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40+ Recipes that Boost Flavor with Herbs and Spices

August 28, 2018

Pin these Flavor-Boosting Recipes

Thanks to herbs and spices, these 40+ flavor-boosting recipes are nutritious and delicious without lots of added sodium, fat and calories!

healthy and delicious flavor-boosting recipes made with herbs and spices

Adding flavor to food can be fun and simple and doesn’t have to involve increased calories, unhealthy fat, added sugar, and sodium. I love cooking with herbs and spices – they’re an easy and healthy way to add amazing, delicious flavor to recipes while keeping them healthier. Flavor-packed healthy and delicious recipes = #Winning in my book!

Every herb and spice has its own nutritional and health benefits, but in general herbs and spices have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that provide protection against cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis. Some herbs and spices may even play a role in weight loss, memory and brain function, and gut health.

What’s the difference between herbs and spices? Herbs like rosemary, oregano, mint, cilantro, and thyme come from the leaves of the plant. Spices come from the remaining parts of the plant including the seed (e.g. sesame), root (e.g. ginger), fruit (e.g. paprika), berry (e.g. black pepper), bud (e.g. saffron), and bark (e.g. cinnamon).

To get you started on using herbs and spices in the kitchen, here are over 40 nutritious and delicious flavor-boosting recipes from my dietitian and healthy food blogger friends!

Breakfast

pumpkin spice baked oatmeal is a flavor-boosting recipe for breakfast made with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves

Pumpkin Spice Baked Oatmeal @ Jessica Levinson (cinnamon, nutmeg, & cloves)

“Golden Milk” Turmeric Smoothie @ Love & Zest (turmeric)

Cinnamon Spice Muffins @ Amy Gorin Nutrition (cinnamon & cloves)

Baked Mushroom Leek Frittata @ Jessica Levinson (thyme)

Freezer-Friendly Breakfast Wrap @ Mom’s Kitchen Handbook (chives)

Lunch & Dinner

Chili Cauliflower Chickpea Tacos with Mango Salsa @ Dishing Out Health

Chili Cauliflower Chickpea Tacos with Mango Salsa @ Dishing Out Health (chili powder, paprika, cumin, & cilantro)

Greek Zucchini Pie @ Jessica Levinson (mint & oregano)

Beef and Apricot Tagine @ Erica Julson (cumin, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, & cilantro)

Quinoa Stuffed Cornish Hens @ Jessica Levinson (turmeric, cinnamon, & paprika)

Indian Spiced Chicken @ Real Living Nutrition (cumin, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, mint, & cilantro)

Summer Shakshuka @ Jessica Levinson (cumin, turmeric, paprika, parsley, & za’atar)

Asian-Style Turkey Meatloaf @ Jessica Levinson (ginger & cilantro)

Soups, Salads, and Sides

Golden Roasted Cauliflower is a flavor-boosting recipe with turmeric, garlic powder, and garam masala

Golden Roasted Cauliflower @ Jessica Levinson (turmeric, garam masala, & garlic powder)

Maple Dijon Roasted Carrots with Goat Cheese @ Lively Table (thyme)

Parmesan Roasted Campari Tomatoes @ Nutrition Starring You (oregano & crushed red pepper)

Roasted Cherry Farro Salad @ Jessica Levinson (mint)

Easy Moroccan Split Pea Soup @ Dishing Out Health (thyme, turmeric, & coriander)

Tomato White Bean Soup @ Jessica Levinson (bay leaves, rosemary, & thyme)

Chestnut Soup @ Rachael Hartley Nutrition (bay leaf, nutmeg, & parsley)

Spinach Salad with Jicama, Black Beans, & Lime Vinaigrette @ Jessica Levinson (cumin & chili powder)

Sauces, Dressings, & Rubs

Southwest Seasoning Mix @ Healthy Ideas Place

Southwest Seasoning Mix @ Healthy Ideas Place (cumin, chili powder, oregano, smoked paprika, coriander, cayenne pepper, & more!)

Tomato Jam @ Jessica Levinson (ginger, cumin, & cinnamon)

Citrus Salsa @ Jessica Levinson (cilantro)

Fresh Peach Salsa @ Running In a Skirt  (cilantro)

Herb Sauce @ Jessica Levinson (mint, cilantro, & ginger)

Homemade Barbecue Sauce @ The Pretty Bee (chili powder, cinnamon, cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper, mustard powder & more!)

Homemade Cinnamon Applesauce @ Jessica Levinson (cinnamon)

Homemade Tomato Sauce with Mushrooms @ Jessica Levinson (thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, & oregano)

Dessert

Spiced Pumpkin Bread is a flavor-boosting recipe for the fall

Spiced Pumpkin Bread @ Jessica Levinson (cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger)

Golden Milk Popsicles @ Food, Pleasure, & Health (turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon, & ginger)

Carrot, Ginger, Flax Muffins with Cream Cheese Glaze @ Dishing Out Health (ginger, nutmeg, & cinnamon)

Blood Orange Poached Pears @ Jessica Levinson (cinnamon & ginger)

Pumpkin-Coconut Dark Chocolate Chunk Bread Pudding @ Rachael Hartley Nutrition (cinnamon, nutmeg, & ginger)

Cocktails & Mocktails

Watermelon Mojito @ Nutritioulicious

Watermelon Mojito @ Jessica Levinson (mint)

Orange-Rosemary Paloma @ Zestful Kitchen (rosemary)

Strawberry Ginger Switchel @ Recipes to Nourish (ginger)

Sage Blueberry Collins @ The Food Hunter’s Guide (sage)

Spicy Strawberry Rhubarb Margarita @ Jessica Levinson (ginger)

Turmeric Ginger Lemonade @ Cotter Crunch (turmeric & ginger)

Strawberry Basil Lemonade @ The Spicy RD (basil)

Pin these Flavor-Boosting Recipes

Thanks to herbs and spices, these 40+ flavor-boosting recipes are nutritious and delicious without lots of added sodium, fat and calories! via JessicaLevinson.com | #herbsandspices #flavorboosting #recipes #cookingwithherbs #cookingwithspices

Do you cook with herbs and spices?

Which are your favorite flavor-boosting recipes?

Share with me in the comments below!
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  1. This is a great round-up of recipes, Jessica!I’m not sure which to try first; though I’m leaning toward the Watermelon Mojito (love watermelon and mint) or the Strawberry Basil Lemonade (more great flavors). And thanks for including my Southwest Seasoning! Sharing all around. 🙂

    1. Thanks Marie – I know, decisions, decisions! So many delicious things to choose from. Those are both top of my list too! And I can’t wait to try your Southwest Seasoning! Thanks for sharing!

    1. You’re most welcome Dixya! I can’t wait to make them myself. Thanks for sharing the roundup on your FB page!

  2. I love this collection so much! That you indicated which spices are being highlighted in each recipe is so helpful. It’s a great way to venture beyond the standard few familiar herbs. Thank you for posting this. I see more herb & spice use in my future!

  3. I love using herbs and spices to flavor my food. I’m currently obsessed with all the fall spices – cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, etc. So many great ideas here!

  4. I totally needed the reminder to use more herbs and spices instead of that generous pinch of sea salt I love. Some great ideas in here, thank you!