These Secret Ingredients Will Take Your Cooking to Another Level
Updated: Aug. 14, 2018For generations, home cooks have discovered ingenious and unexpected uses for everyday ingredients. Taste of Home Field Editors share their favorite secret ingredients, and the surprising ways they use them.
Raisins in lasagna? Sauerkraut in cake? Whether born from economy, experimentation in the kitchen, or a desire to use up leftovers, home cooks have long had their own unexpected and secret ingredients in delicious dishes both savory and sweet. I asked fellow Taste of Home Field Editors to share their favorite top-secret ingredient.
1. Black Beans
They are delicious on nachos and in soups, but have you ever tried them in a brownie? Really! Black beans add moisture and protein to brownies and surprisingly, no bean taste. Additionally, when black beans are used in place of flour, the result is a decadent, gluten-free treat. Ann Sheehy of Lawrence, Massachusetts, loves this recipe for rich and chocolaty Black Bean Brownies.
2. Mayonnaise
So much more than just a sandwich spread, mayonnaise is a secret ingredient home cooks love to use for beautifully moist baked goods. Allison Ochoa of Hays, Kansas, has a family recipe for a rich Chocolate Cake made with mayonnaise, and Deborah Pennington of Decatur, Alabama, uses it as her secret ingredient for succulent cornbread. Try mayonnaise in these sweet Honey Cinnamon Bars, too!
3. Raisins
We love raisins in our sweet breads, cakes and cookies, but would you ever expect to find them in lasagna? It sounds strange, but raisins in this recipe actually complement the sweetness of the Italian sausage that’s layered into the casserole. Raisins also bring the sweet to the sweet-and-savory party in dishes like chili and beef stew.
4. Baby Food
It’s not just for the little ones anymore! These unassuming jars hold perfectly pureed, not-too-sweet blends of fruits and veggies that are perfect, time-saving ingredients for flavorful baked goods. Baby food prunes create a delicious Chocolate Cake. A blend of apple, apricot and carrot baby foods are used in these Carrot Cake Bars, and jarred plums in this lightly spiced cake.
5. Sauerkraut
It’s difficult to imagine this strong, cabbagey condiment in anything other than a savory dish. Somewhere along the way though, clever cooks discovered that when it is rinsed to wash away the sour flavor, sauerkraut provides a lovely texture and moistness to baked goods. Dawn Lowenstein of Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania, and Ruth Hartunian-Alumbaugh of Willimantic, Connecticut, recommend trying it in this chocolate cake, and Ann Sheehy of Lawrence, Massachusetts, likes sauerkraut baked into rye bread.
6. Soda
Sodas are sugary and strongly flavored, and so are perfect for adding sweetness and zing to many savory dishes! Cindy Reams of Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, puts a whole can of Pepsi into her beef chili, and cola is also the central ingredient in this glazed chicken recipe. Root beer is a tasty braising liquid for barbecue pulled pork, and ginger ale makes a sweet-spicy glaze for baked ham.
7. Chocolate
Great news, chocolate lovers: You can get your fix at dessert and at dinner. Chocolate is a common ingredient in traditional Mexican cuisine, and just a small amount adds a huge depth of flavor and richness to savory dishes. Jennifer Patterson of Shoshone, Idaho, recommends adding chocolate to chilis. Try it in this slow cooker pot roast recipe, and also in Chicken Mole Casserole.
8. Coffee
Like chocolate, coffee is the surprising ingredient in many savory recipes that gives oomph and richness to the base flavors in these dishes. Plain pork chops get a boost thanks to coffee in the marinade, and Mary Anne Thygesen of Portland, Oregon, loves how coffee enhances the flavor of these Slow Cooker Potluck Beans.
9. Velveeta
And the most surprising top-secret ingredient revelation came from Jennifer Stowell of Montezuma, Iowa, who shared the tip of using Velveeta processed cheese… in fudge! This Surprise Fudge recipe uses cubed Velveeta in combination with vanilla extract, butter, sugar and nuts. Taste of Home reviewers who tried this recipe say the fudge is really creamy and delicious, and does not taste one bit like cheese.
