Spice up your kitchen with a taste of Morocco! Ras el Hanout, often called the "crown jewel" of Moroccan spice blends, is a rich mix that can include anywhere from a dozen to nearly a hundred spices. Every spice maker has their own signature version, making it as unique as a fingerprint. Fragrant, complex, and bursting with flavor, Ras el Hanout transforms simple dishes into something unforgettable-whether you're simmering a tagine, roasting chicken, or adding flair to a soup or stew.
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What is ras el hanout?
Ras el Hanout is an authentic Moroccan spice blend known for its rich, aromatic flavor. The name in Arabic translates to "top of the shop", meaning the spices that go into this blend are of the highest quality.
In Morocco and the Middle East, spices are often purchased fresh at local markets, where everyone has their favorite vendor. My sisters recently visited Istanbul and brought back saffron-reminding me of the beauty and diversity of these spice markets. Turkey is still on my bucket list!
Why You'll Love Ras el Hanout
This versatile spice blend is a must-have for Moroccan cooking. It's perfect in:
- Traditional tagine dishes (meat or vegetarian)
- Soups and stews
- Grilled meats and vegetables
- Special relishes and couscous sides
It's truly the seasoning that gives Moroccan food its signature flavor.
How Many Spices are in Ras el Hanout?
There's no single recipe for ras el hanout. Some blends have 12 spices (like mine), while others can include 50-100 spices! The flavor can range from spicy and savory to floral and exotic, depending on the maker. In my recipe, I added a touch of lavender for a subtle floral note.
How to Make Ras el Hanout at Home
To create your own blend, start by grinding whole spices like cardamom pods and cloves. You can use:
- A spice grinder (or an old coffee grinder just for spices)
- A traditional mortar and pestle for an authentic touch
For the remaining spices I went on the recommendation of a Moroccan friend. One thing he told me is that there are some spices/ingredients which we can't get here because they are native to Morocco and other Mediterranean regions. For example, chufa (a tuber native to North Africa and Southern Europe), may be hard to find outside Morocco, but don't let that stop you-your blend will still be amazing!
Ways to Use Ras el Hanout
This spice blend can be used in endless ways:
- Mix with olive oil for marinades on chicken, beef, or lamb
- Use as a dry rub for roasted chicken or grilled meats
- Sprinkle on pita bread with olive oil for a quick snack
- Add to soups, couscous, or tagines for depth of flavor
More Moroccan Recipes You'll Love
If you enjoy ras el hanout, try these delicious Moroccan dishes:
- Moroccan Saffron Chicken - Delicate and flavorful.
- Moroccan Country Bread (Khobz Maghribi) - A perfect side for any dish.
- Moroccan Lamb Tagine with Apricots - Savory with a sweet touch.
- Moroccan Harira Soup - A hearty chickpea and lentil soup.
Ras el Hanout has a warm, complex flavor that's both savory and aromatic. Depending on the blend, it can include spicy, sweet, or even floral notes.
There's no set number-some blends have 10-12 spices, while others can include up to 100! Each spice maker creates their own unique version.
If you don't have Ras el Hanout, try a mix of curry powder with a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg. It won't be exact, but it mimics some of the flavors.
You can add it to tagines, soups, stews, couscous, marinades, or use it as a dry rub for grilled and roasted meats. It's incredibly versatile.
📖 Recipe
Authentic Moroccan Spice Blend: Ras El Hanout
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place cardamom pods and whole cloves, in a spice grinder, and grind to a powder. Place in a container.
- Add in the rest of the ingredients to the cardamom mix, and blend well. Cover container tightly, and keep away from light. It should keep fresh for about 6 months.
Nutrition
Kimberly Baxter says
Lovely and vibrant!
Analida says
Thank you Kimberly! 🙂
Benjamin J Myhre says
I have not heard of this before, but now I want to give this mixture a try!
Analida says
Benjamin, try it out. We just had some the other night, we made kebabs. Ever since I started making my own chili powder a number of years ago, I've experimented with other spice blends.
Mather says
Yea. You really need to visit Turkey, it’s an amazing place with good variety of food. Morocco and Turkey share some famous blend of spices.
Analida says
I would love to visit Turkey someday too!
Zandy Loma says
If the spice can be used on pita bread, then I think there are several other uses that go with the application of the Moroccan spice.
Analida says
Sure! You can add this to some olive oil and make a dipping sauce for pita bread too!
Timo says
You put your own spin and made a very Americanized version of a North African spice blend. So it's not really authentic or Moroccan even since it's inspiration came from Turkey. Looks like a nice combination of spices almost like Baharat or Garam Masala. Maybe we can call it Analida 😉