21 Simple Ways to Spice Up Eggs

There are many benefits of eating eggs. Eggs may seem simple but they contain at least a trace amount of almost every vitamin and mineral necessary for the human body to function! Do you need a little pizazz in your daily egg-eating routine beyond a sprinkle of salt and pepper? It can take as little as 10 seconds (the time needed to pull a dried herb or spice off the spice rack and take off the cap) to dress up cooked eggs.

Herbs are the leafy portion of a plant and spices are basically every other part of the plant, including seeds and roots. Don’t discriminate, they both belong on eggs.

Here are 21 suggested herbs, spices, and blends to make your eggs more interesting. Some will give a nice spicy kick, others will add a touch of flavor.

Adobo: This dry-spice blend is often made from garlic and onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. It’s perfect for an over easy or sunny-side up egg. A little extra time? Cook an egg in a bell pepper ring for an eye-pleasing and tasty combination.

Basil: Basil is the perfect herb to dress up scrambled eggs. Simply whisk into your egg mixture, cook, and eat. Add tomatoes and cheese for a super special treat.

Cayenne pepper: Cayenne peppers are skinny red peppers that are moderately hot. A little bit of ground cayenne pepper spice goes a long way. It is a great addition to over easy eggs as the spice melds perfectly with the runny yolk.

Chili powder: Chili powder is a mix of ground up mild peppers (and sometimes contains cumin or garlic powders). Chili powder is a uniquely versatile spice.

Chives: Chives are members of the same family as garlic and onion. While dried chives are a nice addition to eggs, fresh chives are amazing and their light-purple blossoms make a beautiful, edible garnish.

Cilantro: People either love cilantro or can’t stand it. An Organic Valley kitchen favorite, fresh cilantro can be a welcome addition to any egg dish (for those not in the “can’t stand it” category).

Cumin: Cuminum cyminum is native to the Mediterranean and southern Asia, and the seeds from the herb are used as a spice. Sprinkle ground cumin on your cooked eggs and add a few sprigs of cilantro for brightness as well as complementary flavor.

Curry powder: Curry powder is a mix of traditional Indian spices, including but not limited to turmeric, cumin, ginger, and pepper. Curry powder is a bold yellow but can take on different hues depending on the mix.

Dill: Dill is not just for pickles! Dill is universal and often used in quiche and on deviled eggs. Don’t be shy, try it on plain eggs any day for a hint of flavor and a dash of color.

Everything seasoning: There are many brands of “everything” seasoning, but it is easy to make your own. This way you have just the right combination to sprinkle on your eggs, or whatever you desire. Poppy seeds, sesame seeds, dried onion, garlic, and salt are often blended to create “everything.”

Garlic: Ah, garlic—there is no mistaking the taste and smell of garlic. Shake garlic powder on your eggs, or sauté minced fresh garlic in ghee and add to eggs (careful, garlic browns quickly).

Jerk: Traditional jerk seasoning is hot, thanks to being made with scotch bonnet peppers. Scotch bonnet peppers are hot—really hot—and can be up to 40 times hotter than a jalapeño pepper. Jerk seasoning incorporates allspice and thyme, and often contains about a dozen additional herbs and spices. These could include garlic and onion powders, turmeric, cumin, and a variety of peppers. Use jerk instead of paprika to spice up Deviled Eggs.

Kimchi: OK, it’s not an herb or spice but it’s worth mentioning. Simply cook your eggs to your liking and add a scoop or two of the Korean side, kimchi. Organic Valley likes Kickapoo Kimchi because it’s delicious and it sources ingredients from small, local, organic farms. The co-op is also partial to the company because it is located in the Driftless area of Wisconsin where the co-op got its start and has its headquarters.

Oregano: Oregano is a member of the mint family. It is widely used in Italian dishes but makes a great addition to eggs.

Paprika: What is paprika? It is a spice derived from sweet and hot peppers. Known for its versatility, paprika is a staple on deviled eggs but can complement a variety of eggs. Try paprika smoked or plain.

Parsley: What can we say, parsley is pretty. The herb is a simple addition to eggs. Use fresh parsley to garnish most any dish—egg or other!

Red pepper flakes: The type of peppers used in red pepper flakes varies by brand. The mix is typically dried red pepper flesh and seeds. It is an appealing addition to eggs that also gives a little kick.

Saffron: The dried thread-like parts of the saffron flower are used to make saffron spice, food coloring, and medicine. Saffron is quite pricey but a nice treat. Whisk in a pinch of saffron with your favorite scrambled egg recipe.

Tarragon: If you haven’t, consider adding the perennial herb tarragon to your favorite egg variation. The subtle flavor pairs well with eggs. If you are looking to impress your guests, try adding a little fresh tarragon to hollandaise sauce. They will think you are a professional chef!

Thyme: Fresh and dried thyme pair well with eggs. A relative to oregano, it is getting quite a reputation in the health field. See the health benefits of thyme.

Za’atar: Another herb-spice mixture, za’atar varies by brand but generally is a mix of thyme, sesame seeds, sumac, oregano, sea salt, and za'atar leaves. The sumac gives it a fresh flavor, and it’s a nice spring or summertime addition. Za’atar on a sunny-side up or over easy egg is a great combination.

Now, go get creative with Organic Valley Eggs. It only takes moments to experiment with mixtures of herbs and spices to suit your liking. And the really great thing? If you are not a fan of the combination you created, try again. There are a dozen eggs in a carton and three meals in a day!