Homemade peri-peri seasoning is an easy and delicious spice blend to make. It can be used in so many ways including chicken, fish, vegetables, or even stirred into tomato sauce.
I love homemade spice blends. And this peri-peri blend is one of my favorites to make, because it's hard to find peri-peri seasoning in many stores.
One of the other best things about homemade seasoning is to customize spice blends to your own taste preferences! Want a bit of sweetness? Add sugar. Want it spicier? Add more cayenne pepper. Love oregano? Add more!
What is peri-peri?
Peri-peri (also called piri-piri) spice is a complex spice that can bring spicy, savory, and sweet elements. It is characterized by the addition of peri-peri peppers (also called African bird's eye chilis). However, these can be very difficult to find in many locations, so a common swap is to use cayenne pepper in the homemade spice blend.
It can found in a spice blend, like this, or as a bottled condiment. Trader Joe's and Nando's both make jarred versions of peri-peri sauce. Check out my blog post comparing the two.
Ingredients:
For this recipe, you'll be using a lot of spices, most of which you probably already have in your pantry or spice drawer!
- Paprika
- Smoked paprika
- Cayenne pepper (or ground birds eye chili or ground pequin pepper)
- Oregano
- Garlic powder
- Ground ginger powder
- Onion powder
- Ground cardamom
- Ground coriander
- Sugar (optional)
- Salt (optional)
How to use the peri-peri seasoning:
There are so many ways to use this spice blend!
The peri-peri seasoning is delicious and adds so much flavor to meat when used as a dry rub. I love it on chicken thighs, chicken breast, salmon, cod, and even steak.
I also love using the homemade peri-peri blend when roasting vegetables, especially hearty ones like carrots, zucchini, and potatoes.
Peri-peri can give a unique kick to tomato sauce, chilis, or stews.
And one of my absolutely favorite ways to use this spice mix is a seasoning for peri-peri french fries. The slightly spicy seasoning just adds that perfect kick to ordinary fries!
How long does the seasoning keep:
Store the homemade peri-peri seasoning in an airtight container. The seasoning should last for 6 months and still retain all its flavor.
Recipe tips and customizations:
- For a spicier seasoning, simply increase the amount of the cayenne pepper.
- To add sweetness to your peri-peri spice, add a little bit of granulated sugar. I like mine sugar-free, but a bit of sweetness can add even more depth.
- I usually leave salt out of my spice blend so that I can add my preferred amount of salt directly to my food, but you can add salt to your peri-peri seasoning if you prefer.
How to make:
First, add all the spices into a mixing bowl. I did mine on a plate, just so you can visually see all the spices, but a bowl works best for mixing together!
Mix the spices together.
And keep mixing until all blended together.
Store the peri-peri spice mix in an airtight container or airtight jar. Use seasoning whenever needed!
Other recipes to love:
Peri Peri Seasoning
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons paprika
- 2 Tablespoons garlic powder
- 1 Tablespoon onion powder
- 1 Tablespoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
- salt optional
- granulated white sugar optional
Instructions
- To a medium bowl, add all of your spices.
- Stir together until completely combined.
- Add to an airtight container or jar and store until ready to use.
Notes
- For a spicier seasoning, simply increase the amount of the cayenne pepper.
- To add sweetness to your peri-peri spice, add a little bit of granulated sugar. I suggest 1-2 teaspoons.
- I usually leave salt out of my spice blend so that I can add my preferred amount of salt directly to my food, but you can add salt to your peri-peri seasoning if you prefer. I suggest 1 teaspoon.
Nutrition
Nutrition values are based on an online calculator and are estimates. Please verify using your own data.
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