Homemade Zaโ€™atar Seasoning

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This zaโ€™atar seasoning is a flavorful spice blend that is the perfect mixture of savory, sweet and umami. It is great over roasted vegetables, used as a dry rub for meat, or sprinkled over soft scrambled eggs.

za'atar seasoning on a plate with a spoon
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Our Take on Zaโ€™atar Seasoning

We seriously cannot get enough of this zaโ€™atar seasoning! Itโ€™s perfectly savory, a little sweet and rich. Weโ€™re sharing what you need (spoiler alert: you only need 11 ingredients!), how to easily whip up a batch, and our favorite spice containers so you can store this zaโ€™atar seasoning in your own spice cupboard.

What is zaโ€™atar seasoning?

Zaโ€™atar seasoning is a middle eastern spice blend that combines savory, sweet and umami flavors. Its ingredients can vary depending on the region youโ€™re in and the food it is served with.

What does zaโ€™atar seasoning taste like?

Why youโ€™ll love homemade spice blends

Salt control: You get to control how much salt you put in your spice blends. When you buy store-bought blends they often have quite a bit of sodium and sometimes even fillers.

Choose your own heat: Having control over the spice level and sweetness of spice blends is so helpful. You can truly make it your own!

Make ahead: Once you find a mix you like, you can make a double or a triple batch and have it on hand.

Ingredients for Zaโ€™atar Seasoning

For the full recipe, scroll down to the recipe card for the amounts of each ingredient.

  • Fennel seeds
  • Cumin seeds 
  • Coriander seeds
  • Dried thyme 
  • Oregano
  • Marjoram 
  • Ground sumac 
  • Kosher salt 
  • Granulated garlic 
  • Brown sugar
  • White sesame seeds

How to Make Zaโ€™atar Seasoning Step by Step

For the full recipe, scroll down to the recipe card for a list of ingredients and instructions.

  1. Crush Seeds: place fennel seeds, cumin seeds, and coriander seeds in a mortar and pestle and grind until fragrant and until the seeds are no longer whole. 
  2. Gently combine spices: add the thyme, oregano, marjoram, sumac, kosher salt, garlic, and brown sugar to mortar and pestle and gently combine. 
  3. Add sesame seeds: Toss the sesame seeds with the rest of the spices. Do not use the pestle to grind the sesame seeds, those should remain whole. 
  4. Transfer zaโ€™atar seasoning to a jar: make sure to use a jar with a cover and store it in a cool, dry place.
za'atar seasoning ingredients in a mortar and pestle

Top Tips for Zaโ€™atar Seasoning

Donโ€™t have a mortar and pestle? If you do not have a mortar and pestle, try using a coffee grinder to crush the seeds. Just be sure to rinse the coffee out of the grinder first.

Make it more savory: Add an additional 1 teaspoon of sumac, and 1/2 teaspoon of granulated garlic.

Make it more sweet: Increase the brown sugar from 2 teaspoons to a tablespoon.

spice jars.

Glass

Spice Jars

Organize your homemade spices with this empty glass spice jar set!

How to Use Zaโ€™atar Seasoning

Zaโ€™atar seasoning is a very versatile spice blend! We love using it in:

  • Meat and seafood
  • Roasted vegetables
  • Eggs
  • Salad dressings
  • Dips
  • More!
One-Pot Za'atar Meatballs and Quinoa

try it!

One Pot Za'atar Meatballs and Couscous

Use this zaโ€™atar seasoning with our amazing one pot zaโ€™atar meatballs and couscous skillet.

ingredients for za'atar seasoning in a mortar and pestle

More Homemade Seasoning Recipes

Save money and limit sodium by making your own seasonings at home! We keep our pantry stocked with our homemade spice blends.

Storage

Store this zaโ€™atar seasoning in a sealed container in a cool dark place. It will last for up to 6 months.

ingredients for za'atar seasoning on a plate

5 from 2 votes

Zaโ€™atar Seasoning Recipe

This zaโ€™atar seasoning is great served over roasted vegetables, used as a dry rub for meat, or sprinkled over eggs.
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 0 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Servings:
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Plus, enjoy weekly doses of recipe inspiration!
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Ingredients 

  • 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
  • 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
  • 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme
  • ยฝ tablespoon oregano
  • 2 teaspoons marjoram
  • 1 tablespoon ground sumac
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon white sesame seeds

Instructions 

  • Place fennel seeds, cumin seeds, and coriander seeds in a mortar and pestle and grind until fragrant and until the seeds are no longer whole. 
  • Add the thyme, oregano, marjoram, sumac, kosher salt, garlic, and brown sugar to mortar and pestle and gently combine. 
  • Finally, toss the sesame seeds with the rest of the spices. Do not use the pestle to grind the sesame seeds, those should remain whole. 
  • Transfer the zaโ€™atar seasoning to a jar with a cover and store in a cool, dry place.

Tips & Notes

  • If you do not have a mortar and pestle, try using a coffee grinder to grind the seeds. Just be sure to rinse the coffee out of the grinder first. 

Nutrition

Calories: 36 kcal, Carbohydrates: 4 g, Protein: 1 g, Fat: 2 g, Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 1 g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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About Emily Richter

Emily is Fit Foodie Finds' editor-in-chief. She has a master's degree in strategic communication and a passion for food. She is an incredible at-home cook, making her writing an important part of the content creation process.

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