🌿 Spices & Herbs

Lebanese Seven Spice Substitute

Discover authentic Lebanese seven spice (baharat) substitutes for Middle Eastern cooking. Traditional recipes, ratios, and cooking techniques for authentic Lebanese flavor.

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Quick Answer

The best Lebanese seven spice substitute is baharat spice blend (1:1), or make your own with allspice, black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, cumin, and nutmeg. Each provides authentic Middle Eastern flavor for Lebanese cooking.

Best Substitutes

Baharat Spice Blend

1:1

Baharat is the traditional Lebanese seven spice blend containing allspice, black pepper, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, cumin, and nutmeg. This is the authentic Middle Eastern equivalent of seven spice, with warm, aromatic flavors perfect for Lebanese cuisine.

Best for:

Lebanese cookingMiddle Eastern dishesmeat seasoningrice dishesstews and soups

Traditional Middle Eastern seven spice blend - the authentic Lebanese version

Homemade Lebanese Seven Spice

1:1

Traditional Lebanese recipe: 2 parts allspice, 1 part black pepper, 1 part cinnamon, 1 part ground cloves, 1 part coriander, 1 part cumin, 1 part nutmeg. Toast whole spices before grinding for maximum flavor.

Best for:

customizable spice levelsfresh spice blendauthentic Lebanese flavorbulk preparation

Make authentic Lebanese baharat at home with traditional proportions

Allspice + Cinnamon + Cumin

1:1

A simplified version combining allspice (the dominant flavor in Lebanese seven spice), cinnamon, and cumin. While not as complex as full baharat, it captures the essential warm, aromatic profile of Lebanese cooking.

Best for:

quick Lebanese seasoningwhen full baharat unavailablebasic Middle Eastern dishes

Simplified version focusing on the most essential Lebanese flavors

Garam Masala + Allspice

1:1

Garam masala combined with extra allspice creates a similar warm, aromatic profile to Lebanese seven spice. The combination provides the complex spice blend characteristic of Middle Eastern cuisine.

Best for:

when baharat unavailablefusion Middle Eastern-Indian disheswarm spice needs

Indian-inspired substitute with similar warm spice profile

Za'atar + Allspice + Cinnamon

1:1

Za'atar (thyme, sumac, sesame) combined with allspice and cinnamon creates a herb-forward version of Lebanese seven spice that works well for vegetable dishes and lighter fare.

Best for:

herb-focused Lebanese disheswhen full seven spice unavailablevegetable seasoning

Herb-forward substitute using traditional Middle Eastern ingredients

Cooking Tips

  • 💡Lebanese seven spice (baharat) is typically used in meat marinades, rice dishes, and stews
  • 💡Toast whole spices before grinding for maximum flavor and aroma in homemade blends
  • 💡Lebanese seven spice pairs beautifully with olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic in marinades
  • 💡Store baharat in an airtight container away from heat and light to maintain freshness
  • 💡In Lebanese cooking, seven spice is often combined with sumac and za'atar for complex seasoning
  • 💡Use Lebanese seven spice as a dry rub for grilled meats or mix with olive oil for marinades
  • 💡The allspice in Lebanese seven spice is the dominant flavor - don't skimp on this ingredient

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary

Find authentic Lebanese seven spice (baharat) substitutes for Middle Eastern cooking. Learn traditional recipes, ratios, and cooking techniques for authentic Lebanese flavor.