30 Spice Cupboard Essentials We All Need

1. Salt

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

Salt is arguably the most important thing you should have in your spice cupboard. It seasons your food and enhances the flavors of your ingredients and dishes, so be sure to select a decent one for cooking. Try using sea salt, which has more of a complex flavor.

2. Bay leaves

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

Bay leaves are a staple in French cooking. They’re used to add some herby oomph to dishes such as soups and stews, as well as things like potatoes and panna cottas! Don’t be afraid to get experimental with your bay leaves, as they really can take your food from the mediocre to the sublime.

3. Turmeric

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

Turmeric is more versatile than you might think. It’s fantastic for curries and spicy dishes from India and Thailand, and equally tasty in tea. This spice is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, so it’s always a good idea to keep some in your cupboard for those days you feel run down or tired.

4. Black peppercorns

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

This is one of the most essential things to have in your spice cupboard. Keeping the peppercorn whole before crushing means that oils don’t break down as quickly, which helps them retain their flavor. Be sure to keep some supplies handy, as you’ll be using them in a LOT of dishes.

5. Ground or granulated garlic

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

We don’t know about you, but we rely on garlic a lot in our cooking! While fresh garlic is generally best, granulated garlic is still a solid choice, and will help you pack a zingy punch in your food. Powdered garlic also has more surface area than fresh options, so you can up the flavor of your curries and soups with ease.

6. Chili flakes

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

If you like a bit of heat in your food, chili flakes will do the job nicely. They can be added to your food after you’ve cooked it (you’ll often see little shakers of chili flakes in restaurants) and work really well on foods like pizza, pasta, guacamole, and vegetables. Just be sure not to add too much in one go!

7. Chili powder

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

Unlike chili flakes, chili powder is used during the actual cooking process. Use it in any dish you want to add a kick to; think tacos, enchiladas, curries, spicy soups and warming stews. It’s a very popular spice that’s heavily used in Latin American and Asian cuisine.

8. Ground cumin

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

Cumin is a seriously underrated spice. It adds a distinct, nutty spiciness that works amazingly well in curries, noodles, stews, and even a pot of chili. It can be layered really nicely with other spices too, so it's incredibly versatile. You don’t need to add a lot to your dishes; a small pinch will do.

9. Paprika

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

We love adding a dash of paprika to our dishes. It’s fairly mellow in spice and rich in flavor, and brings a touch of sweetness to your cooking too. It works really well in everything from egg dishes and casseroles to barbeque sauce, meat marinades and rubs, and sausage pasta.

10. Oregano

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

Dried oregano is an essential in tons of Latin American and Mediterranean dishes, so it’s a good idea to keep some in your spice cupboard. It has a warm, herby, slightly bitter flavor which is great with roast chicken, grilled shrimp, or potatoes. It also pairs wonderfully with raw tomatoes.

11. Italian herbs

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

It’s a good idea to keep some Italian herbs handy, as they’re super versatile. It’s a blend of dried herbs like oregano, rosemary and basil, which can really lift the flavor of your dishes. Add a dash to things like pasta, soups and Italian sandwiches. You can also season chicken with it if you like.

12. Nutmeg

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

Freshly grated nutmeg is best, but if you can’t get hold of any, a jar will do. It’s a warm, nutty, ever so slightly sweet spice that’s super versatile. It’s great in puddings and bakes, but can also work really well in savory meals like mac n cheese, spinach, potatoes and meat.

13. Cayenne pepper

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

Cayenne pepper is seriously spicy, so make sure you don’t use too much! A small pinch of this spice really does pack a punch, so it’s generally more suited to dishes like curries, stews and soups. However, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can also add a sprinkle to your hot chocolate.

14. Ground ginger

(Image/ Source: foodiebars.com)

Dried ginger is super handy to have in your spice cupboard. It’s warm, subtly spicy, and adds a unique peppery flavor to dishes like curries, braises, noodles, soups and stews. However, it’s also strongly associated with baked treats like gingerbread.

15. Garam Masala

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

As spices go, this is one of the most iconic – especially in Indian cuisine. It offers a subtle spice with hints of sweet earthiness, and is super common in Indian curries, stews, dhals, soups, and marinades. Plus, it blends with other spices really well.

