Tunisian Spice Blend Recipe

Tunisian Spice blend, also known as Tabil, is one of Tunisia’s most famous spice blends.

It is an earthy and warm mix with hints of caraway and anise.

However, the predominant flavor should be that of coriander since Tabil actually means coriander in Tunisian Arabic.

Although Tunisians mainly use it for grilled dishes, it could also be used in soups, stews, and couscous.

Besides, it refines vegetables, especially eggplants and sweet potatoes. 

The warmth and comfort of the Tunisian Spice Blend make you fall in love with the mixture.

And today, you’ll learn how to make a perfect Tabil spice mix. 

How to Make Tunisian Spice Blend

Tabil, or Tunisian Spice Blend, perfectly reflects the culinary skill since Tunisian cuisine is known for its spiced dishes.

This spice blend is all about the chili powder’s beautiful spiciness, the coriander and fennel’s earthy aroma, and the cloves’ floral scents. 

The best thing is it has a little bit of everything, which makes you love this mixture and add it everywhere.

Tabil is a traditional and the most popular spice blend in the city of Tunis.

However, the broad list of other popular spice blends creates a variety of Tunisian Spice Blend recipes. 

We’ll stick with the traditional one, and here’s what you’ll need to make it:

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp coriander seeds
• 2 tsp caraway seeds
• ½ tbs fennel seeds
• ½ tsp chili powder 
• ½ tsp black peppercorns
• ¼ tsp cumin seeds
• ¼ tsp turmeric powder
• 5 cloves
• 3 green cardamon
• ¼ tsp garlic powder

Instructions

The versatility of the Tunisian Spice Blend comes down to the delicate aroma of garlic and the pack of flavors it gives without even a pinch of salt.

Perfect for rubbing and seasoning, all in one. 

But what you will appreciate are the multiple ways it can be customized.

You can reduce or add more heat by removing or scaling up the ingredients of this spice blend.

Nothing stops you from personalizing this recipe to your needs and dietary requirements. 

Other than that, there is nothing complicated about making a spice blend.

However, it’s about more than just mixing all the ingredients. 

Step 1: 

Add all spices except cardamon, garlic powder, and cloves into the heavy-based skillet.

Heat the mixture, stirring continuously for about 2 minutes, until it gets aromatic. 

Step 2: 

Remove the spice from the heat and add the remaining spice while the mixture is still hot. 

Then transfer it all to a spice grinder and process it into powder.

A slightly grainy blend is okay.

But depending on its primary use, you can make it finer.

And authentic Tunisian Spice Blend is ready. Store in small jars and enjoy all year round!

Ingredient Substitution

As it is with all spice blends, you can take the game to the next level and customize the recipe, as we’ve told you before. 

However, you must be careful with the spice you remove or substitute.

It could completely spoil the blend and make it impossible to use. 

Try using spices that are of equal “spiciness.” One small pinch is enough to override the whole Tunisian Spice Blend.

1. Cumin

Cumin is a spice in various dishes like curries, chilis, soups, and stews.

In some countries, it is used the same way as pepper and kept at a dining table.

Since cumin is so widely used, it makes a perfect substitute for coriander.

The taste is slightly different, though. Cumin offers a warm, nutty flavor that resembles coriander.

Feel free to use it as a 1:1 substitute. 

2. Dill Seeds

Only some spices and herbs are common in one’s pantry, and it’s fine.

If you don’t have any fennel seeds, dill seeds might do well.

Not only are dill seeds similar to fennel seeds in appearance, but in flavor too. 

Expect to get a different sweetness than the fennel gives you. 

Dill is not that intense. But the tanginess of dill seeds will work great for the Tunisian Spice Blend.

3. Black Pepper

One of the most common alternatives to black peppercorns is simple ground black pepper since it’s made from black peppercorns.

You can generally use 1 teaspoon of black pepper instead of 1 teaspoon of black peppercorn.

However, ground pepper won’t have the same flavors or heat as peppercorns. 

That being said, if you choose this substitute, use black pepper for peppercorn measurement.

What to Serve with Tunisian Spice Blend

Tabil tastes excellent with everything 一sprinkle it or put it under the grill. Be daring and experiment.  

If you need some ideas, Tunisian Spice Blend refines chicken, scrambled effs, soups, and baked fish. You can even try popcorn.

Why not? 

Nevertheless, give these things a try.

Jamaican Pepper Steak

Pepper steak is a Chinese- American stir-fried dish that has won the heart of hundreds.

It is filling, flavorful, and utterly delicious 一 all you need for a comfort meal.

The beef stripes are cooked with the 3 colorful bell peppers, ginger, and soy sauce, making it seem like an Asian-inspired dish.

Pepper, cloves, and salt is all the seasoning there is. So you can take things up a notch and add warm and earthy Tunisian Spic Blend.

Sirloin Tip Roast 

No one can resist a perfectly moist and tender roast.

A lean cut of boneless meat cooked right is a pleasure all year round.

And most importantly, it is not hard to cook at all.

This sirloin tip roast recipe could help you handle anything. 

It would help if you had a nice cut of sirloin tip roast, melted butter, and seasoning.

Swap the spice required for this recipe with the Tunisian Spice Blend, and you won’t be able to wait for the roast to be done.

The aroma will be irresistible!

Chicken Noodle Soup

Do you know what perfectly combines shredded chicken, hearty broth, egg noodles, and some veggies?

A bowl of warm, filling, and comforting chicken noodle soup. 

The process of cooking this soup is hands-off.

You can let it boil and go about other things you need to do.

It is super easy to scale, store and reheat.

However, the best part is you can play with the seasoning for the broth and add Tunisian Spice Blend to kick up the flavor palette.

A few times a year, my six-year-old son, Doctor John, hands me a “prescription” for chicken noodle soup.

I’m always happy to fill it!

How to Store Tunisian Spice Blend

If you start looking for the spice blend expiration date, you won’t find any clear answer since dried spice and herbs don’t expire per se.

They could lose their flavor and color, which makes them useless in cooking.

Correspondingly, the only thing you can do is to increase their shelf life. 

Store Tunisian Spice Blend on the Shelf

Storing spice blends, including Tabil, requires glass jars or airtight containers.

Besides, dry spice blends should be exposed to manageable humidity and heat. 

So it’s best to keep them somewhere dark on the shelf and far from the stove, where they could be exposed to moisture.

To check if the spice is still good, sprinkle some on the tip of your finger.

If it is not fragrant anymore, toss it away.

Store Tunisian Spice Blend in the Fridge

Some consider a fridge a great way to store spice blends because of its cold and dark nature.

But it is arguably the best place. 

The humidity in the fridge won’t only alter the flavors of your spice mix but even cause spice to grow mold.

So, unless your Tunisian spice blend recipe has been vacuum sealed, don’t store it in the fridge.