Ina Garten has built her reputation on recipes that feel effortless but still a little special, so it’s no surprise her favorite flavor boost is refreshingly practical. She recently shared her go-to tip during an appearance on the show Good Hang with Amy Poehler. The conversation was relaxed, complete with champagne and strawberries, when Poehler asked the question every home cook wants answered. What single ingredient can make almost any dish taste better.
Garten didn’t point to anything fancy or hard to find. Instead, she talked about adding a touch of sharpness, that bright note that makes flavors pop and keeps food from tasting heavy or flat. She mentioned a few options she loves for that effect, including balsamic vinegar, Parmesan, Dijon mustard, and even a splash of red wine. But one choice stood out as her easiest, most flexible favorite.
Her pick was lemon zest, the fragrant outer peel that delivers a clean citrus aroma without changing the whole personality of a dish. It’s a small addition that can make food taste more alive, even when the recipe is simple. The best part is that most people already have a lemon sitting in the kitchen, waiting to be used. Garten’s point is that the tiniest finishing touches often make the biggest difference.
Lemon zest is especially useful because it behaves differently from lemon juice. Juice brings acidity and moisture, which can be perfect in dressings and marinades but less welcome when you want to keep a sauce creamy or a crust crisp. Zest offers brightness without extra liquid, and it can be added right at the end like a seasoning. That makes it an easy way to sharpen flavors without making anything taste overly sour.
In savory cooking, zest can be the final step that ties everything together. Sprinkle it over roasted vegetables as soon as they come out of the oven, and the warmth will release its aroma. Stir a little into risotto, mashed potatoes, or pasta just before serving, and the dish suddenly feels lighter and more balanced. It also works beautifully with warm grains, especially when you add butter, because the citrus cuts through richness in a subtle way.
It’s also a smart trick for proteins that benefit from a cleaner finish. A dusting of zest on chicken, fish, shrimp, or pork can highlight the main flavor instead of covering it up. In desserts, it adds a bright perfume and depth to cakes, cookies, and glazes, making sweet flavors feel less one-note. If you’ve ever wondered why bakery-style treats taste so fresh, zest is often part of the answer.
Do you have a simple ingredient or finishing touch that instantly improves your cooking? Share your favorite flavor secret in the comments.
