Create your own Thai 7 spice blend with this simple recipe to use for adding authentic Thai flavors into meats, vegetables, rice, or noodle dishes. It's a quick and easy spice to make and a great way to use up spices and excite your tastebuds.
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Making the most flavorful 7 spice seasoning starts with the freshest ground ingredients. Make this easy Thai spice in small batches so it retains all its flavor and makes your food taste amazing.
If you love Thai spices, you could also mix up a batch of my basic Thai Seasoning Recipe. It is a more savory blend with a hint of coconut. Both my Thai spice blends work great to make this spicy Thai chicken.
Once you see how easy it is to make your own spice blends, try out some of my other homemade seasonings. I really love this sazon seasoning, Mexican spice blend and Italian seasoning blend.
Why You Will Love 7 Spice Blend
- Homemade is fresher. Make your own fresh Thai 7 spice blend so you always know you have the best, freshest spices for all your recipes.
- Save some money. Making your own spices is less expensive and a great way to use up dried spices and herbs you have in your cabinet.
- Easy recipe. Homemade spices take no time to mix up!
- Access to specialty blends. Making your own spice blends means you can more easily experiment and try out new flavors. No need hunting at all the stores to try to find inspiration.
What is Thai 7 Spice?
Thai cooking emphasizes lightly prepared dishes with strong aromatic seasonings and a spicy edge. For some, these flavors might seem a bit spicy for a foreign palate.
This homemade Thai seasoning blend recipe is made from a blend of seven different spices and ensures that a balance of a little sweet, some savory, and a touch of heat is present.
It can be used to add flavor to a wide variety of foods including chicken, fish, pork, curries and vegetables.
What are the Main Spices Used in Thai food?
Thai food is a very aromatic and flavorful cuisine. The use of spices and herbs, including dried or fresh coriander, Thai chili powder, galangal (Asian plant in the ginger family), Makrut lime leaves, green peppercorns, lemongrass, and turmeric, are all typical in Thai cooking.
Ingredients
Use already ground spices to make Thai spice blend in less than five minutes or grind your own whole spices which takes just a tad but longer but might be more flavorul in the end.
Here are the spices that make up this seasoning blend.
Is Thai 7 Spice the same as Chinese 5 Spice?
Chinese 5 Spice is a flavorful blend of classic spices used in traditional Chinese cooking. The five components most commonly found in Chinese five-spice are star anise, cloves, ground cinnamon, pepper, and fennel seeds. There are various additions and substitutions often made according to family traditions and regions.
Thai 7 spice blend is an aromatic blend of star anise, cloves, pepper, ginger, garlic, cumin, and chili powder. It contains less sweet spices and more savory and spicy flavors than Chinese 5 spice. I find that it lends itself to a more savory spice blend.
How to Make 7 Spice Seasoning
There are two ways to make this easy Thai seasoning blend. The first is made by using already ground spice and the other slightly involved and uses whole spices instead.
- Measure out each ground spice and place them into a small bowl and whisk to break any clumps. Mix well so that all the spices are well-blended.
- Pour the seasoning mix into an air-tight jar and secure the lid. Use within 3 months.
How to Use Whole Spices Instead of Ground
You may be wondering why you would want to go through all the trouble of grinding whole spices when you can more easily simply measure out the dry without the extra steps.
The biggest advantage to grinding whole spices is flavor. Once spices are ground, they start to degrade and lose their flavor. With whole spices if they're a tad on the older side, you can warm them up to release oils and revive lost flavors.
How to Grind Spices
You can use whole spice for each of the 7 ingredients or simply mix and match dry and whole. Here's how to grind each spice.
- Use a coffee grinder or spice grinder. I have a coffee grinder that I only used for grinding spices. This means I don't have to worry about the strong flavors of coffee interfering with the spice flavors.
- Place the seeds and pods in the grinder. Pulse for about 30 seconds, then give it a 30 long grind until you can no longer hear pieces spinning around in the grinder.
TOP TIP: I took a black permanent marker and wrote spices only on it, so the family doesn't use it for coffee beans. They might get a surprise hint of spice in their coffee if they did.
