How To Make a Seven Spice Blend

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Ready in just 5 minutes, this Lebanese seven spice mix is used in many Middle Eastern dishes. This aromatic spice mixture doesn’t require many ingredients, many of which you probably already have in your pantry.

A jar of Lebanese seven spice also known as baharat.


 

Middle Eastern and Mediterranean recipes offer a variety of dishes that are made with simple wholesome ingredients. Just like Persian advieh and ras el hanout, this recipe is used in various dishes to make them more aromatic and flavorful.

What is Lebanese “seven spice”?

Seven spice is a mix of spices that’s widely used in Levantine cuisine including soups, stews, rice or meat dishes. It’s often called baharat in Arabic which means spices.

Each family and region has their own way of making this recipe and uses different spices and ratios. You can even find different versions of this spice mix in different shops.

It’s always a good idea to have a jar of this spice blend on hand since it can be used in many different recipes and you can keep it fresh for months.

Ingredients

Ingredients to make this blend are cumin, allspice, nutmeg, cloves, black pepper, coriander and cinnamon.

As I mentioned previously, there are numerous versions of this mix and the ratios and spices could vary from family to family. Here are the spices I use to make baharat:

  • Allspice: This spice is used in many cuisines including Turkish and Levantine. It’s a key ingredient of this blend and has a warm flavor resembling cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg. Unground allspice resembles peppercorn.
  • Cumin: I use store-bought ground version. Cumin is used in many Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes.
  • Coriander: Ground coriander is available in many supermarkets. Even though it comes from the seeds of cilantro, it has a unique flavor.
  • Black pepper: We need just a little bit of black pepper for volume.
  • Cinnamon: I love cinnamon in savory dishes such as shawarma since it balances the flavors.
  • Nutmeg: You can use ground nutmeg or whole nutmeg for this recipe. If using a whole nutmeg, you will need a microplane to grate it.
  • Cloves: Used in many sweet and savory dishes, this warm spice brings this blend together.

How to make a seven spice blend

Some like to toast and grind their spices from whole leaves or sticks. I usually get ground spices to speed up the process a bit.

Mix all the spices in a bowl or a plate. Make sure all are combined well. Store it in an airtight glass jar in a cool and dry place.

Mix everything and store in a jar.

Variations

There are different version of baharat. Some include cardamom, fenugreek or ginger. You can also find different baharat recipes for different countries. For example, the Lebanese version is different from Iraqi or Syrian versions.

Usage

This spice blend is a staple in Levantine cuisine and can be used in many different recipe including bamya (okra stew), kibbeh, stuffed eggplant, stuffed acorn squash or stuffed grape leaves (dolma).

You can also add it to soups such as eggplant chickpea stew, Mediterranean lentil soup and roasted cauliflower soup or even to hummus.

It would also make a nice addition to roasted vegetables or salads such as roasted cauliflower salad. You can even use this spice blend in marinades like I did for grilled lamb chops.

Frequently asked questions

How long can I keep this?

You can store the spice blend in an airtight jar and keep in it a cool and dry place for up to 6 months.

Can I use this blend for marinade?

Yes, you can use it to marinade any kind of meat or seafood. I love mixing it with olive oil and use it as a marinade for grilled spatchcock chicken. You can also use it to flavor vegetables.

Where can I can get quality spices from?

It’s best to know the source of your spices. I like buying mine from Middle Eastern, Mediterranean or Indian stores.

overhead shot of seven spice mix on a tray with whole spices.

More Lebanese recipes

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5 from 5 votes

How To Make a Seven Spice Blend

Ready in just 5 minutes, this Lebanese seven spice mix is used in many Middle Eastern dishes. This aromatic spice mixture doesn't require many ingredients, many of which you probably already have in your pantry.
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Servings: 30
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Ingredients 

  • 2 tbsp allspice
  • 2 tsp ground cloves
  • 2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp ground coriander
  • 1 1/2 tbsp cumin
  • 1 tsp black pepper

Instructions 

  • Place all the spices in a bowl and mix to combine using a spoon. Make sure all is combined well.
  • Transfer to a glass spice jar with a tight lid.
  • Store in a cool and dry place.

Video

Notes

Nutrition

Calories: 4kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 15mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 7IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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About Shadi HasanzadeNemati

I'm here to show you how to make delicious Persian, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food at home. My easy to follow recipes will bring exciting new flavors to your table!

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5 from 5 votes

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Recipe Rating




5 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Loved this spice blend and used it to make sambousek! Absolutely delicious – perfectly balanced flavours in this spice mix!

  2. 5 stars
    It’s so handy to be able to make your own spice mixes at home! Definitely going to bookmark this.

  3. 5 stars
    You just can’t beat homemade spices, so I cannot wait to give this one a try! Thanks so much for sharing!

  4. 5 stars
    This is such a great idea to make something new out of spices that are already in the cupboards. Perfect for my next barbecue.