How to Stock a Spice Rack

Co-authored by Christel Ferguson and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: October 27, 2021 References

Are you new to the world of herbs and spices, or just looking to restock your current spice cabinet? From cinnamon and nutmeg to cumin and cayenne pepper, there are countless ways to transform your dishes into delicious, aromatic delights. There are a lot of different options on the market, so we’ve outlined some of the most popular, well-known herbs and spices out there. Keep reading to see which ingredients most appeal to you and your palette!

1

Kosher salt

Kosher salt is at the top of the list because it’s a must-have for any spice cabinet. You can use it in almost anything; although it’s a little coarser than standard table salt, it’s additive-free, which gives your dishes a natural, salty flavor.^{[1]
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Research source} Plus, this type of salt is great for both cooking and seasoning.^{[2]
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- If you’d like to go the extra mile, stock your spice rack with sea salt, too. Fine sea salt is great for all kinds of baked goods, while flaky sea salt is excellent as a textured seasoning.^{[3]
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2

Black peppercorn

Black peppercorn is another staple that you won’t want to leave off your shopping list. This classic spice adds a nice kick, and works well with a variety of your favorite foods. You can buy it completely ground for a subtle dash of flavor, or get whole peppercorns for a spicier touch. Pour the peppercorns into a pepper mill (pepper grinder), so you can easily jazz up your dishes.^{[4]
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3

Garlic powder

Garlic powder is at the top of the list for a reason—it adds an irresistible edge to your food. Packaged as a yellow-white powder, garlic powder is actually made from dried, finely-crushed garlic cloves. ^{[5]
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Research source} Grab your own container of garlic powder as a tasty garnish for:^{[6]
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Trustworthy Source
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital
Go to source}
- Meat rubs
- Soups
- Salad dressings
- Veggies

4

Cinnamon

Ground cinnamon is an essential spice that adds a warm, aromatic flavor to your food. There are 2 main varieties of this iconic brown spice: Indonesian and Vietnamese. Indonesian cinnamon offers the warm, woody essence that many at-home chefs know and love, while Vietnamese cinnamon has a stronger kick, like spicy cinnamon candy.^{[7]
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Research source} Add a dash of cinnamon to your favorite dishes, like:^{[8]
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- Sweet bread
- Cinnamon rolls
- Granola
- Chai drinks

5

Onion powder

Onion powder is a must-have, especially if you don’t have any fresh onions on hand. In fact, this light yellow powder comes directly from dried, ground-up onions. A little bit of this pungent powder goes a long way—1 tsp (2.4 g) of onion powder actually equals ⅓ cup (17.3 g) of fresh, cut-up onions.^{[9]
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Research source} Stock up on onion powder if you make a lot of:^{[10]
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- Dips, sauces, and dressings
- Chicken dishes
- Crab cakes

6

Chili powder

Chili powder is a necessary staple for anyone who enjoys an extra kick in their food. Chili powder is a spicy blend of different ingredients, like ancho chile powder, ground cumin, ground paprika, and Mexican oregano. Specific brands may add in extra spices, like cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and coriander. Grab your own canister of chili powder if you like:^{[11]
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- Grilled meat
- Bean-based dishes
- Soups and stews

7

Cumin

This essential, golden-brown spice adds smoky tones to your food. Stock up on this ingredient if you’re a fan of South American, African, and/or Indian cuisine. ^{[12]
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Research source} In fact, cumin could be a great option for your spice cabinet if you like:^{[13]
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- Chili
- Rice-based dishes
- Guacamole
- Grilled veggies

8

Nutmeg

Any aspiring baker needs to stock up on nutmeg. Dark brown in color, ground nutmeg adds a warm, distinct flavor to your favorite baked goods and veggie dishes.^{[14]
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Research source} You can even add it to your:^{[15]
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- Sweet bread
- French toast
- Bundt cake
- Candied pecans

9

Oregano

This flaky green-brown herb is an important ingredient for any fan of Italian food. ^{[16]
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Research source} Known for its strong, peppery taste, ground oregano works well with a wide variety of recipes. As an added bonus, oregano is used as a natural remedy for cramps, muscle pain, allergies, and other ailments.^{[17]
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Research source} Pick up your own stash of dried oregano if you like making:^{[18]
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- Pizza
- Salad
- Veggie dishes

10

Paprika

This critically important, red-orange powder adds a smoky touch to your meals. Paprika powder is perfect for people with milder, more mellow palettes; unlike its fiery cousin, cayenne pepper, paprika provides a flavorful depth without setting your taste buds on fire.^{[19]
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Research source} Dash a bit of paprika onto your:^{[20]
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- Chili
- Soup
- Chicken
- Meatballs

11

Red pepper flakes

These red and yellow flakes are absolutely essential for any spicy food lover. As the name suggests, red pepper flakes are made from dried, ground-up chile peppers.^{[21]
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Research source} This spice is the perfect addition to:^{[22]
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- Pizza slices
- Salad dressings
- Infused oil
- Broccoli and cauliflower

12

Bay leaves

Bay leaves offer a subtle edge to savory dishes. Unlike other herbs and spices, bay leaves are completely whole, not ground up. In fact, they almost look like a dried leaf that’s fallen out of a tree and onto the sidewalk. Despite their large size, bay leaves don’t pack a big punch unless you use a lot of them at once—then, your dish will have more of a bitter edge.^{[23]
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- Bay leaves are pretty common ingredients in certain stews and soups. You let them soak in the broth first, and then strain them out before enjoying the dish.
- Bay leaves are light green with a brown tint.

