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Tips & Tricks

Tips for Cooking with Spices (Seasonings)

Timothy Davidson
· · Updated Jan 16, 2026 · 3 min read
I love being a Foodie. There are so many people who are afraid of seasonings!

But you don’t have to be.

They are very powerful so don’t get zealous, just use a little, remember to shake evenly across the dish and use no more than a teaspoon unless a recipe tells you to!

Anyway, let’s list some common seasonings:

  • Cumin
  • Basil
  • Tyme
  • Oregano
  • Crushed Red Pepper
  • Onion Powder/Salt
  • Garlic Powder/Salt
  • Sage
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Rosemary
  • Seasoned salt (seems like an oxymoron but is very helpful)
  • Coriander
  • Chinese Five Spice Powder
 

With these few spices, even the most incompetent bachelor can make it in the kitchen. As for everyone else, these spices are incredibly empowering because you can take even the worst, most meaningless meat, season it, and make it taste like Michelin quality cuisine.

Seasonings are some of the most magical things in the kitchen next to sauces, your grandma, and jelly.

Tips for Cooking with Spices (Seasonings)

To give everyone some guidance of how to do great things with seasonings I’m going to start with meats and starches and make a few suggestions:

 

Seasonings For Chicken

Pepper is necessity because the protein is very receptive to it. Five Spices powder comes on strong, use sparingly. However, crushed peppers work well.

Seasonings for Chicken

 

Seasonings For Beef

Cumin is good to use here for its strength alongside Five spice powder and crushed red pepper.

Seasonings for Beef

 

Seasonings For Pork

What can’t go in pork? Cumin and give spice power, crushed red peppers as well. Anything strong. Pork has a unique flavor so accentuate with some salt, pepper, sage, and garlic.

Seasonings for Pork

 

Seasonings For Rice

Put whatever you wish in rice as it will take anything but I particularly like a mix of cumin and red peppers for a spicy rice.

Seasonings for Rice

 

Seasonings For Potatoes

Salt and pepper are a staple but otherwise should be left fairly will unadulterated. Don’t worry. They will get some treatment in coming weeks when I discuss sauces and gravies.

Seasonings for Potatoes

 

Hopefully this will be a great and quick early morning guide to seasoning and spices and I hope find it helpful and remember,

Enjoy and keep close the good things: food, friends, and conversation

 

You Might Also Like : How to Make Your Own Asian Seasoning Mix

 

Check out the video version of this article on YouTube

Video

 

Written by

Timothy Davidson

Timothy Davidson has been writing on a wide range of topics for over a decade. He is a versatile writer with a passion for exploring new ideas and sharing his insights with others. When he's not blogging, Timothy enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and staying up-to-date with the latest news and trends.

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Timothy Davidson

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