People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (2024)

Table of Contents

Recipes are great guides, but there are often unwritten ingredients that take food to a whole new level. So I rounded up a bunch of "secret flavor weapons" from the BuzzFeed Community and from the subreddit r/cooking. Here are the ingredients that readers swear by when it comes to upgrading their home cooking. 1. "In my family mashed potato recipe, we use mayonnaise. A dollop makes the potatoes super creamy (and I promise you can't taste the mayo)." 2. "I add something sharp and briny like pickle juice to tuna or chicken salad. It gives it just the right amount of tartness." 3. "I use a little almond extract in all my baked goods (especially French toast) and a little espresso powder in anything chocolate. It's the perfect nutty or bitter complement to the sweetness." 4. "Fish sauce can go in almost anything savory. That stuff is pure magic. If you're making vegetables, meat, chilis, or even a sauce, a dash or two gives you more of that salty, meaty, savory flavor." 5. "I add mashed anchovies or anchovy paste to pretty much all salad dressings, pasta sauces, and gravies. It really adds that extra salty, umami flavor. No one can ever identify the taste, and they always love it!" " 6. "I buy Costco cashew clusters (or any candied nut clusters) and use the crumbs at the bottom of the bag as part of my dough when baking homemade cookies. People always go crazy for them." 7. "I put cinnamon into basically every Mexican-inspired dish I make. Tacos, enchiladas, beans. I even sprinkle it in quesadillas sometimes. It works really well with all the other spices you usually end up using in those dishes like chile powder and cumin." 8. "Pro tip: Put a bit of mayonnaise in chocolate cake. Once you realize that mayo is mostly eggs and oil, it's not so hard to believe why it tastes so good." 9. "I put mustard in mac 'n' cheese. Unless you use a huge amount, it isn't noticeable. It just adds a little bit of zest and depth of flavor. Many recipes for baked mac and cheese suggest adding a little Dijon mustard, but I've used whole grain, and it's still been delicious." 10. "If I'm making a dish that could benefit from a smoky, bacon-y flavor (think: roasted Brussels sprouts, pan-seared sea scallops, potatoes, or corn chowder) but I either don’t have or want to use bacon, I always use smoked paprika." 11. "I always have miso paste in my fridge, and I put it in anything that it will dissolve in — like pasta sauces, stews, gravies, marinades, and more. I love the extra punch of umami it brings to any dish." 12. "I always add chicken stock cubes like Better Than Boullion to water when I'm boiling it for pasta (or other grains like quinoa, rice, etc). It doubles the tastiness of the pasta and sauce, giving it that much-needed umami flavor." 13. "I keep Parmesan rinds in my freezer and use them to make stock, sauces, and stews. I just throw it in after everything else to simmer. It makes a remarkable difference, especially in tomato sauces." 14. "Whenever I'm baking using boxed cake mix, I use softened butter in place of vegetable oil. It gives the cake a softer, more moist texture." 15. "Whenever I bake something with chocolate, like brownies, I always add a little bit of coffee. It makes all the difference and actually brings out the rich, fudgy chocolate flavor even more." 16. "Tajín seasoning is my secret weapon. It's a spice mixture of dried chiles and dehydrated lime juice. It goes well in most any Mexican-inspired recipes, but it's unexpectedly delicious on fruit like pineapple or mango. Oh, and I highly recommend trying it on grilled corn on the cob." 17. "I use chicken- or beef-flavored ramen seasoning packets to make my gravy for mashed potatoes. It packs so much flavor." 18. "I add cinnamon and/or nutmeg to savory dishes like stews, meat lasagna, Bolognese sauce, and more. I just use a dash (which is not enough for the flavors of the spices to be perceptible), but it imparts an amazing depth of flavor." 19. "I add lard to my pie crust. All my pie crust, whether it's for a savory dish (like a quiche or galette) or a sweet dessert. That extra bit of fat makes it all the more delicious." 20. "I use vinegar as a secret ingredient in soups and stews. If something is too salty, a splash of vinegar will make it taste balanced. If you over-salted and think you've ruined your whole meal, take a deep breath and reach for the vinegar." 21. "I add lemon zest to garlic butter. It's amazing on anything from chicken to pasta, but specifically for garlic bread it's an absolute game changer. Even if you use just a little bit, you can taste a major difference." 22. "I add a good shake of paprika to my egg salad whenever i make it. It tastes like deviled eggs on a sandwich, and it's beyond delicious." 23. "I add a spoonful of cottage cheese to my eggs before scrambling them. I know it sounds strange, but you can't even taste it. The cottage cheese just makes the eggs perfectly fluffy." 24. "Instead of milk, I use full fat vanilla or plain yogurt in my bathing mixture for French toast. It turns out perfectly every time." 25. "Whenever I make chili, I always add dark cocoa powder, cinnamon, and coffee. It makes a huge difference in flavor." 26. "Add a splash of orange juice to pumpkin or banana bread. The acidity really adds some brightness against the spices. I use this same ingredient hack when making carrot cake and zucchini bread, too." 27. "Rice vinegar. If a recipe calls for soy sauce, I also always add rice vinegar to complement it — even if it's not called for in the ingredient list. It adds the perfect amount of acidity, and I swear, it takes dishes like fried rice to the next level." 28. "I mix melted butter and soy sauce together and use it as a sauce. It's one of my favorite flavor combinations. It's excellent in just about anything savory, but my favorite use is for sautéed mushrooms." 29. "Soy sauce. I add it to pretty much anything savory like tomato sauce for pasta, chili con carne, and even mushroom risotto." 30. "Try using fish sauce in homemade Caesar salad. I had the best Caesar salad at a friend's house, and she revealed her secret is using fish sauce instead of anchovies. I was floored and jealous I didn't think of it first, but now I've adopted this flavor hack as my own." 31. "Toss cooked noodles into toasted sesame oil after they’ve drained. All you need is a tiny bit, but it takes them to another level." 32. "I love cooking with toasted sesame seeds. If you're making soup, stew, or broth, try sautéing a handful of sesame seeds and running them through the food processor with a bit of your cooking base. It adds a deep, rich, and nutty flavor." 33. "I swap in coconut milk for anything that could normally be boiled in water. I'm talking lentils, rice, quinoa, farro, etc. It makes the grains taste so much richer." 34. "Sumac is my go-to ingredient, and I add it to tons of dishes right before serving. It's ever-so-slightly sour, savory, and herbaceous, and it really helps brighten dishes. It adds a similar element to food as does a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. 35. "Kaffir lime leaves. It imparts big, powerful lime flavor without having to keep fresh limes on hand all the time. Try adding it to curry or really any recipe that calls for coconut milk." 36. "Mushroom powder is my go-to. It's so underrated. I actually don't love mushrooms in general, but porchini powder adds the perfect understated oomph to whatever savory dish you're cooking. So, what's your secret ingredient or go-to flavor booster that you love using in your home cooking? Tell us in the comments! FAQs References

