The $12 Pantry Staple That Makes Everything I Cook Taste 10x Better (I Can’t Stop Using It)

When I discover something that makes my life in the kitchen easier — and boosts the deliciousness of my meal — I latch onto it. Since I’m typically short on time and/or energy in the evenings, such items become staples that I’ll buy over and over again. Momofuku is my go-to brand for these kinds of finds, with its restaurant-quality ramen noodles that take mere minutes to put on the table. For how little effort is needed, their dishes taste remarkably good. (Tons of The Kitchn teammates agree with me.)

The brand also offers an array of sauces and toppings that deserve just as much praise as its noodles. Take the Korean barbecue sauce, for instance, which I’ve been pairing with all of my favorite dishes lately, or the chili crunch, which never fails to add some bold heat and texture. I introduced yet another Momofuku ingredient to my pantry recently, and it might be my favorite yet because its applications are seemingly endless. I’m talking about the brand’s Savory Seasoned Salt, which has made me all but retire regular salt in my kitchen. It’s my secret to making all of my dishes — even the most basic ones — taste 10 times better.

First off, allow me to give you an introduction to the brand if you haven’t yet encountered its ramen noodles. Momofuku has been around for over two decades (and just celebrated its 20th anniversary, in fact). Since its first restaurant debuted in New York City in 2004, chef David Chang has opened a number of other acclaimed locations across the U.S. and began selling its delicious staples online — including the Savory Seasoned Salt.

The 4-ounce blend is the result of a whopping 10 years of flavor research in Momofuku’s Goods Lab. It mixes kosher salt with garlic, tamari, kelp, and mushroom powder, which the brand calls “supercharged salt and pepper.” It ends up being a substitute for both, so it pairs well with pretty much anything from grilled meats and veggies, to noodles and more.

When I say that I have barely touched my regular salt (aside from when I’m baking) and pepper since I acquired this blend, I’m not kidding. Just last week, I even moved my shakers from their typical place on my countertop to my cabinet. Once you try the Savory Seasoned Salt for yourself, you’ll understand why. Immediately upon opening the jar and catching a whiff, I knew it would take my dinners to the next level. Despite its stronger earthy smell, it’s subtle once sprinkled on meals.

Still, the salt is wonderfully flavorful. A little goes a long way — the grains aren’t as finely ground as regular salt and pepper — so I don’t think I’ll need to replenish my stock any time soon. I still have a ton left, and that’s even after I’ve been using it on pretty much everything over the past several weeks. I’ve found that it really shines when applied to more basic dishes like pasta with tomato sauce and beef tacos. I’ve been adding it to side dishes, too: It made the flavor of my broccoli and mac and cheese so much more interesting and layered.

Considering that it saves me the time of coming up with my own seasoning blend and elevates even the simplest meals, I’m definitely going to purchase this $12 gem on repeat. It’s become a key player in my kitchen — I use it as much as I use ingredients like butter, olive oil, and, well, normal salt. However, it’s quickly making me realize that the latter isn’t quite as essential as I thought!

Buy: Savory Seasoned Salt, $12