A starter spice rack of Costack seasoning jars

Spice Rack Starter Kit: Setting Up a UK Kitchen for Big Flavour

Just moved house. Just left home. Just rebuilding a rack after a clear-out. Here is the order to buy your first 8 spices in a UK kitchen.

The first 8 (in this order)

1. Costack All Purpose Seasoning (£2.99). The single most-used jar. Goes on chicken, fish, eggs, roast veg, chips, in pasta sauce.

2. Black peppercorns + a mill (£3-4). Whole peppercorns last a year. Pre-ground is dead in 8 weeks.

3. Sea salt flakes (£3). Flaky, not iodised table salt. The texture matters when finishing dishes.

4. Costack Chicken and Turkey Seasoning (£8.50). The roast chicken upgrade. Also handles traybakes, wings, and stir-fry.

5. Costack Curry Powder (£2.99). Unlocks 30-minute curries on a Tuesday. Pays for itself in one dinner.

6. Costack Thyme Leaves (£5.50). Real whole-leaf thyme. Goes on roasts, in stews, in tomato sauces.

7. Costack Granulated Garlic (£8.50). Better than fresh for dry rubs and marinades. Does not burn.

8. Costack Lemon Pepper (£8.50). The fish-and-traybake hero. Lifts salmon, prawns, chicken thighs.

Total: £49 if bought separately. £40 if you grab the No-Fuss Kitchen Starter, which contains the core six.

What to add next (months 2-3)

Where to put it all

A drawer or cupboard, not above the hob. See how to store spices for maximum flavour for the full setup.

What NOT to buy first

Skip these until you have the basics:

  • Saffron (rarely used)
  • Star anise (specific dishes)
  • Sumac (specific cuisines)
  • "Mixed herbs" (low-quality blend, just buy thyme + oregano separately)
  • Pre-ground black pepper (dies in 6 weeks)

Total cost of building the rack

  • Month 1 (the 8 above): £40 with the kit, or £49 separately
  • Month 2 (4 additions): £32
  • Month 3 (3 additions): £25

Three-month total: £97. The kitchen is now set up to cook 250+ dinners without ever feeling under-equipped.

Related reads

Get the No-Fuss Kitchen Starter for £40 →

Once the rack is built, keep it stocked without thinking. A monthly spice subscription refills your core Costack blends every month, no reordering, skip or cancel any time.

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