Cooking with Herbs and Spices for Kids

Why Herbs and Spices Matter

Herbs and spices give food its unique flavor, aroma, and personality. Without seasonings, many foods taste plain or bland. A pinch of basil can brighten tomato sauce, cinnamon adds warmth to baked treats, and garlic and oregano can completely transform a pot of soup.

Professional chefs rarely rely on just one seasoning. Instead, they combine herbs, spices, and other flavorings to create balanced meals. Learning how to season food takes practice, but experimenting is part of the fun.

As you cook, remember one important rule: start with a small amount. You can always add more seasoning, but it's much harder to remove it once it's been mixed into your food.

Fresh Herbs or Dried Herbs?

Both fresh and dried herbs can make food taste wonderful, but they are used a little differently.

Fresh herbs have a brighter flavor and are usually added near the end of cooking to keep their color and aroma. Dried herbs have a more concentrated flavor because much of their moisture has been removed. They are often added earlier so they have time to soften and flavor the entire dish.

8 Essential Herbs Every Young Cook Should Learn to Use

Herbs come from the leafy parts of plants and are used to add fresh, natural flavor to foods. Some herbs are available fresh, while others are dried and stored in spice jars. As you become more comfortable cooking, you'll begin to recognize which herbs pair best with different meals.

Many of these herbs are easy to grow in containers or small backyard gardens, making them a great first gardening project for young cooks.

8 Essential Spices Every Beginner Cook Should Know

Unlike fresh herbs, most dried spices have a long shelf life, so you only need a small amount for each recipe. Spices usually come from the seeds, bark, roots, berries, or fruits of plants. Taste your food when it's safe to do so, and add more only if needed.

Vegetable Soup Seasoning Activity

This vegetable soup activity is a simple way to show kids how much herbs and spices can change the flavor of food. First, taste the soup before adding seasonings. Then add herbs, spices, and bouillon, cook the soup, and taste again. The difference is easy to notice.

Vegetable Soup Seasoning Lesson

Ingredients

• Cauliflower, chopped
• Cabbage, chopped
• Potatoes, peeled and diced
• Onion, chopped
• Carrots, peeled and sliced
• Water, enough to cover the vegetables
• 1 teaspoon basil
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 teaspoons salt, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 to 3 beef bouillon cubes, chicken bouillon cubes, or vegetable bouillon cubes

Directions

1. Wash, peel, and cut the vegetables into small pieces.
2. Add the vegetables to a large soup pot.
3. Cover the vegetables with water.
4. With adult supervision, bring the soup to a simmer.
5. Before adding seasonings, taste a small spoonful of the broth. Talk about how plain it tastes.
6. Add basil, pepper, salt, oregano, bay leaves, and bouillon.
7. Simmer for 20-30 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
8. Remove the bay leaves before serving.
9. Taste the soup again and decide if it needs a little more salt, pepper, herbs, or bouillon.

How to Season Ground Meat

One of the easiest ways to improve the flavor of a meal is to season ground meat while it cooks. As the meat browns, it absorbs the herbs and spices, creating a richer, more flavorful dish. Whether you're making tacos, spaghetti, chili, or casseroles, seasoning the meat first gives the entire recipe a better taste.

Start by cooking the ground meat with chopped onions if desired. As the meat browns, add your seasonings and stir well so the flavors are evenly distributed. Continue cooking until the meat is fully cooked and no longer pink.

Four Easy Ways to Add Flavor to Food

Seasoning food isn't just about shaking herbs and spices into a recipe. Cooks use several different methods to build flavor. As you gain experience in the kitchen, you'll learn when each method works best.

1. Dry Rubs

A dry rub is a mixture of herbs, spices, and seasonings that is rubbed directly onto meat before cooking. As the meat cooks, the seasonings form a flavorful outer crust while adding taste all the way through. Dry rubs are easy to make, require no special equipment, and are a great way for kids to practice measuring and mixing spices.

Dry rubs work well on chicken, pork, beef, turkey, fish, and even roasted vegetables. After coating the food with the seasoning mixture, let it rest for about 15 to 30 minutes before cooking so the flavors have time to soak into the surface. One of our favorite recipes for practicing dry rubs is this Spicy Roast Chicken. It's an easy recipe that lets young cooks see how herbs and spices create delicious flavor without needing a sauce.

Foods That Taste Great with Dry Rubs

2. Marinades

A marinade is a flavorful liquid that foods soak in before cooking. Unlike a dry rub, a marinade coats the food with liquid ingredients that help add moisture and flavor. Marinades are especially popular for chicken, beef, pork, seafood, and vegetables.

