Beef Free Berbere Spice Blend
This deeply aromatic Ethiopian-inspired spice blend is the kind of pantry staple that transforms everything it touches — stews, roasted vegetables, marinades, and grain dishes all come alive with its complex heat and warmth. Dried guajillo and arbol chiles get toasted in a dry skillet alongside whole coriander, fenugreek, peppercorns, cardamom, and cloves, coaxing out layers of flavor that no pre-ground shortcut can replicate. Once everything is ground to a fine powder, it gets folded together with sweet and smoked paprika, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt for a blend that's smoky, floral, earthy, and just the right amount of spicy all at once. Because this is a pure spice blend made entirely from chiles, seeds, and aromatics, there's nothing to worry about on the animal-product front — it's completely plant-based by nature. Store-bought versions can sometimes include fillers or mystery additives, so making your own means you know exactly what's in the jar. A batch keeps for up to three months in an airtight container, which means you'll have bold, ready-to-go flavor on hand whenever inspiration strikes.
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Learn more →Ingredients
12 servings
- 3 dried guajillo chiles, stems and seeds removed
- 1 dried arbol chile, stem removed
- 1 tsp coriander seeds
- ½ tsp fenugreek seeds
- ½ tsp black peppercorns
- 4 green cardamom pods
- ¼ tsp whole cloves
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground allspice
- ½ tsp salt
Instructions
- 1
Tear the guajillo and arbol chiles into rough pieces and place them in a small dry skillet over medium heat. Toast, pressing them flat with a spatula, for about 1–2 minutes per side until they darken slightly and smell fragrant — watch closely, as they can scorch quickly.
- 2
Add the coriander seeds, fenugreek seeds, black peppercorns, cardamom pods, and whole cloves to the same skillet. Toast over medium heat, stirring constantly, for 1–2 minutes until the seeds are fragrant and the coriander turns a shade darker.
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