Baharat

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An authentic and versatile spice blend, this homemade Baharat recipe is quick and easy to make and serves as a wonderful all-purpose Middle Eastern seasoning blend that will bring life and flavor to your food!

What is Baharat?

Baharat, Arabic for “spice”, is a special an all-purpose spice blend widely used in Middle Eastern cuisine.  Just a pinch of Baharat spice adds depth and flavor to sauces, soups, grains, vegetables, stews and meat. Middle Eastern food is phenomenal.  Those of you who have taken the time to explore the various cuisines of the Middle East will agree.  I have spoken to many people who say they would love to be able to make authentic Middle Eastern food at home, but are intimidated by some of the recipe ingredients, such as Baharat.  What is it?  What’s in it? Where can you find it?

Unless you have a Middle Eastern store in your area or order it online, this spice blend can be challenging to find. However, as with any spice blend, it makes such a difference in the flavor outcome of your dish when you make it fresh in your own kitchen anyway. So I’m going to share my baharat recipe with you so that you can use it to make phenomenal tasting, authentic Middle Eastern food right at home!

Baharat Spice Ingredients

I use and recommend whole spices for making baharat. For maximum flavor, there is simply no comparison between using pre-ground and toasting and grinding your own whole spices. Here are the spices you will need to make this baharat seasoning blend:

• Black peppercorns
• Cumin seeds
• Coriander seeds
• Whole cloves
• Cardamom seeds
• Paprika
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg

Baharat Recipe

To make baharat heat a small skillet over medium-high heat, make sure it’s completely dry, and toast the whole spices until they become very fragrant, about 3-5 minutes, stirring regularly to prevent scorching (this will make them bitter). Transfer the toasted spices to a bowl and allow them to cool completely before grinding them in a spice or coffee grinder along with the paprika, cinnamon and nutmeg. 

Keep your baharat spice stored in an airtight glass jar. 

It will keep for several months for the best, most potent flavor, use it within 3 months.

Two delicious and authentic Middle Eastern dishes that call for Baharat spice that I think you’ll love are:

Koshari, the national dish of Egypt.

Chicken Machboos,  the national dish of Bahrain.

For more seasoning blends from around the world try my:

• Za’atar
• Dukkah
• Chili Powder
• Montreal Steak Seasoning
• Chinese Five Spice
• Greek Seasoning
• Shichimi Togarashi
• Old Bay Seasoning
• Curry Powder
• Garam Masala
• Sazon Seasoning
• Creole Seasoning
• Old Bay Seasoning
• Jamaican Jerk Seasoning
• Berbere
• Panch Phoron
• Mixed Spice

 Originally published on The Daring Gourmet June 17, 2013