Father’s day is here, and dads are known for their grilling and seasoning skills — from making the best chicken marinade to grilling up the best summer burgers, dads unusually have this one in the bag. So, in celebration of their special day, we’re sharing 5 dad-approved seasoning hacks to make all your meat dishes taste delicious. Plus, three seasoning recipes that you can start using asap for yummier and healthier meals.
5 Dad-approved Seasoning Hacks
#1 Not all Pepper is Created Equal
We all tend to finish off our dishes with a sprinkle of salt and pepper, but here’s the thing — dads tend to know the little known secret that not all black pepper is the same.
There’s the finely ground black pepper and the coarsely ground variety (usually the kind that comes in a bottle that you can ground yourself).
Here’s what you need to know about the two:
- Use the finely ground varieties to add to things like sauces.
- Enjoy coarsely ground black pepper to finish off your dish for some added flavor or to use when seasoning things like chicken and beef.
Keep in mind that coarsely ground pepper has a little more of a mild flavor, so always opt for that if you’re worried about the black pepper overpowering your dish.
#2 Get Fancy With How You Use Salt
Have you ever seen chefs season from way above the dish, and sprinkle it over in a super fancy-looking manor?
Besides the fact that this makes you look like a professional chef, there’s actually a science to this seasoning hack.
When you season from high above the dish, you are more likely to evenly coat that steak or chicken as opposed to just getting a clump of salt in one particular area.
Oh, and this is one of those seasoning hacks that also makes cooking more fun, so go on and get fancy with how you season your dish — it’ll ultimately make your dish come out that much better.
#3 Heads up — You Can Use Your Coffee Grinder to Grind up Spices
Dads are usually all about simple and cost-effective hacks, and here’s another one that makes total sense.
If you have spices that need to be ground up, pull out your coffee grinder. Just be sure to clean it out when you’re done, so your coffee doesn’t taste like spice!
#4 Toast Spices up For a Punch of Flavor
Here’s one of our favorite flavorful seasoning hacks. By toasting some of your spices, it will bring out more flavor and make your recipes taste ah-mazing.
All you need to do is put whole spices (like whole cloves, fennel seeds, star anise, and peppercorns) in a saucepan over low heat and stir them around until they start to smell delish.
The key here is to remove the spices from heat as soon as they start to smell since they can burn pretty quickly.
#5 Create a Flavorful Balance
Most seasoning hacks tend to focus on dried herbs and spices, but balancing out flavors is a huge part of creating a dad-approved flavorful dish!
Here’s a trick — if you feel like something is missing from your dish even after using all the above seasoning hacks, then you may need to add some acidity to help pull out flavors even more.
Some great options include:
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Freshly squeezed lime juice
- Vinegar
3 Simple & Delicious Seasoning Recipes
#1 The Ultimate Simple Veggie Seasoning
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp granulated onion powder
- ½ tbsp oregano
- 1 tsp sea salt
Add all ingredients to a mason-style glass jar and shake to combine.
Store in a cool, dry place until ready to use.
Enjoy With:
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Bell peppers
- Zucchini
#2 Spicy Cajun Seasoning
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp paprika
- ½ tbsp dried oregano
- ½ tbsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp sea salt
Add all ingredients to a mason-style glass jar and shake to combine.
Store in a cool, dry place until ready to use.
Enjoy With:
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Beef
- Fajitas
#3 Simple Poultry Seasoning
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp dried rosemary
- 1 tbsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp paprika
- 1 tsp sea salt
Add all ingredients to a mason-style glass jar and shake to combine.
Store in a cool, dry place until ready to use.
Enjoy With:
- Chicken breasts
- Chicken thighs
- Whole chicken
- Turkey
- Casseroles
Master These Dad-Approved Seasoning Hacks For Delicious Food You Can Enjoy All Summer
Summer often comes with more time spent outside, which often means BBQs and grilled food! Use these dad-approved seasoning hacks to take your dishes to the next level and enjoy delicious and healthy foods all summer long.
