Eritrean Berbere Red Pepper Spice Mixture
Elevate your cooking with the bold, aromatic flavors of Eritrean cuisine by making your own homemade Berbere Red Pepper Spice Mixture. This iconic blend combines fiery cayenne and smoky paprika with warm, earthy spices like coriander, cumin, and fenugreek, creating a robust seasoning that’s both versatile and deeply flavorful. Infused with hints of cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg, and balanced by garlic, onion, and a touch of salt, this spice mix is perfect for adding a spicy, complex twist to stews, grilled meats, or roasted vegetables. Ready in just 10 minutes and requiring no cooking, this DIY spice blend can be stored for up to 6 months, making it a pantry must-have for globally inspired home cooks. Perfect your recipes with this all-in-one Berbere blend and experience cooking with a taste of tradition.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons ground cayenne pepper
- 4 tablespoons paprika
- 2 tablespoons ground coriander
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon ground fenugreek
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 tablespoons minced dried onion
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, add the ground cayenne pepper and paprika as the base for your Berbere spice blend.
Add the ground coriander, ground cumin, and ground fenugreek. Mix thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
Incorporate the ground cinnamon, ground allspice, ground cardamom, ground nutmeg, ground black pepper, and ground cloves into the mixture.
Add the minced dried onion, garlic powder, and salt. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
Taste the spice mixture (a very small amount) to adjust for personal heat tolerance. If desired, modify the cayenne or paprika quantities to balance the spice level.
Transfer the Berbere spice mixture into an airtight container or spice jar for storage.
Keep the container in a cool, dry place. The spice mix will stay fresh for up to 6 months if stored properly.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
326 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 12.9 g | 17% | |
| Saturated Fat | 2.0 g | 10% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 2412 mg | 105% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 62.3 g | 23% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 26.6 g | 95% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.8 g | ||
| Protein | 15.4 g | 31% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 344 mg | 26% | |
| Iron | 19.4 mg | 108% | |
| Potassium | 1617 mg | 34% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
