People probably think I carry a purse that’s as big as your average toddler for fashion purposes—but those who know me well know I’ve actually got a serious arsenal of mini condiment bottles, packets, and jars slung over my shoulder at any given time. Why? Because sometimes mediocre salads and bland take-out desk lunches happen—this is a fact of life—and I won’t let my circumstances keep me from a delicious meal.
Maybe you think this is approaching doomsday prep–level extreme, but, at the very least, you can acknowledge how freakin’ fun it is to have a purse full of tiny artisanal bitters and hot sauce for ants. Don’t pretend you’re above it—tiny fruits and mini cookies are the universal awww-inducers we need in this world. So get on board—teeny tins of flaked sea salt can take a spoonful of almond butter from pedestrian to bougie, and a thumb-sized jar of preserves makes plain yogurt feel a little less like the emergency snack it is. Here are the miniature condiments you should always keep on hand—for functionality and cuteness.
Jacobsen Salt Tin
Tons of places supply small salt packets to take for your meal—so why not just carry around the salt you actually prefer? A small sprinkle of Jacobsen Salt is the best way you could finish a dish in a pinch—it’s crunchy, delicate, and, obviously, salty. Carry a tin in your bag and never again plod through a meal that just needs a touch more seasoning.
Sriracha Keychain
Okay, you probably don’t want to clip these tiny Sriracha hot sauce bottles to your key ring, because that’s sort of weird, but you probably do want to keep them around for topping grain bowls, popcorn, noodles, and breakfast sandwiches.
Heinz Mini Ketchup Bottles
Umami, brightness, acidity, and a touch of sweetness: ketchup contributes a lot to whatever it touches. Whip out one of these for an order of fries, to slather on a sandwich, or any time those tiny little ketchup packets just won’t cut it.
Bonne Maman Preserves
These little jars are just one ounce each—mind-bogglingly cute, no? They’re perfect to keep at your desk for those days when a paltry piece of toast stands in for breakfast. You could also use it to sweeten up plain yogurt or cottage cheese—and I’d be lying if I said I’ve never put apricot jam on a grilled cheese sandwich. Highly recommend.
Hella Bitters
These little bottles of bitters are plane-friendly at 1.7 ounces each—order yourself a whiskey with ginger ale on your next flight, whip one of these bad boys out, and have yourself a craft cocktail. (These are also tasty in a glass of seltzer or lemonade.)
Nutella Jars
Ever been to a coffee shop and felt like the pastry you ordered needed just a little bit of extra flavor? You’ll never have that problem again if you carry a mini Nutella jar on the go. Spread it on your morning croissant, swirl into overnight oats along with the Bonne Maman jam, or just sneak a little spoonful when you hit an afternoon slump.
Tony Chachere Creole Seasoning
A packet of this salty, garlicky Creole seasoning can amp up the flavors of just about anything—think avocados, tomato toast, scrambled (or frambled) eggs, potato chips, and fries. You can get these in a pack of 50, so don’t worry about running out any time soon.
Native Honey Sticks
Some people like to cut open these little honey-filled plastic sticks and drink the honey from them as a snack, but they also work well drizzled onto yogurt with fruit or even a slice of pizza.
So you’re stocked up on mini condiment bottles, but if you want to turn your desk drawer into a full-fledged pantry, check out this list of essentials: