The right condiments can add new life to the simplest dishes. Whether you’re cooking a proper meal or throwing together a quick snack, you need a reliable lineup of condiments at the ready to elevate your food. Here are nine you should always have on hand.
Mustard Brings Bold, Tangy Flavor
Versatile with a long shelf life, mustard is a must-have for sandwiches, marinades, and dressings. Yellow mustard gives classic zest to burgers and hot dogs, while Dijon has the smooth, sharp bite you need in sauces and vinaigrettes. Whole grain mustard is perfect for adding texture and depth to meats, cheese boards, or roasted veggies.
Ketchup Is Surprisingly Useful
No condiment collection is complete without ketchup. Whether used for fries, burgers, or as a base for homemade sauces, ketchup offers sweet, tangy balance to countless meals. Try to focus on varieties with less sugar or added spices to suit your taste. You’ll be surprised by how well it works in glazes or stir-fry sauces.
Mayonnaise For Creamy, Rich Dishes
Of course, mayonnaise is good for sandwiches, but it also adds creaminess to salads, spreads, and sauces, while acting as a base for dips like aioli. Use mayo to coat chicken or fish before breading for extra moisture, or mix it into dressings to balance acidity and spice. Go for quality mayo with simple ingredients for the best flavor, or make your own in a blender or in a bowl using a whisk.
Soy Sauce For Umami Depth
Soy sauce is important for adding salty, savory notes to everything from stir-fries to soups. Even beyond Asian dishes, soy sauce enhances marinades, salad dressings, or grilled meats. Keep a bottle of low-sodium soy sauce on hand for everyday use, or try tamari for a gluten-free alternative.
Tabasco Sauce For Reliable Heat
No condiment lineup is complete without Tabasco sauce. Tabasco reliably delivers clean, vinegary heat onto eggs, pizza, soups, and well, pretty much anything you want! Made from aged red peppers, vinegar, and salt, Tabasco adds kick without overpowering other flavors. It’s shelf-stable, lasts for months, and provides a quick way to spice up bland meals.
Honey For Sweet And Savory Balance
Honey can sweeten your tea, balance spicy sauces, glaze roasted vegetables, and add depth to marinades. Use honey in salad dressings, as a topping for cheese, or mixed into yogurt and desserts. Its natural sweetness complements savory and spicy dishes alike, making it a welcome addition to your condiment collection.
Hot Sauce Variety For A Range Of Spice
While Tabasco is a reliable favorite, keeping additional hot sauces around will broaden your options. Sriracha offers garlic-infused heat for noodles, eggs, and sandwiches. Smoky chipotle sauces enhance tacos and grilled meats. Experiment with different hot sauces to suit your heat tolerance and flavor preferences.
Vinegar At Your Service
Vinegar brightens dressings, sauces, and marinades. When used judiciously, it’ll cut through richness and add complexity. Keep apple cider vinegar for health drinks and salad dressings, balsamic for glazes and veggies, and white vinegar for pickling and cleaning. A small vinegar selection helps round out your pantry and adds layers of flavor to everyday meals.
Pickles And Relish: It's Crunch Time!
Pickles, relish, and pickled vegetables bring bright, crunchy contrast to rich foods. Top burgers, sandwiches, and charcuterie boards with crisp pickles, or stir relish into tuna salad for extra tang. Pickled onions and jalapeños elevate tacos, grilled meats, and salads, adding acidity and texture.
Final Roll Call Of Condiment Greatness
Good condiments are the trusty assistants of home cooking, turning even the most mundane ingredients into flavorful meals. Stocking essentials like those listed above will keep your kitchen ready for anything. You may also have a few of your own in mind that we didn’t mention. Use them wisely, and even quick basic meals can become delicious, personalized creations exploding with flavor.
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