Servings
Font
Back
Traditional Berbere Spice Blend (በርበሬ)
5 from 3 votes

Traditional Berbere Spice Blend (በርበሬ)

Berbere is an essential seasoning in Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine, and can be used as all-purpose spice blend in any savoury recipe that calls for warm spices.

Prep Time
5 mins
Total Time
5 mins
Servings: 8 tbsp (1/2 cup total)
Calories: 27 kcal
Course: Condiments
Cuisine: African, Ethiopian

Ingredients

  • 5 red chili pepper dried
  • 2 tbsp smoked paprika (see Note 1)
  • 1 tbsp paprika (see Note 1)
  • 1 tbsp ground ginger dry
  • 1 tbsp fenugreek seeds
  • 5 korarima pods can sub black cardamom, or 2 tsp powder
  • 2 timiz (*can sub 2 tsp black pepper)
  • 7 clove whole
  • 2 allspice berries
  • 1 tsp coriander seeds
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp cumin seeds
  • ½ tsp nigella seeds
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ nutmeg whole
  • ½ tsp thyme dried
  • ½ tsp mace

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Optional: Toast the whole spices in a dry saucepan on low heat for a couple of minutes. Let cool.
  2. Add all the ingredients to a spice grinder or high-speed blender and blend until finely ground.
  3. Store berbere spice blend in an airtight container, at room temperature for up to 6 months, or in the freezer for up to 2 years.

Notes

  • If you would like a hotter berbere, swap out the paprika with more dried chili pepper.
  • The ingredients are listed in order of importance. If you don't have some of the items near the bottom of the list (particularly the ones that are only 1 or 1/2 tsp), feel free to leave them out.

Nutrition Information

Calories 27kcal (1%) Carbohydrates 5g (2%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 1g (2%) Saturated Fat 0.2g (1%) Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g (2%) Monounsaturated Fat 0.1g (1%) Sodium 5mg (0%) Potassium 129mg (3%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 0.5g (1%) Vitamin A 1407IU (28%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 27mg (3%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8 tbsp (1/2 cup total)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 27

% Daily Value*

Calories 27kcal 1%
Carbohydrates 5g 2%
Protein 1g 2%
Fat 1g 2%
Saturated Fat 0.2g 1%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g 2%
Monounsaturated Fat 0.1g 1%
Sodium 5mg 0%
Potassium 129mg 3%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 0.5g 1%
Vitamin A 1407IU 28%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 27mg 3%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.