The Spices & Condiments That are Worth Packing

ByLorrie Bradshaw

Suprisingly, one of the most overlooked expenses when traveling is the purchase of spices and condiments. All your well laid plans of saving money by making soups and sandwiches, and grilling hamburgers and bratwursts, matter less if you still have to buy the needed spices and condiments once you get there.

This guide will help you put together a small collection of the most used spices and how to travel with those favorite condiments so your not repurchasing items on your trip that you already have at home.

Why This Earns a Spot in the Car

Suppose you’ve rented a cozy cabin for two in the peak of winter. You’re making chili, and you realize the cabin has only gifted you one or two of the spices you need. Or, your at a community park, grilling hotdogs for the kids, and realize you don’t have ketchup or mustard. You, or someone, is going to have to make a dash to the store, and that stinks.

These items will take up very little space in the car. And by brining them along, you will avoid last minute runs to the store as well as the unecessary cost.

What This Saves You

For example:

If you are purchasing full bottles:

  • Ketchup $3-$4
  • Mustard $2-$3
  • Mayonaise $5-$6
  • BBQ sauce $3-$6

And if you need all of these, you are going to spend and extra $15 that could be spent on a vacation related item.

Spices on their own can run around $1.00 each. That’s not terrible, right? But why not take what you need so you don’t have to worry about it? See: Seasoning Blends Worth Prepping

Travel Food Game Plan

Rather than bringing your entire spice cabinet, pack seasonings based on the meals you already plan to make.

Flavors that work are a must:

  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Garlic powder
  • Italian seasoning

Seasonings that can change a meal completely:

  • Taco seasoning
  • Curry powder
  • Paprika
  • Chili flakes

Will Travel Tip

A small pill organizer makes an inexpensive travel spice kit. Fill each compartment with your most-used seasonings, toss it in your bag, and refill it when you get home so it’s all set for next time.

Seasoning Blends Worth Taking

One homemade spice blend can flavor several meals throughout your trip. Mix them before you leave, pack them in a small labeled container, and you’ll have the ingredients for multiple budget-friendly meals without carrying a shelf full of spices.

Taco seasoning

Recipe: Taco Meat

Vegetarian option: Black Bean Tacos

Stretch into multiple meals:

Rotisserie seasoning

Recipe: Rotisserie Chicken

Homemade rotisserie seasoning

Vegetarian option: Vegan Shredded Rotisserie Chicken

Stretch into multiple meals:

Chili seasoning

Stretch into multiple meals:

Recipe: Chili

Vegeatarian option: Vegetarian Chili

Greek seasoning

Stretch into multiple meals: Greek Chicken

Recipe: Greek Chicken 

Vegetarian option: Greek Cauliflower

  • Dinner: Greek Chicken with rice or quinoa
  • Lunch: Greek Orzo Salad (with or without chicken)
  • Another dinner: Greek Chicken Flatbreads

Condiments Worth Packing

Sandwich favorites

  • Mustard
  • Mayo

Breakfast favorites

  • Hot sauce
  • Honey

Dinner favorites

  • BBQ sauce
  • Soy sauce
  • Ketchup
  • Hot Sauce
  • Barbeque Sauce

 

Will Travel Tip

Bring only the condiments you’ll actually use. Refill small leak-proof containers or pack extra condiment packets from home to avoid buying full-size bottles that you’ll only use once during your trip.

Why Smart Travelers Do This

Smart travelers know that one of the secrets to saving money on food is to pack everything they need for the meals they have planned.

A small collection of spices and condiments doesn’t take up a lot of room, avoids last minute runs to the store, and won’t cost you anything extra.

Before You Hit the Road

Before you leave:

  • Look at the meals you’ve already planned
  • Choose the seasonings that work with those meals
  • Refill small containers instead of buying travel-sized bottles
  • Pack only the condiments you’ll actually use

When you travel with everything you need for what you’ve planned, you are going to spend less money, and have no last minute panic runs to the store.