Authentic tasting Berbere Spice Blend can be easily made at home using spices you already have in your pantry. The flavor-bursting Berbere seasoning not only makes the best Ethiopian dishes, but you will want to sprinkle it on everything!
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What is Berbere Spice
The Berbere spice mix recipe is made using chilies and whole spices. It is an essential seasoning in Ethiopian recipes. Berbere represents a blend of cultural and geographic influences from the spices of India to the chile peppers of the New World. It adds warmth and depth to fish, chicken, and stews.
When I first started making Ethiopian dishes at home, it was hard to find a good quality Berbere spice mix. An integral part of Ethiopian cuisine this spice blend not only adds heat to the food but flavor as well. And I know from making homemade Garam Masala, how important it is to have good quality spices.
So I researched and tried a few combinations of spices to get the same flavor profile I know from eating in Ethiopian restaurants. I was happy to develop a recipe using some of the spices I already had in my pantry.
Spices
Here are the spices I use to make my version of the Berbere Spice Mix:
- cayenne pepper
- paprika
- black pepper
- coriander seeds
- fenugreek seeds
- dry ginger
- cardamom
- nutmeg
- allspice
- cloves
I love adding Berbere spice to burgers, soups, tacos, or in dips with olive oil and lemon juice. I've even sprinkled it over sweet chunks of pineapple or watermelon for a fiery kick!
Check out my Spicy lentil stew {Misir Wot} and Spicy Chicken Stew {Doro Wat} recipes using homemade berbere spice blend.
I truly believe that nothing beats the taste of homemade spice mixes. They add authentic flavors and aromas and also last longer than store-bought varieties.
More homemade spice mixes
Also, check out this article on the essential Indian Spices that include my favorite spices I like to stock up on!
Recipe
Berbere Spice Blend
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
- 5 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon whole coriander
- 1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
- Lightly roast coriander seeds and fenugreek seeds. Allow to cool and then grind.
- Mix with rest of the spices and keep in an airtight container.
- Makes about 4 tablespoon of spice mix.
Nutrition
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Tasty Eats Ronit Penso says
I usually buy ready mixed Berbere and love it. But I'm sure your mix is so much fresher and better. 🙂
Archana says
Thank you Ronit! Love to use it on many dishes, it is so flavorful and spicy!
Sam says
Awesome article!! Berber is also not only native to Ethiopian cooking but it is also an Eritrean staple FYI. I believe it’s important to impart all knowledge:)
Kim McKay says
Really delicious and super simple to make. We did cut back the berbere spice to about 1/4 cup and it worked fine. (We ran out..) Served this along with rice and a dish of green beans and shaved carrots with a little bit of curry. Superb!
Kim McKay says
Oops - this was supposed to be my review for Doro Wat. The Berbere spice blend is also fabulous. We knocked the cayenne down to about 2/3 for our household palate, and it is plenty warm. We use Penzey's cayenne and find it to be a bit warmer than grocery store cayenne.
Naomi says
I've been searching for a berbere spice recipe that included all the ingredients in a small package I purchased once and loved so much - it is apparently discontinued now. Finally I found this recipe and it does include all those spices and more. The one I had didn't have the paprika, cardamom and nutmeg, but I'd love to try it with those also. Thanks so much for sharing this.
Kristen says
Is the cardamom green or black? My recipe to make niter kibbeh calls for black cardamom pods, so that is what I have on hand. Thank you!
Archana says
I use green cardamom for this recipe.