How to Use Different Spices
Bland chicken & rice can get boring quickly. You can take your cooking to the next level by creating a distinctive flavor with the power of herbs and spices. Whether you’re making a Mexican dish, Indian cooking, or making soup, stews, and chili, learning to cook with spices makes such a difference.
Even though many of these seasonings are Trader Joe’s brand – all brands are very similar – get them from whatever store you have near you!
Trader Joe’s Basil and Oregano
Basil & Oregano
Overview
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You can buy these as pre ground dry seasonings OR have small plants in your home & eat them as fresh herbs! Just a word of warning – basil needs a LOT of water! I give my plant a full cup every morning.
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These pair very well together! I also typically pair these with salt & pepper
What to use it in/ on
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Italian dishes of all types like meats, veggie side dishes, cheeses, pasta & pasta sauce dishes
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Vegetables like bell peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, mushrooms, eggplant – sprinkle basil and oregano in stir-fry’s or when you’re baking these veggies
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Meats like poultry, fish, lamb, and pork – make a “dry rub” by seasoning meats with basil, oregano, salt & pepper and pressing these seasonings into the meats before cooking to make them super tasty. I also like to season meats after they come out of the oven for a little more flavor.
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Soups
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Make-your-own salad dressings
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Make-your-own tomato sauce or canned, roasted tomatoes
Trader Joe’s Everything Bagel Lemon Pepper and Everyday Seasonings
Overview
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You can buy these as dry seasonings OR have small plants in your home & eat them fresh! Just a word of warning – basil needs a LOT of water! I give my plant a full cup every morning.
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Also, as with all of these seasonings, these pictured are Trader Joe’s specific but Mrs. Dash brand, and pre-mixed seasonings from any grocery store are good!
What to use it in/ on
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Seriously… you can use these on about anything!! Definite crowd pleasers. Here are a few of my go-to’s
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Tuna fish – mix it with mayo
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Eggs – hard boiled, fried, etc.
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Frozen veggies – steamed or sautéed
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Cauliflower rice – with grated parmesan cheese!
Trader Joe’s Red Chili Pepper
Red Chili Powder/ Flakes
Overview
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This is a mix of different types of dried hot peppers. If you want to add some spices to your meals, but not sure where to start, you need one of these in your spice cupboard! Spicy!
What to use it in/ on
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Chilis – make one with beans, ground turkey, and canned tomatoes
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Veggies – zucchini, corn, bell peppers, eggplant, potatoes, tomatoes
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Protein – fish, chicken, beef
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Rice
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Soups and sauces
Trader Joe’s Cinnamon
Cinnamon
Overview
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Cinnamon is a spice that comes from the inner bark of several tree species – it’s great as a spice for food and also has a great aromatic appeal! Cinnamon, cloves, turmeric and garlic are all more earthy flavors, rather than herbs like basil, parsley or mint.
What to use it in/ on
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Cookies and other desserts- makes them so flavorful!
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Coffee grinds – add them to the grinds before you
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Baked sweet potato – did you know that you can bake a potato in the microwave?? Poke holes in it with a fork. “Bake” it for 5 minutes on each side in the microwave.
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Oatmeal – make it with nuts & a banana!
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Baked apples – just cut them up & put them in the microwave!
Trader Joe’s Taco Seasoning Mix
Taco Seasoning Mix
Overview
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Taco seasoning mixes are typically combinations of chili powder, garlic powder, onion Powder, red pepper flakes, oregano, paprika, cumin and salt. PHEW! I’ll use a pre-mixed seasoning mix thanks 🙂
What to use it in/ on
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TACOS 🙂
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Nachos
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Fajita vegetables – stir-fried peppers and onions. This makes a delicious side dish for many proteins!
Sesame Seeds
Overview
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So flavorful and adding them can even seem a little fancy! I typically wouldn’t recommend keeping track of seasoning mixes if you’re watching your calories, but I’d track sesame seeds since they can add up.
What to use it in/ on
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Poke bowls – with tuna or smoked salmon, edamame, rice or cauliflower rice
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Edamame
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Rice or cauliflower rice
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Veggie side dishes like stir-fried broccoli
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Sprinkle some over salads
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Tahini!
Garlic seasoning and garlic salt Trader Joe’s
Garlic Powder or Garlic Salt
Overview
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A step up from salt & pepper! 🙂 So versatile – you can use it on most savory dishes.
What to use it in/ on
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Veggies – mushrooms, tomatoes, zucchini, carrots, cabbage, and more!
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Protein – tofu, chicken, beef, you name it! Dry rub the seasoning on the meat before you cook it – press it in!
Salt & Pepper of course!
Overview
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The basics! Seriously you can use these on anythingggg 😉
What to use it in/ on
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Stir-fried, steamed, or baked veggies
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Starches like rices, pasta (probably just salt not pepper), quinoa
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Sheet-pan veggie & protein meals like chicken and broccoli or salmon and snap peas
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Dry-rubs on meats – before you cook them, press salt & pepper into the meat, or let sit for 30 minutes before cooking if you have time
How long do spices keep in the pantry?
Ground spices will keep for 1-3 years. Check the expiration dates every spring for some Spring Cleaning!
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