Cooking With Herbs And Spices

Learn how to cook with spices like a pro with my 12 favorite ways to use recipes with herbs and spices to make every meal extraordinary. Here are some simple ideas for cooking with herbs and spices that are in your cupboard.

If you’ve ever looked at a cabinet full of jars and wondered how to cook with spices effectively, you aren't alone. Many home cooks purchase a specific seasoning for one dish, only to let it sit unused for months.

I get asked all the time, how to use herbs and spices in the kitchen regularly.

I know that feeling! You open your spice cabinet and find yourself staring at a jar of Chinese five-spice you bought for one specific recipe three years ago. If you’ve been wondering how to cook with spices without feeling overwhelmed, I’m here to help.

Cooking with herbs and spices should be the most fun part of your time in the kitchen! It’s the easiest way to take a "meh" Tuesday night dinner and turn it into something your family actually raves about.

From my favorite simple recipes with herbs and spices to professional storage secrets, let’s get those jars out of the dark and onto your plate.

Jump to:

• In this article you'll learn:
• Top Tips For Buying and Storing Your Spice Collection
• Ways To Elevate Your Cooking with Herbs and Spices
• Simple Recipes with Herbs and Spices
• More Ideas Loaded With Herbs and Spices
• More flavorful recipes:
• 💬 Comments & Reviews

Top Tips For Buying and Storing Your Spice Collection

Herbs and spices are like the "batteries" of your kitchen. If they are dead they won't work! Before you start cooking with herbs and spices I'll tell you how to see if they are up to the task!

• Quality Matters: The origin, processing and packaging of herbs and spices make a big difference. Research to see if the dried herbs and spices are harvested with extra care and the processing, drying and grinding is done with the purpose of maintaining the flavorful volatile oils and flavor.

• Store Them Properly: I know it’s tempting to keep your spice rack right next to the stove for easy access, but please don't! Heat and steam are the enemies of flavor. The simple key is to store them in a cool, dark place. I'm a spice hoarder, love them! So this tip is my saving grace on keeping my collection fresh.

• Rotate Your Supply: Dried herbs and spices lose their "power" and flavor when the natural, potent oils start to break down after time, and when exposed to less than ideal conditions. Most herbs and spices have a shelf life that ranges from 1 to 3 years. If your cinnamon smells like sawdust instead of cinnamon, that's probably a sign to rotate it out for a new bottle! I've been known to write the date of purchase on my spice jars. The collection starts to look like my grandmother's food storage with dates all over the place–but hey, at least I have a better idea of when to keep and when to toss!

Ways To Elevate Your Cooking with Herbs and Spices

A small amount of a new and different spice will add depth to your dishes. Cooking with herbs and spices doesn't mean you need a 20-step recipes. Sometimes it's just about a clever little sprinkle!

Experiment, start with small amounts, and have fun in the kitchen. Here are 12 ways to use herbs and spices for some really great meals.

1. "Everything" Expert: You don't need to head to the bagel shop for that savory crunch. To make an everything bagel spice blend, mix up some toasted sesame seeds, poppy seeds, minced dried onion, minced dried garlic and sea salt. I love tossing this over salads or even rolling biscuit dough in it before baking. It’s one of those simple recipes with herbs and spices that makes you look like a total pro.
2. Gingerbread Magic: You can make a gingerbread caramel sauce any time of year by whisking cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg into store-bought or homemade caramel. It’s heavenly over vanilla ice cream, for apple dipping, or stirred into your morning latte or oatmeal.
3. A Trip To The Tropics: If you’re learning how to cook with spices from other cultures, coconut milk is your secret weapon. Coconut milk is a staple flavoring in many countries, and just by adding spices, you can create authentic tasting meals. Mix some red curry powder, fish sauce and fresh lime juice into coconut milk for a tasty curry. Brush the mixture on chicken or fish just before grilling. Add fennel seeds, turmeric and cayenne into coconut milk for an instant Coconut Curry Fish.
4. Level Up Breakfast: Mornings can be flavorful too. Stir spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and even Chinese five spice powder into dry pancake mix before adding the liquid ingredients! Make homemade pancakes and do the same thing!

Simple Recipes with Herbs and Spices

5. Soup Makeover: You can turn a basic pot of chicken soup into a global feast just by raiding the spice rack. Go Southwest with cumin, coriander, oregano, and chili powder, or go bold and Indian-inspired with a spoonful of curry powder and a splash of coconut milk. Make a hearty version of chicken soup by adding a teaspoon of ground sage, and grated cheese.
6. Zesty Deviled Eggs: They are a cult favorite, making a play on the food scene in a big way. Zest up your favorite recipe by adding celery salt or dried lemon peel to the egg yolk filling. For a Southwest version add ground cumin, ground ancho chili and a squeeze of lime. Make them with an Indian twist by adding some garam masala or curry powder and garnish with toasted unsweetened coconut.
7. House Seasoning: Every kitchen needs a signature blend! Restaurants do it all the time and the house blend gets used on roasted potatoes, veggies, meats, on salads and fish. Create your own by combining onion powder, cayenne, dried rosemary, thyme, basil and Parmesan cheese. Store it in the fridge! If you want a perfectly balanced classic to start with, try my Homemade Italian Seasoning blend.

More Ideas Loaded With Herbs and Spices

8. Cookies with a Twist: Give your store-bought or homemade sugar cookie dough a glow up by rolling it in cinnamon, cardamom, and ground ginger before baking. Or come up with your own blend! Stay on trend by sprinkling your chocolate chip cookies with sea salt when they come out of the oven.
9. Dried Herb Power: You typically see tarragon used for chicken recipes or savory sides–but it's delicious in desserts too. Try steeping it in milk for homemade pudding, your homemade ice cream base, or even stirring a teaspoon into your favorite yellow cake recipe.
10. A Better Burger: They are a blank canvas for spices whether it's a beef, chicken, turkey or veggie burger! For an Italian burger version mix oregano, basil, and minced dried garlic into the ground beef. Top with tomatoes and melted mozzarella! Go Greek by adding dried oregano, dried lemon peel and minced dried onion to your burger, serving it with Feta and olives. Or, go Indian-inspired and add curry powder, ground cumin and coriander to your chicken meat mixture; serve with mango chutney!
11. Happy Hour Spice: Your spice rack belongs at the bar, too! Mix some pumpkin pie spice with sugar to rim a seasonal martini, or use chipotle chili powder and sea salt for a margarita with a smoky kick. Surprise your guests by rimming a Bloody Mary glass with sea salt and Cajun seasoning.
12. The Ultimate Chicken Salad: Instead of just mayo, let’s give that chicken salad some personality. Try a Mexican version with cumin, ancho chili powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, and ground coriander. Or, an Indian version with Garam Masala, salt, and black pepper. It makes your lunch wraps so much more exciting!

More flavorful recipes: