Last Updated on June 5, 2023 by Toya
Check out all the different types of spices that you can use, including sweet spices, hot spices, common spices, exotic spices, and spice mixtures.
If you’ve been cooking for any stretch of time, you know that spices and herbs are essential in making good food.
Today, I’ll share the top 35 cooking spices that can take your food up a notch!
What are spices?
A spice is part of a plant that is used to add flavor or color to cooking. A spice can either be seeds, root bark, powder, fruit, flower, or other plant material.
What are the 10 most popular spices?
Many different sauces have different answers to this question. But generally speaking, the most popular spices are black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, sesame seeds, nutmeg, cinnamon, chili powder, and vanilla beans.
What are the different types of spices?
- Nutmeg
- Mace
- Cinnamon
- Cloves
- Allspice
- Cardamom
- Coriander
- Fennel
- Vanilla beans
- Cayenne pepper
- Black pepper
- White pepper
- Chipotle powder
- Red pepper flakes
- Ginger
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Saffron
- Black mustard seeds
- Turmeric
- Amchur powder
- Chili powder
- Garam Masala
- Apple pie spice
- Pumpkin pie spice
- Chai spice mix
- Taco seasoning
- Cajun seasoning
- Curry powder
- Fajita seasoning
- Chinese five spice seasoning
- Pickling spice
- Southwest spice blend
- Shimp seasoning
- Pork rib rub seasoning
All the different spices explained
Delicious sweet spices to add warm spicy notes
Nutmeg
Nutmeg is a sweet spice that comes in both a seed form and a powdered form. Nutmeg seeds are oval-shaped, wrinkled, and brown to grayish-brown in color. Nutmeg is a warm and aromatic spice that has a woody, slightly nutty, sweet flavor that is often used in sweet and savory recipes like eggnog, lasagna, sauces, meats, and many baked goods.
| Family | Myristicaceae family |
| Substitutes | Mace, Cloves & Cinnamon, and other nutmeg substitutes |
| Form | Powder & Whole seeds |
| Flavor | Woody, slightly nutty & sweet |
| Uses | Eggnog, bechamel sauce, curries, pasta, fruit cakes, muffins, spice blends |
Mace
Mace is a warm spice that comes in both blades and powdered form but is more popular as a powder. You can identify mace as reddish, yellowish, or brownish lacy coverings of the nutmeg seed.
Mace spice has a mild nutmeg flavor and is also warm, nutty, and intensely floral with lemon notes. It is used a lot in spice blends, curries, soups, and baked goods like old-fashioned donuts, vegetables, cream sauces, and more.
| Family | Myristicaceae family |
| Substitutes | Nutmeg, Cloves, Cinnamon, and more mace substitutes |
| Form | Powder & Lacey blades |
| Flavor | Warm, nutty, intensely floral, with lemon notes |
| Uses | Curries, spice blends, soups, cream sauces, baked goods |
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a sweet, aromatic spice made from tree bark. The cinnamon spice comes in many forms including whole cinnamon sticks, cinnamon powder, and cinnamon leaves which are significantly less popular.
Cinnamon’s flavor is considered warm, sweet, spicy, and woody with slight notes of citrus.
It is the perfect spice for fall recipes and can work for baked goods, teas, stews, and curries, and it is often used in a long list of fall beverages including apple cider cocktails, cinnamon milk, hot chocolate, etc.
| Family | Laurel family |
| Substitutes | Nutmeg, mace, allspice, ginger, and 5 more cinnamon alternatives |
| Form | Powder & Tree bark |
| Flavor | Warm, sweet, spicy, and woody with slight notes of citrus |
| Uses | Teas, baked goods, spice blends, stews, curries |
Cloves
Cloves are a type of sweet aromatic spice with a strong, woody smell and a sweet, bitter, and astringent taste on the tongue. They’re harvested from the immature flower buds of an evergreen tree and are reddish brown in color. Clove spice comes in the ground form or as whole cloves which look like small reddish to brown nails which are 2 centimeters in length with 4 spreading sepals and a bulbous top.
