rosemary: Known for its strong, piney flavor, it pairs well with roasted potatoes, chicken, and lamb. A little goes a long way. Ask me how I know.
- Basil: With its fresh, sweet aroma and taste, basil is essential for Italian dishes, especially in tomato-based sauces and pesto. Fresh basil smells and tastes amazing. Having some dried basil on hand for adding flavor during the winter will really help brighten up the dreary time.
Once you have your basic spices, you can start making your own spice blends. Making them no really affordable and more importantly healthier. There are so many additives and fillers put into premade spice blends. By making them yourself, you get fresher tasting spices without anything extra.
Bonus Spice List
I keep these on hand and they will really help expand your cooking. You will be able to get by with just the basics but some dishes need a bit extra. Especially if you like desserts.
- all spice
- bay leaves
- cardamom
- cayenne
- celery seed
- chili powder
- cilantro
- cinnamon ground and sticks
- cloves
- corn starch -> replacing with arrowroot powder when what I have left is used. Arrowroot powder is flavorless and leaves food looking glossy instead of cloudy like with cornstarch.
- curry powder
- dill
- fennel
- ginger
- mustard ground and seed
- nutmeg
- red pepper flakes
- Sage
- tarragon
- turmeric
- white pepper
Adding in these extra spices will allow you to cook even more flavorful dishes and give you. Or to work with when making your own seasoning blends.
