Give Scrambled Eggs 20x The Flavor With These 10 Pantry Staples
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When looking for ways to amp up the flavor of scrambled eggs, there are two ways we can go. The first is to rifle through the contents of the fridge, seeking out veggies like zingy green onions, and dairy additions such as earthy goat's cheese, silky Hollandaise sauce, or tart crème fraîche, to boost the flavor profile of this comfort food. The second is the pantry, and — depending on your shopping habits — it can be an Aladdin's cave of goodies. A packet of soup is one of our favorite ways to boost the flavor of scrambled eggs but it's just the tip of the pantry iceberg.
The pantry is home to lots of herbs and unique spices that enliven a range of dishes. It's also where we keep condiments, spreads, and canned foods, many of which are brilliant for adding depth of flavor to our next batch of scrambled eggs. We've trawled our own cupboards and peeked at what people used online to compile what we think are must-try pantry staples for the tastiest scrambled eggs.
Worcestershire sauce
There's always a bottle in our pantry, and it always seems to last forever! That's because just a splash of this complex, flavorful condiment is more than enough to liven up everything it goes into, and scrambled eggs are no exception. Worcestershire sauce may be a tongue twister but our tastebuds adore the combination of salty, umami zing with the creamy, unctuous eggs. It's also a magnificent marinade for an accompanying steak.
Dried tarragon
Almost any herb growing will pair with scrambled eggs, from vivacious basil to soothing thyme. However, if you really want to give your dish some oomph, nothing does it quite like dried tarragon. This potent herb is often used with chicken, where its sweet-savory flavor profile works deliciously. Scrambled eggs are an ideal canvas for its slightly peppery, hint-of-licorice, and dash of vanilla taste too, while the pop of green against the summery yellow is gorgeous to see. If you're new to tarragon, dose it carefully, lest you overpower your eggs.
Strawberry jam
For years I only thought of scrambled eggs as a savory dish, until I added a spoonful of strawberry jam on top, or inside my breakfast sandwich. Now I'm a complete convert to the sweet variety and can't get enough. The tartness of the fruit makes the eggs really sing, especially when made with this clever addition. If you're not a fan of strawberry jam, any fruit preserve, whether store-bought, home or artisanally made, that balances sweet and tart (blueberry and raspberry are our faves) will also amp up your scrambled eggs.
Tomato relish
On the flip side of sweet preserves sits tomato relish, a stalwart of millions of home cooks' pantries – and rightly so. A generous spoonful added to a pan of scrambled eggs not only brings flavor complexity and some tart sweetness to proceedings, but is also comes close to some traditional Polish and Latvian recipes. If you don't have any tomato relish kicking around, a squeeze of tomato purée with a slug of red wine vinegar will do in a pinch.
Canned soup
We've previously sung the praises of adding this canned food to scrambled eggs, but it's not the only flavor-boosting tinned food in your pantry. Got a can of cream of mushroom soup lurking in there, or cream of chicken? Crack it open and add a couple of generous spoonfuls as your eggs are cooking. Instant depth of flavor, not to mention extra creaminess (and a sneaky protein hike) all round. If you're watching your salt intake, check out these two low-sodium options from Campbell's.
Cinnamon
You might think warm spices like cinnamon only belong in pumpkin lattes and old-school, fall-worthy cakes, but trust us, it's a winner when sprinkled into scrambled eggs. It's not just another way to crow-bar the season into your weekly menu, either. A dash of cinnamon brings an eye-opening brightness to scrambled eggs that isn't overwhelmingly sweet. Pair it with French toast for the ultimate brunch, and if you've got some cardamom in your spice rack, we recommend giving that a whirl too.
Truffle salt
If you don't cook this pricey fungus fast, it can affect the flavor. Luckily, truffle salt is a cheaper and easier way to infuse foods — including scrambled eggs — with that amazing mushroomy goodness. The mild creaminess of the eggs is a heavenly match with the umami of truffle. While truffle salt might seem like a bit of a bougie pantry staple, invest in a quality jar like this and you'll be rewarded with a genuine flavor punch.
Za'atar
Lots of home cooks reach for their pre-mixed seasoning blends when looking to add flavor to their scrambled eggs. If you really want to push the boat out taste-wise, we recommend a sprinkling of za'atar. This magnificent Middle Eastern ingredient is actually a combination of several herbs (usually thyme, oregano, and marjoram) with spices including sumac and sesame seeds. We call it the "Etch-a-Sketch" of spices, because it's different every time you shake some out.
Flavored bitters
High-alcohol bitters can make or break a cocktail, but they can take your scrambled eggs to a whole new level too. They're made by mixing a neutral alcohol with all kinds of botanicals, from roots and peels to bark and flowers, and just a dash to an evening supper of scrambled eggs will make your whole skillet sing. One Redditor said theirs were "fabulous" with a splash of orange bitters, and with a wide range of flavors available, the taste possibilities for your eggs are endless.
Peanut butter
Peanuts are among the foods that have more protein than an egg but that doesn't mean they don't belong together. Peanut butter swirled into a pan of silky scrambled eggs doesn't just ramp up the protein levels, it gives the whole thing a sweet creaminess that's utterly divine. You can opt for lower-sugar peanut butter if you prefer, but we're in actor Scott Foley's corner with a spoonful from a jar of the store-bought kind. Don't sleep on alternative nut butters either, they'll have a similarly flavorful impact on your eggs.