Luckily, the cat’s out of the bag! KFC’s 11 herbs and spices are salt, thyme, basil, oregano, celery salt, black pepper, dried mustard, paprika, garlic salt, ground ginger, and white pepper. Paprika is used the most liberally, followed by garlic salt and white pepper, then celery salt. But each ingredient plays an important role. There’s something about KFC’s chicken that’s pretty addictive. Between that thick, savory breading and slightly spicy, finger-lickin’ good chicken, I could eat a whole bucket by myself! But instead of heading out into the cold, you can make your very own KFC chicken at home. And all it takes is a quick spice blend!
KFC’s 11 Herbs and Spices
Since its grand opening in 1952, the secret to KFC’s delicious spice blend remained under strict lock and key. And I’m not speaking figuratively. On Colonel Sander’s estate is a vault with one lone copy of the secret recipe. Chefs working at KFC don’t even know the full recipe! Two manufacturing companies compile half of the ingredients, and they’re blended in-house. So yeah, KFC is serious about keeping its formula a secret! And they were successful up until 2016, when a Chicago Tribune reporter stumbled upon an old hand-written recipe. It detailed the 11 spices in an old scrapbook owned by Colonel Sander’s family. Of course, it leaked pretty fast. KFC denies it’s the real deal, but taste testers beg to differ. When combined with buttermilk and a splash of MSG, this copycat spice blend tastes like the real thing! And the best part? KFC’s 11 herbs and spices are all pantry staples you likely have on hand as we speak! So, if you want to whip up a bucket of finger-lickin’ good chicken at home, you must try this coveted, not-so-secret recipe!
What Are KFC’s 11 Herbs and Spices?
So, what’s in this magical seasoning blend? The simplicity of the ingredients may surprise you. KFC’s 11 herbs and spices are:
2/3 teaspoon salt1/2 teaspoon thyme1/2 teaspoon basil1/3 teaspoon oregano1 teaspoon celery salt1 teaspoon black pepper1 teaspoon dried mustard4 teaspoons paprika2 teaspoons garlic salt1 teaspoon ground ginger3 teaspoons white pepper
All of these ingredients are basic pantry staples. Yet somehow, they create something savory and subtly spicy. Put it on chicken, and you’re in chicken dinner heaven. Don’t believe me? Try it for yourself!
How to Store KFC Copycat Spice Blend
You’ll want to make a big batch of this remarkable spice blend. Because, while it goes great on chicken, you can use it on just about anything! Throw it on burgers, season a steak, or make some breaded cauliflower wings. It’s so tasty, the possibilities are endless. And if you store it correctly, it’ll last a long time. The key is to store it in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. That way, you can keep as much air and moisture away from the spices as possible. To prevent the herbs from oxidizing, store it in in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. If stored correctly, this spice blend lasts up to six months. And while it won’t go bad after six months, the spices lose their intensity and won’t yield as flavorful chicken. Click on a star to rate it!
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