- After you've got all the spices ground, measure them out and follow the instructions for mixing up Thai 7 spice.
How to Store Seasonings
Spices and herbs don't last forever but you can extend their life by storing them properly.
I store my spices in glass see-through jars with airtight lids. I also label my jars so I can easily see what is in the jar.
Variations
- Mild blend: Simply make the recipe as written.
- Spicy blend: Add one-half teaspoon of chili pepper instead of black pepper.
- Sweat spicy blend: Use habanero powder instead of black pepper. I suggest adding small increments so it's not too hot.
How To Use Thai 7 Spice
7 spice seasoning can be used to infuse flavors in a variety of different dishes.
- Meats: It works great with chicken breasts or thighs, seafood, and beef as a dry rub or marinade.
- Noodles: Sprinkle on top to your favorite noodle bowl for a bit of seasoniong.
- Rice: Elevate any stir fry rice dish or even just plain rice to add flavor.
- Marinades: Keep reading to find out how to use it to make an easy marinade you can use on meats and vegetables to add flavor.
- Stir fry: Whether you're making stir fry vegetables or stir frying meats, Thai 7 spice is a great way to add flavor.
- Seasoning for snacks: Use it to flavor popcorn, crispy chickpeas, and even potato wedges.
Recipes with Thai Seasonings
One of my favorite ways to use this 7 Spice seasoning is to fire up the grill for this slightly spicy, exotic flavored Thai Grilled Chicken. It’s easy to prep ahead so all you have to do at dinner is to grill and eat, which is perfect for a quick night's dinner or a bbq on the patio.
If you are looking for a Thai appetizer then try this creamy Thai Peanut Hummus Recipe. It is loaded with spicy Thai seasonings, hints of cilantro, and coconut all wrapped up with a nutty peanut flavor. It’s healthy, delicious, and great for dipping vegetables or pita chips.
How to Make Thai Seasoning Sauce
Create a delicious Thai seasoning sauce and Thai marinade by adding a few tablespoons of the spice mix to a can of coconut milk.
Use it to marinade all your favorite beef, pork, chicken, or fish dishes or to add to any soup or noodle bowl for flavor.
How to Make Thai Seasoning Paste
Use Thai 7 seasoning blend with three tablespoons of white miso paste and one teaspoon of Thai seasoning. Mix it together well and then use it to rub into meats or add it by the spoonful to broth and soups for flavor.
Miso Paste White Soybean Paste
How to Make Thai Peanut Sauce
Use Thai 7 spice to make a peanut sauce to drizzle over all your favorite dishes or use it as a dip for appetizers. Mix one teaspoon of Thai Seasoning with 2 tablespoons peanut butter, 2 teaspoons tamari,1 teaspoon of vinegar, and some water to thin out to a consistency you like.
Drizzle it on salads, noodle bowls, or use it as a dip for your favorite party appetizers.
Expert Tips
- For best flavor start with fresh spices.
- Store in an airtight jar in a dry place away from direct sunlight and bright light.
- When possible, grind whole spices instead of using dried.
FAQs
It partly depends on the freshness of the spices you used to make the blend but on average they will last up to three months when stored properly. If they seem a bit lackluster, warming them in a pan over low heat may work to revive the fragrance and flavor.
More Seasoning and Sauce Recipes
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Recipe
Thai 7 Spice Seasoning Mix
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 3 teaspoons cumin
- 3 teaspoons garlic powder
- 3 teaspoons ground ginger
- 3 teaspoons black pepper use chili pepper if you like it spicy
- 2 teaspoons cloves ground
- 2 teaspoons star of anise ground fine
Instructions
- Place all the seasonings into a small bowl and whisk to break any clumps and mix well.
- Pour Thai 7 Spice into an air-tight jar and secure the lid. Use within 3 months.
Notes
- Mild blend: Simply make the recipe as written.
- Spicy blend: Add one-half teaspoon of chili pepper instead of black pepper.
- Sweat spicy blend: Use habanero powder instead of black pepper. I suggest adding small increments so it's not too hot.
Nutrition
Update Notes: This post was originally published in 2021, but was republished with new photos, step-by-step instructions, and tips, in May of 2022.
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