Use code TRIPLE10 to save $10 on your first three grocery orders.

8 Secret Ingredients No One's Told You About

8 Secret Ingredients No One's Told You About
8 Secret Ingredients No One's Told You About
SideChef
Welcome to SideChef's original recipes. Created from scratch in the SideChef Kitchen, where recipe inspiration and ingredient experimentation is a way of life.
GO TO BLOG
Love This Recipe?
SideChef
Welcome to SideChef's original recipes. Created from scratch in the SideChef Kitchen, where recipe inspiration and ingredient experimentation is a way of life.
GO TO BLOG

There’s always a little something that brings a dish from great to mind-blowing. Well, here are some "secret" combos that will totally upgrade any dish.

Cheez-Its on Your Chicken

This salty cheesy snack is used in most kids lunch boxes and snack packs, but I bet you didn't know it’s a perfect breading for chicken. Just put your Cheez-Its in a ziploc bag, making sure all the air is out, and crush the Cheese-Its. Roll your chicken in the Cheez-its and pop it in the oven. Its really that easy!

Vodka in Your Pie Crust

Using vodka in your pie is a great way to create the perfect flaky crust. Vodka actually combines the dough without creating a gluten formation which toughens the dough.

Coffee on Your Steak

A mix of coffee grounds into a nice spice rub give your steak a perfect combination of rich flavor and delicious aroma. Combine the coffee grounds with some paprika, chili powder, salt and pepper to make a savory rub for your steak.

Blitzing Cauliflower Florets Instead of Rice

If you’re looking for a way to save some calories, try cauliflower rice. Sound boring? Think again! Cauliflower rice is usually nuttier and fluffier.

Chocolate Chips in Your Chili

If you're making a bowl of chili or a vegetarian version, you should incorporate some semi sweet chocolate chips. The chocolate chips give the chili a rich taste that makesit pop. Pour a tablespoon or two of chocolate chips at the end of the cooking process to upgrade chili.

Yogurt in Your Guacamole Mix

Make your dip stand out by using some yogurt in the mix. Just let your plain yogurt sit overnight in the fridge, then fold it into your favorite guacamole mix with sour cream to make a creamy tasty dip your friends will devour in seconds!

V8 in Your Ribs

V8 juice is actually an underrated source of flavor. Get yourself some spicy V8 juice and add it to some barbecue sauce and Worcestershire sauce and you’ve got a perfect glaze to cook your ribs in.

Apple Sauce in Your Meatballs?

Apple sauce is another common lunchbox snack that helps make delicious meatballs! Using apple sauce will give your cooked meatballs some extra moisture and juicy flavor.

Get weekly recipes, grocery shopping, meal planning, and home-cooking inspiration sent straight in your inbox
Will be used in accordance with our PRIVACY POLICY.
LEARN COOK EAT
How to Make Crispy Baked Chicken Wings: the Ultimate Guide
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Tacos Are Trending on Tinder and Other 22 Taco Facts You Didn’t Know
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
We Matched 16 Great Cocktails to Every Personality Type
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
10 Realistic Ideas to Help You Become a Better Cook
WHAT TO READ THIS WEEK
Is Walmart Open on Thanksgiving 2022?
WHAT TO READ THIS WEEK
What to Do With Leftover Easter Eggs
WHAT TO READ THIS WEEK
Easy Guide to Creating Custom Recipes With Grocery Shopping Lists
WHAT TO READ THIS WEEK
Irish Food: The Hug You Didn’t Know You Needed
LEARN COOK EAT
What Is Umami Flavor: 10 Umami Rich Ingredients to Cook With
WHAT'S IN SEASON
Sliders Are Better Than Burgers: 8 Sliders Recipes to Prove It
TRIED & TESTED
We Tried 50 Times and Here's How to Make Perfect Scrambled Eggs
HOT TAKES
Lunch Break: Healthy Banana Bread to Start Your New Year Guilt-Free
LEARN COOK EAT
How to Make Crispy Baked Chicken Wings: the Ultimate Guide
Whether it’s for a game night party or just your late-night cravings. Forget deep frying and make crispy baked chicken wings in the oven!
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Tacos Are Trending on Tinder and Other 22 Taco Facts You Didn’t Know
We all know that tacos are delicious. We all know you can have tacos for breakfast, tacos for lunch, tacos for dinner, for munchies, for a game night, for after-hours… you should know that you can have a taco bar for your wedding (number one on my #WeddingGoals pinboard). But I bet you didn’t know most of these taco facts.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
We Matched 16 Great Cocktails to Every Personality Type
In the name of mixology and psychology, we have found a great cocktail that perfectly matches your MBTI personality type. Should you be making a White Russian or an Espresso Martini? Only one way to find out - take a look at this fun list to find which cocktail recipe mixes well with your personality.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
10 Realistic Ideas to Help You Become a Better Cook
Congratulations! You have found the one article you need to help you become a better cook, level up your kitchen game, upgrade from an average home cooking enthusiast to a master chef. No hacks, no tricks, no magic. Just facts.
WHAT TO READ THIS WEEK
Is Walmart Open on Thanksgiving 2022?
When you are planning Thanksgiving dinner, grocery shopping is one of the essential tasks. What to do if there is this one last-minute item you forgot to get? Is Walmart open on Thanksgiving Day for a quick grocery run?
WHAT TO READ THIS WEEK
What to Do With Leftover Easter Eggs
After Easter festivities are said and done, you're probably hunting for ways to use up all those leftover eggs. Lucky for you, eggs are one of the most versatile ingredients; here are just a few ways to get creative with 'em!
WHAT TO READ THIS WEEK
Easy Guide to Creating Custom Recipes With Grocery Shopping Lists
SideChef lets you create custom recipes and turn them into grocery shopping lists. Save all your favorite recipes in one place and shop the ingredients in one click!
WHAT TO READ THIS WEEK
Irish Food: The Hug You Didn’t Know You Needed
Setting the record straight: Ireland has a lot more to offer than majestic rolling hills and cozy pubs.
LEARN COOK EAT
What Is Umami Flavor: 10 Umami Rich Ingredients to Cook With
Umami is the fifth flavor that makes you want more. It is very easy to cook with umami-rich ingredients and elevate even the most simple dish. Find out what is umami flavor and what ingredients are naturally umami-rich in this article.
WHAT'S IN SEASON
Sliders Are Better Than Burgers: 8 Sliders Recipes to Prove It
Sliders are not just mini burgers. Forget the classic burger and check out these addictive sliders recipes instead - from everyone’s favorite buffalo chicken sliders to sinfully delicious Kentucky hot brown sandwiches.
TRIED & TESTED
We Tried 50 Times and Here's How to Make Perfect Scrambled Eggs
Everyone wants soft and creamy scrambled eggs and has their secret cooking hack to achieve it. We tried it all, scrambled 50 eggs in 50 slightly different ways, and here’s what we have learned.
HOT TAKES
Lunch Break: Healthy Banana Bread to Start Your New Year Guilt-Free
We all love warm, satisfying banana bread, especially during colder days. What if you can make your banana bread a lot healthier without sacrificing any flavor? We believe this version tastes even better than your regular ones!