Unlock a world of aromatic flavors with this homemade 7 Spice Mix recipe, also known as Sabaa Baharat. This quintessential Middle Eastern spice blend is a cornerstone of Lebanese cuisine and a versatile staple that promises to elevate your favorite dishes from ordinary to extraordinary. Crafting your own blend ensures unparalleled freshness and a depth of flavor that store-bought versions simply can’t match. Prepare to transform your cooking with this captivating mix of warm, fragrant spices.
The Essence of Middle Eastern Cuisine: Lebanese 7 Spice (Sabaa Baharat)
In the vibrant tapestry of Middle Eastern cooking, certain spice blends stand out as defining elements, and Lebanese 7 Spice, or Sabaa Baharat, is undoubtedly one of them. “Baharat” simply means “spices” in Arabic, and this particular blend is a harmonious combination of seven distinct spices, each playing a crucial role in creating its signature warm, earthy, and aromatic profile. While the exact composition can vary by region and even household, the core idea remains a balanced fusion that complements a wide array of dishes.
This traditional mix is more than just a seasoning; it’s a culinary journey. It embodies the rich heritage of Middle Eastern kitchens, passed down through generations. Making your own 7 Spice Mix is an empowering step towards authentic cooking, allowing you to control the quality and freshness of each ingredient, leading to a far more potent and flavorful result than any pre-packaged alternative.
Why You’ll Love Making Your Own 7 Spice Mix
There are countless reasons why this homemade 7 Spice blend will become an indispensable part of your culinary repertoire. Once you experience the difference, you’ll wonder how you ever cooked without it.
- Unmatched Freshness and Flavor: Forget about special trips to the grocery store for specific mixes. When you prepare this blend at home, you’re guaranteed the freshest possible spices. Freshly ground and blended spices release potent volatile oils, intensifying the flavors and aromas in your dishes in a way that stale, pre-ground varieties simply cannot. This means a more vibrant and impactful taste in every meal.
- Perfectly Balanced Taste: This recipe is meticulously crafted to add the ideal flavor to your dishes without overpowering them. The seven spices are chosen for their complementary notes, creating a complex yet harmonious profile that enhances ingredients rather than masking them. It provides a warm, savory foundation with subtle hints of sweetness and pungency, suitable for a vast range of recipes.
- Effortless Customization: One of the greatest advantages of making your own spice mix is the ability to tailor it precisely to your personal preference. Whether you prefer a touch more warmth from cinnamon, a deeper earthiness from coriander, or a hint of heat, you can easily adjust the ratios or add/subtract spices to create your signature blend. This flexibility makes it incredibly versatile and adaptable to various palates and recipes.
- Cost-Effective and Convenient: Buying individual spices to make a blend is often far more economical in the long run than purchasing specialized pre-made mixes. Plus, having a jar of this homemade blend ready in your pantry means you’ll always have the perfect seasoning on hand, saving you time and hassle when preparing your favorite Middle Eastern-inspired meals.
This homemade spice mix is truly one of my go-to seasonings for countless dishes. I absolutely adore incorporating it into traditional Lebanese Kafta, which features savory ground meat skewers, and it brings an incredible depth to roasted Palestinian chicken. It’s also a star ingredient in classic dishes like Maqluba, an inverted rice and vegetable dish, and so much more. Its versatility knows no bounds, making it an essential component for authentic Middle Eastern flavors.
Understanding the Ingredients of Lebanese 7 Spice
The magic of this spice blend lies in the careful selection and balance of its individual components. Each spice brings its unique character to the blend, contributing to the rich and complex flavor profile that is so characteristic of Arabic cuisine. This combination is particularly prominent in Lebanese culinary traditions.
Here’s an overview of the key spices that form this aromatic blend:
- Allspice: Often confused with being a blend itself, allspice is a single berry with notes reminiscent of cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg. It provides a warm, sweet, and slightly peppery base, giving the blend a unified, comforting aroma.
- Ground Coriander: Earthy, citrusy, and slightly sweet, coriander seeds (when ground) add a bright and floral depth. It balances the warmer spices and provides a foundational Middle Eastern flavor.
- Black Pepper: Essential for a subtle kick and pungency, black pepper provides a classic savory element. It enhances the other flavors without dominating them.
- Cinnamon: Sweet and woody, cinnamon is a hallmark of many Middle Eastern blends. It imparts a delightful warmth and a hint of sweetness that rounds out the savory notes.
- Cloves: Known for their strong, pungent, and slightly sweet aroma, cloves offer an intense warmth. A small amount goes a long way in adding a distinctive, deep fragrance.
