I made my Baharat spice mix with whole spices. But if you only have the ground (powder) version, then go ahead and measure and mix! I have included the powder measurements based on the conversion guide seen on multiple established websites.
What is baharat made of?
What I learned is that Baharat is Arabic for "spices", so it can be a blend of any spices. The Levant has its own, which they call 7 spices, and the Gulf has its version, which is primarily used for Machboos or Kabsa. My recipe is more of the Gulf version. Think of it this way - Baharat is Arab's Garam Masala, therefore if you are an Indian/Pakistani, you know there are plenty of garam masala recipes, but a few spices will be part of every blend. Similarly, this spice blend has a few indispensable items.
Baharat is a warm spice blend that varies by region and household and typically includes black pepper, cumin, cardamom, cloves, allspice, coriander and paprika. Some blends call for nutmeg, dried lime or even dried mint depending on the region.
What can I use instead of Baharat?
You can pretty much use any other Middle Eastern spice mix like Bezar or Hawaij. It is okay if you do not have some of the spices to make the blend; you may choose to skip them and still have a flavourful dish. If you have ground spices, then you can make a tiny batch just for one dish by mixing already ground spices.
Is Baharat the same as Ras el Hanout?
No, they are not the same, but they do have common ingredients.
📖 Recipe Card
Baharat Spice Mix Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon black peppercorns , 1 tablespoon powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin seeds, 1 tablespoon powder
- 2 teaspoons coriander seeds, 2½ tsp powder
- 1 cinnamon stick, 1 teaspoon powder
- 3 green cardamom, ¼ tsp powder
- 2 teaspoons allspice powder
- 2 teaspoons cloves, 1½ teaspoon powder
- 1½ tablespoons paprika powder, (you may replace this with Kashmiri red chilli powder)
Instructions
- Break down the spices in a mortar and pestle so that it is easier to process in the grinder.
- Process black peppercorns, cumin seeds, cloves, cinnamon stick, coriander seeds, and green cardamom until fine in a processor, chutney maker or coffee grinder.1 tablespoon black peppercorns 1 tablespoon powder1 tablespoon cumin seeds 1 tablespoon powder2 teaspoons coriander seeds 2½ tsp powder1 cinnamon stick 1 teaspoon powder2 teaspoons cloves 1½ teaspoon powder3 green cardamom ¼ tsp powder
- Stir in the allspice powder and paprika powder until combined.2 teaspoons allspice powder1½ tablespoons paprika powder (you may replace this with Kashmiri red chilli powder)
- Store in a clean, dry airtight jar.
Famidha Ashraf says
This baharat spice mix is one of my most-used recipes in the kitchen. Once you make it at home, you'll never go back to store-bought! If you loved this, check out my Chicken Machboos recipes, where this blend truly shines.