Cooking as a student on a budget doesn’t have to mean bland, tasteless meals. With just a few basic spices and seasonings, you can transform simple food into flavourful creations.
Start simple
You don’t need a large collection of spices and seasonings to get started. Just a handful of essentials can make a huge difference. Here is a list of basic spices and seasonings that are cheap, versatile, and will last you a long time:
Salt
The most basic and essential seasoning, bringing out the flavours of your ingredients. A little goes a long way, so be sure to season your food as you cook and taste along the way.
Black pepper
Adds a little heat and flavour to almost anything. Freshly ground black pepper is ideal, but pre-ground works too if you're on a budget.
Garlic powder
Garlic goes well with almost everything! If fresh garlic is too expensive or you don’t use it often, garlic powder is a fantastic, longer-lasting alternative.
Cayenne pepper or chilli powder
These will give your meals a nice kick that's perfect for chillis, pasta sauces and curries.
Dried mixed herbs
Buying a jar of mixed herbs is more affordable than buying each herb separately. Use in pasta sauces, pizza, and roasted veggies.
Paprika
Adds a mild, peppery flavour and a lovely red colour to meat, vegetables, potatoes and chillis.
Curry powder
For curries of any kind. It also tastes delicious in noodle dishes, and can be substituted with cumin if you can't buy both.
Cumin
Great for curries, chillis, and vegetables and can be used if you don’t have curry powder.
Spices and seasoning collection
Get creative with seasoning blends
Once you have your basic spices, you can start experimenting with different seasoning blends. It’s an easy way to add variety to your meals without needing an entire pantry full of individual spices. Try these simple combos:
Taco seasoning
Combine cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and a pinch of cayenne pepper or chilli powder. This blend is perfect for tacos, burritos, fajitas, and chillis
Garlic herb seasoning
Mix garlic powder and mixed herbs for roasted vegetables, chicken, and pasta.
Curry spices
Blend curry powder or cumin with chili powder or cayenne pepper make the base spices of curry.
Seasoning Blends
Tips for using spices on a budget
- If you can, buy spices in bulk. You’ll often pay less for more, and you can buy just the amount you need. Asian Supermarkets are usually the best for this.
- Store your spices in a cool, dark place away from heat or sunlight to keep them fresh longer.
- be afraid to play around with your spices. Start with small amounts, taste your food, and adjust as needed. Cooking is all about personal preference!
- Leftover cooked rice, pasta, or veggies can be transformed with a little seasoning. For example, you can elevate the flavour of leftover rice by adding a range of basic spices.