20 Ingredients Chefs Always Splurge On (And Why)
Discover the 20 ingredients chefs are willing to spend extra on and how each one elevates flavor and quality in their dishes.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Chefs know that the secret to delicious food are the ingredients. This article will provide 20 high-quality ingredients that chefs choose to splurge on the reasons why they do. Learn why these expensive ingredients make all the difference in a dish.
1. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
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Chefs prefer extra virgin olive oil because it offers a richer taste and is more versatile for dressings and marinades.
2. Vanilla Beans
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Vanilla beans have a more robust flavor than extracts and artificial flavoring.
3. Truffle Oil and Truffles
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Truffles add more depth to pasta, risotto, and even eggs. Chefs love this ingredient because it gives rich, earthy notes to a dish.
4. Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese
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With its umami flavor, this aged Italian cheese will elevate any pasta, salads, and sauces.
5. Real Maple Syrup
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Genuine maple adds a natural, sweet flavor that rounds out all the flavors. Artificial maple syrups can’t match the taste.
6. Aged Balsamic Vinegar
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Aged balsamic vinegar enhances salads, glazes, and even desserts. This is thanks to its extra sweet and tangy flavor notes.
7. Quality Sea Salt
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Compared to ordinary table salt, sea salt has a cleaner taste and elevates the flavors of a dish better.
8. Grass-Fed Butter
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Grass-fed butter is your butter on steroids. This adds a more prosperous and creamier taste to your dish that can only be described as luxurious.
9. Organic, Free-Range Eggs
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Chefs opt for organic eggs from free-range chickens because they have brighter yolks and richer flavor, which makes them better for cooking and baking.
10. High-Grade Chocolate
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High-grade chocolate is known for its intense, nuanced flavors in baking, sauces, and desserts. That’s why chefs prefer to splurge on them.
11. Fresh Herbs
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Though not as expensive as the other ingredients on this list, purchasing fresh herbs from the farmer’s market isn’t cheap. Fresh herbs offer more vibrant aromas than dried ones.
12. Saffron
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Though expensive, saffron adds a distinct flavor profile and golden color, elevating rice dishes and sauces.
13. Artisan Bread
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When made with proper care and ingredients, bread can elevate any meal. Chefs know this, which is why they prefer to buy artisan bread.
14. Wild-Caught Seafood
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Farm-raised seafood is good, but wild-caught seafood is packed with more freshness and flavor, which is why it’s a lot more expensive.
15. Single-Origin Coffee
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Chefs appreciate single-origin coffee for its unique flavor profile. It’s perfect for both drinking and flavoring desserts.
16. Organic, Grass-Fed Meat
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Grass-fed, organic meats have a richer taste and better texture. In addition to that, they’re often more ethically sourced.
17. Nuts and Seeds
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Because of their freshness, texture, and the depth they give to recipes, chefs invest in premium nuts and seeds.
18. Exotic Mushrooms
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Morels and chanterelles are two types of mushrooms that add earthy, nuanced tastes to pastas, sauces, and other dishes.
19. Raw Honey
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Raw honey improves marinades, sweets, and beverages with unadulterated sweetness and floral depth.
20. Freshly Milled Flour
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When it comes to baked foods, freshly milled flour has a superior texture and a fuller flavor.