Cloves are used for cooking hams during the Christmas season in spice blends, meat rubs, and teas, and even added to baked foods.
| Family | Myrtaceae or the myrtle family |
| Substitutes for cloves | Nutmeg, allspice, cardamom & cinnamon |
| Form | Powder & Whole cloves |
| Flavor | Strong, woody, aromatic smell and a sweet, bitter, and astringent taste |
| Uses | Ham, spice blends, teas, curries, sauces, and spiced baked goods |
Allspice
Allspice is a sweet warming spice that smells like a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper, and cloves hence its name. Allspice comes from a dried berry called Pimenta dioica that looks like a black peppercorn, albeit a little larger and is native to the West Indies and Central America. Due to its flavor, many people believe that allspice powder is a combination of all the sweet warm spices!
Allspice comes in both ground form, which is very popular and whole berries. This spice is best suited for sauces, baked goods, beverages, dressings, spice blends, pumpkin pies, glazes, and so much more.
| Family | Myrtle family or Myrtaceae family |
| Substitutes | Cloves, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Pumpkin pie spice, Chinese five spice, this easy allspice recipe some other allspice subs |
| Form | Powder & Whole berries |
| Flavor | A combination of cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and black pepper |
| Uses | Sauces, baked goods, beverages, dressings, spice blends, pumpkin pies, and glazes |
Cardamom
Another great sweet spice is cardamom. Cardamom has the appearance of small spindle-shaped green pods with thin green skin and black inner seeds. Cardamom has a complex aroma which I personally describe as spicy sweet and citrusy and has a minty, piney, floral sweet taste.
Cardamom comes in multiple forms including whole pods, ground powder, or shelled whole seeds.
This sweet spice is great for meats, curries, rice dishes, spice blends, and baked goods and pairs particularly well with citrus.
| Family | Ginger family |
| Substitutes | Allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, coriander seeds |
| Form | Whole pods, ground powder, or shelled whole seeds |
| Flavor | Spicy sweet and citrusy aroma and a minty, piney, floral sweet taste |
| Uses | Meats, curries, rice dishes, spice blends, baked goods, and citrus |
Coriander
Coriander is a sweet aromatic spice that comes from the coriander plant or cilantro plant. This spice comes from the seeds of the coriander plant which are dried and either sold whole or in a powdered form.
When whole this spice has the appearance of round brown seeds that are light and soft, flat on one side and pointy on the other side.
Coriander spice has a turpentine-like, green, herbal, earthy yet floral aroma and fresh citrus taste. however, many people don’t like this spice and say that it simply tastes like soap!
Coriander is great for marinades, sauces, curries, vegetables, doughs, drinks, pickles, and more. I love using coriander in my seafood spice blends too!
| Family | Apiaceae or Umbelliferae family |
| Substitutes | Cumin, curry powder & Garam Masala |
| Form | Powder & Whole seeds |
| Flavor | Turpentine-like, green, herbal, earthy yet floral aroma and fresh citrus taste |
| Uses | Marinades, sauces, curries, vegetables, doughs, drinks, pickles, and seafood spice blends |
Vanilla beans
Vanilla beans are long podlike fruits produced from the flower of the tropical orchid plant called Vanilla planifolia. The flavor of vanilla bean spice is cream-like, earthy, subtly sweet flavor reminiscent of raisins, and is quite expensive.
Because they’re so expensive, they aren’t very popular, but most people who cook with vanilla beans will use if for things like custard, creme brulee, cocktails, infused in sugars or syrups, etc.
Also, because vanilla beans are so expensive, most people will use vanilla paste or vanilla extract in recipes that call for vanilla beans.
| Family | Orchidaceae family |
| Substitutes | Vanilla paste or vanilla extract |
| Form | Beans |
| Flavor | Cream-like, earthy & subtly sweet |
| Uses | Custard, creme brulee, cocktails, infused in sugars or syrups |
Hot Spices to spice up your cooking
Cayenne pepper
Cayenne pepper is s hot spice made from a type of thin hot chili pepper with a curved tip. It is green when unripe, but turns red once it has ripened. Cayenne peppers can be found in both fresh and powdered form but is more popular in the powdered form.
As a powder, you’ll recognize cayenne pepper as an orange-red fine powder with a spicy kick.
Cayenne pepper is moderately hot so it is used to add a kick to many recipes including stews, soups, spice blends, sauces, etc.
| Family | Capsicum family |
| Substitutes | Red pepper flakes, hot paprika, chili powder & 7 other cayenne pepper alternatives |
| Form | Powder & Fresh chile peppers |
| Flavor | Hot & pungent |
| Uses | Eggs, soups, stews, spice blends, sauces, etc. |
Black pepper
Black pepper is a spicy, complex, and pungent spice with hints of citrus and pine made from the dried, blanched, sun-dried berries of the peppercorn plant.
