The Surprising Secret Ingredient That Makes Weeknight Meals a Snap (It’s So Easy!)

Recently, I discovered something life-changing: Cooking with broth instead of water is a surefire way to enhance the flavor of any meal. I’m sure you already knew this, but when the box of quinoa says to add 2 cups of water, who am I to disregard directions? Well, now that I do what I want, I no longer have to add an obscene amount of salt to whatever mishmash of ingredients I’ve whipped up for the day. There are some downsides to conventional broths, however. Making your own can take up a lot of time, and using bouillon cubes can get needlessly messy. I usually go for the pre-packaged liquid kind you can buy at any supermarket, but that’s really limiting in terms of flavor — basic veggie or chicken stock doesn’t really mesh that well with, say, a curry rice dish.

If there’s one place that’s going to have a solution to this somewhat niche issue, it’s going to be Uncommon Goods. Their broth bomb set is just the thing you need for creating tasty dishes from all kinds of cuisine backgrounds.

To be clear, a broth bomb is not some unhinged bath accessory you plop in the tub to make yourself smell like a rotisserie chicken. You actually plop it in your stock pot, and it helps make meal prep quick and easy. When you buy this set, you get four bombs for $24, each with its own unique flavor. The Scarborough Fair bomb contains spices and herbs such as sage, rosemary, thyme, black pepper, and parsley. The Speckled Rain bomb has more of a kick thanks to ingredients like ancho chili, hatch pepper, paprika, and allspice. Next, the Stone Broke Dharma carries notes of turmeric, chili powder, ginger, and other seasonings. Finally, the Gesundheit bomb acts as an anti-inflammatory blend with ingredients such as ginger, turmeric, and rosemary. With all these diverse blends at your disposal, there’s no limit to what you can concoct in the kitchen.

Uncommon Goods shoppers say the broth bomb set makes for a wonderful gift thanks to its novel name and packaging, but this product is no gimmick. “I enjoy cooking with the slow cooker, and I am always searching for the right mixture of seasoning,” one reviewer wrote. “Broth bombs take the guesswork out of the process and provide an excellent base for stew and pot roasts. They are super easy to use and give your food a wonderful starting point to flavor to taste from there.” So grab a set, and say goodbye to bland recipes for good — all you have to do is drop in a broth bomb.

Buy: Broth Bomb Set, $24