Peri Peri Seasoning
This homemade peri peri seasoning is a fiery blend of cayenne, paprika, garlic and dried herbs that takes just 4 minutes to mix. Toss it with fries, rub it onto chicken, or stir a pinch into mayo for a spicy dip.
If you like the peppery heat of Nando’s-style seasoning, this pantry blend is an easy way to bring it to dinner. It’s a spicier option to keep alongside my Tajin spice mix and garlic bread seasoning.
Quick Look: Peri Peri Seasoning
- 🔪 Prep time: 4 minutes.
- ⏲️ Cook time: None.
- 👪 Servings: 6.
- 📋 Main ingredients: Paprika, cayenne, Italian seasoning, garlic granules, onion powder, ginger powder, dried parsley, black pepper and salt.
- ♨️ Method: Measure the spices → whisk together → use or jar.
- ⭐ Difficulty: Easy.
- 🥣 Serving ideas: Sprinkle over fries, chicken, shrimp or roasted vegetables.
Jump to:
What's So Great About the Recipe?
- No cooking: The ready-ground spices and dried herbs go straight into the bowl.
- Heat you can adjust: Trade some cayenne for sweet paprika for a milder mix, or use smoked paprika for a smoky finish.
- Useful beyond chicken: The dry blend works as a rub, a finishing sprinkle or a seasoning for dips.
Recipe Ingredients
Paprika and cayenne: Paprika gives the blend its red color and pepper flavor. Cayenne brings most of the heat.
Garlic granules and onion powder: They give the blend a savory base, with a little sweetness from the onion.
Ginger powder: Adds a warm bite behind the cayenne.
Italian seasoning and dried parsley: The herb blend rounds out the peppers, and parsley adds flecks of green.
Ground black pepper and salt: Black pepper adds another layer of bite, and salt brings the flavors together.
See recipe card for quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
- Make it smoky: Swap regular paprika for smoked paprika.
- Adjust the heat: For a milder blend, replace some of the cayenne with sweet paprika. If using ground peri peri chiles, start with a little in place of some cayenne and adjust from there.
- Swap the aromatics: Use garlic powder in place of granules, or dried oregano and thyme in place of the Italian seasoning.
- Add a sweet note: Stir in a little brown sugar if you want a sweeter rub.
How to Make Peri Peri Seasoning
Step 1: Add the paprika, cayenne, Italian seasoning, garlic granules, onion powder, ginger, dried parsley, black pepper and salt to a clean, dry mixing bowl.
Step 2: Whisk until the color looks even and no pockets of spice remain. Break up any soft clumps with the back of a spoon.
💭 Top Tip
Test a pinch on a plain fry or stir it into a spoonful of mayo before seasoning a whole batch. The cayenne comes through quickly, so it’s easier to add more than to dial it back.
Equipment
Tips & Tricks to Nail the Recipe
- Start with fragrant spices: Paprika and dried herbs lose their punch as they sit. Give them a sniff before mixing.
- Whisk out the clumps: Press any lumps of garlic or onion powder against the bowl with a spoon so they spread evenly through the blend.
- Season in stages: Start with a light sprinkle on cooked food, then taste before adding more. The mix already contains salt.
How to Use Peri Peri Seasoning
Mix it with olive oil and lemon juice for a chicken rub, or toss it with hot fries and roasted potatoes. Stir a pinch into mayo for a quick dip.
Try a light sprinkle over Air Fryer Parmesan asparagus or spicy garlic edamame. It also adds a kick to chickpea egg salad, avocado Pico de Gallo or garlic lemon butter shrimp.
Troubleshooting and FAQs
Yes. Peri peri and piri piri are alternate spellings. This pantry blend uses paprika and cayenne for its pepper flavor and heat.
It has a noticeable kick because cayenne is a major ingredient. For a milder version, replace some of the cayenne with sweet paprika.
Keep the blend in an airtight jar in a cool, dark cupboard away from the stove. Use a clean, dry spoon. Fresh spices can keep their flavor for several months, but the blend will fade sooner if the individual spices were already old.
Related Recipes
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If you tried this peri peri seasoning, please leave a 🌟 star rating and tell me what you used it on in the 📝 comments below.
Peri Peri Seasoning
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 tablespoon cayenne
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic granules
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ginger powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon black pepper powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a mixing bowl.
- Mix well, taste and adjust according to your personal preference.
