Berbere is an Ethiopian spice blend that packs a flavorful punch! Blending chilies with spices such as coriander, allspice, cardamom, cinnamon, and nutmeg, this signature spice will bring a rich, aromatic flavor to any recipe. Whether you use it as a dry rub, marinade, or all-purpose seasoning, berbere is sure to bring a unique and tantalizing flavor to all of your dishes.
Tips, Tricks & Suggestions
- Toasting the spices: While it’s technically an optional step I highly recommend that you toast the whole spices that will be used in this blend. Not only is it a very simple and quick process (3 minutes total). But it also helps to release the oils from the spices giving them a much more pronounced flavor.
- How to grind whole spices: Now when it comes to grinding up the whole spices you have a few options. First, you have a good old mortar and pestle. This is definitely a more traditional option for grinding spices throughout the world. And it will give you the opportunity to make the spices coarsely ground. But if I’m being honest grinding up a bunch of whole spices in a mortar and pestle is a pain in the ass, and requires a lot of elbow grease. So instead I recommend that you use a coffee grinder, or better yet a dedicated spice grinder. Either one will get the job done in a minute or two. And it’s as easy as pressing a button.
- Cleaning out a coffee grinder: Trust me when I say this folks. If you grind up a bunch of fragrant spices in your coffee grinder one day. Then plan on grinding your coffee in it the next morning, you’re going to have a bad time. I mean unless you want a spiced “chaiesque” coffee then you do you. But most of us, want to get rid of the spice taste from the grinder. Luckily I have been using a simple technique for years now that works perfectly. And that’s regular white rice. Just place a tablespoon or two in your grinder after the spices. Then blitz it until the rice forms a powder, and then discard it. You might have to do this 2 maybe 3 times, but eventually, it will clean it out and get rid of any spice taste.
- Can’t get ahold of whole spices?: Don’t worry you can still make this spice mix with pre-ground spices if that’s all you can get your hands on. There won’t be any need for toasting the spices, just place them in a bowl and mix them together. So what amounts will you need? Well, for starters simply swap any whole spice that has a teaspoon measurement with the equivalent amount of ground spice. As for the rest, you will need 1 tablespoon of cayenne powder, ¼ teaspoon of ground cardamom, ¼ teaspoon of ground cloves, and ¼ teaspoon of ground allspice.
- Adjusting the heat: Berbere is meant to be a spicy (i.e. hot) blend. But since you’re making it yourself you can adjust the spiciness to your personal preference. Luckily this is pretty easy because most of the heat comes from the dried red chilies (chili de arbol). So if you want it to be pretty mild use only 4, and make sure to remove all of the seeds. But if you want it to have a good kick use 6, or even a few more. And feel free to leave the seeds in.
- What to use the berbere with?: Berbere is a staple ingredient in many Ethiopian dishes. This includes doro wot (Ethiopian stewed chicken), and misir wot (Ethiopian stewed lentils). But it can also be used in a number of unique ways to flavor food. For example, you could use it to season roasted potatoes. Sprinkle it on some filets of fish before grilling them. Or mix with a bit of yogurt, lemon juice, and olive oil for a delicious marinade.
Other Spice Blends to Try Out
Berbere (Ethiopian Spice Mix) Recipe
Total time: 6 minutes
Servings: 1 cup of spice mix
Ingredients
Whole Spices:
4 to 6 dried red chilies, like chili de arbol, with seeds removed
2 Teaspoons of cumin seeds
2 Teaspoons of coriander seeds
1 Teaspoon of black peppercorns
1 Teaspoon of fenugreek seeds
Seeds from 4 green cardamom pods
4 Whole cloves
3 Whole allspice berries
Ground Spices:
3 Tablespoons of paprika, sweet
1 Teaspoon of ground turmeric
1 Teaspoon of salt
½ Teaspoon of ground ginger
¼ Teaspoon of ground cinnamon
¼ Teaspoon of ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Toast the whole spices (optional): Add the whole spices to a pan/skillet and place this over high heat. Toast the whole spices in the pan/skillet, making sure to stir/ shake the spices so they don’t burn, for 2 to 3 minutes or until they are fragrant. Transfer the toasted spices to a bowl or plate and set them aside.
- Grind the whole spices: Once the toasted whole spices are cool to the touch add them to a coffee/spice grinder. Grind these whole spices for a couple of minutes or until they form a fine powder.
Then pour this powder into a bowl
- Combine the spices: Add the remaining spices and salt to the bowl with the freshly ground spices. Use a fork or a whisk to stir all of these ingredients together until thoroughly incorporated.
- Store the berbere in a glass jar and use it in your favorite recipes.
Berbere (Ethiopian Spice Mix) Recipe
Servings: 1 cup
Ingredients
Whole Spices:
- 4 to 6 dried red chilies like chili de arbol, with seeds removed
- 2 Teaspoons of cumin seeds
- 2 Teaspoons of coriander seeds
- 1 Teaspoon of black peppercorns
- 1 Teaspoon of fenugreek seeds
- Seeds from 4 green cardamom pods
- 4 Whole cloves
- 3 Whole allspice berries
Ground Spices:
- 3 Tablespoons of paprika sweet
- 1 Teaspoon of ground turmeric
- 1 Teaspoon of salt
- ½ Teaspoon of ground ginger
- ¼ Teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- ¼ Teaspoon of ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Toast the whole spices (optional): Add the whole spices to a pan/skillet and place this over high heat. Toast the whole spices in the pan/skillet, making sure to stir/ shake the spices so they don’t burn, for 2 to 3 minutes or until they are fragrant. Transfer the toasted spices to a bowl or plate and set them aside.
- Grind the whole spices: Once the toasted whole spices are cool to the touch add them to a coffee/spice grinder. Grind these whole spices for a couple of minutes or until they form a fine powder. Then pour this powder into a bowl
- Combine the spices: Add the remaining spices and salt to the bowl with the freshly ground spices. Use a fork or a whisk to stir all of these ingredients together until thoroughly incorporated.
- Store the berbere in a glass jar and use it in your favorite recipes.
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