Za’atar is a gloriously fragrant spice mix from the Middle East, specifically, Lebanon. It’s earthy, herbal and tangy, all at the same time. Find out how to make this yourself, and you’ll be thankful you did! YouTube video is on the recipe card below.
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
What is Za’atar?
While Za’atar is also the generic name for certain herbs like wild thyme (Za’atar is thyme in Arabic), oregano and bible hyssop, the term itself is more commonly used to refer to a particular Middle Eastern spice mix.
Now I use the word “particular” loosely here, as every cook, every family, is going to have their own “version”, lighter on this, heavier on that, just like mine is generous with the Sumac, a favourite spice. In fact, I’ve had it many times in the Middle East with just thyme, sumac and sesame seeds.
Our recipe here has all the components of a delicious and aromatic za’atar. As you make it more and more, feel free to experiment a little with the ingredients; keeping the basic mix of herbs, sumac and sesame seeds, I’ve given a few suggestion in this post to get you started.
How to use Za’atar?
Any which way you like! Za’atar can be used to:
- flavour rice and couscous
- marinate meat
- use as a coat for fish, meat, etc
- lift the plain yoghurt to another level, think raita with a Middle Eastern slant. In the same vein, use it to add an exotic and sexy twist to your favourite dip, be it hummus, soured cream or anything else that takes your fancy.
In the Lebanon, one of the most popular ways of using this aromatic blend is to mix it with olive oil and top a type of flatbread called Man’oushe (plural Manakeesh, Manaqish) with it before baking it in an oven or on a saj (a domed oven). Click on the image above for the recipe.
Za’atar Ingredients and Method
Cumin
In the video, you’ll see me using pre ground cumin. I toast the cumin, let it cool, grind it in a coffee or spice mill and store in an airtight container until needed. I prefer using ground cumin in my za’atar because it remains in the background and blends beautifully. When it’s pounded from whole, it can stand out a bit more than I like, but it really is a matter of preference.
Sumac
Click here to read more. Sumac is a deep red coloured Middle Eastern spice from the ground berries of the bush with the same name. In the UK, it’s widely available now in major supermarkets, you should always be able to find it in Middle Eastern shops.
Sumac Substitute
Lemon juice and or lemon
If you can get hold of dried lemon peel, just pound it along when making Za’atar or blitz it in a spice mill first. If using the za’atar in a wet recipe, like the yoghurt, bread topping or marinade, then lemon juice will do perfectly.
Ground Dried Persian Limes or Limoo Amani
Click here to read more. These are limes that have been soaked in brine, then left out to dry in the hot sun, and they come in two shades, as you can see in the images here: brown and black. The black limes are just dried a little longer.
These dried limes are salty, sour, a little musky and with just a hint of bitter.
Dry toasting the Sesame Seeds
The sesame seeds are best toasted before being used as this will give you a deeper flavour, with the sesame seeds imparting a nutty flavour and the cumin getting more earthy.
If you like the recipe, don’t forget to leave me a comment and that all important, 5-star rating! Thank you!
And if you make the recipe, share it on any platform and tag me @azlinbloor, and hashtag it #linsfood
Lin xx
Za’atar – a Middle Eastern Spice Mix
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
- half tsp salt
- half tsp cumin seeds
- 1 Tbsp dried thyme
- 1 Tbsp dried oregano
- 1 Tbsp dried marjoram
- 3 Tbsp Sumac or 1 tsp lemon peel
Suggested extras
- Dried rose petals
- Pepper
- Dried chillies
- Dried fruit peels
Za’atar Yoghurt (or Raita)
- 500 ml natural yoghurt of any type, your taste
- 1-2 Tbsp za’atar or more, to taste
- ¼ cucumber chopped into little pieces
- ½ tomato chopped as finely as possible, including juices
- ½ green chilli finely chopped
- 2-3 mint leaves finely chopped
Instructions
- Dry fry the sesame seeds and cumin seeds for about 3 minutes, as in the video.
- Pound the ingredients together in a pestle and mortar, adding each one as you go, in the order they’re listed.
- Store the finished za’atar in an airtight container and keep in a cool dark place. To me, it lasts indefinitely, although its potency will diminish gradually.
Za’atar Yoghurt
- Mix everything together.
Za’atar really is one of the most fragrant and flavour enhancing of spice blends. I almost make mine like you have but without rose petals and dried fruit peels. I can imagine how much more exotic the addition of these extra ingredients would make the mix. Next time definitely!
It certainly is, thank you, Maria.
Awesome. Making it today! I’ll try it with some yoghurt, but definitely want to make the Lebanese flatbread! Thanks mate!
Anytime.
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Thank you, will do.
Oh my, so glad I ran into this post! I love za’atar! I can make it home?? Better yet! I have everything but marjoram. I’ll go get it now…
Thank you Shinee, let me know how you make yours!
I love all of the flavors in this and could find many uses for it! thanks for sharing!
A pleasure, thanks for stopping by. x
I have a bottle of za’atar in my cabinet all the time but had not made it myself. You have shown me how easy it is. Will definitely be making my own. Thx for sharing.
Thanks for stopping by Peter.
I love zaatar and usually get mine when I visit my parents in Dubai. A good friend from Palestine makes it for me and it’s just the most aromatic stuff ever. Better than anything I have tried. The specific kind of oregano you need for this recipe is not available here in Germany and making it with regular oregano is good but not what it should be.
Actually, that’s not quite true, as I mention in the post, there is no single recipe, and many families don’t even use oregano.
I always wanted to try out zaatar mix at home. thank you for sharing <3
A pleasure.
I love making my own spice blends and I quite enjoy Za’atar. Enjoyed it in Turkey and have used at home in Australia. It is so simple to make and enjoy making variations.
Variations are always good!