13 Simple Ingredients To Bring Your Meal To The Next Level

Ever get the feeling that your meal is just SOOOO boring? Here are some awesome and interesting ingredients that will take your meal from drab to fab in seconds. And for an easy, quick way to bring your meal to the next level, StarKist Tuna Creations® has you covered since it’s a great source of protein and is full of flavor!

1.

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Why it's a taste booster:

Yes, they are real, and yes, they have great flavor. Edible flowers such as the Nasturtium add a great spicy flavor to your dish. And let's be real: It makes your meal look stunning.

Best ways to enjoy:

-Blend in a vinaigrette

-Use as a salad dressing

-A base for a great pesto

2.

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Why it's a taste booster:

And you thought this stuff was only for drinking. Coffee grounds are super versatile, adding a delicious smokey flavor to sauces and dressings and bringing your meal to the next level.

Best ways to enjoy:

-Add to barbecue sauce to give it a kick

-Boost flavor in a savory jam

3.

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Why it's a taste booster:

Instead of using onions in a dish, replace them with leeks to get a delicious sweet flavor without the overpowering taste of an onion. They're also smaller, so they're perfect for adding that awesome flavor for just one dish.

Best ways to enjoy:

-As a soup topper

-Cook by itself as a side dish

-Sprinkle over pizza

4.

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Why it's a taste booster:

This one ingredient can be your go-to substitute for a ton of different ingredients, including sour cream and mayo. You'll add a great tangy flavor, not to mention it's packed with protein and calcium.

Best ways to enjoy:

-Add a dollop on savory dishes like tacos

-As a base for traditional mayo-based salads

5.

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Why it's a taste booster:

Pesto is an incredibly versatile sauce, packed with garlic, basil, and olive oil that's super easy to prepare. Fun tip: Make a large batch and freeze in ice trays to get the perfect amount whenever you need it.

Best ways to enjoy:

-Use as a salad dressing

-Mix in a pasta dish

6.

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Why it's a taste booster:

Whenever you need a kick of salt, add these little guys to your next dish. A little bit goes a long way and adds a great briny flavor to make your meal more interesting.

Best ways to enjoy:

-Mix in tuna salad

-Add to herb mayo for sandwiches

7.

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Why it's a taste booster:

Next time you're preparing a dish that requires boiling, add tea to your boiling water. It will infuse your dish with amazing rich flavors that you never even imagined you could get!

Best ways to enjoy:

-Add to boiling water for rice or quinoa

-Flavor boost in a vinaigrette

8.

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Why it's a taste booster:

Although it's a staple of a great salad, cucumber can be used in other dishes to add a refreshing flavor.

Best ways to enjoy:

-Add a few slices in your water

-Delicious base for salad

-Blend in a smoothie

9.

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Why it's a taste booster:

Almonds are great to add to any dish, but next time add some almond butter to your dressings. You'll get a more even nutty flavor without all the hard work of crushing them yourself.

Best ways to enjoy:

-Mix in a rice-based salad

-Add to yogurt parfait

10.

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Why it's a taste booster:

Squeezing a citrus fruit over your vegetables or protein adds delicious flavor while also acting as a great substitute for sodium.

Best ways to enjoy:

-Add to a vinaigrette for salad

-Squeeze over a fish dish

11.

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Why it's a taste booster:

Next time you're preparing salad, swap your traditional lettuce for arugula. It'll provide a great peppery flavor that will enhance all the other ingredients in your salad.

Best ways to enjoy:

-A base for salad

-Sprinkle on top of pizza

12.

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Why it's a taste booster:

All you need to do is pick your favorite fresh herbs, such as rosemary, and let it sit in the olive oil for a few days. After that, you have an amazing flavor booster whenever you need it.

Best ways to enjoy:

-Over salad for a quick dressing

-A dish that requires sautéing

13.

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Why it's a taste booster:

Yes, you are reading that correctly. Initially used for decorating, Red Hots can easily be melted into sauces or added to savory dishes that need a kick of cinnamon to them.

Best ways to enjoy:

-Add a kick to a dish with apples

-Melt in vinaigrettes for salads or even pickling