Lebanese Za’atar Recipe

5 from 8 votes

Lebanese zaatar (also spelled za’atar) is a fantastic, aromatic spice blend of thyme, oregano, sumac, sesame seeds and more. Make this zaatar spice mix recipe to season your favorite dishes!

za'atar spices with spoon in white dish

Lebanon is a Middle Eastern country in Western Asia, full of rich history and amazing cuisine! The aroma of fresh spices used in their cooking is sure to reach anyone walking through the city streets.

Zaatar is a very common spice blend found in the foods of several Middle Eastern countries, including Lebanon, Egypt, and Iran, among others.

The flavor is savory, with a combination of tangy, woodsy, and nutty afternotes. It is literally irresistible, and once you learn how to make this amazing spice blend, I suspect that you will not want to stop sprinkling it on everything!

spoon in bowl of homemade Lebanese spices with bowl of labneh in background

Tip From Kevin

Spices in Lebanese Zaatar

While the recipe can and often does vary by region, there are some basic spices that you will find in nearly every recipe. Spices that you’ll find in other recipes include cumin, and coriander. Play around with the amount of each ingredient to create a unique blend that suits your taste buds.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

(Be sure to check the recipe card for a full list of ingredients and quantities)

  • Thyme – Because the spices are ground, it really doesn’t matter whether you start with whole thyme sprigs or purchase it already ground. However, grinding the leaves yourself will make for better overall flavor.
  • Oregano Leaf – A popular herb in Mediterranean cooking. Its bold, bitter, earthy flavor never goes unnoticed. Grinding or crushing the leaves yourself will make for better overall flavor. Opt for a Mediterranean one, but once I accidentally used Mexican oregano for a surprisingly different twist.
  • Sumac – This gives the blend its tanginess. Nearly everyone who makes their own blend will say that sumac is the key to a good zaatar recipe.
  • Toasted sesame seeds – You can purchase seeds already toasted, or toast them yourself. It just takes a couple of minutes in a dry skillet over medium-low heat.
  • Salt – For the best flavor, I suggest using large grind sea salt, Kosher salt, or Himalayan salt
overhead image: manakeesh with zaatar and labneh

How to Use Za’atar Spice Mix

The opportunities to use zaatar are virtually endless!

  1. Add to oiled bread, flatbreads, pita, or naan, or use it to make a loaf of zaatar bread
  2. Sprinkle on top of Mediterranean hummus and serve with crackers and raw vegetables (cucumber slices are delicious this way!)
  3. Flavoring for soups and salads
  4. Sprinkle on steamed or grilled vegetables
  5. Use in a marinade for chicken or beef
overhead close up of zaatar in bowl with lavash bread hummus and labneh

Storage and shelf life

Like any other homemade spice blend, you’ll want to store this in an airtight container and keep it in a cool, dry location.

If the spices you use are fresh, the blend should be fine to use for at least 6 months. After that, it’s still safe to use, but the flavors will diminish, so it’s best to create a new batch.

hummus with Lebanese za'tar spice blend on top and sliced cucumbers for dipping

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Lebanese za'atar spice blend with spoon in white dish

Lebanese Za’atar Recipe

5 from 8 votes
Lebanese zaatar is a fragrant Middle Eastern blend of sumac, thyme, oregano, sesame seeds and salt. Make this recipe to season your favorite dishes!
Servings: 16
Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • If you can't find toasted sesame seeds: In a small skillet, dry toast the sesame seeds until fragrant and lightly golden in color. Remove from heat and cool.
  • Crush the sumac and salt with the mortar and pestle (or in a small bowl and the end of a wooden spoon). Add the thyme, oregano and optional dried cilantro and grind together. Stir in the sesame seeds and mix thoroughly. Taste, and adjust to taste with a bit more salt, or sumac.
  • Store in an airtight container. This makes about 1 cup.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 23kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 438mg | Potassium: 33mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 62IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 3mg

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Course: Condiment
Cuisine: Lebanese
Author: Kevin
Have You Made This Recipe? Let Me Know on InstagramTag @keviniscooking or tag me #keviniscooking!
titled photo for Pinterest (and shown): Lebanese za'atar spice blend - Silk Road Recipes

Kevin

I was bitten by the cooking bug as a kid cooking and baking along side my mom. After an ROP restaurant course in high school, I went to work in restaurants and catering. My love of travel and food has led me across the world and I love to share those foods with family and friends.

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16 Comments

    1. Thanks for pointing that out Mike. There was a glitch in the program used to convert that has been addressed. Should be good now!

  1. 5 stars
    What a great seasoning; can practically smell all those delicious aromas! Looking forward to giving this a try!