MSG Free Baharat
Baharat is a warm, aromatic Middle Eastern spice blend that brings depth and complexity to everything it touches — think roasted meats, hearty stews, rice dishes, and even roasted vegetables. The combination of black pepper, allspice, cinnamon, cumin, coriander, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom, ginger, and a whisper of cayenne creates a layered, slightly smoky sweetness that's hard to replicate with anything store-bought. And that's exactly the problem with store-bought spice blends — many contain anti-caking agents, natural flavor additives, or other processed ingredients that can sneak MSG or similar compounds into your pantry without you realizing it. Making your own from scratch means you know exactly what's in the jar, full stop. This recipe couldn't be simpler: whisk everything together, or grind whole spices if you want an even fresher, more vibrant result. Stored in an airtight jar in a cool, dark spot, it stays potent for up to three months — plenty of time to work through a batch and discover just how many dishes it improves. Once you have a homemade version this good, it's genuinely hard to go back.
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Learn more →Ingredients
8 servings
- 1 tbsp ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp ground allspice
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 ½ tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- ½ tsp ground cardamom
- ½ tsp ground dried ginger
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the black pepper, allspice, cinnamon, cumin, coriander, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom, dried ginger, and cayenne (if using) in a small bowl and whisk until evenly blended.
- 2
If using whole spices, grind them in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle until finely ground before combining.
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