Seasoning Made Simple: My Beginner’s Guide to a Flavor-Packed Plant Based Pantry

Welcome to My Beginner’s Guide to a Flavor-Packed Plant Based Pantry!

Every cook needs to set up a pantry that fits their needs. Doing that can be a daunting task. Don’t worry, I’m here to help. I too was once in your spot and had no idea what to buy.

In this post I’ll be sharing with you the seasonings I use the most, and the ones that I use in dishes that I eat regularly.

Honestly, you don’t need a fancy spice rack or a giant pantry. All you need is a small handful of simple, powerful seasonings to start turning basic whole foods into delicious, crave-worthy meals.

Let’s keep it simple, budget-friendly, and solo-cook approved. Ready?

The Must Have Seasonings

1. Garlic Powder
   I honestly don’t think I can live without garlic powder. I just really love how garlic brings depth and a savory edge. You can use on everything from roasted potatoes to lentil loaves. The best thing is that there’s no cleanup or peeling required.
   
2. Onion Powder
   The next seasoning that I always have stocked in my pantry is onion powder. Onions are sweet, mellow, and comforting. This along with garlic powder, are the 2 seasonings I use with almost every savory dish.
   
   Don’t feel like chopping onions? Use onion powder. Plus the added bonus is there’s no clean up needed.
   
3. Coconut Aminos
   I personally avoid eating soy. That means no soy sauce or liquid aminos for me. The closest substitute that I have been able to find are coconut aminos. They are slightly sweet, a little salty, and packed with umami. Coconut aminos are amazing for stir-fries, grain bowls, or as a drizzle over steamed veggies. I love using it as a sauce over raw veggies as well.
   
4. Pomegranate Syrup
   Hear me out, this is the secret weapon.
   
   I don’t use vinegar which means no balsamic, rice, white wine vinegars for me. Which left me feeling like I was missing something and I needed to replace that. Luckily I came across pomegranate syrup and let me tell you it was a game changer.
   
   It is mildly sweet and nicely tangy, and is great with roasted veggies, stews, and dressings. Just a drizzle of it over your salad can change it into an exciting mouthful of flavors.
   
5. Red Chili Flakes
   Are you one who likes spicy foods? I sometime do. Which is why I like to stock my pantry with a bottle of red chili flakes. They are the easiest way to add a little heat, plus they have such a great flavor. I often choose them over black pepper.
   
   With a sprinkle of red chili flakes you can elevate the flavor of a stir-fry or give a baked sweet potato’s and add a gentle kick.
   
6. Sea Salt
   Salt opens the pores of food which in turn helps it to release its flavor. It’s a staple in my pantry.
   
   I recommend that you salt your food during the cooking process. That way you avoid over salting a dish. This is something I learned in my cooking class. Be mindful that you need to give it some time for the salt to marinate, or else the dish can quickly become too salty. Keep in mind that it’s not about making things “salty”, it’s about pulling out the natural flavors of your veggies, beans, and grains.

Optional Flavor Boosters (Worth It When You’re Ready)

Once you have your “core” or “must have” seasonings you’re ready to add what I like to call the flavor boosters. Seasonings that I often use in every day dishes are what I call flavor boosters. These are the seasoning of meals I make every week or are part of my list of rotating recipes. Let me show you what I mean.

Let’s use tomato sauce as an example. Based on adding a couple of these seasoning I can make this tomato sauce into different flavors. I could turn tomato sauce into spaghetti, chili, or even curry.

• Cumin – Earthy and warm. Use it in beans, quinoa, or veggie chili.
• Curry Powder – Add instant flavor to potatoes, cauliflower, or rice dishes.
• Garam Masala – A cozy, slightly sweet Indian spice blend. Great in lentils or roasted carrots.
• Smoked Paprika – Adds a rich, BBQ-like flavor without the grill.
• Poultry Seasoning – No birds needed! Use it in comfort foods like lentil loaf or veggie stuffing.
• Chipotle Powder – Spicy and smoky. Amazing in chili or bean tacos.
• Thyme – Perfect in soups, especially lentils or mushrooms.
• Oregano – Great in tomato-based dishes, chickpeas, or oven-roasted squash.
• Rosemary – Piney and perfect for roasted potatoes or root veggies.
• Paprika – Mild and peppery. Great for roasted veggies or homemade dressings.
• Parsley (dried) – Adds brightness. Works well in anything you’d eat with lemon.

Budget-Friendly Shopping Tips

Cooking for one? Let’s keep your wallet happy.

Start with Your Favorites
I don’t recommend getting all the seasonings at once, as it can be quite expensive. Look to purchase only 2–3 “flavor booster” seasonings at a time, to stay within budget.

Buy in Small Amounts
Many stores have bulk spice sections where you can scoop a tablespoon or two into little baggies. I like to purchase seasonings for new recipes this way. That way I’m not spending money on a whole bottle of seasoning that I may or may not use again.

Look Online for Bulk Discount
Are you noticing that you are using up a specific spice often? If the answer is yes, then look into buying seasonings in larger amounts, like in bulk. By purchasing in bulk you normally save a bit as it usually is a little cheaper by ounce.

Budget Friendly Storage
Now your spices may at times come in bags which can be cumbersome to use. There’s an easy fix to this, by opting to put them in jars which I find to work the best. You can reuse jars straight from your pantry. Look for empty sauce jars, baby food jars, or even small mason jars work great. You can always buy a whole bunch of jars online if you don’t have any.

Simple Starter Meals to Try With Your Seasonings

Try these easy combos using what you’ve got!

1. Roasted Chili Sweet Potatoes

Sprinkle sea salt, garlic powder, and chili flakes over sweet potato wedges and roast them.

2. Simple Stir-Fry

Sauté chopped veggies and cooked quinoa or rice in a pan with garlic powder, onion powder, and coconut aminos for an easy stir fry.

3. Hearty Potato Soup

In a pot add some cubed potatoes, sliced celery, and diced carrots. Season it with garlic and onion powder, thyme, and rosemary. Fill the pot with enough water to cover everything and simmer for a delicious soup.

4. Roasted Cauliflower Bites with Pomegranate Syrup

Toss cauliflower in sea salt, smoked paprika, and a light drizzle of pomegranate syrup and roast them in the oven.

5. Curry Potato Bake

Smash a can of chickpeas and season with garlic powder, parsley, and a sprinkle of curry powder. Bake them in the oven and serve them in some lettuce wraps.