This fragrant All Purpose Lebanese Spice Blend is the secret to irresistible grilled meats, soups, roasts and other Middle Eastern specialties.
As a busy mother of two young boys under the age of 3, I have become a bit of a master in turning my family’s traditional Middle Eastern recipes into quick and easy weeknight dishes. In fact, I often joke that I am in favor of anything that helps me get dinner on the table before the meltdown train leaves the station.
For example, my mother and aunts have been preparing traditional Lebanese Green Beans and Beef for years but I was the first to turn it into a hands-off slow cooker dish. I promise it’s just as good as the classic because my family would be the first to tell me if it wasn’t, trust me on that one.
To help kick off McCormick’s American Homemade Program, I decided to create a simple, 5 ingredient All Purpose Lebanese Spice Blend made with cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, salt and pepper. Here is my video showing just how easy it is to prepare:
It couldn’t be any easier to make and the versatility is astounding. I love making it in bulk, stashing it in the pantry and grabbing it whenever I am craving Lebanese food.
We love using this spice blend to flavor Hushwee (Ground Beef with Toasted Pine Nuts), Sfeehas (Lebanese Meat Pies), Grilled Kafta Patties, Beef or Chicken Shawarma and so much more. Try it in Lamb Dumplings in Garlic Yogurt Sauce or Kibbeh Meatballs with Spice Yogurt Sauce.
The options are endless. Your fork is waiting.
All Purpose Lebanese Spice Blend
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon Pure Ground Black Pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon Ground Allspice
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight container until you're ready to use.
Video
Recipe Notes:
Recipe can easy be doubled, tripled or even multiplied by ten.
Spice blend will keep for up to six months stored in an air-tight container at room temperature.
I wanted to do something differently to spice up my beef meatball recipe, literally. This blend was perfect. Thank you for sharing!
What a great idea!!
Hello, there is something else in that spice blend that is not listed — I see it in the photo. It looks like sesame seeds…is that Zaatar?
Nope that’s Kosher salt you see. There are no sesame seeds or za’atar in this blend – this spice blend is used differently than za’atar. :)
Great, thank you! I’ll have to try this.
Just discovered your blog and I’m happy to find another Lebanese cook. This is a great idea! I love cooking Lebbo (my father’s side is Lebanese) and you pretty much always use the same spices, so why not blend them?
I’m so glad you found me!!
There is a little Lebanese restaurant about 15 miles from our house. It is run by an older Lebanese man and his sons. Small little hole in the wall type of place but my gosh do they have the best gyros and gyro bowls as they call them. We love this restaurant and their food but one of our hobbies (Wife and I) is to try to copy good food at home. Your ALL PURPOSE LEBANESE SPICE BLEND pushed our homemade version over the top! I almost saved some of the roasted zucchini, onions, yellow rice, and tzatziki sauce to have him try our attempt at his food! It was THAT good thanks to your spice recipe. Nothing beats learning to cook from the grandma’s.
If you are ever in the Sylvania Ohio area stop by Pita Sub Express. You won’t be sorry.
Oh my goodness thank you so much for the tip on the place in Ohio!! And thank you so much for your kind words. I’m so glad you enjoyed the spice blend!
Hi liz. Is this the same spice blends used to make basturma sausage? Thanks john
Hmm..I’ve never heard of that sausage?? Is it Lebanese?
Yes. Found it for sale in amiddle eastern store in mich det metro area.
Basturma is Armenian. The spices are not the same.
Great flavors! I will definitely be trying this as I love middle eastern food.
Thank you so much!! :)
There is nothing better than making your own spice blend. So easy!! I need to try this combo soon :-)
Let me know what you think!!
I’d love to try my hand at making Lebanese food! Your spice mix sounds delicious and love the childhood memories behind it :-) Fun video too!
Thank you for watching the video!!! :)
I love all of the spices in this! I ADORE spices of any kind and I just think everything tastes better with spices. Looking forward to making it ;-)
I totally agree…spices make the world go round. :)
This spice blend sounds wonderful. It reminds me of the Lebanese boyfriend I had many years ago who introduced me to some of the most important foods of the world: string cheese, tahini, hummus and pita bread. The flavors I grew up with were Hungarian (especially sweet paprika), but those no longer call to me. My favorite flavors come from Indonesia, southeast Asia, Greece, the Middle East, Mexico and South America. There are not enough days left in my life for all the wonderful flavors out there. I will definitely be putting this spice blend together.
Oh my goodness those ARE the best foods in the world!!! I couldn’t agree more!
What an interesting combo for savory dishes! Must try!!
Thank you so much Phoebe!
Of course I love this post! It is so fun to see you talk about your Middle Eastern roots and your Mom, Grandma and Aunt and how they inspire you. I can totally relate. I am saving this spice blend–can’t wait to try it out! It would be perfect in Lebanese Green Beans!
I knew you would love this post!! We are so lucky to have such good food in our family!
You know I love this, Liz. My favorite foods.
I had a feeling you’d like this one my friend!
I can almost smell it. Looks amazing, Liz!
Thank you Ann!
BRavo! Love this! Hmmm what are my go to spices curries! Garam Masala! Oregano, Basil! coriander! now I’m hungry ;)
hahah Thank you my friend!! Sorry for making you hungry. ;)
I love the sound of this. The warm spices and familiarity makes me smile. Can’t wait to try!
Thank you so much- it’s so true. :)
First of all, I loved your video. You are a natural behind the camera! But secondly…. I love your Lebanese spice blend. Can you believe I’ve never had Lebanese food before? Time to make a batch of your spice blend and make something delicious!
Aww you are so sweet Ashley!! Thank you so much. And are you kidding me?!?! You NEED to have Lebanese food! So fresh and healthy and flavorful!!
I can only imagine how much flavor this spice blend brings to food. YUM!
The warm spices are really a nice surprise in savory dishes!
My fork IS waiting! That looks like great stuff!
Thank you so much Dorothy!
Liz, how much is a serving of your spice blend. I’m making Lebanese Green Beans for our parish priests. I made the spice blend, but wondered how much to use?
Thanks ,
Italian / American cook
1 teaspoon!! Sorry about that. Enjoy!
My mouth and fork will be waiting! Love this X a zillion!
haha you crack me up!! xo
I need to make a batch of this for my kitchen!
You would love it Gaby!
Hi Liz, thanks for the great recipes! For me too, it always comes back to Lebanese food. My mother was a chef & pastry chef. She can make just about anything and it’s always amazing. Although she brought us up eating foods from all different cuisines, she’s 100% Lebanese and it was always those foods that were really special to me. Luckily, she is a great teacher and has been very generous with her time, patience, and recipes with me, so that now, I’m a pretty good cook, too. We use a few different words for our dishes than you do, but the recipes are pretty similar. So, thank you again! I love your blog!
Wow that is such a great story Sara! That is so amazing that your mom was a pastry chef! Thank you so much for sharing. :) And thank you for your sweet words on the blog – let me know if you try any recipes!
You’re probably not surprised that I LOVE this Liz. I am all over these flavors. I love that a little bit of this spice adds so much flavor and zero calories. Can’t wait to check out the green beans and beef recipe.
Thank you so much Katie!!! I am all about flavor without the cals!