Home ยป By Type of Dish ยป Seasonings ยป Baharat (Middle Eastern Spice Blend)

Baharat (Middle Eastern Spice Blend)

This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.

An authentic and versatile spice blend, this Baharat recipe is quick and easy to make and serves as a wonderful all-purpose Middle Eastern seasoning blend!

For more incredible Middle Eastern spice blends be sure to try my homemade Za’atar and Dukkah!

baharat recipe middle eastern spice blend homemade authentic best

What is Baharat?

Baharat, Arabic for โ€œspiceโ€, is a special an all-purpose spice blend widely used in Middle Eastern cuisine.  Just a pinch of it 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 Iโ€™m going to share my recipe for it with you!

Now that you’re equipped with this magical blend, you can make some phenomenal-tasting Middle Eastern food right at home!

Two fantastic and authentic Middle Eastern dishes you can try that call for Baharat:

Koshari, the national dish of Egypt.

Egyptian Koshari

Chicken Machboos,  the national dish of Bahrain:

Chicken Machboos Middle Eastern Biryani Rice

Baharat Ingredients

The ingredients in baharat are:

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

Note that we’re using whole spices.  There is simply no comparison between using pre-ground and toasting and grinding your own whole spices.

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 stored in an airtight glass jar.  It will keep for several months for the best, most potent flavor, use it within 3 months.

baharat recipe middle eastern seasoning blend spice mix authentic traditional

Baharat (Middle Eastern Spice Blend)

The popular Middle Eastern all-purpose spice blend that will add life, color, and flavor to your dishes!
4.88 from 8 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course condiment, Seasoning Blend, Spice Blend
Cuisine Middle Eastern
Servings 0

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Heat a small skillet over medium-high heat and dry roast the whole spices/seeds (set aside the paprika, cinnamon and nutmeg) until they become very fragrant, about 3-5 minutes, tossing regularly to prevent scorching. Transfer them 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 stored in an airtight glass jar.
Keyword Baharat
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

kimberly killebrew the daring gourmet

Hi, Iโ€™m Kimberly Killebrew and welcome to Daring Gourmet where you'll find delicious originals, revitalized classics, and simply downright good eats from around the world! Originally from Germany, later raised in England, world-traveled, and now living in the U.S., from my globally-influenced kitchen I invite you to tour the world through your taste buds!

Read more about me...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




4.88 from 8 votes

57 Comments

  1. Hi! I’m here to look for Arabic Spice blends. Does anyone know what spices Libya, Moroccan uses when making Arabic style pasta dish. I remember my Libyan and Moroccan friends mother’s made a type of pasta with tomato sauce and chunky meat, and the spices they used in the past tasted so yummy. It had a bit of cinnamon and some other spices I don’t know. I would like to create that pasta dish. Do you or anyone knows what is the spice blend or spices used in that pasta or meat stew dish? Thank you.

  2. I have made this baharat and the koshari recipe from this site. My husband (he’s Sudanese) spent 10+years in Cairo and says this is as good as it gets outside of Egypt. I make a large amount and he can eat twice a day every day and be happy with that!

  3. My favorite thing is adding hot milk, sugar and baharat spice to my espresso coffee (Illy of course, made with the moka).

  4. Hi! This recipe looks easy and simple. But can I use this as an substitute for red curry paste, to cook pumpkin?

    1. Hello, it is a common spice blend that can be used universally on meats and vegetables you could also try grilling egg plant with the spice blend and olive oil. With pomegranate molasses (found at Mediterranean stores) with pomegranates and a mint with yogurt sauce…. very delicious

  5. Thanks so much for this spice blend. Im plant based so I am always on the lookout for new spice blends to try. I noticed pepper is the first ingredient, but they are peppercorns. Would you call this a hot blend? Im so pleased to see you are still answering after all these years.

  6. Thanks for this recipe and the very helpful responses to all the comments/queries. I look forward to making this! Just back from a visit to the Middle East, which included several days in Cairo.
    NM

    1. Hi Bethany, I’ve used my little KRUPS spice/coffee grinder for about 13 years. It was less than $20 and they still make a similar model.