A well-stocked spice rack is a must for every home cook! Here are the 16 Spice Rack Essentials I keep in my kitchen all of the time to make cooking easier and tastier.
Disclosure: This post contain affiliate links. However, this list is entirely comprised of spices that I actually use in my kitchen on a regular basis.
Let’s talk about spice rack essentials. My number-one priority in stocking a new kitchen would be filling the spice rack with my favorite spices. I cook from scratch and avoid pre-packaged food as much as possible, so spices are a must! I would be lost without them.
These 16 spices and seasonings are ones that I use regularly in my recipes. While I occasionally will pick up another spice for a special recipe I’m trying (such as an Indian dish like Tomato-Butter Sauce), I rely on some combination of these 16 spices in my everyday cooking.
16 Spice Rack Essentials
1. Onion Powder
2. Garlic Powder
3. Black Pepper (I like to use a grinder)
4. Real Salt
5. Oregano Leaves
6. Rosemary Leaves
7. Basil Leaves
8. Thyme Leaves
9. Red Pepper Flakes
10. Ground Cayenne Pepper
11. Chili Powder
12. Ground Cumin
13. Ground Ginger
14. Ground Nutmeg
15. Ground Cloves
16. Ground Cinnamon
Out of these 16 spices and seasonings, I use the first 4 (Onion powder, garlic powder, sea salt and pepper) the most. Typically every meal I make uses these 4 spices, sometimes adding in a few others depending on the dish I am making.
How to Add Spices When Cooking
Cooking can be a bit less structured than baking because you don’t have to be as strict with measurements. You can add in a little more or a little less of a spice to customize the dish to your taste. I also like to add in spices that a recipe doesn’t call for to make it my own.
What about fresh spices and herbs?
Another favorite spice that I didn’t add to this list is cilantro. I use it regularly in recipes, but it is so much better fresh! I always buy it fresh from the store rather than using dried cilantro.
I also like to use fresh rosemary and fresh basil whenever I can. It really adds so much extra flavor!
Having a home herb garden is a great way to have these items on hand all of the time. I grow my own basil, green onions and more so that I can cut off a little whenever a recipe calls for it.
Would you add anything to this list? What are the spices that you use the most in your kitchen?
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ashley says
Pinned for the reminder later when I go through & organize my spice cabinet! 🙂 I think out of that list I have the garlic, onion, salt, pepper, & cinnamon. Hey you forgot the Pumpkin Pie Spice! haha.
Jenna Brussee says
I love using pumpkin pie spice for the convenience, but recently I’ve been making it myself! It’s just cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and allspice.
Rebekah Stark says
I love this post! I’m always nixing recipes because I don’t have certain spices. But I feel like 16 is not too many to keep on hand all the time or keep track of 🙂
Jenna Brussee says
I was actually surprised when I put this post together because I thought I would end up with a higher number! 16 is definitely a manageable and affordable amount of spices to keep in the house.
Kristi says
Fantastic reference Jenna!!! I think I’ve got some shopping to do 😉
Jenna Brussee says
Thank you, Kristi! Happy shopping 🙂
Sarah @ 12 Twenty Seven says
I’m pretty sure we have all of these in our stash so I’m pretty proud of myself! Unfortunately, we don’t cook as much as we would like to but I’m sure we’ll get there at some point! 🙂 And as for cilantro–fresh IS the best!
Jenna Brussee says
You should be proud! I love cooking with fresh cilantro. It is so good in homemade dressings and in soups.
Pauline Cabrera says
Every homecook and chef’s must have! I love to eat. I love to cook. So those spices spice things up.
Jenna Brussee says
Oh yes! I love everything about food, too.
Mia Myrabev says
Pretty much listed all the spices I use, I have just gone back to cooking and I am loving it.
Jenna Brussee says
It’s always good to hear that my list lines up with what other cooks are using!
Erica says
We got one of those sets that come with everything… and I’m pretty sure I’ve used like two, haha. I need to start cooking more! 🙂
Jenna Brussee says
Those sets are really handy! I’ve noticed spices seem to be getting more expensive, and it really adds up when you buy them separately.
Tanya Coffman says
This is a great list – we cook and bake A LOT, and when I buy spices…I almost always buy doubles (especially ones like garlic powder, oregano, etc…) Keep up the great posts!
Jenna Brussee says
I know what you mean, I am always running out of my four favorites. It would be really smart to buy doubles!
Heather Beckman says
I got this really cool turntable filled with spices from Costco a few years ago, given I never actually use them. I do have all these spices plus some though 🙂
Jenna Brussee says
I need a turntable or some way of organizing spices. A cluttered spice rack is my pet peeve!
