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Bored Panda
Bored Panda
Entertainment
Asli Akalin

Home Cooks Reveal 29 “Secret” Ingredients They Use To Make Food Taste Better

Article created by: Monika Pašukonytė

Remember the wonderful cartoon "Kung Fu Panda" and the protagonist's adoptive father, who cooked delicious noodles with a secret ingredient? Yes, of course, later it turned out that there was actually no ingredient (we hope this was not a spoiler!), But it often happens that every person who is fond of cooking has their own secrets.

Just let's recall the famous secret mixture of 11 herbs that glorified Colonel Sanders and his chicken dishes all over the world - almost eighty years have passed, but KFC still keeps its composition top-secret. In general, there is always some little thing that can turn an ordinary meal into a real masterpiece.

There was a thread in the Reddit Cooking community a few days ago, whose topic starter asked just one simple question: "What is your secret ingredient?" The Original Poster also admitted that they use a tbsp of cocoa powder when they make lentil or black bean chili (wonderful idea, we support it!) Other redditors liked it too, and now the original post has almost 1.2K upvotes and over 1.2K different comments.

Bored Panda has collected for you a selection of the most popular, interesting and original ideas, whose authors are confident in their kitchen magic. So feel free to scroll to the very end, and don't forget to share your own cooking secret (especially if you're a KFC top manager!)

More info: Reddit

#1 Butter


Image credits: drostan

#2 Vanilla


Image credits: Sparklypuppy05

#3 Coffee Instead Of Water For Brownies


Image credits: DarkNFullOfSpoilers

#4 Smoked Paprika


Image credits: RedneckLiberace

#5 Shallots


Image credits: ebianco123

#6 Lemon Zest


Image credits: lolgal18

#7 Squeeze Of Lime


Image credits: Impressive_Net_2836

#8 Powdered Mushroom


Image credits: hmmmpf

#9 Better Than Bouillon


Image credits: webbitor

#10 Worcestershire Sauce, Siracha, Pickle Juice, And Mustard


Image credits: Moppy6686

#11 Miso Paste


Image credits: GallantKillerk

#12 Nutmeg In Mac And Cheese




Image credits: greensandgrains

#13 Cayenne


Image credits: EugeneHarlot

#14 Peanut Butter


Image credits: phytomanic

#15 Cornstarch




Image credits: ElyJellyBean

#16 Fish Sauce


Image credits: tubarizzle

#17 Gochujang Paste


Image credits: CothersMunt

#18 Tarragon


Image credits: BuyTheBeanDip

#19 Salt + Sweet Dessert


Image credits: Eaglefrost4

#20 Pomegranate Molasses


Image credits: phthophth

#21 Allspice








Image credits: iguessimtheITguynow

#22 Shaoxing Wine


Image credits: Infinite_Eye_2575

#23 Sumac Powder


Image credits: MarshallApplewhiteDo

#24 Masa Harina


Image credits: bluecoastblue

#25 Horseradish Spread


Image credits: IsFluffBear

#26 Monosodium Glutamate


Image credits: Hairy-Motor-7447

#27 Fish Oil


Image credits: Sea_Entrepreneur3719

#28 Vinegar-Based Hot Sauce


Image credits: DHELMET47

#29 Liquid Smoke




Image credits: Taminella_Grinderfal

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