The Surprising “Secret” Ingredients Home Chefs Reach For
Our Lips Are Sealed
Every good home chef has a few tricks up their sleeve when it comes to cooking. And that includes some seriously surprising “secret” ingredients that they add to their signature dishes.
We’ve scoured the internet for the best ones—and even some of our own team of culinary experts have let their owns secrets slip in this list of surprising add-on ingredients that’ll elevate any dish.
Smoothies
Whipping up a smoothie is pretty much a no-brainer activity in the kitchen.
Some fruit, maybe some greens, some liquid, and maybe some yogurt if you’re feeling fancy—but there are a few kitchen staples that home chefs swear by when it comes to your morning smoothie.
The first is any flavoring you’d use when making a dessert—think fresh ginger, herbs like mint, or vanilla extract.
The second—and most important/surprising? A pinch of salt. It’ll enhance all the sweet flavors in your smoothie the same way it does to cookies in baking.
Guacamole
Who doesn’t love serving up a giant bowl of fresh guacamole when having a party? One Martha Stewart approved tip is to go for garlic powder instead of fresh garlic—but the secret ingredient that consistently wows crowds?
A dollop of mayo will make your guac extra creamy and boost the flavors.
Meat Sauce
To avoid drawing the ire of the Italians, we won’t mess with Bolognese sauce. But, if you happen to be making a basic meat sauce with canned tomatoes, tomato paste, or any variation, you might expect us to suggest adding sugar to cut the acidity.
But our “secret” here might surprise you—on top of the sugar, add a healthy glug of soy sauce to cut the sweetness and deepen the color and flavor of your meat sauce.
Rice Krispie Squares
If you’re already a convert to the Smitten Kitchen method of making Rice Krispie treats, please scroll ahead—but if not, we’re about to change your life. Try browning your butter before adding your marshmallows, vanilla, and Rice Krispies.
It’ll deepen the flavor and add toasty caramel notes. And don’t forget a pinch of salt!