- Cardamom: Fragrant and highly aromatic, cardamom brings a unique sweet, floral, and slightly spicy note. It’s an indispensable spice in Middle Eastern cooking, providing an exotic touch.
- Ginger: Pungent and slightly zesty, ginger adds a fresh, warm spiciness that brightens the overall blend. It complements the other warm spices beautifully.
This carefully curated selection ensures a blend that is deeply aromatic, wonderfully warm, and incredibly versatile.
Simple Instructions for Crafting Your Own 7 Spice Mix
Creating this aromatic spice blend is remarkably straightforward, requiring minimal effort for maximum flavor impact. The detailed instructions are also available in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this page.
- Combine All Spices: In a clean, dry bowl, measure out all the individual ground spices. Ensure your measuring spoons are accurate for consistent results.
- Thoroughly Blend: Using a whisk or a spoon, mix the spices together diligently until they are thoroughly combined and evenly distributed. You want to make sure no single spice dominates any part of the mixture. This step is crucial for achieving a balanced flavor profile in the final blend.
- Store Properly: Transfer the freshly prepared spice mix into an airtight spice jar or container. Store it in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight and heat. When stored correctly, your homemade 7 Spice Mix will retain its potent flavors and aromas for up to 6 months, ensuring you always have fresh, vibrant seasoning ready for your culinary adventures.
Amira’s Essential Tips for the Perfect 7 Spice Blend
To ensure your homemade 7 Spice Mix reaches its full potential and truly elevates your cooking, consider these invaluable tips:
- Embrace Customization: Remember that the ingredients in 7 Spice, or Baharat, can vary widely across regions and even individual family recipes. This recipe represents my favorite, balanced mixture, but don’t hesitate to customize it to your personal taste. If you prefer a stronger hint of cinnamon, add a little more. If you enjoy a touch of heat, a pinch of cayenne can be transformative. Think of this recipe as a fantastic starting point for your culinary creativity.
- Consider Whole Spices for Enhanced Flavor: For the most intense and vibrant flavor, I highly recommend starting with whole spices. Toasting whole spices lightly in a dry pan over medium heat for a few minutes until fragrant, then grinding them fresh, releases their essential oils and deepens their flavor significantly. This extra step truly makes a noticeable difference in the final aroma and taste of your blend. If you choose this method, allow the toasted spices to cool completely before grinding them with a spice grinder or a mortar and pestle.
- Always Check for Freshness: Spices lose their potency over time. Before incorporating them into your blend, perform a quick “smell test” on any spices that have been sitting in your cabinet for a while. Take a small amount and rub it between your fingers, then smell. If the spice has a strong, distinct aroma, it’s fresh and ready to use. If the scent is faint or nonexistent, it’s likely past its prime and won’t contribute much flavor to your mix. Using fresh spices is paramount for a truly aromatic 7 Spice blend.
- Grinding Matters: When grinding your own whole spices, aim for a fine powder consistency. This ensures that the spices are evenly distributed throughout your dish and release their flavors optimally during cooking.
- Small Batches are Best: While it’s tempting to make a huge batch, spices are at their most flavorful when fresh. Consider making smaller batches more frequently to maintain peak potency.
Proper Storage for Longevity and Flavor
To preserve the exquisite flavors and aromas of your homemade 7 Spice Mix for as long as possible, proper storage is key. A well-stored blend can maintain its potency and freshness for a significant period.
Store your homemade spice mix in an airtight container. Glass spice containers or small mason jars with tight-fitting lids are excellent choices as they don’t absorb or impart odors. The ideal storage location is a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight, heat sources (like stoves or ovens), and excessive moisture. These elements can degrade the spices quickly, causing them to lose their vibrant color, aroma, and flavor. When stored under these optimal conditions, your 7 Spice Mix will remain fresh and potent for up to 6 months. While it may still be safe to use after this period, its flavor will likely diminish significantly.
Make Ahead for Culinary Convenience
One of the fantastic aspects of this 7 Spice Mix is its excellent shelf stability, making it a perfect candidate for meal prepping. The good news is that this spice mix stores exceptionally well, retaining its robust flavor for months. This allows you to mix up a generous batch in advance, ensuring that you always have these delightful seasonings readily available for when inspiration strikes. Having your signature blend on hand eliminates last-minute scrambling for ingredients and simplifies your cooking process, empowering you to create delicious, authentic Middle Eastern dishes with ease, even on the busiest weeknights.
