A Beautiful Middle Eastern Baharat Seasoning blend made up of Warming spices, and it’s easy to put together. Used in Sauces, Soups, Grains, Vegetables, Stews, Marinades, and Meat. Such as Lamb, Chicken, Beef, and Fish. It brings a warm, slightly smokey, aromatic flavor profile, adding complexity and depth of flavor. Just combine the Ground Spices and mix well.

What is Baharat Seasoning

A staple in Middle Eastern Cuisine, Baharat Seasoning, sometimes spelled Bharat, is a warm spice blend that varies by region and even household. Being based off of the Lebanese Seven Spice, it typically contains Coriander, Cumin, Black Pepper, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Cloves, and Nutmeg.

Smoked Paprika, often included, adds a slight smoky flavor and reddish color to the mix. Pul Biber or Chili powders frequently enhance the blend, and sometimes Pul Biber, replaces black pepper.

Warming Spices

Warming Spices are spices that have a warming effect on the body. There are so many blends that are based on the running thread of combining warming spices, and Baharat is one of them.

This is a general listing of common warming spices and is not a complete list. Peppers or derivatives such as Paprika, Pul Biber, Cayenne, Sichuan Peppers are all categorized under Chili Flakes, Peppers, or Powders.

Baharat Ingredients

This recipe for Baharat seasoning contains the common ingredients of Paprika, Coriander, Cumin, Black Pepper, Cardamom, Cinnamon, Clove, and Nutmeg.

There are so many blends of Baharat seasoning, because the term “Baharat” just means Spices in Arabic, and the spices used varies greatly from region to region. Although in general it is based off of the Lebanese Seven Spice with additional ingredients added or exchanged.

It is very common to include Paprika, sometimes omitting the Cinnamon or exchanging the Black Pepper in Seven Spice with Pul Biber. In other parts, both Allspice & Cardamom are used together, instead of exchanged with one another. While others will either include Ginger or exchange it with the Cinnamon.

Baharat Ratios

The ratios vary based on preference and the type of dish. I generally follow suit after the same ratios used for Seven Spice. Although with Baharat blends, it isn’t uncommon to significantly up the Paprika or adjust the amounts of a particular ingredient for a desired outcome.

Adding adequate amounts of Salt to any dish containing Baharat is crucial for enhancing the flavors, since the Baharat seasoning itself does not contain salt.

Pul Biber

Pul Biber means “Flake Pepper” or Chili Flakes, and describes many types of Chili Flakes. It most commonly refers to Aleppo Chili Flakes. Other types that fall under Pul Biber include Isot Peppers or Urfa. We typically categorize Urfa as Urfa Biber or Urfa Pul Biber. People also know Urfa as Isot Pepper.

When it comes to Baharat/Bharat. Add any kind of Chili Flakes to the Baharat blend to increase the heat, or exchange them with Black Pepper. Make it as spicy as you want with the addition of Pul Biber.

Both the Aleppo & Isot (Urfa) are Chili Flakes used in Adana Kebabs.

Aleppo Chili Flakes

The Aleppo Pepper has some fruitiness and mild cumin-like undertones. Aleppo Chili Flakes are of a mild to moderate heat, less than that of Red Chili Flakes. They have a fruity & tangy taste, almost like raisin and sun dried tomatoes. With an underlining sweetness and hint of smokiness.

Isot

Urfa Pul Biber or Isot is a Turkish chile pepper that’s distinctive for its dark burgundy color and intriguing salty-sweet-smoky-sour flavor. It is less spicy than many other chili peppers but provides a more lasting build of heat. These Chili Flakes have a pronounced smoke and raisin or prune flavor, and are slightly oily and moist. Some people detect the flavors of chocolate or coffee.

Recipes using Baharat

Used to season a variety of dishes, from rice, vegetables, soups, sauces, marinades, to seasoning fish, chicken, beef, and lamb. With the various meats, It can be used to make Meatballs, Kebabs, Doners or Gyros, and Shawarmas.

Gravy & Meatballs

I use the Bharat seasoning blend with some adjustments to make the Fraser Farm Gravy & Meatballs.

Baharat Chicken & Rice

Baharat Chicken & Rice is just the same as Seven Spice Chicken and Rice bowl, except Baharat Seasoning is used. The one below was made with boneless Chicken Quarters seasoned with Salt & Baharat Seasoning and seared. Served with Garlic Butter Rice, diced Onions & Tomatoes with chopped Lettuce and that Halal White Sauce.