NOTE: This post was updated on 11/24/20 to include new information. It was originally published on 9/7/19. One amazing spice is Ras el Hanout, a spice blend with a pungent taste. Ras el Hanout is an essential spice for Moroccan cuisine but its origin is from North Africa. Ras el Hanout is commonly used to marinate meat and for adding flavor to stews. With its great aroma and taste, it is often called the “king of spices” and after using Ras el Hanout, you may well agree. The name Ras el Hanout translates to “head of the shop”, meaning “top shelf”, and the ingredients reflect the name. The primary ingredients used to make Ras el Hanout are clove, coriander, cinnamon, cardamom, cumin, nutmeg, paprika, mace, turmeric, and peppercorn. In addition to these, cubebs (tailed pepper or Java pepper), dried rosebud, ash cherries, orris root, chufa, and monks’ pepper is also added to improve the taste. Talk about a combination! Some recipes for ras el hanout call for up to 50 ingredients, and as many as 80 or more. You can see how the spice blend can easily vary.
Make your own Ras el Hanout Garam masala Curry powder
Ras el Hanout Ingredients
Ras el Hanout is a blend of exquisite and premium spices. If you want to make your own at home, use only the freshest and finest ingredients.
Cumin. 1 part. Cayenne. ½ part. Paprika. ½ part. Ginger Powder. ½ part. Coriander. ½ part.
The flavor will be close, perhaps not exact as the complex blend, but if you are out of spices, it will work great. Start using or store.
Curry Powder
Curry powder is an acceptable substitute for Ras el Hanout, but the flavors can vary a lot, despite having mostly the same ingredients. Use curry powder if you are unable to make your own or find garam masala. So, the answer to the question is a cautious “yes” with the caveat that the flavor of one may not directly translate to the other, depending on the blend and the maker. Consider the flavor of the spice blend in how it will affect your particular recipe. Even though Ras el Hanout is often made with so many spices, below is a simplified recipe for you to try to make it at home.
Is Baharat the same as Ras el Hanout?
Baharat is a different spice blend than Ras el Hanout. Baharat is a very hot spice and is usually used in Greek and Middle Eastern cuisines. There are three primary types of Baharat to consider:
Traditional - A mixture of paprika, saffron, cardamom, nutmeg, cumin, coriander, and allspice Middle Eastern - A mixture of paprika, nutmeg, cardamom, and cumin Turkish - All the spices mentioned above with a touch of mint
So, the bottom line is that Baharat can be a good substitute for Ras el Hanout, but you will have to be careful about the particular ingredients.
Where Can I Buy Ras el Hanout?