Delightful Ways to Serve with 7 Spice Mix
The versatility of Lebanese 7 Spice is truly remarkable, allowing it to enhance a wide range of culinary creations. While it’s a star in traditional Middle Eastern dishes, its warm and complex profile lends itself beautifully to global cuisines. Here are some incredible ways to integrate this seasoning blend into your meals:
- Meats and Poultry: This blend shines when used as a rub or marinade for various meats. My personal favorites include Musakhan, a beloved Palestinian dish featuring sumac-spiced chicken and caramelized onions over flatbread, and Kafta, which are savory ground beef or lamb kabobs often grilled to perfection. You simply can’t go wrong with either of these recipes. It also works wonderfully with roasted lamb, grilled chicken, beef stew, or even meatballs.
- Rice Dishes: Transform simple rice into a fragrant pilaf by adding a teaspoon or two of 7 Spice while cooking. It pairs beautifully with biryani, rice stuffing for vegetables, or as a flavorful base for layered rice dishes.
- Vegetables: Roasted vegetables like potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, or Brussels sprouts take on a new dimension when tossed with olive oil and a generous sprinkle of 7 Spice before roasting. It also enhances lentil soups, stews, and vegetable tagines.
- Soups and Legumes: Add a pinch to lentil soup, chickpea stew, or any hearty vegetable soup for an instant flavor boost and warming aroma.
- Marinades and Dressings: Combine with olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic for a vibrant marinade for chicken or fish. It can also be incorporated into a creamy yogurt dressing for salads or dips.
- Eggs and Breakfast: For an adventurous twist, sprinkle a tiny bit of 7 Spice on scrambled eggs or an omelet. Its warm notes can add an unexpected depth to your breakfast.
- Hummus and Dips: A light dusting of 7 Spice on top of freshly made hummus or baba ghanoush elevates the flavors and adds a beautiful visual appeal.
Exciting Variations to Explore
While the classic 7 Spice blend is delicious as is, its adaptable nature makes it perfect for creative variations. Feel free to experiment and find the combination that best suits your palate:
- A Touch of Paprika: For a subtle smoky depth and a beautiful reddish hue, consider adding a ½ teaspoon of paprika to your mix. Both sweet and smoked paprika work wonderfully, depending on the flavor profile you desire.
- Hint of Heat with Cayenne: If you appreciate a little warmth in your food, a pinch of cayenne pepper will work marvelously in this spice mix. Start with ¼ teaspoon and adjust to your preferred level of spiciness.
- Turkish Inspiration: In Turkish variations of Baharat, it’s common to find ingredients like fennel seeds or dried mint. Adding a teaspoon of ground fennel for a hint of licorice-like sweetness or dried mint for a refreshing herbal note can offer a delightful twist.
- Earthiness from Turmeric and Cumin: Turmeric and cumin are also fantastic additions to this mix, particularly if you’re aiming for a blend that leans more towards other regional Middle Eastern or North African flavors. Turmeric offers a slightly bitter, earthy note and a beautiful golden color, while cumin provides a warm, nutty, and earthy aroma. Add a ½ teaspoon of each to begin.
- Nutmeg for Sweetness: Some regional Baharat blends include ground nutmeg, which adds a warm, sweet, and slightly pungent note, especially complementing meat dishes.
The best thing about this recipe is its incredible flexibility—it’s so easy to customize and tailor to suit your unique taste buds and specific culinary needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About 7 Spice Mix
No, seven spice and allspice are two distinct spices. Allspice is a single spice, derived from the dried, unripe berry of the *Pimenta dioica* tree, known for its flavor profile that resembles a blend of cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Seven spice, or Baharat, on the other hand, is a complex blend of seven different individual spices, including allspice itself in many variations. So, while allspice might be an ingredient in 7 Spice, they are not the same thing.
Generally, this traditional 7 Spice Mix is not considered hot or spicy in the sense of chili heat. The spices used in this particular blend are predominantly warm, aromatic, and fragrant, such as allspice, coriander, and cinnamon, which provide warmth rather than pungency. However, as mentioned in the variations section, you can easily add a little bit of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to introduce some heat if that is your preference.
Absolutely, and it’s highly recommended for the freshest and most vibrant flavor! Using whole spices, lightly toasting them, and then grinding them yourself will yield a far more aromatic and potent blend. Just ensure your spices are completely cooled before grinding them to a fine powder for optimal results.
While the synergy of all seven spices creates the authentic Baharat flavor, you can usually omit one or two less dominant spices in a pinch. However, the flavor profile will be slightly different. For instance, if you’re missing ginger, the blend will still be delicious but perhaps less bright. If you’re missing a key spice like allspice or cinnamon, consider sourcing it, as these contribute significantly to the blend’s character.
Yes, this homemade 7 Spice Mix recipe is inherently gluten-free and vegan, as it consists solely of natural spices without any binders, fillers, or animal products. Always double-check labels if buying pre-made blends, but for a homemade version, you’re good to go.