Posted on Mar 24, 2022

"I put cinnamon into basically every Mexican-inspired dish I make: tacos, enchiladas, beans. I even sprinkle it in quesadillas sometimes."

by Hannah LoewentheilBuzzFeed Staff

Recipes are great guides, but there are often unwritten ingredients that take food to a whole new level. So I rounded up a bunch of "secret flavor weapons" from the BuzzFeed Community and from the subreddit r/cooking. Here are the ingredients that readers swear by when it comes to upgrading their home cooking.

1. "In my family mashed potato recipe, we use mayonnaise. A dollop makes the potatoes super creamy (and I promise you can't taste the mayo)."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (3)

2. "I add something sharp and briny like pickle juice to tuna or chicken salad. It gives it just the right amount of tartness."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (4)

3. "I use a little almond extract in all my baked goods (especially French toast) and a little espresso powder in anything chocolate. It's the perfect nutty or bitter complement to the sweetness."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (5)

4. "Fish sauce can go in almost anything savory. That stuff is pure magic. If you're making vegetables, meat, chilis, or even a sauce, a dash or two gives you more of that salty, meaty, savory flavor."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (6)

5. "I add mashed anchovies or anchovy paste to pretty much all salad dressings, pasta sauces, and gravies. It really adds that extra salty, umami flavor. No one can ever identify the taste, and they always love it!" "

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (7)

6. "I buy Costco cashew clusters (or any candied nut clusters) and use the crumbs at the bottom of the bag as part of my dough when baking homemade cookies. People always go crazy for them."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (8)

7. "I put cinnamon into basically every Mexican-inspired dish I make. Tacos, enchiladas, beans. I even sprinkle it in quesadillas sometimes. It works really well with all the other spices you usually end up using in those dishes like chile powder and cumin."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (9)

8. "Pro tip: Put a bit of mayonnaise in chocolate cake. Once you realize that mayo is mostly eggs and oil, it's not so hard to believe why it tastes so good."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (10)

9. "I put mustard in mac 'n' cheese. Unless you use a huge amount, it isn't noticeable. It just adds a little bit of zest and depth of flavor. Many recipes for baked mac and cheese suggest adding a little Dijon mustard, but I've used whole grain, and it's still been delicious."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (11)

