Coconut Free Berbere Spice Blend
Berbere is one of those spice blends that transforms everything it touches — deeply aromatic, layered with heat, and complex in a way that store-bought versions rarely capture. This homemade version starts by toasting dried guajillo and arbol chiles alongside whole coriander, fenugreek, peppercorns, cardamom, and cloves in a dry skillet, coaxing out oils and fragrance that pre-ground spices simply can't match. Once everything hits the grinder, the result is a fine, vivid powder that smells absolutely incredible. Ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and both sweet and smoked paprika round out the blend with warmth and subtle smokiness. Because every ingredient here is a pure, single-origin spice or dried chile, there's no hidden coconut sugar, coconut aminos, or coconut-derived filler to worry about — just clean, bold flavor from start to finish. Stir it into stews, rub it onto roasted vegetables or meat, or mix it into a marinade and watch it do its thing. Stored in an airtight jar away from light, this batch will keep for up to three months and make your kitchen smell like a spice market every time you open the lid.
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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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