Many marinades combine four simple ingredients:

Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce

This recipe lets kids practice making both a simple marinade and a creamy peanut sauce while learning how seasonings work together.

Marinade Ingredients

• 6 to 8 chicken drumsticks (or chicken breasts or thighs)
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger or 1 teaspoon ground ginger

Peanut Sauce Ingredients

• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

Directions

1. Whisk together the orange juice, soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger.
2. Pour the marinade into a large zip-top bag.
3. Add the chicken and refrigerate for several hours.
4. In a small bowl, stir together the chicken broth, orange juice, and peanut butter until smooth. Refrigerate until needed.
5. Place the marinated chicken in a baking dish.
6. Bake for about 15 minutes.
7. Pour the peanut sauce over the chicken and continue baking another 15 to 20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature and is no longer pink.

What Kids Learn from Making Marinades

• Measuring liquid ingredients accurately
• Mixing flavors together
• Kitchen safety when handling raw meat
• Planning ahead by preparing food before cooking
• How herbs, spices, acids, and sweeteners work together to build flavor

3. Flavor Foods with Everyday Condiments

Herbs and spices aren't the only way to add flavor to food. Many of the condiments already in your refrigerator or pantry can become delicious cooking ingredients. Barbecue sauce, salsa, Italian dressing, soy sauce, spaghetti sauce, and even applesauce can all be used to create quick, flavorful meals.

Using condiments is an easy way for beginner cooks to experiment with new flavors because many sauces already contain a blend of herbs, spices, and seasonings.

Popular Condiments to Cook With

Eggs in Spaghetti Sauce

This quick one-pan meal shows how a simple jar of spaghetti sauce can become a hearty dinner with just a few ingredients. It's also a beginner-friendly version of a popular Middle Eastern and North African dish called shakshuka, where eggs are gently cooked in a flavorful tomato sauce.

Ingredients

• 2 cups spaghetti sauce
• 2-4 eggs
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Garlic toast or crusty bread for serving (optional)
• Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)
• Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions

1. Pour the spaghetti sauce into a skillet and heat over medium-low until it begins to gently simmer.
2. Use the back of a spoon to make small wells in the sauce.
3. Crack an egg into each well.
4. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
5. Cover the skillet and cook until the egg whites are set and the yolks reach your preferred doneness, about 5-8 minutes.
6. Sprinkle with fresh herbs or Parmesan cheese if desired.
7. Serve with garlic toast or crusty bread for dipping into the sauce and runny yolks.

Kid Chef Tips

• Crack each egg into a small bowl before adding it to the skillet. This helps prevent shell pieces from getting into the food.
• Keep the sauce at a gentle simmer instead of a rolling boil so the eggs cook evenly.
• Everyone likes eggs cooked differently. Cook a little longer for firm yolks or a little less for soft, runny yolks.
• Serve with toasted bread, pita bread, or warm dinner rolls for dipping.

Try These Variations

• Add sauted onions, bell peppers, or mushrooms before pouring in the sauce.
• Stir in Italian seasoning, oregano, basil, or red pepper flakes for extra flavor.
• Sprinkle mozzarella, feta, or Parmesan cheese over the eggs before serving.
• Add cooked Italian sausage or browned ground beef for a heartier meal.
• Use pizza sauce instead of spaghetti sauce for a fun pizza-inspired version.

Slow Cooker Applesauce Pork Chops

This easy slow cooker recipe shows how an everyday condiment can become a delicious cooking sauce. Applesauce, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger combine to create a sweet and savory glaze that keeps pork chops tender while they cook.

Ingredients

• 2 cups applesauce
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 6 pork loin chops
• 2 tablespoons butter

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, stir together the applesauce, brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger until well combined.
2. With adult supervision, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Brown both sides of the pork chops for 2-3 minutes. This step adds extra flavor but can be skipped if you're short on time.
4. Place the pork chops into the slow cooker.
5. Pour the applesauce mixture evenly over the pork chops.
6. Cover and cook on Low for about 6 hours, or until the pork is tender and reaches an internal temperature of 145F.

Oven Option: Place the browned pork chops in a baking dish, pour the sauce over the top, cover with foil, and bake at 350F for about 30-40 minutes, or until the pork reaches 145F.