Katie Kashner says
We have all of these except for the ginger.. I can’t find it anywhere!? I never knew how essential spices are to making food delish until after we got married!
Jenna Brussee says
Ginger is really handy to have for Fall recipes! I also add it to a detox bath because it helps you sweat out the toxins. I love using spices when I cook!
Jenna Brussee says
It’s nice to have everything in the house so you don’t have to make another trip to the store!
Jenna Brussee says
Absolutely! I like to be prepared.
Jenna Brussee says
Garlic and onion powder go with every dinner I make! I even use them on veggies and it makes them taste so good.
Jenna Brussee says
I am sometimes afraid to try adding a different spice. What if it doesn’t taste good? I found some great posts on Pinterest that explain which spices go with which type of food, though. It helps a lot!
Jenna Brussee says
I have noticed that with some spice rack sets! And then if I buy it at the store it doesn’t match! I am way too OCD for that.
Jenna Brussee says
You’re right! I love lemon pepper but haven’t used it much lately. I need to get some more.
Jenna Brussee says
I must not use it often enough because I went to use it last night and couldn’t find it! I must not use it much if I didn’t even know I was out.
Jenna Brussee says
Yes! You never know what you will need, so it’s nice to be prepared and have them all.
Jenna Brussee says
That is a nice surprise! I really need to organize my spices.
Jenna Brussee says
I haven’t tried smoked paprika before, but that sounds great! I agree, onion, garlic, salt and pepper are the absolute essentials.
Jenna Brussee says
I try to use fresh when I can, it’s always better! Someday I will get around to putting my herb and spice garden together.
Jenna Brussee says
That sounds like a great idea! I’m sure that making your spices with fresh ingredients would be so much better. Thanks for the idea!
Jenna Brussee says
That cracked me up! I don’t see a problem with spice hoarding 😉
Jenna Brussee says
Hopefully I can help you out with that! I like to share a lot of easy recipes on my blog to help people see that it’s not so hard to cook more.
Jenna Brussee says
It sounds like you like spicy dishes! I don’t use those spices as often.
Jenna Brussee says
Someone else mentioned smoked paprika, too. I need to try it! I love using fresh herbs whenever I can, too.
Jenna Brussee says
Thank you! Garlic powder and onion powder make everything better.
Jenna Brussee says
I add onion powder to just about everything! Other than that, I add spices depending on the dish I’m making. For example, chili powder is great with any Mexican dish or in chili.
Jenna Brussee says
Fresh basil is the best! It smells so good.
Candace says
Oh I have all those! I just felt so accomplished! haha
Jenna Brussee says
Isn’t that a nice feeling? I always love coming across a post like this and finding I am right on track.
Brenda Lawrence says
Oh man! I used to put garlic powder on everything in college. It was the easiest way for me to give whatever I was eating a bit more flavor!
Jenna Brussee says
Garlic powder is magical! One of my favorite ways to use it is on sauteed or roasted vegetables. Yum!
Meg says
Great list! I use ground chipotle chili powder as a swap for regular chile- smokier and not too spicy!
Jenna Brussee says
I should try that! I usually go really light on the chili powder because I don’t like spicy food.
Jessica at Team Wiking says
Great list! I have all but the ginger, I usually use fresh. 🙂
Jenna Brussee says
I just used fresh ginger for the first time the other day. It really makes such a difference.
Sharon Gilman says
Those are all great seasonings! I need to get more into other flavors besides garlic LOL Can’t get enough of it!
Jenna Brussee says
I add garlic to just about everything! It is just so good.
Camesha says
Great list! I think I have just about everything here. I try to challenge myself to get new spices and find recipes that use them.
Jenna Brussee says
That would be a fun challenge! I should try that sometime.
Fiona Naughton says
I think we have all of these in our spice box and the cajun spice, my fave! 🙂
Jenna Brussee says
Mmm, cajun spice! I don’t cook with it very often, but it is really good.
Jenna Brussee says
I almost always use fresh onions and garlic, and then add some powder, too! I’m not sure if that is overkill, but I just love how it tastes.
That is funny that you can’t bring spices through customs! You should start a herb garden, too. I really need to start one soon.
Anna @ The Beauty Section says
I love Basil and Oregano, they just give so much flavor! 🙂
Jenna Brussee says
They smell so good, too! I love using basil and oregano, too.
Jenna Brussee says
I don’t use curry very often either, but it is nice to have!
Jenna Brussee says
I like my pepper to be really coarse, too. Right now I have an adjustable grinder, but I always have it set on coarse.
Amanda Hicks says
Yes! These are a definite pantry must-have! I’m sharing this on my blog’s Facebook page. Thank you! oxox, Amanda
Jenna Brussee says
Thank you! I’m glad you liked this list.