Lupin Free Berbere Spice Blend
Few spice blends carry the depth and warmth of Ethiopia's beloved berbere, and making it from scratch is one of those kitchen projects that pays off every single time you open the jar. Dried guajillo and arbol chiles get toasted in a dry skillet alongside whole coriander, fenugreek, peppercorns, cardamom, and cloves — that brief time over heat coaxes out oils and aromas 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, and just the right amount of fiery. For anyone navigating lupin sensitivities, this recipe is a clean win — every ingredient is a straightforward whole spice, dried chile, or pantry staple with no hidden fillers or flour-based anti-caking agents to worry about. Packed into an airtight jar, it keeps for up to three months and transforms everything from roasted vegetables to braised meats and lentil stews. Once you've made your own, reaching for a dusty store-bought tin is going to feel like a real step backward.
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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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