Think your family can guess the secret of these dishes? Give the recipes a try, and find your new favorite, top-secret ingredient!
Ice Cream Bread
Ice cream gets a whole new use in this tender bread recipe that I pared down to serve two. Be sure to use full-fat ice cream for best results. —Katherine Kuehlman, Denver, Colorado
Cola Burgers
A friend who's an excellent cook shared this hamburger recipe with me, and it has since become a family favorite. The unusual combination of cola and French salad dressing added to the ground beef gives it fabulous flavor. The mixture is also used as a basting sauce on the moist burgers. -Melva Baumer, Millmont, Pennsylvania
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
I created this dish after my father had triple bypass surgery. He loves comfort food, and I wanted him to be able to enjoy a rich and tasty dish like mac & cheese without all the fat and butter. It's also a smart way to sneak in some veggies for children. —Megan Schwartz, New York, New York
Black Bean Brownies
You’d never guess these rich, velvety chocolate treats contain a can of black beans. Who would have thought black bean brownies would be so amazing? —Kathy Hewitt, Cranston, Rhode Island
Coconut Almond Candy
The secret ingredient in this homemade candy is a true surprise—no one tasting these delicious morsels will guess what’s in the sweet, creamy filling! —Katrina Smith, Lawrence, Kansas
Scalloped Potatoes 'n' Ham Casserole
I'm a home health nurse and got this recipe from one of my elderly clients, who had used it for years. Now, it's one of my family's favorites. It will never curdle, thanks to the secret ingredient of powdered nondairy creamer. —Kathy M Johnson, Lake City, South Dakota
Sweet Potato Cranberry Cake
This convenient recipe uses items you have in your pantry, like sweet potatoes, cranberries, coconut and chocolate chips. Everyone will enjoy this delicious dessert! —Amie Valpone, New York, New York
Marinated Pot Roast
I've long used whole or ground cloves as my secret ingredient in cooking and baking. Added to an overnight marinade, they provide the gravy in this meaty main dish with great flavor. —Marijane Rea of Milwaukie, Oregon
Apple Dumpling Bake
I received this recipe for baked apple dumplings with Mountain Dew from a friend of mine, then tweaked it to suit my family's tastes. The soda is definitely the secret ingredient in this rich apple dessert. —Chris Shields, Monrovia, Indiana
Homemade Breakfast Sausage Patties
Buttermilk is the "secret" ingredient that keeps these pork patties moist, while a blend of seasonings creates a wonderful taste.—Harvey Keeney, Mandan, North Dakota
Jamaican Chocolate Cookies with Caramel Creme
I made these for an office party cookie contest—and not a crumb was left on the platter! Sweet potatoes are the secret ingredient. Canned sweet potatoes will work, too, if you're short on time. —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Pina Colada Jam
If you like pina coladas, you’ll love this! But here’s the kicker: The secret ingredient is fresh zucchini. Spread the jam on crackers and cheese or add to a pan sauce to give chicken or pork chops a tropical twist. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Best Ever Bread Pudding
The secret to incredible bread pudding with a soft middle and crisp edges starts with leftover dinner rolls. I picked up the rich brown sugar sauce recipe from my friend Kathryn Gartmann. A big drizzle of it takes this dessert over the top and really makes it the best bread pudding ever. —Maria Petrella, Taste of Home Prep Cook
Crunchy au Gratin Potatoes
With its golden, crunchy topping and gooey, cheesy interior, this comforting spin on a classic side dish is brimming with robust flavors. Horseradish and nutmeg add that extra-special touch.—Janice Elder, Charlotte, North Carolina
My Mom's Best Meat Loaf
The Rice Krispies used in this recipe are my mom’s secret ingredient. While they may seem odd or out of place, they help hold the meat loaf together. And once they are cooked, no one realizes they're even there. —Kelly Simmons, Hopkinsville, KentuckyPopular Videos
