What to Use This Moroccan Spice Blend For?

moroccan spice blend

What to Use This Moroccan Spice Blend For?

Each time I host a gathering or a Moroccan-themed party and cook traditional Moroccan tagines, my guests ask me if I have a secret and authentic Moroccan spice blend recipe they can use to cook Moroccan tagines. Well, guess what? I do have that Moroccan seasoning recipe and my friends loved it so much that I decided to share it here with you.

I learned to make that Moroccan spice mix in my teen years when I was studying in France and had no choice but to learn how to cook my favorite Moroccan dishes. This Moroccan spice blend is a fragrant, easy-to-make spice mix, handy when you don’t have time or want to make sure you always have all the spices required to successfully season a traditional Moroccan tagine. It is also the perfect spice mix to season any of your chicken-based dishes.

Moroccan spice blend in tagines
This Moroccan spice blend can be used to season Moroccan Tagines

Spices are Moroccan cuisine’s essential. In fact. Moroccan cuisine doesn’t use a lot of fancy ingredients, its philosophy is even the opposite. It brings the best out of simple ingredients by using the right aromatics and spice mixes.

One of Morocco’s most loved dishes is the tagine, a dish made with meat (red meat, poultry, or fish) and vegetable leftovers. When looking at the ingredients of the tagine, they seem basic and uninteresting. But the use of spices and aromatics makes the biggest difference and completely transforms this dish. While cooking, the meat and vegetables are infused with a combination of spices and aromatics creating one of the most comforting – and healthy – dishes you can have.

One of the secrets to making a great Moroccan spice mix is to use good quality spices – I call them fresh spices. The first time I left Morocco and started cooking, I couldn’t figure out why my dishes were not as fragrant and hearty as the ones my mother made. After A LOT of experimentation, it hit me. I was using frozen, processed ingredients and I grabbed my spices from random deli shops. Moroccan cuisine on the other hand thrives on fresh ingredients and fresh spices.

Many Moroccan women grind their spices themselves. It takes extra effort but Oh the result is so worth it! So with this in mind, I now make sure I get good quality spices from my local supermarket. Good quality spices are those that are 100% natural, that have a strong scent, and that have been ground less than a couple of months ago.

Moroccan spices
Typical Moroccan spice shop in Moroccan souk market

Moroccan Spice Blend Recipe

This Moroccan spice blend is based on a savant spice mix. Moroccans know what spice combinations are best to bring the best out of each ingredient. Chicken loves ginger, for example, and chickpeas thrive on cumin!

The authentic Moroccan spice mix I will share with you combines all the spices used for making traditional Moroccan chicken tagines. It is super easy to make and uses simple spices that you probably already have in your kitchen. If you don’t, you will find them at any local market, just make sure they are of good quality, otherwise, you will need to use more quantities to get the same result.

I prefer to not add salt to this Moroccan spice blend. Adding salt separately when cooking avoids oversalting and ruining your dish.

I also prefer to use fresh garlic as it gives a better taste and better health benefits, but if you prefer, you can add garlic powder to this spice mix as I will share with you below.

moroccan spice blend
Moroccan spice blend preparation
moroccan spice blend

Moroccan Spice Blend Recipe | Moroccan Seasoning

Safaa (founder of moroccanzest)
This Moroccan spices blend recipe has been in my family for years. Quick, easy to make and adds a savory oriental flavor to your dishes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course spice blend, spice mix, spices
Cuisine Moroccan
Servings 10

Equipment

  • Air-tight glass jar

Ingredients
  

  • 4 tbsp ginger powder
  • 2 tbsp black pepper powder
  • 3 tbsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder optional
  • 1 tbsp coriander powder
  • 1/2 tbsp cinnamon powder

Instructions
 

  • Mix all the spices in a bowl. Make sure the bowl is perfectly dry, otherwise, your spice mix can mold
  • In a perfectly dry airtight glass jar, pour the spice mix and store up to 5 months

Dosage

  • Use to season tagines or any chicken-based recipe. Use 1 tsp in every serving of 2

Nutrition

Calories: 10kcal

What to Use This Moroccan Spice Blend For?

