Moroccan Spice Blend
This Moroccan Spice Blend is warm, aromatic and full of depth - the kind of seasoning that instantly elevates simple ingredients. It brings that cozy, signature Moroccan flavor without needing a pantry full of different spices.
Whether you love making your own spice blends or you're just looking for something new to shake up your usual routine, this mix adds a rich, fragrant boost to meats, vegetables and one-pan meals alike.
This recipe works perfectly as a substitute when making our Southwest Chicken Casserole or Easy Chicken Thigh Marinade.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Balanced Flavor: Sweet, smoky and a little spicy, the perfect all-in-one seasoning blend.
- Versatile: Works beautifully in vegetable dishes, chicken, beef, chickpeas and cozy skillet meals.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with common ground spices you may already have in your spice cabinet.
- Budget-Friendly: A great way to create your own spice blends for a fraction of the store-bought cost.
- Long-Lasting: Stores well in an airtight container and keeps its full aroma for months.
Ingredients
With just a quick trip to the grocery store, you will be ready to make this simple recipe.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
- Light Brown Sugar: Adds subtle sweetness to balance the warm flavor of the spices.
- Paprika: Gives color and mild smokiness.
- Ground Cumin: Offers earthy depth that anchors the blend.
- Ground Cinnamon: Adds signature warmth and a fragrant twist.
- Ground Pepper: Brings mild heat and enhances the overall spice mixture.
- Ground Cloves: Adds intensity and complexity.
- Ground Ginger: Brightens the blend with a gentle kick.
- Salt: Ties the flavors together.
- Cayenne: Adds optional heat.
Grab yourself a glass airtight container, small mixing bowl and whisk or fork.
Variations
- More Heat: Increase the cayenne or add a pinch of crushed red peppers if you can tolerate more spice.
- For a Brighter Flavor: Add a small sprinkle of dried rose petals or cinnamon blossom. This is more similar to the popular North African Ras el hanout.
- Deep Earthy Vibe: Add coriander or cardamom seeds for extra depth and a more complex, aromatic finish.
- Lower Sodium: Reduce or omit the salt and season dishes individually.
How to Make Moroccan Spice Blend
Making your own Moroccan spice mix couldn't be easier.
Whisk together ingredients and it is ready to use.
Store in an airtight container for up to a year.
Hint: Ground spices can settle, so give the jar a quick shake or whisk to redistribute.
Recipe Tips
- Use Fresh Spices: Older ground spices lose aroma; fresher ingredients mean the richest flavor.
- Scale it Up: Double or triple the recipe if you use this blend often.
- Check Heat Level: Add cayenne slowly until you reach your ideal amount.
Try giving our Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken a Moroccan twist by swapping in 3 tablespoons of this spice blend.
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Storage Instructions
- Refrigerator: Once cooled, place in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Freezer: Alternatively, you can place it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Serving Suggestions
- Great with Meats: Slow Cooker Pot Roast, Slow Cooker Brisket or
- Perfect for Vegetables/ Vegetable Dishes: Air Fryer Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Sweet Potato Skillet or Coconut Milk Curry Lentils.
Recipe FAQs
It has a gentle warmth rather than real heat. The cinnamon, cumin and paprika keep it mellow, while the cayenne adds just a small kick. If you prefer a spicier blend, you can simply increase the cayenne to taste.
Ras el hanout is a fragrant North African spice blend known for its warm complexity and its long-time use in Moroccan cooking. This is similar but simpler with a warmer profile. If you add coriander or cardamom you can get a closer match.
Absolutely, having this mix ready to go makes lunches and dinners quicker and more flavorful.
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Moroccan Spice Blend
Equipment
- Glass Airtight Container
- Small Mixing Bowl
- Mini Whisk
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground paprika
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne or more to taste
Instructions
- Whisk together ingredients and it is ready to use.
- Store in an airtight container for up to a year.
Notes
- Whisk it Up: Ground spices can settle, so give the jar a quick shake or whisk to redistribute.
- Use Fresh Spices: Older ground spices lose aroma; fresher ingredients mean the richest flavor.
- Scale it Up: Double or triple the recipe if you use this blend often.
- Check Heat Level: Add cayenne slowly until you reach your ideal amount.
Nutrition
Tried this recipe? Leave a star rating and comment below, I'd love to hear how it turned out for you!
This spice blend is so flavorful! I love the combinations. It's just the right amount of everything.
Thanks so much, it really is a great one to have on hand. It takes things to a level you didn’t know you needed! 😉
This spice blend is so nice to have on hand. If I am feeling stuck for inspiration I will use this and it adds so much flavor to something as simple as a chicken breast, thighs or pork chop! We love it.