The Ultimate Spice Guide

The Best Spices for Beef

The best spices for beef are usually savory, pronounced, and packed with flavour. With its rich yet mostly neutral flavour, beef pairs well with a wide range of herbs and spices.

This makes beef a perfect meat to experiment with when it comes to different blends of herbs and spices.

Some of the best spices for beef include:

• Garlic
• Onion
• Chili powder
• Basil
• Cocoa powder (yes, spicy cocoa rubs can be delicious on beef!)
• Black Pepper
• Cayenne pepper
• Yellow Mustard Powder
• Oregano
• Star Anise
• Thyme
• Basil
• Sage
• Lemon peel
• White pepper
• Parsley
• Marjoram

You can mix and match your favourite seasonings and experiment with different flavours or try one of our pre-made spice blends or rubs. We offer a wide selection of the best spices for beef, but our customers especially love our Loaded Burger seasoning mix, SPG Rub, and Big Tex spice rub.

The Best Spices for Lamb

With a rich flavour and pungent taste, earthy herbs and vibrant spices go well with lamb. Robust spices and herbs help tone down lamb’s potent flavour.

The best spices for lamb include:

• Turmeric
• Garlic
• Cumin
• Coriander
• Thyme
• Mint
• Rosemary
• Lavender
• Dill weed

You can complement your lamb dishes by using our Coat of Arms rub and seasoning, a classic combo that pairs well with lamb. If you like some heat to your meals, try our Kansas Kick spice rub on your lamb dishes.

The Best Spices for Pork

Pork is considered a white meat, making it fairly neutral overall and easy to pair with a variety of herbs and spices. With its subtle sweetness, pork is more flavourful than chicken, making it ideal for savoury spices and herbs.

Here are some of the best spices for pork:

• Juniper berries
• Cinnamon (yes, this may be unexpected but it can be absolutely delicious, especially if you are cooking a dish that involves apples)
• Caraway
• Ginger
• Garlic
• Onion
• Allspice
• Mustard
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Thyme
• Cumin

Popular choice of Big Dog Spices with pork

• Memphis Red
• Kansas Kick

The Best Spices for Venison

Wild game, such as venison, has a delicious, potent flavour. However, if left unchecked, the flavour of wild game may get overwhelming.

The right herbs and spices can tame any gaminess while still allowing the rich, robust flavour of venison or wild game to take centre stage.

Some of the best herbs and spices for venison and wild game include:

• Juniper Berries
• Bay leaves
• Rosemary
• Oregano
• Garlic
• Black pepper
• Paprika
• Sage
• Sweet Marjoram

If you’re looking for the best spice for venison, you can also try our Bush Tucker rub and seasoning or Coat of Arms rub and seasoning, unique blends that pair well with wild game.

The Best Spices for Seafood

From scallops, lobster, oysters, mussels, and scallops to fish and shellfish, the world of seafood is vast.

With a flavour that is often fairly neutral and delicate, seafood goes well with herbs and spices that pack a punch of flavour without being overwhelming.

The best spices for seafood include:

• Tarragon
• Parsley
• Chives
• Garlic
• Coriander
• Chili powder
• Lemongrass or lemon zest
• Dill weed
• Anise
• Tarragon
• Mint
• Sage
• Oregano
• Black Pepper
• Thyme
• Ginger
• Smoked Paprika
• Cumin
• Turmeric

We have a wide selection of delicious seafood seasonings but one of our favourites is our best-selling Coat of Arms Rub and Seasoning.

Best Spices for Pasta

Pasta is a beloved main dish and works well with a vast range of herbs and spices. It serves as a wonderful neutral base to experiment with and try different flavour combinations.

Some of the best spices for pasta include:

• Black pepper
• Paprika
• Red pepper flakes
• Chili or cayenne pepper
• Saffron
• Basil
• Garlic powder
• Thyme
• Rosemary
• Parsley
• Chives
• Nutmeg
• Capers
• Oregano

For a pre-made option that seamlessly blends many of these herbs and spices together, try our Nonna’s Spices Flavour Seasoning. This delicious, Italian-inspired mix will take any pasta dish or pasta sauce to the next level.