If you are new to the world of cooking, choosing the right seasonings to keep in stock may be daunting. Let’s face it, there are a lot of spices to choose from in the store. Salt is just one example. There are a variety of salts available, from regular salt to pink salt.  The choices almost seem endless and a bit confusing. This fact alone may cause any cooking novice to jump ship and run screaming from the store’s seasoning aisle. 

However, in order to be considered a relatively decent cook, you need to have certain spices and seasonings on hand at all times to add flavor to your dishes.  The herbs that each home cook prefers to keep in stock is usually determined by their country of origin, culture, family recipes, and traditions.

No matter what your background may be, you should always keep certain seasonings available in order to cook a basic meal. In this post, I’ve generated a list of 10 seasonings to keep in your kitchen (based on my Black American culture and experience).  There are also a few honorable mentions at the end that I believe are worth listing for those of you reading this post that are feeling adventurous in the kitchen.

SAVORY SEASONINGS

1. Salt

Salt is in practically every recipe that has ever been created. It is a universal seasoning. It makes bland food taste better.  It brings out the flavor in food.  It can be used in both savory and sweet dishes.  Just keep a basic iodized salt in your kitchen for everyday cooking. 

2. Black Pepper

Pepper is used in many recipes.  It adds flavor and depth to food.  It also adds a little heat.  Pepper can be used with both meats and vegetables.  Plus, it’s a great compliment to salt. You can use either basic ground black pepper or freshly ground peppercorns in any dish or recipe. 

3. Garlic Powder

Garlic brings out the flavors of a variety of dishes.  It’s versatile.  It can be used with meats, vegetables, or snacks.  Garlic is used in many spice blends.  It is also found as an ingredient in many recipes.    

4. Seasoned Salt

Even though salt has already been mentioned at the top of the list, seasoned salt has been added because it is a staple in many kitchens. I like to call it an all in one or universal type of seasoning. It’s great because it contains a variety of herbs and spices in addition to salt and can add great flavor to a meal.  Just grab it when you don’t feel like pulling out a lot of seasonings but want to add flavor.  It’s a great seasoning for meats and vegetables.

***SIDE NOTE***

The top seasoned salts in the USA are Morton Season All and Lawry’s Seasoned Salt.  I grew up on Morton and prefer it over Lawry’s.  I just think it depends on where you grew up and what flavor you are used to experiencing in your food.  Which seasoned salt do you prefer?  Let me know in the comments.

5. Italian Seasoning

This seasoning is aromatic and versatile.  It contains a variety of herbs such as basil, oregano, garlic, thyme, and sage.  Therefore, I think of it as an all in one seasoning that can be used in a variety of dishes.  It works well with meats, vegetables, pasta, and a variety of Italian recipes. 

6. Chili Powder

A Latin American seasoning.  It adds flavor and kick to soups, meats, stews, and vegetables.

7. Onion Powder

This particular seasoning was highly debated amongst my family when I was creating my list because it wasn’t something I grew up using in my household, but I saw it being used in many other households that I visited.  Also, my family members started using it a lot as they started cooking more. 

Anyway, onion powder is a substitute for fresh onions.  It is used in a variety of dishes, from pasta to meat.  It adds a sweet and savory flavor to a meal.  Some people consider it to be a flavor explosion in savory dishes.

BAKING SEASONINGS AND EXTRACTS

8. Nutmeg

This seasoning has a warm and spicy flavor.  It can be used in sweet and savory cooking.  Nutmeg is frequently found in fall desserts and beverages. 

9. Cinnamon

This is a common spice used worldwide which can be used in sweet or savory dishes.  Cinnamon adds a distinct flavor and fragrance (a little sweet and spicy).  It’s suitable for fruits, beverages, and desserts.

10. Vanilla Extract

This extract plays a major role in sweet baked goods like salt does for savory dishes.  Vanilla adds a warm flavor and a sweet note to any dessert. It enhances the flavor of the recipe.  Baked goods would be bland without it.  Definitely keep this in your kitchen if you plan on making any dessert.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

• Cumin – An essential seasoning for Indian curry and chutneys.  It works well with rice dishes, stews, soups, sauces, and chili.  However, use it sparingly because it can be strong and overpowering.
• Allspice – Another all in one/universal seasoning (because it tastes like a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove).  It can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. This spice is often used in Caribbean, Latin, and Middle Eastern dishes.
• Mrs. Dash – A great salt free seasoning that offers a lot of flavor punch.
• Old Bay – This is a form of seasoned salt.  Since I’m a DC girl, I had to include this on my list because it is a household staple in my neck of the woods.  You can’t cook crabs or any seafood without having this seasoning on hand.

So that’s the end of the list.  I think it’s a pretty simple list that should work for any new cook. 

Which seasonings do you keep in your kitchen?  Do you agree with the ones on the list, or do you keep other seasonings in your kitchen?  Let me know in the comments below.