You can recognize black peppercorns due to their dark brown-black and wrinkled outer layer, which when cracked, reveals a lighter color inside.
Black pepper is sold both as whole berries and as a ground spice which you’ll recognize as a dark brown powder with lots of light brown and even white specks.
Black pepper is best used in foods like meats, marinades, vinaigrettes, spice blends, vegetables, stir-fries, sauces, pasta, soups stews, salads, etc.
| Family | Piperaceae family |
| Substitutes | White peppercorns, Papaya seeds & Green peppercorns. Check out other Black pepper alternatives here. |
| Form | Powder & Whole seeds |
| Flavor | Spicy, complex, and pungent with hints of citrus and pine |
| Uses | Meats, vegetables, stir-fries, sauces, marinades, vinaigrettes, spice blends, soups, stews, salads, etc. |
White pepper
White pepper is another spice from the peppercorn plant. It is with fully ripened peppercorns that are fermented in water, and whose black outer skins are peeled off to reveal the white inner seed inside the peppercorn.
You can find white peppercorns sold as whole berries or as a powder. This spice is a less complex version of black pepper and its flavor can be described as musty, spicy, and grassy.
White pepper is used in Chinese, Swedish, and Vietnamese cuisine, and in the West, it is used in lighter-colored dishes that need a little kick without leaving black specks behind like certain soups, sauces potato recipes, etc.
| Family | Piperaceae family |
| Substitutes | Black pepper, green peppercorns, ground ginger & mustard seeds & other substitutes for white pepper |
| Form | Powder & Whole seeds |
| Flavor | Musty, spicy, and grassy |
| Uses | Used in Chinese, Swedish, and Vietnamese cuisine, and also in lighter-colored dishes like soups, sauces potato recipes, etc. |
Chipotle powder
Chipotle powder is an earthy, smoky, and spicy type of spice made from jalapenos that are ripened, dried, smoked, and then ground to form a powder.
Chipotle powder works well in dry rubs as well as in many Mexican recipes like chili, tacos, quesadillas, and even pizza!
| Family | Solanaceae family |
| Substitutes | Smoked paprika powder, Chili powder |
| Form | Powder |
| Flavor | Earthy, smoky, and spicy |
| Uses | Mexican recipes and dry rubs |
Red pepper flakes
Red pepper flakes also called crushed red pepper are a type of spice made from crushing dried red chile peppers like cayenne, serrano, Aleppo, Jalapenos, Fresno, etc into pepper flakes.
Red pepper flakes’ heat level depends entirely on the type of chile used in a particular batch, but generally, red pepper flakes have a flavor that is zesty and fiery. It’s very common and used a lot in recipes like pasta, sauces, spice blends, etc.
| Family | Solanaceae family |
| Substitutes | Cayenne, chili powder, chipotle powder & other suitable red pepper flakes substitutes |
| Form | Pepper flakes |
| Flavor | Fiery and zesty |
| Uses | Pasta, sauces, spice blends, etc |
Common spices in almost every kitchen
Ginger
Ginger is a warm, slightly sweet, slightly peppery spice with a pungent aroma used in lots of recipes including teas, baked goods, desserts, stir-fries, meats, vegetables, dressings, marinades, spice blends, etc.
Most people know and love ground ginger which is a tan-colored powder, however, there are also fresh ginger roots that are also popular. Ginger roots are knobby and twisted with light brown skin and pale yellow flesh on the inside.
| Family | Zingiberaceae family |
| Substitutes | Allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg |
| Form | Powder and ginger roots |
| Flavor | Warm, slightly sweet, pungent spice with peppery undertones |
| Uses | Teas, baked goods, desserts, stir-fries, spice blends, etc |
Garlic powder
Garlic powder is a super common spice made from ground, dried garlic. It is a light yellow spice that is very versatile in the kitchen. Although garlic powder is milder and smoother than fresh garlic cloves, this spice still offers a robust, pungent, garlicky flavor to recipes like soups, stews, spice blends, meatballs, seafood, vegetables, chili, burgers, etc.
| Family | Onion (Amaryllidaceae) family |
| Substitutes for garlic powder | Granulated garlic, fresh garlic, garlic flakes |
| Form | Powder |
| Flavor | Robust, pungent, garlicky flavor |
| Uses | Soups, stews, spice blends, meatballs, seafood, vegetables, chili, burgers, etc |
Onion powder
Onion powder is a sharp, savory, pungent spice with hints of sulfur made from dried ground onions.
