The Essential Pantry Spices List

Posted on May 9th, 2022

If you're just setting up a kitchen and wondering what essential spices, herbs, and seasonings you should stock your pantry with, it's easy to go online and find lists of ingredients that are supposedly essential. Some of them boast 30 to 40 items—surely all of them can't be essential!

So the first step is figuring out what your essential spices and seasonings are. And to do that, think about what you cook? Or, what do you want to cook? And not just once, but regularly?

Is Stocking Up Even a Good Idea?

So buying a bunch of spices you don't actually use, or use rarely, means that not only are you wasting money and shelf space, when you do eventually use that ingredient, it's already stale. 

Instead, consider shopping in the bulk spice aisle of your supermarket, not to buy large quantities but to buy small quantities. If a recipe calls for half a teaspoon of allspice, do you really need a whole jar? Maybe you do, if you're planning to make that recipe again and again. Otherwise, just buy a tiny bit! You can always buy more if you decide to make the dish again.

With all that in mind, here are a few spices and seasonings that most home cooks use most often, and will crop up in all kinds of recipes. 

The True Essential Spices

But first, let's mention salt and black pepper. These two ingredients are the only truly indispensable seasonings. With salt, you might end up with several kinds: Kosher salt for most cooking, table salt for baking, and a flaky sea salt for garnishing. Freshly ground black pepper is certainly best. But if you make spice rubs, you'll need the pre-ground stuff, since grinding large quantities can be time-consuming.

Spices for Savory Cooking

Crushed red pepper (aka pepper flakes): One of the most versatile—can be used on pizza, in pasta, veggies, stir fries, and so much more.

Chili Powder: For homemade chili, dry rubs, enchiladas, and tacos.

Cumin Powder (aka ground cumin): Used in Latin American, Middle Eastern, African, and Indian cuisines

Oregano: To go onto pizza, in pasta sauces, and olive oil-based dishes

Cayenne Pepper: Pure heat, use sparingly

Paprika: Many varieties, including sweet and smoked

Italian Seasoning: Blend of various dried herbs.

Garlic Powder: Get the expensive kind.

Spices for Sweets

Cinnamon: You'll use this everywhere

Nutmeg: Get a whole nut and grated

Vanilla Extract: Not strictly a spice, but you'll definitely need this

Ground Cardamom: Pairs well with anything featuring cinnamon

Ground Ginger: Popular in cookies and cakes

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