10. "If I'm making a dish that could benefit from a smoky, bacon-y flavor (think: roasted Brussels sprouts, pan-seared sea scallops, potatoes, or corn chowder) but I either don’t have or want to use bacon, I always use smoked paprika."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (12)

11. "I always have miso paste in my fridge, and I put it in anything that it will dissolve in — like pasta sauces, stews, gravies, marinades, and more. I love the extra punch of umami it brings to any dish."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (13)

12. "I always add chicken stock cubes like Better Than Boullion to water when I'm boiling it for pasta (or other grains like quinoa, rice, etc). It doubles the tastiness of the pasta and sauce, giving it that much-needed umami flavor."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (14)

13. "I keep Parmesan rinds in my freezer and use them to make stock, sauces, and stews. I just throw it in after everything else to simmer. It makes a remarkable difference, especially in tomato sauces."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (15)

14. "Whenever I'm baking using boxed cake mix, I use softened butter in place of vegetable oil. It gives the cake a softer, more moist texture."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (16)

15. "Whenever I bake something with chocolate, like brownies, I always add a little bit of coffee. It makes all the difference and actually brings out the rich, fudgy chocolate flavor even more."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (17)

16. "Tajín seasoning is my secret weapon. It's a spice mixture of dried chiles and dehydrated lime juice. It goes well in most any Mexican-inspired recipes, but it's unexpectedly delicious on fruit like pineapple or mango. Oh, and I highly recommend trying it on grilled corn on the cob."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (18)

17. "I use chicken- or beef-flavored ramen seasoning packets to make my gravy for mashed potatoes. It packs so much flavor."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (19)

18. "I add cinnamon and/or nutmeg to savory dishes like stews, meat lasagna, Bolognese sauce, and more. I just use a dash (which is not enough for the flavors of the spices to be perceptible), but it imparts an amazing depth of flavor."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (20)

19. "I add lard to my pie crust. All my pie crust, whether it's for a savory dish (like a quiche or galette) or a sweet dessert. That extra bit of fat makes it all the more delicious."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (21)

20. "I use vinegar as a secret ingredient in soups and stews. If something is too salty, a splash of vinegar will make it taste balanced. If you over-salted and think you've ruined your whole meal, take a deep breath and reach for the vinegar."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (22)

21. "I add lemon zest to garlic butter. It's amazing on anything from chicken to pasta, but specifically for garlic bread it's an absolute game changer. Even if you use just a little bit, you can taste a major difference."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (23)

22. "I add a good shake of paprika to my egg salad whenever i make it. It tastes like deviled eggs on a sandwich, and it's beyond delicious."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (24)

23. "I add a spoonful of cottage cheese to my eggs before scrambling them. I know it sounds strange, but you can't even taste it. The cottage cheese just makes the eggs perfectly fluffy."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (25)

24. "Instead of milk, I use full fat vanilla or plain yogurt in my bathing mixture for French toast. It turns out perfectly every time."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (26)

25. "Whenever I make chili, I always add dark cocoa powder, cinnamon, and coffee. It makes a huge difference in flavor."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (27)

26. "Add a splash of orange juice to pumpkin or banana bread. The acidity really adds some brightness against the spices. I use this same ingredient hack when making carrot cake and zucchini bread, too."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (28)

27. "Rice vinegar. If a recipe calls for soy sauce, I also always add rice vinegar to complement it — even if it's not called for in the ingredient list. It adds the perfect amount of acidity, and I swear, it takes dishes like fried rice to the next level."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (29)

28. "I mix melted butter and soy sauce together and use it as a sauce. It's one of my favorite flavor combinations. It's excellent in just about anything savory, but my favorite use is for sautéed mushrooms."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (30)

29. "Soy sauce. I add it to pretty much anything savory like tomato sauce for pasta, chili con carne, and even mushroom risotto."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (31)

30. "Try using fish sauce in homemade Caesar salad. I had the best Caesar salad at a friend's house, and she revealed her secret is using fish sauce instead of anchovies. I was floored and jealous I didn't think of it first, but now I've adopted this flavor hack as my own."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (32)

31. "Toss cooked noodles into toasted sesame oil after they’ve drained. All you need is a tiny bit, but it takes them to another level."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (33)

32. "I love cooking with toasted sesame seeds. If you're making soup, stew, or broth, try sautéing a handful of sesame seeds and running them through the food processor with a bit of your cooking base. It adds a deep, rich, and nutty flavor."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (34)

33. "I swap in coconut milk for anything that could normally be boiled in water. I'm talking lentils, rice, quinoa, farro, etc. It makes the grains taste so much richer."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (35)

34. "Sumac is my go-to ingredient, and I add it to tons of dishes right before serving. It's ever-so-slightly sour, savory, and herbaceous, and it really helps brighten dishes. It adds a similar element to food as does a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (36)

35. "Kaffir lime leaves. It imparts big, powerful lime flavor without having to keep fresh limes on hand all the time. Try adding it to curry or really any recipe that calls for coconut milk."