It’s very versatile and can be used in a plethora of recipes including dry rubs, marinades, meat, veggies, casseroles, etc.
| Family | Onion (Amaryllidaceae) family |
| Substitutes | Minced onions, granulated onions, fresh onions |
| Form | Powder |
| Flavor | Sharp, savory, pungent |
| Uses | Dry rubs, marinades, meat, veggies, casseroles, etc |
Paprika
Paprika is a vibrant red spice made from ripe red dried paprika peppers. Paprika can be either hot, smoky, or sweet depending on the kind you purchased and the chile peppers used to make it.
Paprika is popularly used to add color to dishes like soups, stews, goulash, and even in spice blends, marinades, etc.
| Family | Solanaceae (nightshade) family |
| Substitutes | Ancho chili, chili powder. Check out 11 other paprika replacements here. |
| Form | Powder |
| Flavor | Can be either hot, smoky, or sweet |
| Uses | Soups, stews, goulash, spice blends, etc |
Exotic spices
Saffron
Another uber-expensive, yet amazing sweet spice is saffron spice. Saffron comes from the saffron crocus and is the tiny, reddish threads in the shape of flutes that are plucked out of the saffron crocus flower.
Saffron has a sweet, floral, earthy flavor and fragrance and is best used in recipes like saffron rice, chicken, pasta, seafood, and more.
| Family | Iris family |
| Substitutes | Ground turmeric |
| Form | Threads |
| Flavor | Sweet, floral & earthy |
| Uses | Rice, chicken, pasta, seafood, vegetables, and more |
Black mustard seeds
Black mustard seeds also called true mustard or Brassica nigra, is an exotic spice from India commonly used in Indian cooking.
These tiny, black, brown, or reddish seeds have a pungent, spicy, savory, nutty flavor and are often used to make recipes like soups, stir-fries, sautéed, stews, sauces, curries, dhals, for garnish, and more.
| Family | Brassicaceae family |
| Substitutes | Brown mustard seeds and white mustard seeds |
| Form | Whole seeds |
| Flavor | Pungent, spicy, savory, nutty |
| Uses | Soups, stir-fries, sautéed, stews, sauces, curries, dhals, for garnish and more |
Turmeric
Turmeric is an exotic, pungent spice native to South Asia. Turmeric can be used fresh as in turmeric rhizomes, but it is popularly used as a ground powder.
Turmeric powder is bright yellow and has an earthy, musky bitter flavor with peppery undertones.
Turmeric powder is used in many Indian, and South Asian dishes and can be used for vegetables, spice blends, rice, stews, soups, golden milk, and even as a garnish!
| Family | Zingiberaceae family |
| Substitutes | Saffron, Ginger & curry powder |
| Form | Whole rhizomes & ground powder |
| Flavor | Earthy, musky bitter flavor with peppery undertones |
| Uses | Vegetables, spice blends, rice, stews, soups, and even as a garnish |
Amchur Powder
Amchur powder or Dried mango powder is made from unripe mangoes that have been sliced, dried, and ground into powder. Amchur powder has a tart, sour, tangy flavor that works well in recipes like curries, chutneys, chaats, samosas, and more.
| Family | Anacardiaceae family |
| Substitutes | Lemon juice, tamarind powder & sumac |
| Form | Powder |
| Flavor | Tart, sour & tangy flavor |
| Uses | curries, chutneys, chaats, samosas, and more |
Best spice mixtures
Chili powder
Chili powder is a fiery red or dark red savory spice mix made of ripe chile peppers, cumin, salt, garlic, oregano, and sometimes some other spices and herbs. Chili powder can be mild to spicy, based on how much cayenne pepper is used in the mix. This spice mixture has an earthy flavor that works well in Mexican and Southwestern dishes such as tacos, chili con carne, stews, soups, beans, kebabs, enchiladas, etc.
Garam Masala
Garam Masala is an Indian-inspired spice mix made from spices like cumin, cinnamon, mace, nutmeg, black cardamon, coriander, black pepper, cloves, ginger, bay leaves, and green cardamon. Garam masala is warm and fragrant and has a plethora of different flavors due to all the different spices. Use garam masala powder to make delicious roasted vegetables, curries, stews, meats, and more.