This Moroccan spice blend will be perfect to season your chicken and meat, whether you are making a traditional Moroccan tagine dish or not. I use it for my chicken and meat when roasting in the oven (with some olive oil), or when making hearty stews. You won’t need any more spices, this Moroccan spice blend will be all you need.

You can also use it to make delicious Moroccan tagine recipes. If you are new to tagine making and love hearty and healthy meals, I highly recommend this tagine ebook which lists the easiest Moroccan recipes you can make with the simplest ingredients. You’ll love it, I’m sure!

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5 out of 5 stars (based on 19 reviews)
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loved it

Rated 5 out of 5
November 14, 2019

I made this Moroccan spice mix yesterday and used it to season my roasted potatoes and chicken cubes. I added salt and used fresh garlic as Safa recommends. It was delicious!

stephanie

Delicious

Rated 5 out of 5
May 29, 2019

I usually have leftovers but not this time! My hubby loved the flavor and ate most of the chicken. I am definitely writing this recipe in my recipes book. Thank you!

Cory

worked perfectly

Rated 5 out of 5
April 24, 2019

the best recipe for Moroccan spice mix, thank you!

corrie

I was tired of using the same spices again and again

Rated 5 out of 5
April 23, 2019

this is an easy recipe that really works… I added it to my potatoes and chicken drumsticks and magic happened ! thank you!!

tatiana

I recommend

Rated 5 out of 5
April 23, 2019

This recipe is now in my favorites, thank you

ines

delicious!

Rated 5 out of 5
April 10, 2019

this recipe is not printed and in my recipes box. a must! thank you!

elissa

just made it

Rated 5 out of 5
April 8, 2019

just made it this morning and used it cook my chicken drumsticks. The smell coming out of the oven is so yummy! thank you!!

sam

so tasteful

Rated 5 out of 5
April 1, 2019

this spice blend will change the way you cook, believe me! So So So tasteful. Thank you!

camelia

easy and cheap

Rated 5 out of 5
March 11, 2019

made it in 5 minutes …. it smells wonderful. thank you for this amazing family recipe and for saving our money!

nina

Thank you

Rated 5 out of 5
March 8, 2019

this is what I needed, a recipe from someone who knows what he is talking about..

meg

my children loved it

Rated 5 out of 5
March 6, 2019

I added a tsp of this spice to my chicken stew and let me tell you, there were no leftovers. thank you Safa

kate

Response from Moroccanzest

glad your family liked it kate!

better than my market spice blend

Rated 5 out of 5
March 5, 2019

This spice blend has a stronger taste that really makes a difference in a recipe. Recommend!

maria

omg

Rated 5 out of 5
February 28, 2019

so easy and practical. Just shared the recipe with my mother who loves Moroccan cuisine

stan

sooo delicious

Rated 5 out of 5
February 22, 2019

thank you so much! I used it with my scrambled eggs and that was a hit!

kim

is garlic powder mandatory?

Rated 5 out of 5
February 21, 2019

I don’t like the garlic taste, is it mandatory?

tara

Response from Moroccanzest

Hi, I would say no, especially if you use a little bit of fresh onion with your dish. Garlic (or onion) helps get rid of the strong smell of chicken. xx

simple and tasteful

Rated 5 out of 5
February 20, 2019

This is what I needed to spice up my dishes a little bit. Thanks so much!

damien

my chicken loved it

Rated 5 out of 5
February 19, 2019

I used it to spice my chicken stew and it was perfect! Had to add a little bit of salt, but better to follow the recipe and adjust later

rachel

The best

Rated 5 out of 5
February 16, 2019

THIS is better than any Moroccan blend mix you can find in the market. Try it and you will see!

marina

love love love!

Rated 5 out of 5
February 11, 2019

I just made this spice blend and my family really loves it! it’s easy to make and makes so much of a difference in my chicken stews.

ingrid

Safaa, founder of moroccanzest

From design and decor to food and travel, moroccanzest is the space where I share what I loved growing up in Morocco, and more. It’s your destination for everything beautiful, artistic, and made the Moroccan way with love. Learn more about me here.