• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
butfirstchai.com
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • Middle Eastern
  • South Indian
  • Subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • Middle Eastern
  • South Indian
  • Subscribe
×
Home » Recipes » Middle Eastern

Bezar | Emirati Spice Mix

Modified: Nov 27, 2023 · Published: Dec 2, 2019 by Famidha Ashraf · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Jump to Recipe

Have you ever wondered what makes Emirati cuisine unique? The bezar spice mix! The cool part? You can easily make a batch at home using basic spices you may already have. Just mix it with some ghee to add to your soups, stews, rubs, roasts, etc.

An array of whole spices to make bezar spice blend.

You asked, and I delivered! The recipe got a major upgrade, now in a bigger batch size. Plus, I threw in a few new ingredients like fenugreek seeds, nutmeg, ginger, and cardamom for that extra flavour kick.

This special spice blend rocks in the Emirati classic, Saloona. And guess what? It can make any savoury dish taste totally Emirati-awesome!

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Storage
  • Top Tip
  • FAQ
  • Recipes
  • 📖 Recipe Card
  • 💬 Comments

Ingredients

The aromatic blend may differ from one household to another across the UAE. Essentially, there isn't a universally "correct way" to make bezar spice, but the some of spices used remain consistent.

whole spices in a shallow rectangle dish.
  • cumin seeds
  • coriander seeds
  • fenugreek seeds
  • fennel seeds
  • black peppercorns
  • cinnamon stick
  • green cardamom
  • nutmeg (optional)
  • dried red chillies
  • ground ginger (optional)
  • ground turmeric

Instructions

First things first, grab your trusty spice grinder. Throw in that cinnamon stick, dried red chillies, and nutmeg. Hit the grind button and go for a coarse texture. Once that's done, remove and keep aside. We do this to break down the spices uniformly without heating it up in the grinder.

Grinding spices in a spice grinder.

Now, add the remaining whole spices into the grinder in 2 or 3 batches, depending on how beastly your grinder is. Grind away until you hit that sweet spot of coarseness.

Ground up spices in a spice grinder.

Mix the freshly ground spices with the prepped cinnamon, chillies, and nutmeg crew. Toss in the ground ginger and turmeric, and hit the pulse button a few times for that perfect, uniform blend.

Bezar spice in a glass jar.

Storage

  • Airtight Container: Pop your freshly made bezar spice mix into an airtight container. This keeps it safe from air and moisture, preserving its aromatic goodness.
  • Cool, Dark Spot: Find a cozy spot in your kitchen – cool and away from direct sunlight. A dark pantry corner is like the VIP section for spices.
  • Avoid Heat and Moisture: Homemade ground spice should be stored away from heat and moisture. Keep your bezar spice mix far away from the stove and any steamy kitchen escapades.

Follow these storage rules, and your bezar spice mix will stay fresh and ready to jazz up your dishes whenever you need it!

Top Tip

  • Grind the spices in small batches to avoid heating the machine and in turn the spices.
  • After grinding, make sure cool the spices on a plate before sealing them in an airtight jar. This keeps them fresh and flavorful.

FAQ

Can I customize the spice levels?

Absolutely! Adjust the quantity of dried red chillies based on your heat preference. Want it spicier? Go wild; it's your bezar.

How long does it last?

Stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place, your bezar spice mix can last for about 6 months. But let's be real, you'll probably use it up way before that.

Can I skip any ingredients?

You can skip the red chillies, nutmeg, fenugreek and ground ginger and still make a great bezar spice blend.

Can I use pre-ground spices?

While whole spices bring a fresher flavour, you can use pre-ground versions. Adjust quantities a bit, as pre-ground spices can be more potent.

Recipes

  • A plate of margooga chicken served.
    Margooga (Emirati Chicken and Pastry)
  • yemeni chicken mandi recipe
    Yemeni Chicken Mandi | Baked Smoky Chicken Rice
  • a plate of Bahraini Chicken Machboos
    Bahraini Chicken Machboos
  • chicken meatballs majboos
    Chicken Meatballs with Rice

📖 Recipe Card

A jar of homemade bezar spice mix.

