My spice essentials

Spices are an inexpensive way to transform even the simplest of ingredients into flavour-packed masterpieces. Whether it is a homemade Mexican taco spice blend, a Greek-inspired lamb or an easy Indian-inspired butter chicken, I know I can make it with my simple collection of spices. As buying multiple spices can quickly get out of hand, having a “curated collection”, which is easily accessible and organised, elevates my entire cooking experience.

But where do you start? And what are the essential spices we need in our collections? In this handy guide I share my must-have list of spices as well as my top tips on stress-free spice organisation.

Note: By “spice” I am also including ground dried herbs and other essential flavour bombs such as stock powders (bouillon).

Start here – my most used, must-haves:

• Bay Leaf
• Beef stock powder (bouillon)
• Black pepper (ground and whole peppercorns)
• Chicken stock powder (bouillon)
• Chilli flakes (red pepper flakes)
• Chinese five spice
• Cumin (seeds and ground)
• Fennel seeds
• Garam masala
• Garlic powder
• Ground cinnamon
• Onion powder
• Oregano (dried)
• Salt (I especially love sea salt flakes)
• Sweet paprika
• Thyme (dried)

Nice to have: 

• Chilli powder (ground red chilli)
• Cinnamon sticks
• Curry powder
• Ground cayenne pepper
• Ground coriander
• Ground ginger
• Italian mixed herbs (Italian seasoning)
• Mustard powder
• Mustard seeds
• Smoked paprika
• Star anise (whole)
• Turmeric

Spices I use occasionally:

• Allspice
• Basil
• Cardamom
• Cloves
• Mint
• Nutmeg
• Rosemary
• Saffron
• Sumac

I highly recommend a spice organisation overhaul to anyone wanting to save time in the kitchen, and generally find the experience of cooking more relaxing and enjoyable.

For me, one of the biggest obstacles to getting dinner on the table is having to hunt for ingredients, especially small items like spice jars. Digging through over-stuffed drawers and cabinets, trying to find what I’m looking for after a long day is not my idea of a fun time!

I do have a dedicated spice drawer, which is great. However, if and when that drawer becomes cluttered, I become frustrated as it slows me down when I’m trying to find what I need. Also, because I can’t see what I’ve got, I end up wasting money on duplicate purchases.

Spending a little time doing a spice drawer/collection declutter – and then maintaining it – makes a big difference. I revisit the space often and keep it organised, reducing the chaos and ensuring mealtime runs as smoothly as possible.

You’ll be more efficient in cooking – An organised collection will save you time. When your spices are neatly arranged and accessible you can find what you need, fast, without having to rummage.

You’ll save money – You’ll be able keep track of what you have, which means no more duplicate purchases and reduced risk of expired spices.

It will look amazing – This may sound superficial, but I find that visual clutter can be overwhelming. An organised drawer, basket or rack allows for clearer thinking and improves my mood, making the kitchen a more enjoyable space that I want to spend time in.

1. Declutter and clean

Remove the spices from your storage area. Use a handheld vacuum to clean the space and use a damp cloth to wipe over surfaces. Check expiration dates and discard expired spices. 

2. Choose a storage solution

“More space” doesn’t necessarily mean “more functional”. At our place we have a drawer dedicated to our spices. In our previous home, where space was limited, we had a basket, which worked just as effectively. Following are some of my favourite storage solutions:

Spice racks – These come in a variety of sizes, making them a versatile option for any kitchen – whether they are on your countertop, tucked away in your pantry or cabinet, attached to the wall or inside your cabinet door.

Baskets – Using baskets is a flexible, out of sight, inexpensive option, particularly for those with limited space. Store your spices upright in a container like this. However, it doesn’t need to be new – you may already have one lying around at home that you could repurpose. Ideally a container that you can “grab and go” whenever it is needed is best. Place the container of spices on your countertop for easy access during mealtime. Make sure the tops of the spice jar lids are labelled for easy identification and access. Use store-bought labels or permanent markers to label.

Yes, you can absolutely leave your spices in their original packaging (it saves time, effort and money). While I love repurposing jars and saving anywhere I can, investing in spice jars has several advantages. Spice jars are a consistent size and shape, making them easier to store, more easily accessible, easily refillable and airtight (keeping your spices fresher for longer). And again, as they look nice and organised it enhances my cooking experience. I like to use bigger spice jars for when I buy larger amounts of spices in plastic bags.

Labels mean that you will find what you need quickly. A fine-point permanent marker does the trick, or there are several pre-made labels (see below) that you can purchase. You can also go the extra mile and mark down expiration dates using a whiteboard marker on the base of the jar (which you can wipe off when the jar is refilled), or with a sticker.

If you are decanting, what do you do with the leftover spices that don’t fit into your jars? You need a designated spot for refills! This can be in a less accessible space – I store my leftover spices and refills in a container in my pantry. As your spices run low, having the refills on hand ensures you always have what you need and allows you to replenish your spice jars promptly, keeping your cooking routine smooth and uninterrupted. This system is most useful for the spices you use all the time where you might have bought a large amount.

Call me boring, but I try to avoid recipes that call for specialty spices and blends that I know I’ll only use once. I try to opt for familiar flavours that I know my family loves. Even the most basic spice list can create hundreds of flavour combinations!

And that’s a wrap on my top tips for spice organisation and must-have spices. You will be blown away at how a well-organised spice collection will save you time, money and create so much choice and versatility when it comes time to cook. Don’t forget to designate a spot for spice refills and comment below if you have any questions or if I’ve forgotten anything!

Nic x