13

Cayenne pepper

This red-orange powder adds red-hot flavor to your favorite dishes. Cayenne pepper is a staple ingredient in a variety of Cajun, Creole, and Mexican recipes. As an added bonus, some studies suggest that cayenne pepper can even prevent stomach ulcers. So, what are you waiting for? Pick up some of this fiery powder to spice up your:^{[24]
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Trustworthy Source
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital
Go to source}
- Stews
- Chilis
- Meat dishes
- Mugs of hot chocolate

14

Basil

Basil adds a fragrant, refreshing touch to your favorite savory dishes. Certain kinds of basil have a sweeter edge, while other varieties offer a peppery flavor to your recipes. This green herb is a great accent to a variety of foods, like:^{[25]
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- Pasta
- Fish
- Veggies
- Salads

15

Thyme

Dried thyme offers some earthy tones to your savory meals and sides. Similar to rosemary, thyme looks like a pile of dried, green-brown pine needles. There are a lot of different varieties out there, all of which have unique flavor profiles, like caraway, orange, mint, or lemon.^{[26]
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Research source} Pick up some thyme to spice up your:
- Soups
- Stews
- Potatoes
- Rice

16

Rosemary

Rosemary adds a strong, earthy flavor to your favorite savory dishes. Dried rosemary looks a lot like small, green-yellow pine needles. Try to use this fragrant herb in moderation, though— rosemary can actually add a lot of flavor to your dishes.^{[27]
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Research source} Pick up your own container of rosemary if you’re a fan of:
- Chicken
- Veggie dishes
- Marinades
- Infused butter

17

Cloves

This versatile, red-brown spice adds a sweet touch to your meal. Ground cloves bring a warm, biting flavor to both sweet and savory dishes, and are a great complement to foods and flavors like apples, chocolate, oranges, ham, cinnamon, ginger, and other spices.^{[28]
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Research source} Add some cloves to your own spice cabinet if you like:^{[29]
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- Glazed ham
- Cookies
- Sweet, roasted veggies
- Pork

18

Allspice

Allspice comes from the under-ripe myrtle pepper tree berry. As the name suggests, allspice tastes like a fragrant combination of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and black pepper. Ground allspice is a great addition to your spice cabinet if you have a sweet tooth, and can be added to silky-smooth desserts, such as cakes and pies.^{[30]
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- You can buy allspice ground or in dried berry form. When whole, allspice berries add great flavor to savory dishes like stews and soups.
- Ground allspice is a reddish-brown color.

19

Cardamom

Cardamom offers a unique blend of citrusy, minty, and spicy flavors. You can buy this tantalizing spice as whole, green seeds, or as a golden-brown powder. ^{[31]
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Research source} Add some cardamom to your own spice cabinet if you’re a fan of:^{[32]
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- Chai beverages
- Curry
- Chicken Tikka Masala

20

Ginger

This golden powder is great for both sweets and stomach ailments. Ground ginger is a key ingredient in some popular treats, like gingersnap cookies and gingerbread men. It also has certain anti-inflammatory qualities and is a great natural remedy for nausea and other digestive issues. Stock up on this delicious spice if you like:^{[33]
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- Spiced muffins
- Pumpkin pie
- Spiced cupcakes

21

Curry powder

This orange-yellow powder is actually an iconic combo of other spices. Your run-of-the-mill curry powder usually has ground cumin, ground coriander, and ground fenugreek, along with turmeric and red pepper. Other brands use a different ratio or variety of spices, so be sure to check the ingredients list before making a purchase. You might sprinkle some curry powder into your:^{[34]
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- Stews
- Soups
- Rice
- Veggie dishes

22

Turmeric

This bright yellow spice offers flavorful health benefits. Turmeric is very anti-inflammatory, and is great to have on hand if you experience chronic pain, like arthritis. Some research also suggests that turmeric has certain anti-cancer qualities, making it a must-have for your spice cabinet. From a flavor standpoint, it’s great for:^{[35]
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Johns Hopkins Medicine
Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital
Go to source}
- Curry
- Tacos
- Roasted veggies
- Roasted meats

23

Coriander

Coriander offers a subtle but flavorful touch to your home cooking. You can buy coriander as small, green seeds, or as a golden-brown powder. In all its forms, this low-key spice an earthy, citrusy edge to your food. Grab a jar of this spice if you like:^{[36]
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- Pickles
- Enchiladas
- Bean-based dishes
- Fish and chicken

24

Dill weed

Dill offers a refreshingly sweet and sour edge to your food. Many home cooks enjoy mixing this green herb with butter, or using it as a seasoning for their carrot, potato, and parsnip dishes. Pick up some dill of your own if you enjoy:^{[37]
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- Salmon
- Chicken salad
- Tomato salad

25

Mustard powder

Mustard powder adds a little heat to certain savory dishes. Mustard comes in 2 main forms: whole, gold-colored seeds, or a ground, golden powder. The spice adds a delicious edge to cheesy dishes and is a great accent for veggies, too.^{[38]
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Research source} Sprinkle a little bit of mustard powder into your:^{[39]
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- Macaroni and cheese
- Savory scones
- Dips

26

Fennel seeds

Fennel seed is a sweet, versatile ingredient for teas and savory dishes alike. You can buy fennel as a whole, greenish-brown seed, or as a ground, yellow-brown powder. Either way, it’s a great addition to:^{[40]
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- Sausage
- Bread
- Cookies
- Tomato sauce

27

Saffron

It’s hard to mistake this distinct, red, orange, and yellow spice. Unlike other herbs and spices, dried saffron looks like a variety of colorful threads meshed together. This spice has a unique flavor profile, ranging from a light floral tone to a note of honey.^{[41]
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Research source} Bring home your own stash of saffron if you like:^{[42]
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- Risotto
- Rice
- Potato salad
- Pasta dishes