Discover More Related Recipes and Spice Blends
If you’ve enjoyed making and using this Lebanese 7 Spice blend, you’ll love exploring other aromatic spice mixes and traditional Middle Eastern recipes that celebrate rich, complex flavors. Expand your culinary horizons with these wonderful suggestions:
- Dukkah: This fascinating Egyptian spice blend offers a delightful textural and flavor experience, combining toasted nuts (like hazelnuts or almonds) with aromatic spices such as coriander, cumin, and sesame seeds. It’s incredibly versatile and fantastic sprinkled over fish, salads, roasted vegetables, or simply enjoyed with crusty bread and olive oil for a unique dip.
- Hawaij Spice: A popular Middle Eastern spice blend primarily used in Yemeni cuisine, Hawaij typically features a robust mix of black pepper, cardamom, cumin, turmeric, and coriander. It imparts a distinctive earthy and floral flavor profile that can elevate stews, soups, and roasted dishes.
- Al Mahloos: This savory chicken dish is a wonderful example of how the 7 spice blend truly shines. It’s a Palestinian specialty that’s incredibly flavorful and surprisingly easy to prepare. With only about 10 minutes of prep time, the oven does most of the work, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights when you crave a delicious and comforting meal.
- Fragrant Homemade Garlic Oil: While not a spice blend, infusing your own garlic oil is a simple yet impactful way to add another layer of flavor to your cooking. Perfect for drizzling over salads, roasted vegetables, pasta dishes, or even brushing onto baked goods for a savory, aromatic goodness.
I sincerely hope you’ll enjoy this authentic 7 Spice Mix recipe as much as I do. If you do make this recipe, please take a moment to snap a picture and hashtag it #amiraspantry. I absolutely love seeing your culinary creations on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!
Don’t want to miss out on any new recipes or kitchen tips? Sign up for the FREE Amira’s Pantry newsletter, delivered directly to your inbox with plenty of cooking inspiration and delightful surprises!
If you like this recipe, please don’t forget to give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ star rating and attach a photo of your finished dish. It is always a pleasure for me to see your photos and discover your unique take on the recipe. Your feedback and shares mean the world to me. Thank you!
Looking for more culinary treasures and nostalgic delights? Check out Amira’s Pantry Store on Amazon, where you’ll find a curated selection of wonderful kitchen tools and ingredients! Thanks so much for being a cherished part of the Amira’s Pantry community!
Essential Equipment for Your Spice Journey
Gathering the right tools makes preparing your 7 Spice Mix even more enjoyable and efficient. Here are a few pieces of equipment you’ll find useful:
- Small Bowl: A simple bowl is essential for combining your spices. Choose one that allows enough room for comfortable mixing without spills.
- Whisk or Spoon: A small whisk is ideal for thoroughly blending the different ground spices, ensuring a homogenous mixture. A spoon can also work effectively for this task.
- Airtight Glass Spice Jar: Proper storage is crucial for preserving the freshness and potency of your homemade blend. A glass spice jar with an airtight lid is perfect for this, keeping moisture and air out while beautifully displaying your creation.
- Optional – Spice Grinder or Mortar and Pestle: If you choose to use whole spices for maximum freshness and flavor, a dedicated spice grinder (a coffee grinder works well if thoroughly cleaned) or a traditional mortar and pestle will be indispensable for grinding them into a fine powder.
Lebanese 7 Spices (Baharat)
Print
Pin
Rate
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon allspice
- 1 Tablespoon coriander
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoons cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine all the ground spices together.
- Whisk or stir until the spices are thoroughly blended and uniformly distributed.
- Transfer the mixture to an airtight spice jar and store in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months to maintain optimal freshness and flavor.
Notes
- Many enthusiasts prefer to buy their spices whole, then toast and grind them fresh to maximize flavor. While this method yields superior results, for convenience, using high-quality pre-ground spices is perfectly acceptable and still produces a delicious blend.
- The precise composition of 7 spice mix can vary significantly by country, and even between regions within the same country across the Middle East. Some variations might include nutmeg, turmeric, cumin, or other unique spices. This recipe reflects my personal favorite balance and flavor profile.
- Please check the nutrition disclaimer policy for more information.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 3g |
Protein: 0.3g |
Fat: 0.2g |
Saturated Fat: 0.1g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02g |
Sodium: 2mg |
Potassium: 39mg |
Fiber: 1g |
Sugar: 0.03g |
Vitamin A: 26IU |
Vitamin C: 1mg |
Calcium: 25mg |
Iron: 0.3mg