Walnut Free Berbere Spice Blend
Berbere is one of those spice blends that transforms everything it touches — deeply aromatic, warmly spiced, and layered with complexity that store-bought versions rarely capture. This homemade version starts with toasted guajillo and arbol chiles, which bring a smoky, fruity heat that forms the backbone of the whole blend. Whole coriander, fenugreek, peppercorns, cardamom, and cloves get toasted right alongside them, coaxing out oils and depth that pre-ground spices simply can't match. Ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice round everything out into something that smells absolutely incredible the moment it hits a hot pan. The entire process is straightforward — just a dry skillet, a spice grinder, and a little attention to avoid scorching — and the payoff is a jar of something genuinely special. Stored in an airtight container, it keeps for up to three months and works beautifully as a rub, a stew base, or a seasoning for roasted vegetables. Every ingredient here is a pure, single-source spice or chile, so there's no guesswork about hidden additives or shared-facility concerns.
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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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