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (37)

36. "Mushroom powder is my go-to. It's so underrated. I actually don't love mushrooms in general, but porchini powder adds the perfect understated oomph to whatever savory dish you're cooking.

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (38)

So, what's your secret ingredient or go-to flavor booster that you love using in your home cooking? Tell us in the comments!

People Are Sharing The Secret Ingredient That Makes Their Recipe So Special, And I Gotta Try These (2024)

FAQs

Can you legally have a secret ingredient? ›

What About Patenting an Ingredient? You can choose either to request “trade secret” status for a cosmetic ingredient from FDA or to apply for a patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). You cannot request both. To learn more about applying for a patent, see the USPTO's information under “Patents.”

Learn More Now ›

What cooking show has a secret ingredient? ›

In each episode, a new challenger chef competes against one of the resident "Iron Chefs" in a one-hour cooking competition based on a secret ingredient or ingredients, and sometimes theme.

See Details ›

Which is the secret ingredient? ›

A secret ingredient is a component of a product that is closely guarded from public disclosure for competitive advantage. Sometimes the ingredient makes a noticeable difference in the way a product performs, looks or tastes; other times it is used for advertising puffery.

Get More Info ›

When you were going to try a new recipe what is the first thing you want to do? ›

Read the recipe before you start.

“Read the recipe a few times before you make it,” she says, “and make sure it is something you are comfortable doing.” Then, lay out every ingredient you'll need before you begin to cook.

Show Me More ›

Can you legally own a recipe? ›

(An unpublished recipe can be protected under trade secret law, but that means all the chefs using it would have to sign nondisclosure agreements or noncompetition agreements, which are not always enforceable). A collection of recipes, as in a cookbook, can be protected.

Can you get sued for using someone else's recipe? ›

Similar to ideas, facts and history, there isn't copyright protection in recipes as mere lists of ingredients. This is clearly stated by the U.S. Copyright Office.

Get More Info ›

Do chefs know the secret ingredient? ›

A: The chefs aren't completely surprised by the secret ingredient because they have been given a few possible options beforehand. And on the day of the challenge, they can probably figure out which ingredient it is based upon which shopping list has been purchased for them.

Do Iron Chef Japan know the secret ingredient? ›

Do chefs know what the ingredient will be beforehand? Yes and no. The Iron Chef and challenger winnow down a huge list of possible ingredients to about five well before taping. Beyond that, though, they're as surprised — and occasionally grossed out (live giant eel, anyone?)

Read On ›

Do they eat the food on cooking shows? ›

While leftover food from cooking shows can often be given to the rest of the crew to eat, hygiene protocols don't always allow that when a judge or cook has already eaten some, or when dishes have been sitting out too long during filming.

Read The Full Story ›

What are some unusual ingredients? ›

Soy Sauce. Used extensively for flavouring or as a condiment or dip. ...
Yellow bean paste or sauce. Available in jars or cans in Chinese food stores. ...
Black bean paste or sauce. Similar to yellow bean paste, only darker.
Salted black beans. ...
Hoisin sauce. ...
Bean curd. ...
Dried bean curd. ...
Bean curd cheese.

More items...

Read On ›

Who is the secret recipe owner? ›

Secret Recipe began in 1997 when the founder, Dato' Steven Sim, who interestingly was a hairdresser, recognised a gap in the café market.

Read The Full Story ›

What are 2 things you should find in every recipe? ›

a recipe written for a beginner includes qty, ingredients, how to prepare and detailed description of each process step.

Read The Full Story ›

What is the first thing you should do when you get a recipe? ›

First, you take the recipe that you intend to cook and read it thoroughly to familiarize yourself with the timing, techniques, equipment, and ingredients you will need. Second, you pull all of the necessary equipment and arrange it near your cooking station, so that it is at the ready.

Explore More ›

What is the first thing I should cook? ›

Marshmallows. "The best thing for someone getting into baking to make: marshmallows," says pastry chef Stella Parks of BraveTart.com. "You mix corn syrup, sugar, and water and boil it to about 250 degrees, which makes it firmer.

View Details ›

Does the FDA allow secret ingredients? ›

This means that a food, supplement, or chemical company can introduce a new ingredient to foods through the GRAS loophole or secret GRAS pathway, and then supplement manufacturers are permitted to sell products containing this unapproved and potentially untested and unsafe ingredient.