Note, the number of spices will change depending on the brand you pick up since some brands use fewer spices in their garam masala mixes. However, authentic Indian Garam marsala uses 11 spices.
Substitute – Mix allspice, cumin, black pepper, mac, cardamon, ginger, and coriander, or use apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice.
Apple pie spice
Apple pie spice is a sweet, warm mix of spices including allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cardamon although some brands omit the cardamon and ginger. Apple pie spice can be used to add warm, sweet flavors to foods like pancakes, waffles, muffins, hot chocolate, oatmeal, etc.
Pumpkin pie spice
Pumpkin pie spice is a spice mixture made with spices like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice. Pumpkin pie spice has a sweet, spicy, warm flavor that works well in recipes like oatmeal, hot beverages like lattes, coffees, hot cocoa, cakes, cookies, pumpkin pies, fluffy pumpkin pancakes, and roasted veggies like sweet potatoes, squash, etc. Check out this homemade pumpkin pie spice recipe with no allspice here.
Chai spice mix
Chai spice mix is a blend of ground sweet spices like ginger, cinnamon, green cardamom, cloves, allspice, and black pepper. Chai spice mix is used to make chai tea but because of the spices in this mixture, I like to use it to make cakes, muffins, pancakes, cookies, and pies as well.
Taco seasoning
Taco seasoning is a popular spice mixture made with ingredients like chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cumin, black pepper, salt, and dried oregano. Taco seasoning has a warm, and spicy flavor and is great for adding to tacos, stews, soups, and casseroles, and also for adding to creamy dips and sauces. Check out my easy recipe for taco seasoning without cumin here.
Cajun seasoning
Cajun seasoning or cajun spice mix is made with ingredients like cayenne pepper, black pepper, white pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika. Some brands also add cumin, salt, and mustard powder to the mixture.
Cajun seasoning has a robust, spicy flavor and is used to cook meats, vegetables, soups, stews, and shrimp recipes like these juicy cajun shrimp here. It’s also great for making creamy cajun sauces, creamy cajun pasta, cajun seafood recipes like this cajun style seafood boil, etc.
Curry powder
Curry powder is an Indian-inspired blend of spices and herbs which include fenugreek, turmeric, cumin, coriander, black pepper, and ginger. Some brands use other spices like nutmeg, bay leaves, cloves, and red pepper in their curry powder mix as well.
Curry powder is golden yellow in color and is a pungent spice mix with earthy, robust, spicy flavors that works well in curries, pilafs, roasted veggies, dips, and more.
Fajita seasoning
Fajita seasoning or fajita seasoning mix is a spice mix made of ingredients like chili powder, onion powder, cumin, black pepper, oregano, coriander, garlic powder, and sometimes cayenne pepper.
Chinese five spice seasoning
Chinese 5 spice seasoning is a spice mix made with different combinations of spices based on the brand. Generally spices like star anise, fennel, cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, cumin, cloves, bay leaves, and white pepper. This spice mix has a complex flavor in that it is warm, sweet, pungent, spicy, and sour all at once. Use Chinese five spice for rice dishes, meat dishes, and more.
Pickling spice
Pickling spice is a coarse blend of whole and broken spices and seeds including chile pepper, cardamom, ginger, cloves, black pepper, allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon sticks, caraway seeds, coriander seeds, etc. Pickling spice is used to pickle vegetables, in corned beef, pot roasts, stews, braised meat, and even in spiced fruits. Pickling spice has a complex flavor, tangy taste, and pungent smell.
Southwest spice blend
Another awesome spice mixture worth mentioning is the southwest spice blend. This spice mixture is made with dehydrated onions, garlic, pepper, herbs, and spices like cumin, paprika, bay leaves, and coriander. It’s a versatile spice blend that can be used to season vegetables, seafood, chicken, steak, pasta, eggs, sauces, dips, and more.
Pork rib rub seasoning
Yet another amazing spice mix you should keep in your kitchen is pork rib rub. It’s typically made with ingredients and spices like brown sugar, paprika, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. This mixture makes the most amazing spice blend for pork ribs. I’ve made a recipe for pork rib rub without the brown sugar for my keto-friendly pork ribs. So yummy!
Shrimp seasoning
Made to season all types of shrimp recipes including grilled shrimp. Shrimp seasoning is a must-have spice blend in your kitchen! You can check out my easy shrimp seasoning recipe here.