Top 5 Homemade African Seasoning Blends You Can Make at Home
Seasoning is the heart of African cooking, turning simple ingredients into rich, flavorful dishes that tell stories of heritage and culture. While seasoning cubes like Maggi are popular for convenience, making your own homemade seasoning blends opens up a world of authentic flavor, control over ingredients, and health benefits.
Here are five essential homemade African seasoning blends you can easily prepare at home, each crafted to enhance traditional dishes with natural, vibrant tastes.
Also read: Popular African Foods and their Calorie Measurement
1. Suya Spice Blend (Nigerian BBQ Spice)
Suya is a famous Nigerian street food—spicy grilled meat coated with a unique peanut and chili blend. Making your own Suya spice blend gives your grilled dishes an unforgettable smoky heat.
Image from: Kwankyewaa's Kitchen
Shop a variety of Suya Spice at L'afrique Market.
Ingredients:
- Ground roasted peanuts or peanut powder
- Paprika or smoked chili powder
- Ground ginger
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt
- Cayenne pepper or chili flakes (adjust for heat)
Usage: Use this blend to season beef, chicken, or fish before grilling or roasting for that signature spicy, nutty flavor.
2. Berbere Spice Mix (East African Heat)
Berbere is a fiery Ethiopian seasoning blend that adds warmth and complexity to stews, lentils, and grilled meats.
Image from: Hunter Angler Gardner Cook
Ingredients:
- Ground chili powder
- Paprika
- Ground coriander
- Fenugreek
- Ground ginger
- Cinnamon
- Cloves
- Allspice
- Cardamom
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
Usage: Perfect for making Ethiopian stews like Doro Wat and flavoring vegetables or meats.
3. Ras El Hanout (North African Aromatic Blend)
Widely used in Moroccan cuisine, Ras El Hanout is a fragrant, complex spice mix offering floral, sweet, and earthy notes.
Image from: Tilda Rice
Ingredients:
- Ground cumin
- Ground coriander
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground ginger
- Ground turmeric
- Paprika
- Cardamom
- Cloves
- Nutmeg
- Mace
- Black pepper
Usage: Use to season tagines, couscous, roasted vegetables, or grilled lamb.
4. African Curry Powder (West African Style)
A versatile, mildly spicy curry powder popular in West African kitchens to enhance soups, stews, and rice dishes.
Image from: Foodal
Ingredients:
- Ground turmeric
- Ground coriander
- Ground cumin
- Ground fenugreek
- Ground ginger
- Black pepper
- Mustard seeds
- Chili powder (optional)
Usage: Ideal for making meals like Nigerian curried chicken or jollof rice with a spicy kick.
5. Za’atar-Style Herbal Blend (Northwest African Twist)
While Za’atar is Middle Eastern, many North African kitchens have their own herbal blends with similar earthy and tangy flavors, perfect for seasoning bread, meat, and vegetables.
Image from: The Aproneer
Ingredients:
- Dried thyme
- Sumac powder (or lemon zest as a substitute)
- Ground sesame seeds
- Oregano or marjoram
- Salt
Usage: Sprinkle on flatbreads, roasted veggies, or use to season grilled meats.
Why Make Your Own Seasoning Blends?
- Control: Customize salt and spice levels for health and taste preferences.
- Freshness: Ground fresh spices deliver more intense flavor compared to store-bought powders.
- Authenticity: Recreate traditional family flavors with 100% natural ingredients.
- Cost-effective: Make large batches to save money and reduce packaging waste.
Where to Get Quality Ingredients
To craft these blends authentically, sourcing fresh, high-quality spices is key. At L’Afrique Market, you’ll find a wide variety of authentic African spices, dried herbs, and nuts to help you create homemade seasoning blends that bring your dishes to life.