Top Spices Every Kitchen Should Have

My spice cupboard has grown over the years but I remember my surprise when I moved out at 18 and stood in the spice aisle trying to figure out which spices were necessary and which ones were not. This can be a daunting task but I want to help you tackle this problem so you can be in and out with what you need without all the hassle.

This list is great for anyone who is moving away from home for the first time, those newly married, or even someone who is cleaning out their spice cupboard and is trying to figure out what they really need. To come up with our list of Top Spices, I have consulted home cooks, restaurant chefs, and done research to provide you with the most comprehensive list.

If the prices at the grocery store scare you, remember that you can often get many of these spices at your Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, or Dollar General. I have been buying my spices this way for years and find for the basic spices they work just as well as their name brand counterparts.

I also have a printable PDF for you at the bottom that you can you print for FREE and take with you when going to the store. This way you don’t have to write down the spices you need. Simply print the list and mark off the ones you already have.

Photo Credit: Flickr

Top Spices for Your Kitchen

Table Salt
Black Pepper/Black Peppercorns
Garlic Powder/Garlic Salt
Onion Powder/Onion Salt
Smoked Paprika
Seasoned Salt
Cinnamon
Oregano
Cayenne
Chili Powder
Nutmeg
Parsley
Basil
Thyme
Allspice

If you are looking to add a few more spices to your spice cupboard these are extra spices that are frequently used in recipes.

Poultry Seasoning
Curry Powder
Dried Rosemary
Ground Cloves
Bay Leaves
Cumin
Sea Salt and/or Kosher Salt
Ground Red Pepper Flakes

Photo Credit: Flickr Adams Best

These seasoning blends are great to add flavor to a wide variety of proteins and can save time when cooking.

Montreal Steak Seasoning
Italian Seasoning
Lemon Pepper Seasoning
Old Bay Seafood Seasoning
Cajun Seasoning
Chinese Five Spice

If you are stocking up your cupboards,make sure to get these other kitchen essentials.

White Granulated Sugar
Brown Sugar
Powdered Sugar
Vanilla
All-Purpose Flour
Baking Soda
Baking Powder
Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Reader suggested spices:

Tumeric

Now that your kitchen is stocked with the top spices, check out our Recipe Section for meal inspiration.

Click HERE or on the Image below to downloadyour FREE Printable Top Spices Checklist.

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