This classic Moroccan spice blend is a traditional seasoning used in Moroccan and Middle Eastern cuisine. Make it at home to add its bold flavor to your favorite recipes.
What's in Moroccan spice blend?
This is a beautiful mixture of seven warm, ground spices that include black pepper, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom, clove and nutmeg. An exotic and tasty blend for seasoning and dry rubs.
I love using spices which allow you to pack in the flavor without adding calories or fat! This is why I really stress the importance of keeping a well stocked spice pantry.
I love to use whole spices and gently dry toast them to bring out their essential oils, then grind them (in the image below I'm showing all the ingredients in whole form).
You could do that for this, excluding the ginger root of course, but to keep things easy for you, use ground spices for this one.
INGREDIENT NOTES AND SUBSTITUTIONS
Note: This is just a partial list of ingredients. For the full ingredient list, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Black Pepper - Ground black pepper imparts an intense aroma, depth, and heat to foods.
- Cinnamon - Ground cinnamon is wonderful in baked goods and desserts, but adds earthy flavors to meat and curries and is essential in making spice blends.
- Ground Ginger - Ginger is characterized by its unique combination of lemon/citrus, slightly peppery and sweet, with a pungent and spicy aroma. It is warming to taste.
- Green Cardamom - Green cardamom has sweet floral and herbal notes, while black cardamom has a deep smokey flavor with a hint of menthol. I'm using green in this blend.
Combine spices in a small bowl and mix thoroughly with a whisk.
Store in an airtight container up to 6 months. This makes a little over half a cup total.
Uses for Moroccan seasoning
This Moroccan seasoning is fantastic in lentils, stews, marinades and dry rubs and often times I sprinkle it in the water before steaming my rice or couscous.
If you like this spice blend, check out my essential Middle Eastern spices page to see even more!
Moroccan Spice Blend
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup ground black pepper
- 4 tsp ground ginger
- 4 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp cardamom
- ½ tsp clove
- ½ tsp nutmeg
Instructions
- Combine spices in a small bowl and mix thoroughly with a whisk. If using a coarser black pepper, place all the ingredients in a spice grinder (or a clean coffee bean grinder) and grind until blended and powdered.
- Store in an airtight container up to 6 months. This makes a little over half a cup total.
*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
Made this recipe thinking there was no way that 1/3 cup black pepper could be accurate, but it's absolutely correct as written. This Moroccan spice blend is amazing!
Glad you decided to follow through and give this a try Don. It's one of my all-time favorites!
Put Moroccan spice into a recipe app. This was number 25 in the search results and by far the BEST. Thank-you! And for those of you who don’t like pepper don’t be dumb...this blend is excellent as written.
I am glad you found it! Thank you for sharing that you enjoyed it!
Really 1/3 cup black pepper? I’m making it! I’m just reluctant with that one detail
Yes, the recipe is fantastic as written Rachael, hope you give this a go!
I’m not a fan of black pepper, but I love Moroccan spices. Will this have a strong black pepper flavor considering that it’s the main ingredient? Can you suggest a substitution?
Joael, you can easily cut the recipe in half and try it if you're weary, but it's fantastic as written. Give it a go!
I really can't wait to try this Kevin! Homemade spices and seasonings are always the best!
They really are! I hope you enjoy it!
Wow! This comes together so well! I am going to be keeping it in my pantry at all times!
We really enjoy keeping it on hand too Kelsey!
Yes, this is what I needed to perk up my lentils! Fantastic blend and so easy. Thanks again Kevin!
Excellent, glad you enjoy this one Kenny. Have a great weekend.