Vegan Berbere Spice Blend
This deeply aromatic spice blend draws on the bold, layered flavors of Ethiopian cooking, combining dried chiles, warm whole spices, and earthy ground seasonings into something truly special. Every ingredient here is entirely plant-based — no fillers, no hidden animal derivatives, just pure spice — making it a reliable pantry staple for anyone cooking without animal products. The process of toasting the guajillo and arbol chiles alongside coriander, fenugreek, peppercorns, cardamom, and cloves before grinding them unlocks a depth of flavor that pre-made blends simply can't match. That toasty, smoky base gets rounded out with sweet and smoked paprika, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice for a complexity that hits warm, fruity, and just a little fiery all at once. Once you have a jar of this on your shelf, it transforms lentils, roasted vegetables, chickpea stews, and grain dishes into something that tastes like it took hours to develop. Store it in an airtight jar away from light and it'll stay vibrant and potent for up to three months — though honestly, it tends to disappear much faster than that.
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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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