Delicious Seasonings to Pair with Your Food

I want to take my dish up a notch and change things up a bit but which seasoning or spice should I reach for? Is it more about texture as some say or is it all about the flavor? Maybe it’s the smell of things as they cook? My mouth slobbers when I smell carmelizing onions!

While some say that blending smell similarities of spices are the way to go followed by combining contrasting flavors and textures, others will say that mouth taste similarities are the way to go. After all, it is said that 80% of your food experience is through your sense of smell. According to one sciencific study they found that North America and Western European recipes largely shared flavor similarities while East Asian, Latin American, and Eastern European cuisine heavily featured opposite non-shared flavor components like sweet and sour.

While there is not one list that suits all situations, ethnic recipe, or nuance this list is a basic start to begin thinking about the seasonings we reach for. Since I live in North America and the majority of my audience is there as well, this list caters to the North American and Western European palate. But in the wider human world of taste, we all crave change and excitement from time to time. Maybe that is why we crave a good curry or a delicious plate of tacos- give our tongues an exotic vacation.

This is by no means an exhaustive spice and seasoning list but should cover more easily accessible spices for our region of the globe. They are grouped on the wheels according to flavor families. I find that I reach for the same seasonings every time and hopefully, by putting these into a visual format for myself, I might try something new. If you have a seasoning or spice you love or discover a new combination, feel free to comment for the rest of us.

This post contains Amazon affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using links provided. Please see my disclosure page for more details.

How to use the seasoning wheels

Since there are a few different schools of thought when it comes to flavor blends, you can try using a spice or seasoning wheel like you would a color wheel. There are a myriad of ways you can combine spices and seasonings. For stronger herbs and seasonings, use less amount in your recipe compared to the subtler choices. If this is a subject that intrigues you, I would encourage you to look up some of the recommended books at the bottom of the page and delve into some exciting taste blends. Remember: this is not a complete list nor is there an absolute right way. Go with what you like.

• Some may prefer picking spices or seasonings that have shared or “analagous” positions situated close together on the wheel.
• Others may prefer to experiment with surprising choices that are opposite each other on the wheel for an exotic taste.
• At times, you could even try a triad of flavors on three different corners of the wheel.
• Each person has their own preferences so the optimal way to learn is by doing and tasting. Make note of what works for you and what doesn’t.

Savory Seasonings and Spices to Pair with Chicken

Seasonings to Pair with Pork

Spices to Pair with Beef

Savory Seasonings to Pair with Fish

Pairings for some common vegetables

Sauce and Seasoning Blends to Try:

My hubby works with some amazing BBQ and Smoker pros who make delicious meals for celebrating and we asked them what some of their favorites are and they did not disappoint. Give these a try for a new twist at your next BBQ:

• Montreal Spice Blend for beef and poultry
• Chef Merito Carne Asada spice blend for beef
• Bone Sucking Sauce for beef, pork, and poultry
• White Lightning Alabama BBQ sauce for beef, pork, chicken, and seafood

Some helpful books to delve deeper into the world of flavor:

References

• foodpairing.com
• Ahn, YY., Ahnert, S., Bagrow, J. et al. Flavor network and the principles of food pairing. Sci Rep 1, 196 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/srep00196

What is your favorite spice or seasoning for meat or vegetables? Let us know in the comments below.

---

If you enjoyed this article, you might enjoy these: