Nikole Stewart
Seasoning food doesn’t need to be complicated. Everyone has their go-to seasonings, while others enjoy exploring new combinations. If you’re new in the kitchen or just want easy seasonings for food, then you’ll love these simple suggestions. From basic salt and pepper to more complex flavors, keep reading to learn about the easy seasonings for food without overthinking it.
7. Steak Seasoning
Steak seasoning is interesting because a lot of people just enjoy salt and pepper, while others want to explore with bolder flavors that pack a punch. You can find a variety of seasoning recipes out there, but the base of the seasoning is usually salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika; however, this is where a variety comes into play.
If you don’t want to overpower the steak, but want to enjoy added flavors, don’t add anything else. If you enjoy sweeter flavors, add brown sugar for caramelization and sweetness. Or add chili powder and red pepper flakes for some heat.
6. Burger Seasoning
Unlike steak, burgers are a great canvas to explore various flavors that work for you. The most common burger seasoning that you’ll become obsessed with, and one of the easiest seasonings for food, is paprika, brown sugar, onion powder, salt, pepper, garlic powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper. The balance of sweetness and heat, plus the subtle smoky flavor from the cumin, is to die for.
5. Fajita Seasoning
Taco and fajita seasonings should always be prepared in the pantry. It, like many others on the list of best seasonings for food, is a pantry staple. And whether you’re making it with fish, chicken, steak, or something else, this fajita seasoning is the way to go. All you need is chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper.
4. Poultry Seasoning
Poultry seasoning is lighter and more aromatic compared to burger, steak, and fajita seasonings. It often adds depth to your protein without overpowering it, creating a mouthwatering dish.
For homemade poultry seasoning, one of the easiest seasonings for food, you just need thyme, oregano, basil, marjoram, rosemary, garlic powder, paprika, and onion powder. Sage and red chili flakes are also great additions, depending on whether you want something on the sweeter or spicier side.
3. Salt and Pepper
This is simply the most basic option, the easiest, and for many, the most familiar. It’s high on the list of some of the best seasonings for food, but because there’s nothing else to it, it’s not number one. Salt and pepper amplify food, enhancing the natural flavors of a dish without suppressing them, and highlight bitter, sweet, and umami notes. For protein, sauces, vegetables, savory pastries, and more, it’s a classic option.
2. Italian Seasoning
Italian seasoning is usually a basic seasoning mix that you might have in the pantry, but you can easily make it at home if you’d rather. It’s balanced, herby, and aromatic, perfect for pastas, salad dressings, pizza, and more.
All you need is garlic powder, oregano, red pepper flakes, rosemary, basil, parsley, and thyme. This is a great mixture to start with, but you can add or remove some to fit your preference, for instance, more red chili flakes if you want something with more heat.
1. All-Purpose Seasoning
Want an all-around flavorful seasoning that you can add to any dish that will not only highlight flavors, but also add to them? Then make some homemade all-purpose seasoning. While you can grab a big jug at the store, making your own is usually more affordable, plus you can always make it your own by adding more of one seasoning.
For this, all you need to do is mix classic salt and pepper, along with garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika, or just paprika. Paprika is mild, but it adds color, and if you grab the smoked variant, it offers a smoky note in the back that’s just amazing.