16. Cinnamon

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

Every great spice cupboard will include cinnamon. While it’s a staple in baking, it’s equally handy for savory dishes too, and features in a lot of supermarket spice mixes. Indonesian cinnamon is most common in the US, as it’s soft and gentle, but if you want to push the boat out, buy Vietnamese cinnamon instead.

17. Cardamom pods

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

Cardamom has a complex flavor; it tastes like a blend of citrus and mint, but has a unique spiciness. While you can use ground cardamom in your cooking, we’d recommend buying pods instead if you can, as they pack more flavor. You can use them in everything from curries to fragrant desserts.

18. Mustard seeds

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

Mustard seeds can seriously elevate the taste of your dishes. They have a warm, nutty taste that adds a punch of flavor, and can complement a fair ton of foods; think creamy dishes like mac n cheese and cauliflower cheese, as well as soups, pickles and slaws.

19. Smoked paprika

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

If you want to add a touch of smokiness to your meat dishes, skip the standard paprika and opt for smoked instead. It comes from the same family as cayenne pepper (more on this later) but is much milder and sweeter, which makes it more versatile. It’s great at adding oomph to vegetables, as well as fries.

20. Cloves

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

They might have a bit of a medicinal flavor, but stay with us. Cloves are small, flower-like buds that are fantastic in wintery treats like mulled wine, apple crumble and roasted ham and pork, so try and buy them seasonally so they stay fresher for longer.

21. Fennel seeds

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

Fennel seeds come directly from the fennel plant, and tend to have a very distinct licorice flavor. However, don’t let that put you off; they’re great for meat, fish and vegetable dishes, and can also be used to enhance things like chutneys and bread.

22. Star Anise

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

Star Anise has a sweet, aniseed flavor. It’s actually one of the key ingredients in Chinese five spice, so it works really well with Asian cuisine. Get experimental with noodles, marinades and curries, and don’t be afraid to use it in dishes like tarte tatin and lamb casserole.

23. Fenugreek

(Image/ Source: georgianrecipes.net)

Fenugreek is becoming a lot more popular these days, and is pretty common in the Mediterranean. These seeds are often used in curry powders, and have a celery-like smell. This so-called superfood is now being used for tea, but you can add them to curries and stews too.

24. Sumac

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

Sumac has a distinctive dark red color, and is commonly used in Middle Eastern cooking. It has a wonderfully light, lemony taste, which works really well with hummus, chickpeas and salads. We’d also recommend trying it with fried fish, as well as using it in rubs and dry marinades.

25. Coriander seeds

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

A spice cupboard just isn’t complete without coriander seeds. These little beauties have a sweet, aromatic flavor that’s a lot different from the cilantro plant that produces them; they have a subtle earthiness that pairs well with cumin. Add these seeds to fish and poaching liquors.

26. Chinese Five Spice

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

Chinese Five Spice is an essential in tons of different Chinese and Szechuan recipes, such as stir fry, noodles, marinades and rice dishes. As it’s so versatile, you can also use it to season meats for grilling or frying, and give your vegetables a little zing.

27. Chaat masala

(Image/ Source: pepperscale.com)

Chaat masala is a top-tier Indian spice. While it’s not used by many Americans, it really should be! Unsurprisingly, chaat masala is typically used to season chaat (a common savory snack from India) but it’s also fantastic in salads and sandwiches, as well as other Indian snacks like pakoras.

28. Aleppo pepper

(Image/ Source: themediterraneandish.com)

Aleppo pepper hails from Syria (the city of Aleppo to be exact, hence the name). It’s used right across the Middle East, and has an earthy but fruity flavor. This makes it perfect for fatty cuts of meat. Try it out with some lamb, or add a touch of it to some shakshuka.

29. Onion powder

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

Onion powder is often overlooked, but it really shouldn’t be. It’s a flavor powerhouse, as it combines both sweet and savory notes to really enhance the flavors of a dish. While powder definitely shouldn’t replace fresh onions, they’re great at adding flavor to foods like stews, curries and casseroles.

30. Dried parsley

(Image/ Source: reddit.com)

While fresh parsley is always best, dried parsley also has its merits. High-quality dried parsley adds freshness, and cuts through strong flavors to lift and enhance your dish. Try it out in mild sauces and salad dressings, as well as salads and stews.