15 Dried Herbs and Spices I Keep in My Pantry
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I love using fresh herbs all summer long, but now with the colder weather, I’m all about using dried herbs and spices to flavor my food. In today’s post, I’ll discuss the best way to buy dried herbs and spices that taste the best and are inexpensive, as well as the health benefits of adding these to your meals. Plus, I’ll share the herbs and spices I keep on hand year-round and how I like to use them in my cooking.
Buying dried herbs and spices in bulk
When buying dried herbs and spices, I always recommend buying them in the bulk section. There are a couple of reasons for this:
They are less expensive.
They are usually fresher.
Dried herbs and spices that are sold in individual containers often sit on the shelf for months. Of course, you have no way of knowing this. It’s not that the dried herbs and spices go bad, rather they just don’t taste as fresh as what is replaced more often in the bulk section.
If you live in the Portland, Oregon area, I recommend trying Bob’s Red Mill for dried herbs and spices in bulk. Your local grocery store, such as New Seasons or Fred Meyer, may also sell dried herbs and spices in bulk, so check the next time you are shopping. I’ll often find jars of dried herbs and spices for as much as $4-$5, whereas buying the same amount in bulk can cost as little as $0.40-$0.50 depending on what you are buying! To store your bulk dried herbs and spices, try these spice jars.
Health benefits
Not only do dried herbs and spices improve the flavor of our food, but there is research demonstrating that herbs and spices may help lower cholesterol, regulate blood sugar, and fight inflammation in the body.
For example, cinnamon may help reduce blood glucose levels in those with diabetes. Turmeric contains curcumin, which can help reduce inflammation. Additionally, garlic may improve immunity. There are many more health benefits to consuming dried herbs and spices, so why not start adding more of them to your meals?
Top 15 dried herbs and spices to keep on hand
The following are my favorite must-have dried herbs and spices. There are of course many more out there! One of the benefits of buying in bulk is that you can try a very small amount of a new dried herb or spice to see if you like it.
Basil
Oregano
Thyme
Rosemary
Garlic granules
Onion flakes
Curry powder
Turmeric
Ground cumin
Chili powder
Crushed red pepper flakes
Cinnamon
Ground ginger
Black pepper
Salt
The dried herbs and spices listed above are versatile and add so much flavor to food covering a variety of cuisines.
My favorite recipes using dried herbs and spices
Dried herbs and spices can be used in many different recipes to really take the flavor to the next level. Making sure your dried herbs and spices are freshly purchased also helps as they will have a much stronger flavor. You are also able to use a lot more if the cost is lower, adding even more to the flavor.
Many of these recipes include fresh garlic or ginger, but I’ll often just use garlic powder and ground ginger if I don’t have any fresh on hand. You could even use onion flakes instead of fresh onion for any of these recipes as well.
Roasted curry chicken and cauliflower - contains curry powder, garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper
Black bean coconut stew - contains coriander, cumin, garlic, ginger, salt, and pepper
Cauliflower white bean tahini soup - contains cumin, crushed red pepper flakes, garlic, salt, and pepper
Homemade chicken noodle soup - contains garlic, bay leaves, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper
Homemade Instant Pot chili - contains garlic, chili powder, oregano, cumin, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper
Instant Pot Greek chicken and lentils - contains garlic, rosemary, oregano, and paprika
Keeping your pantry stocked with dried herbs and spices is a great way to ensure you’ll have the ingredients to make flavorful and healthy meals. Buying them in bulk can save you money and ensure you are getting fresher dried herbs and spices. Comment below with your favorite recipes that incorporate one or more dried herbs or spices. And for more pantry staples, check out other posts in my Pantry Staples Series!
