Recently, Gail and I embarked on an ambitious project to rearrange our herb and spice cabinet. Inspired by the flavors of our own backyard garden and some culinary research, we decided it was time to upgrade our collection. As passionate cooks and enthusiastic gardeners, we believe every ingredient deserves its moment to shine. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a guide to our favorite herbs and spices available on Amazon, complete with a handy rating system (1 to 5, where 5 is outstanding) to help you make informed choices.

Whether you’re using these staples for a hearty stew, a zesty dip, or to complement the bounty from your garden, we hope these recommendations help elevate your culinary adventures.

Our Favorite Herbs and Spices

1. Smoked Paprika

• Why We Love It: Adds depth and a subtle smokiness to everything from paella to roasted vegetables.
• Our Pick: La Chinata Sweet Smoked Paprika
• Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Pro Tip: Spend more for high-quality smoked paprika when it’s the star of a dish like Spanish paella.

2. Cinnamon

• Why We Love It: Perfect for both sweet and savory dishes, from baked goods to Moroccan tagines.
• Our Pick: Cinnamon Verum by Burlap & Barrel (True ground Ceylon cinnamon with a mild, citrusy note)
• Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Pro Tip: Keep both ground cinnamon for baking and cinnamon sticks for steeping in teas or slow-cooked dishes.

3. Dried Oregano

• Why We Love It: A staple in Italian and Mediterranean cooking, adding robust flavor to tomato sauces and marinades.
• Our Pick: McCormick Gourmet Organic Oregano
• Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Pro Tip: Supplement with fresh oregano from your garden for dips and garnishes.

4. Bay Leaves

• Why We Love It: Essential for soups, stews, and braises, adding subtle herbal complexity.
• Our Pick: Morton & Bassett Turkish Bay Leaves
• Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Pro Tip: Always choose whole bay leaves for maximum flavor; discard before serving.

5. Turmeric

• Why We Love It: Vibrant color and earthy flavor for curries, golden milk, and health-boosting teas.
• Our Pick: Organic Turmeric Powder by Frontier Co-op
• Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Pro Tip: Pair turmeric with black pepper to enhance its health benefits.

6. Vanilla Extract

• Why We Love It: A must-have for baking and desserts. Pure vanilla extract offers unparalleled flavor.
• Our Pick: Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract
• Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Pro Tip: Splurge on high-quality vanilla for custards and baked goods where it’s the star.

7. Black Peppercorns

• Why We Love It: Freshly ground black pepper makes everything better.
• Our Pick: Tellicherry Black Peppercorns by Spice Lab
• Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Pro Tip: Invest in a good grinder and experiment with different peppercorn varieties.

8. Cumin

• Why We Love It: Warm and nutty, cumin is a cornerstone of Middle Eastern, Mexican, and Indian cuisines.
• Our Pick: Simply Organic Ground Cumin
• Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Pro Tip: Toast cumin seeds before grinding for a more intense flavor.

9. Dried Thyme

• Why We Love It: A versatile herb that complements poultry, vegetables, and bread stuffing.
• Our Pick: McCormick Culinary Thyme Leaves
• Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Pro Tip: Use sparingly; dried thyme is more potent than fresh.

10. Garlic Powder

• Why We Love It: Convenient for quick seasoning or rubs when fresh garlic isn’t available.
• Our Pick: Badia Garlic Powder
• Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
• Pro Tip: Mix garlic powder with smoked paprika for a flavorful BBQ rub.

Closing Notes

Whether you’re supplementing your homegrown herbs or building a spice collection from scratch, quality makes all the difference. Like us, you may find that having multiple varieties of some staples—fresh and dried—offers flexibility for any culinary creation.

If you’re inspired to start your own herb garden or learn more about growing garden-fresh spices, we invite you to check out our guidebook, Herb Gardening in America. This comprehensive resource is packed with tips and tricks to help you cultivate the freshest, most flavorful herbs right in your backyard.

Happy cooking—and happy gardening!

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