Kid Chef Tips

• Measure all of the sauce ingredients before you begin cooking to make mixing quick and easy.
• Browning the pork chops first adds color and extra flavor, but the recipe will still work if you skip this step.
• Use a meat thermometer to make sure pork reaches a safe internal temperature of 145F, then let it rest for 3 minutes before serving.
• This sauce is also delicious spooned over mashed potatoes, rice, or stuffing.

Try These Variations

• Add sliced onions or apple slices to the slow cooker before cooking.
• Stir in 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard for a tangy flavor.
• Use cinnamon applesauce for a slightly sweeter fall-inspired meal.
• Replace the ginger with a pinch of cinnamon for a different flavor profile.
• Serve with roasted sweet potatoes, green beans, or steamed carrots for a complete dinner.

More Slow Cooker Recipes

Italian Chicken Strips

Italian dressing makes a quick and flavorful marinade because it's already packed with herbs, spices, vinegar, and oil. This easy recipe teaches kids how a simple bottled dressing can transform plain chicken into a delicious meal.

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
• 1/2 cup Italian dressing
• 1 1/2 teaspoons honey
• 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice

Directions

1. In a large zip-top bag or shallow dish, combine the Italian dressing, honey, and lime juice.
2. Add the chicken strips and turn to coat evenly.
3. Seal the bag and refrigerate for about 1 hour to allow the flavors to soak into the chicken.
4. Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the used marinade.
5. Cook the chicken by baking, grilling, air frying, or sauteing until it reaches a safe internal temperature of 165F.
6. Serve with rice, roasted vegetables, salad, or slice the chicken for wraps, sandwiches, or lunch boxes.

Kid Chef Tips

• Marinating for 30-60 minutes gives the chicken great flavor without needing a long wait.
• Always marinate chicken in the refrigerator, never on the counter.
• Discard any marinade that has touched raw chicken. If you want extra sauce, make a fresh batch.
• Use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken has reached 165F.

Try These Variations

• Add 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning for even more herb flavor.
• Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese just before serving.
• Use the marinade with pork chops, shrimp, or vegetables.
• Thread the chicken onto skewers with bell peppers, onions, and zucchini for colorful kabobs.
• Slice leftovers for Caesar salads, pasta dishes, or homemade pizza.

Grow Your Own Herbs

Growing your own herbs is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to improve your cooking. Fresh herbs are full of flavor, smell wonderful, and can be snipped right from the garden or a sunny windowsill whenever you need them.

Many herbs are inexpensive to grow and don't require much space. A few small pots on a patio, balcony, or kitchen windowsill can provide fresh seasonings for months.

Explore Herbs and Spices Around the World

Different countries use unique combinations of herbs and spices to create their traditional recipes. Italian cooking often features basil and oregano, Mexican recipes commonly include cumin and chili powder, while many Asian dishes use ginger, garlic, and soy sauce.

Exploring international recipes is a fun way to discover new flavors and learn how cultures around the world season their food.

Common Herbs and Spices Around the World

Recipes That Teach Seasoning Skills

The best way to learn how herbs and spices work is by cooking! Try these recipes to practice seasoning soups, sauces, meats, and marinades while discovering how different herbs and spices build delicious flavor.

Vegetable Soup
Practice tasting before and after adding herbs and spices to discover how seasonings change the flavor of soup.

Taco Salad
See how taco seasoning transforms simple ingredients into a flavorful family meal.

Homemade Spaghetti Sauce
Practice seasoning with basil, oregano, parsley, garlic, and Italian seasoning while making sauce from scratch.

Homemade Chicken Soup
Learn how herbs, vegetables, and a bay leaf work together to build rich homemade flavor.

Spicy Roast Chicken
Learn how a simple dry rub adds flavor before roasting.

Marinated Beef Kabobs
Practice mixing a flavorful marinade and discover how soaking meat adds tenderness and flavor.

Chicken Satay
Make a simple citrus-soy marinade and creamy peanut sauce while learning how marinades work.

Applesauce Pork Chops
See how everyday condiments like applesauce become delicious cooking sauces.

White Pepper Gravy
Practice seasoning with black pepper, white pepper, and salt while learning how spices flavor a simple homemade gravy.

Teriyaki Chicken
Discover how garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and brown sugar combine to create a sweet and savory Asian-inspired sauce.

Italian Chicken Strips
Learn how herbs, garlic, and Italian dressing work together to create an easy marinade for juicy chicken.

Homemade Ketchup
Experiment with vinegar, mustard, cinnamon, and spices to see how everyday seasonings create a flavorful condiment.