Bezar Spice

Bezar spice mix recipe is a unique blend used in Emirati cuisine. Blended with ghee, this can be added to soups, stews, roasts, etc.
No ratings yet
Print Pin Rate SaveSaved!
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
Servings: 12 tablespoons
Calories: 25.55kcal
Author: Famidha Ashraf
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients
 

  • 2 tablespoon cumin seeds, 15g
  • 2 tablespoon coriander seeds, 10g
  • 2 tablespoon fenugreek seeds, 24g
  • 2 tablespoon fennel seeds, 15g
  • 1 tablespoon black peppercorns, 10g
  • 1 cinnamon stick, 5g
  • 1 teaspoon green cardamom, 5g
  • 3 to 5 dried red chillies, 5g
  • ½ nutmeg, (broken pieces)
  • 2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 2 teaspoon ground ginger

Instructions

  • In a spice grinder, coarsely grind the cinnamon stick, dried red chillies, and nutmeg. Once done, set this aromatic blend aside.
    1 cinnamon stick
    3 to 5 dried red chillies
    ½ nutmeg
  • Grind the remaining whole spices in 2 or 3 batches, depending on your grinder's capacity, until they reach a coarse consistency.
    2 tablespoon cumin seeds
    2 tablespoon coriander seeds
    2 tablespoon fenugreek seeds
    2 tablespoon fennel seeds
    1 tablespoon black peppercorns
    1 teaspoon green cardamom
  • Combine the ground spices with the already prepared mix of cinnamon, chillies, and nutmeg. Add in the ground ginger and turmeric. Give it a few pulses to ensure a uniform blend.
    2 teaspoon turmeric powder
    2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • Spread the freshly ground spice blend in a plate for a few minutes to cool off any heat.
  • Transfer your freshly made bezar spice mix to an airtight container. Store it in a cool, dark place away from heat and moisture.

Notes

Do you have a question or want more tips? Please refer to the content above the recipe card. It often contains valuable explanations, tips, and ideas to enhance your cooking experience.

Nutrition Info

Calories: 25.55kcal | Carbohydrates: 4.45g | Protein: 1.25g | Fat: 0.92g
Course: Spice Mix
Cuisine: Emirati, middle eastern
Tried this recipe?Please consider Leaving a Review!

More Middle Eastern Recipes

  • A bowl of roasted capsicum dip garnished with walnuts, pomegranate arils, mint leaf and olive oil.
    Mhammara (Roasted Capsicum Dip)
  • A plate with baked musakhan rolls stacked and served with salad.
    Musakhan Rolls (Sumac Chicken)
  • machboos rubyan served in a large platter along side a bowl of salad.
    Machboos Rubyan (Prawns and Rice)
  • kaak el eid cookies
    Ka'ak el Eid | Date Paste Cookies
22 shares

Reader Interactions

Comments

No Comments

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Mr.F and Famidha

Hey, I'm Famidha

An Indian chai lover in the UAE. As a passionate food blogger, I share a diverse collection of recipes spanning the Middle East and South Asia. With each dish, I aim to spark your culinary curiosity and encourage you to try new flavours and cooking methods.

about me

Popular

  • Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad
    Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad

  • A bowl of cucumber salad with a small bowl of roasted peanuts by the side.
    Sweet and Sour Cucumber Salad

  • chickpea sundal recipe
    Chickpea Sundal

  • fatteh chickpeas
    Fatteh Hummus

Seasonal

  • Chocolate Brownies with Avocado pieces
    Chocolate Brownies with Avocado

  • chocolate salami served in a round plate.
    Chocolate Salami without Eggs

  • a plate of chocolate date balls
    Chocolate Date Balls

  • kataifi truffles with condensed milk
    Sweet Kataifi Truffles

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Media Mentions

Newsletter

  • Sign Up!

Contact

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest

Copyright © 2025 But first Chai

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required