Every dish has a story – and the right seasoning helps tell it. Whether you're cooking a quick weeknight meal or hosting friends and family, pairing each dish with the right Costack blend is the difference between “nice” and “unforgettable”.
In this guide, we’ll walk through flavour pairings for meats, rice, vegetables, stews and more – and show you exactly which Costack spices to reach for, so you can cook with confidence every time.
Explore all Costack spices and seasonings here: View all Costack Spices
1. Perfect for Proteins: Bold Flavour for Meats & Poultry
Chicken, beef, lamb and turkey all love bold, savoury seasonings. The key is to choose blends that enhance the natural taste of the meat while adding warmth, aroma and depth.
Ideal for: beef, lamb, goat, grilled or roasted meats.
Ideal for: roast chicken, turkey, wings, drumsticks and trays of baked poultry.
Ideal for: skewers, grilled steaks, suya-style street food at home.
Ideal for: light, spicy meat and fish soups with a warming kick.
How to use these blends
- For roasting and grilling: Rub Meat Seasoning or Chicken & Turkey Seasoning directly onto meat with a little oil. Let it sit for 20–30 minutes before cooking for deeper flavour.
- For suya-style skewers: Coat beef or chicken strips with Suya Spice Mix, add a touch of oil and grill until smoky and charred.
- For soups and light broths: Add Pepper Soup Spice Mix once your stock is simmering and adjust to taste.
Tip: Pair richer meats like lamb or beef with Meat Seasoning or Suya Spice Mix, and use Chicken and Turkey Seasoning for lighter, everyday poultry dishes.
2. Rice, One-Pot Dishes & Comfort Bowls
Rice dishes and one-pot meals are all about layers of flavour. Costack has dedicated blends that take the guesswork out of getting those comforting, rich flavours right every time.
Perfect for: classic Jollof rice with rich tomato and spice notes.
Perfect for: Nigerian or Asian-inspired fried rice, stir-fried grains and mixed veg rice.
Perfect for: adding umami depth to rice, stews and sauces.
Perfect for: turning up the heat in any rice, stew or soup.
How to use these blends
- Jollof rice: Once your pepper–tomato base is sizzling, stir in Jollof Rice Seasoning before adding rice and stock. This locks flavour into every grain.
- Fried rice: Add Fried Rice Seasoning directly into the pan with rice, vegetables and protein for quick, balanced seasoning.
- Extra depth: Add a spoonful of Crayfish Flavour Stock Powder to stews, rice or sauces when you want a richer, savoury backbone.
- More heat: Sprinkle Cameroon Pepper Powder at the end of cooking or at the table for a smoky, spicy kick.
Try this: Combine a light touch of Fried Rice Seasoning with Crayfish Flavour Stock Powder when you want fried rice that tastes like it came from your favourite party caterer.
3. Vegetables, Fish & Everyday Easy Meals
Vegetables and fish can be delicate, but that doesn’t mean they should taste bland. The right seasoning brings everything to life without overpowering the dish.
Perfect for: roasted vegetables, stews, soups and everyday one-pot dishes.
Perfect for: oven-baked fish, stews, grills and fried fish.
Perfect for: fish, chicken, veggies and light, zesty meals.
Perfect for: quick weekday meals when you need one blend that works on almost everything.
How to use these blends
- Roasted vegetables: Toss chopped veg in oil and Universal Vegetable Seasoning. Roast until caramelised and golden.
- Simple fish dinner: Season fish fillets with Fish Seasoning or Lemon Pepper Seasoning and bake or pan-fry. Finish with fresh lemon.
- Everyday one-pot meals: Use All Purpose Seasoning when you’re cooking quickly and want reliable flavour without thinking too hard.
Tip: For tray bakes, season both the protein and the vegetables with Universal Vegetable Seasoning and a little All Purpose Seasoning for a complete, balanced flavour profile.
4. Flavour Foundations & Finishing Touches
Behind every delicious dish are a few “building block” ingredients: garlic, onion, ginger, herbs and heat. Costack offers these in convenient, flavour-packed formats so you always have them on hand.
Use in: marinades, stews, sauces and rubs.
Use in: soups, burgers, meatballs and dry rubs.
Use in: curries, stir-fries, marinades and warming teas.
Use in: stews, baked chicken, sauces and roasted vegetables.
How to bring it all together
- Start your stews and sauces with Granulated Garlic and Granulated Onion for a deep, savoury base.
- Add Ginger Pure Ground when you want warmth and a little bite in soups, curries or marinades.
- Sprinkle Thyme Leaves over roasting meat or veg to add a classic herb aroma.
- For extra heat, finish with a pinch of Cameroon Pepper Powder on top.
These core seasonings work beautifully alongside your blends like Meat Seasoning, All Purpose, Universal Vegetable and Jollof Rice Seasoning.
5. Global Flavour Adventures: Curries, Adobo & Beyond
When you’re craving bolder, international flavours, reach for blends that are crafted with those cuisines in mind.
Perfect for: Caribbean curries, stews and coconut-based dishes.
Perfect for: grilled meats, oven bakes, marinades and roast potatoes.
Perfect for: one-pan dinners with meat, rice and veg all in the same pot.
How to use these blends
- Curry nights: Fry onions, Granulated Garlic and Ginger Pure Ground, then add Afro-Caribbean Style Curry Powder before adding stock, coconut milk, meat or vegetables.
- Adobo trays: Season chicken, pork or potatoes with Adobo Seasoning with Pepper, add oil and roast until golden and crisp.
- All-in-one pots: Use Complete Seasoning when you want a “one blend fits all” option for rice, meat and vegetables cooked together.
6. Turn Flavour Secrets into Everyday Cooking
The easiest way to cook with confidence is to know exactly which seasoning to grab for each type of dish. With Costack, you don’t need a huge spice rack – just smart blends that do the hard work for you.
Save this guide, pin it, or print it out and keep it in your kitchen. The more you cook with these pairings, the more natural it becomes to reach for the right bottle at the right time.
Shop the full Costack range
From Meat Seasoning and Jollof Rice Seasoning to Universal Vegetable Seasoning and Suya Spice Mix, every blend is crafted to bring you big flavour with minimal effort.
