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Make your own Turkish spice blend at home in less than 5 minutes using simple ingredients! Use it in marinades or to simply season protein, rice or vegetables! This spice mix is so easy to make and keeps well for a long time!
Spice shops and home kitchens across Turkey often keep a jar of this versatile mix ready to season everything from baked fish to kebabs and roasted vegetables. I love this homemade blend because it gives you the perfect balance of savory, smoky, and slightly citrusy notes. I always make my homemade spice mixes without salt so I can control the saltiness of my meals. If you love easy homemade spice mixes, be sure to try advieh (Persian spice mix), seven spice blend, and shawarma spice blend too!
What is Turkish Spice Blend?
Turkish spice blend is a simple yet deeply flavorful mix of warm, earthy, and aromatic spices commonly used in Turkish cooking. Typically built around oregano, cumin, allspice, black pepper, and pul biber (Turkish red pepper flakes), this blend adds depth and complexity to everything from meat and poultry to vegetables and rice.
The beauty of this Turkish spice mix is its flexibility — some versions include sumac for a tangy, citrus-like note or dried mint for a refreshing lift. Whether you’re seasoning classic dishes like karniyarik Turkish stuffed eggplant recipe and Adana kebab (Turkish ground meat kebab), or simply sprinkling it over roasted veggies, this spice blend captures the heart of Turkish flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
Oregano: Brings an earthy aroma that’s essential in Turkish cuisine.
Allspice: Adds warmth and subtle sweetness with notes of clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
Pul Biber (Aleppo pepper): A mild, fruity chili flake with a deep red color and a gentle heat and rich, slightly smoky flavor — a signature Turkish ingredient.
Black Pepper: Adds sharpness and depth to balance the other spices.
Cumin: Earthy and slightly nutty, this spice gives the blend its robust backbone of many Middle Eastern and Mediterranean spice blends. It offers depth and balance to the blend.
Optional Add-ins: Sumac and dried mint are classic in many Turkish kitchens, but entirely optional here. Add them if you plan to use the blend in salad dressings, rice, or lighter dishes where a zesty or herbal note is desired.
Uses of Turkish Spice Blend
This Turkish seasoning blend is incredibly versatile and pairs perfectly with a wide range of Turkish and Mediterranean recipes:
- Use for roast chicken, steak, beef, or lamb kofta before cooking.
- Season roasted or grilled vegetables like eggplant, zucchini, or potatoes.
- Mix into ground meat for Turkish meatballs (köfte) or stuffed peppers.
- Use in marinades for baked cod – Turkish style or grilled chicken.
- Stir into rice dishes, bulgur, or stews for added depth and aroma.
Recipe Tips
Salt: I intentionally leave salt out so I can control the saltiness in my final dish. I add it separately when seasoning food.
Use Fresh Spices: The quality of your blend starts with the freshness of your spices. Make sure your herbs and ground spices aren’t stale. Fresh spices deliver a more vibrant aroma and richer flavor.
Pul Biber Substitution: If you can’t find pul biber, mild chili flakes can work as a substitute, though the flavor will be slightly different.
Adjust Pul Biber: Pul biber (Aleppo pepper) adds both color and mild heat. If you prefer more kick, you can slightly increase the amount, or reduce it for a milder, more kid-friendly mix.
Storage Tips
Store your Turkish spice blend in an airtight jar in a cool, dry, and dark place. I recommend keeping it in a pantry or spice drawer.
The blend stays fresh for up to 6 months. However, for the best flavor, aim to use it within 3 months.
Always use dry, clean measuring spoons when scooping the spice blend to prevent moisture from causing clumps or spoilage.
Frequently Asked Questions
I recommend keeping salt separate so you can adjust it based on the dish you’re making. This keeps the blend more flexible.
Absolutely! Just multiply the quantities and store the mix in an airtight container. It’s perfect for gifting!
Pul biber offers a mild warmth rather than strong heat, but you can adjust the quantity to suit your taste.
Turkish blends tend to focus on earthy, aromatic spices like cumin and allspice, and feature pul biber rather than hotter chili varieties, giving it a unique flavor compared to mixes like Lebanese seven spice or Persian advieh.
More Turkish Recipes To Try
Turkish Recipes
Turkish Ezme Recipe
Turkish Recipes
Turkish Pide (Turkish Flatbread)
Turkish Recipes
Turkish Doner Kebab
Turkish Recipes
Mücver – Turkish Zucchini Fritters
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Turkish Spice Blend
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon allspice
- 2 teaspoons pul biber
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1½ teaspoons cumin
- sumac, optional
- dried mint, optional
Instructions
- Add oregano, allspice, pul biber, black pepper, and cumin to a spice jar. If using, add sumac and dried mint.
- Shake the jar well until the spices are fully combined.
- Keep the blend in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for maximum freshness.
Video
Notes
- Salt: I intentionally leave salt out so I can control the saltiness in my final dish. I add it separately when seasoning food.
- Use Fresh Spices: The quality of your blend starts with the freshness of your spices. Make sure your herbs and ground spices aren’t stale. Fresh spices deliver a more vibrant aroma and richer flavor.
- Pul Biber Substitution: If you can’t find pul biber, mild chili flakes can work as a substitute, though the flavor will be slightly different.
- Adjust Pul Biber: Pul biber (Aleppo pepper) adds both color and mild heat. If you prefer more kick, you can slightly increase the amount, or reduce it for a milder, more kid-friendly mix.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Hi there, if adding mint and sumac, what would the quantities be?
Hi! It would be about tsp of each 🙂