Lebanese Za’atar Spice Blend

Lebanese Za'atar is a fantastic, tangy spice blend of ground sumac, thyme, sesame seeds and salt. Make this recipe to season your favorite dishes!

Lebanon is a Middle Eastern country in Western Asia, full of rich history and amazing cuisine! The aroma of fresh spices used in their cooking is sure to reach anyone walking through the city streets.

Zaatar is a very common spice blend found in the foods of several Middle Eastern countries, including Lebanon, Egypt, and Iran, among others.

The flavor is savory, with a combination of tangy, woodsy, and nutty afternotes. It is literally irresistible, and once you learn how to make this amazing spice blend, I suspect that you will not want to stop sprinkling it on everything!

What spices are in Lebanese za'atar?

While the recipe can and often does vary by region, there are some basic spices that you will find in nearly every recipe.

• Sumac - This gives the blend its tanginess. Nearly everyone who makes their own blend will say that sumac is the key to a good zaatar recipe.
• Thyme - Because the spices are ground, it really doesn't matter whether you start with whole thyme sprigs or purchase it already ground. However, grinding the leaves yourself will make for better overall flavor.
• Toasted sesame seeds - You can purchase seeds already toasted, or toast them yourself. It just takes a couple of minutes in a dry skillet over medium-low heat.
• Salt - For the best flavor, I suggest using large grind sea salt, Kosher salt, or Himalayan salt

Spices that you'll find in other recipes include oregano, cumin, and coriander.

How do you use the spice blend?

The opportunities to use zaatar are virtually endless!

• add to oiled bread, flatbreads, pita, or naan
• sprinkle on top of hummus and serve with crackers and raw vegetables (cucumber slices are delicious this way!)
• flavoring for soups and salads
• sprinkle on steamed or grilled vegetables
• use in a marinade for chicken or beef

Storage and shelf life

Like any other homemade spice blend, you'll want to store this in an airtight container and keep it in a cool, dry location. If the spices you use are fresh, the blend should be fine to use for at least 6 months. After that, it's still safe to use, but the flavors will diminish, so it's best to create a new batch.

Lebanese Za’atar Spice Blend

This Lebanese Zaatar Spice Blend is a fantastic, tangy, flavorful spice mix of ground sumac, thyme, sesame seeds and salt. The perfect blend to anoint oiled bread and hummus.

5 from 9 votes

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Course: Condiment

Cuisine: Lebanese

Keyword: Lebanese za'atar, zaatar recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Servings: 16

Calories: 23kcal

Author: Kevin

Ingredients

• 6 tbsp dried thyme
• 6 tbsp sesame seeds toasted
• 4 tbsp ground sumac
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 tbsp ground cumin (optional)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

• In a small skillet, dry toast the sesame seeds until fragrant and lightly golden in color. Remove from heat and cool.
• Place the all of the ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly.
• Store in an airtight container. This makes about 1 cup.

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*The information shown below is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.

Nutrition

Calories: 23kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 438mg | Potassium: 33mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 62IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 3mg