0 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 dried red chili peppers
- 2 tbsp smoked paprika (see Note 1)
- 1 tbsp paprika (see Note 1)
- 1 tbsp ground dry ginger
- 1 tbsp fenugreek seeds
- 5 korarima pods or 2 tsp powder (*can sub black cardamom)
- 2 timiz (*can sub 2 tsp black pepper)
- 7 whole cloves
- 2 allspice berries
- 1 tsp coriander seeds
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp cumin seeds
- ½ tsp nigella seeds
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ whole nutmeg
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp mace
Instructions
- Optional: Toast the whole spices in a dry saucepan on low heat for a couple of minutes. Let cool.
- Add all the ingredients to a spice grinder or high-speed blender and blend until finely ground.
- 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.
Cup of Yum
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
Monounsaturated Fat
0.1g
Sodium
5mg
(0%)
Potassium
129mg
(4%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
0.5g
(1%)
Vitamin A
1407IU
(28%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
27mg
(3%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8tbsp (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.