Berbere Spice Recipe Recipe
How to make Ethiopian Berbere Spice Blend with common spices you may already have in your pantry. Filled with complex bright spicy flavor. Easy to make in about 15 minutes!
How to Make the Best Berbere Spice Recipe
Berbere is the heart and soul of Ethiopian cooking—a complex, aromatic spice blend that brings warmth and depth to countless traditional dishes. This homemade berbere spice recipe lets you create an authentic version right in your own kitchen using spices you likely already have in your pantry.
What makes berbere so special is the layered combination of heat, sweetness, and earthy warmth. The paprika provides a beautiful red color and mild sweetness, while the dried chilies bring the heat. Cumin, coriander, and fenugreek add earthy depth, and the cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom contribute subtle sweetness and complexity. Toasting the whole spices before grinding releases their essential oils and intensifies their flavors.
Use this versatile spice blend in Ethiopian classics like Doro Wat (chicken stew) or Misir Wat (spiced lentils), or get creative and add it to roasted vegetables, grilled meats, or even popcorn for a unique twist. Once you taste the difference of freshly made berbere, you’ll never go back to store-bought.
Berbere Spice Recipe
How to make Ethiopian Berbere Spice Blend with common spices you may already have in your pantry. Filled with complex bright spicy flavor. Easy to make in about 15 minutes!
Ingredients
Spice Blend
Instructions
Making the Spice Blend
- In a dry skillet, toast whole spices 3-5 minutes over medium heat until fragrant, stirring all the while so as not to scorch.
- Add ground spices and toast 2 minutes more.
- If using whole spices, grind in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle until finely ground.
- Store in a sealed container.
Notes
- You can substitute ground spices for whole spices if that's what you have on hand.
- Toast spices over medium heat and stir constantly to prevent burning.
- Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.
