12 Seasonings for Vegetables That’ll Make Them Taste More Delicious
Despite all of the nutritional benefits offered by vegetables, incorporating more of them into your meals can be a struggle. Unseasoned vegetables tend to be bland, and salt and pepper can only do so much to create an interesting flavor profile. But here’s the good news: the solution to more enticing vegetables is right in the spice aisle of the grocery store—or even your current spice rack.
Whether you prefer to roast, steam, saute, boil, or grill your vegetables, refer to this list whenever you need to spice up your go-to vegetable dish.
Garlic and Onion Powder
Whether you use them together or on their own, garlic and onion powder are foolproof seasonings for elevating the flavor of your veggies. They’re versatile, too: they work with many different vegetables and cuisines, from the sauteed green beans in your stir-fry to the roasted bell peppers for your sheet-pan fajitas.
Basil, Thyme, Oregano, and Rosemary
These herbs can elevate any vegetable dish, whether used solo or together as an Italian seasoning blend. They also pair well with a variety of other seasonings: try adding garlic powder, paprika, and crushed red pepper flakes for extra spice.
Paprika
Add some smokiness to roasted vegetables with a dash of paprika. This classic spice is available in three varieties (sweet, hot, or smoked), making it one of the most adaptable choices on this list. While sweet paprika imparts a mild heat that balances out its sweeter side, hot paprika contributes more spice (akin to cayenne pepper or chili powder). Smoked paprika brings an umami flavor that will remind your taste buds of a meatier dish when used with vegetables. For the most delicious result, toss your favorite vegetable with paprika, salt, pepper, and olive oil before roasting.
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes, Cayenne Pepper, or Chili Powder
Add a spicy kick with any of these hot seasonings. Crushed red pepper flakes work well for Italian-inspired dishes and stir-fries alike, or any dish where you want to add a very concentrated heat. Cayenne pepper and chili powder confer a more general spicy flavor to the entire dish, since they are easily dispersed when tossed with your veg of choice.
Turmeric
With a superfood reputation, turmeric is a fantastic seasoning to make your vegetables tastier and more nutritious. On top of its renowned health benefits, turmeric has a bold, earthy taste that complements vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots. And, it works with just about any method of cooking vegetables—toss with salt, pepper, and olive oil before roasting or grilling, or add a sprinkle after steaming.
Ground Ginger
Ginger is not just for desserts. Its warm, peppery flavor adds a unique taste to many different veggies, but it’s especially great in stir-fries with sauteed broccoli, green beans, and bell peppers. The ground version offers a convenient substitute for fresh ginger that imparts an even stronger flavor—you only need ¼ teaspoon of ground ginger for each tablespoon of fresh.
Cumin
The savory, earthy taste of cumin works well with other spices like cayenne pepper, chili powder, and garlic or onion powder to create a mouthwatering flavor profile. Its boldness can be overpowering, so it is best used sparingly with more mild vegetables like bell peppers, cauliflower, carrots, or potatoes.
Coriander
With a fresh and slightly lemony taste, coriander pairs wonderfully with earthier seasonings like turmeric and cumin. Carrots are a popular choice of vegetable to pair with coriander—roast with a small drizzle of honey and black pepper for an unforgettable dish.
Curry Powder
Curry powder is a seasoning blend that can include a combination of black pepper, red pepper flakes, turmeric, ginger, cumin, and coriander, as well as sweeter spices like cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon. The resulting flavor profile is complex, deep, and warm. While it’s commonly used in curries and other Indian dishes, it’s also a wonderful addition to vegetables like cauliflower, carrots, or broccoli cooked on their own.
Ground Mustard Seed
To add some tang to your veggies, try ground mustard seed (sometimes sold as mustard powder or dry mustard). If you like the taste of regular mustard, you’ll love the brightness that ground mustard seed adds to your dish. For the strongest flavor, use white mustard powder on the steamed vegetable of your choice after cooking. In addition to its unique taste, ground mustard has nutritional benefits too: its chemical properties help activate and restore nutrients that are lost during cooking.
Nutritional Yeast
You’ve probably heard of nutritional yeast as a popular ingredient in many vegan recipes, but its cheesy, nutty flavor is appealing to vegans and non-vegans alike. It’s also a great way to add an extra boost of protein and fiber to your meal. Any vegetable dish can be enhanced with its rich, umami flavor—try combining it with other seasonings for a nearly endless number of flavors.
Celery Salt
Celery salt is a mixture of salt and ground celery seeds. Salt does a lot of the heavy lifting on its own when it comes to seasoning food, but the addition of celery adds an extra layer of complexity and interest to any vegetable dish. Since celery is part of the base of many soups, celery salt can evoke a warm, comforting flavor profile, especially when used to season carrots or potatoes. Try it with other spices like paprika or garlic powder—just be sure not to oversalt the dish.
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